TO REPORT AN ABSENCE

1. To report an absence, parents MUST CALL OR WRITE A NOTE to Lukancic MiddleSchool. A call can be made to 886-2216 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on the date of the absence. Please leave a voicemail message to report an absence during non-school hours. A parent must call each day a child will be absent. Please include the following information.

a. Name of student

b. Grade in school

c. Specific reason for absence

d. Date(s) of absence(s)

2. If a note is written, the note from the parents explaining the reason for non-attendance should be taken to student services and a pass will be issued only for reasons stated in the common section of this book. Students reporting to school without a note or a previous phone call on the day of return following an absence will automatically be considered unexcused.

3. If parents do not call the school to report their child absent, the attendance secretary will make every attempt to call the student's home. A phone call to the parent's place of employment may also be required. A letter will be mailed home if we are unable to reach a parent/guardian by phone.

4. Pre-arranged absences: Vacations during the school year are not encouraged, especially if your child is absent frequently. We realize that sometimes it's unavoidable. To request a prolonged absence (family vacation, etc.) parents must contact the main office in order to get the proper forms. These absences will be considered unexcused.

5. Excessive unexcused absences may result in a truancy report being filed. A student will be marked for a full day of attendance if he/she arrives before 9:13 (the end of first period) or leaves after 1:51 (the beginning of last period). A student will be considered absent half day if he/she arrives before 12:10 pm or leaves after 11:00 am. A student is counted full day absent if he/she arrives after 12:10 pm or leaves before 11:00 am.

MAKE-UP HOMEWORK POLICY

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Daily student health-related complaints will be addressed by the physical education staff and the nurse.  All students are required to have gym shoes, socks, appropriate attire for physical education classes. Students will be expected to participate in outdoor activities during the fall and spring. Students are encouraged to have a sweatsuit or comparable clothing at school to be worn on days when the instructors allow additional clothing to be worn.

Students will not be allowed to return to their lockers after the tardy bell to get their uniforms. Students are not allowed to wear the same clothes for physical education as they wear to school. In addition, students are not allowed to wear another student’s gym clothes. Failure to adhere to the Physical Education uniform policy will result in disciplinary action.

Each student will be assigned a gym locker. Students will be required to purchase a school lock. Non-school locks may not be used on school lockers. It is important that students not reveal the combination of their gym locks to others. This will help safeguard their possessions. Students are not allowed to share a gym locker. A complete listing of rules and expectations will be issued by the Physical Education Department.

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Student records are confidential, and information from them is not released other than as provided by state law. State and federal law grants students over eighteen and parent(s)/guardian(s) of minors the right to inspect, copy, and challenge school records. The information maintained in student records is current, accurate, clear, and relevant and is directly related to the provision of services. The district may release directory information as permitted by law, but provisions exist for objection to their release.  Permanent records include identifying information, academic transcripts, attendance records, accident, and health reports and information pertaining to records release, honors and awards, teacher anecdotal records, disciplinary information such as records of expulsions, suspensions, and punishment concerning misconduct involving drugs, weapons, or bodily harm to another, special education files, verified information from non-educational persons of clear relevance to student education, and information pertaining to release of this record. These records are maintained for five years following departure from the district.  Parent(s)/Guardian(s) may examine all information in the record within fifteen days of making such a request in writing, including third party reports such as medical reports sent by doctors or hospitals, receive an explanation of records contents by school personnel, challenge the contents of the record (excluding grades) and request correction of inaccurate data or insert written explanations of their own regarding content.  Challenge procedures include the right to request a hearing at which both sides may present evidence, call and cross examine witnesses, have counsel, obtain a written statement of any decision and reasons, and appeal adverse decisions to an administrative tribunal and/or to a court.  Where the parent(s)/guardian(s) are divorced or separated, both shall be permitted to inspect and copy records unless a court order indicates otherwise. These may be requested via mail.  Except where permitted or required by state and federal law, student records are not released without parental consent. The district may also release records to others with a signed, dated consent indicating which records are to be released and the reason. The district may also release records to the records custodian of another Illinois school district or counterpart in another state when a student is enrolling, in compliance with a court order, or in the event of a medical emergency.

Copies of records may be obtained by parent(s)/guardian(s) at a cost of $.35 per page unless evidence of inability to pay is provided. 

in the school program will require a statement from a physician and may necessitate the development of a health care plan or Section 504 plan.

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PHYSICIAN’S NOTE

Students who are medically exempt from physical education must provide a doctor’s note listing the duration on exemption. PE exemption notes must be renewed annually.   If the student has a fever 100 degrees or greater, has a heavy cough, is vomiting or has

diarrhea, the student should not be sent to school. The student may be sent to school after the fever and/or above symptoms have been resolved for 24 hours. Facilities for the care of sick students are limited and must be kept available for emergencies or sudden illness during the school day. Parents may be contacted and requested to pick up their child if a student displays any of the above symptoms or symptoms of a communicable disease.

Valley View School District 365U follows the Illinois Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Guide.

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HEAD LICE

Head lice constitute a nuisance rather than a disease. Students found to have head lice are sent home with appropriate instructions for treatment and may return to school when the school nurse or health assistant determines that they are nit-free. School personnel notify

parents and/or check groups of potentially affected students as they deem necessary.

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MEDICATION

Administering Medicines to Students

Parent(s)/guardian(s) are responsible for administering medicines to their children. Administering medication during school hours or during school-related activities is discouraged unless it is necessary for the critical health and well being of a student. Parent(s)/guardian(s) may authorize their child to self-administer a medication according to the district’s policy for student self-administration of medication.  The medication form is a two-sided form and may be obtained from the school health office or on the district/school web page. The physician must complete the front side of the form completely. The parent must complete the back of the form and initial any

statements 1-6 as they apply. Any student carrying his/her asthma inhaler or epi-pen must have the appropriate line checked by the physician on the front of the form and parent signature in the appropriate areas on the back side of the medication form. The form must

be returned to the health office at the school. Any medication must be brought to the school by a parent or guardian in its original container or pharmacist-labeled bottle for safe storage and supervised self-administration. Students may carry their inhalers if the

medication form is completed and on file in the health office. Only those medications which are necessary for the critical health and well being of the student and which must be taken during school hours shall be self-administered. Included are both prescription

and non-prescription drugs. A copy of the district policy, procedures and request form for administering medication will be supplied to you upon request.  A student who requires medication during the school day must:

• Have a completed School Medication Authorization Form, obtained from the schooland signed by a parent and the prescribing physician indicating the need for takingmedication during the school day.

A parent must:

• Bring the medication to school in a prescription container. Any over the countermedication, prescribed by a physician must include the manufacturer’s original label with dosage and ingredients listed on the label. Student’s name must be affixed to the container.

• Any unused medication must be picked up by parent at the end of the prescribing time or end of the school year. Medications will not be sent home with the student. Any medication not picked up by parent will be discarded by nurse or administrator in the presence of a witness.

Students are not permitted to carry any medications during the school day. In certain cases, students are permitted to carry/use their asthma inhalers or epi-pens.   Contact the school for information.

Students are not permitted to carry any medications during the school day. The policy pertains to all medications, both prescription and non-prescription drugs.  Under no circumstances should a student administer or give their medication to another person to use. Additional information and copies of Board Policy 7:280 are available upon request.

Nothing in the policy prohibits any school employee from providing emergency assistance to students, including the administration medication. In certain cases, students are permitted to carry/use asthma inhalers or epi-pens. Contact your school for information.

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Physical Examination Requirements

The school code requires that proof of a physical examination and proof of immunizations be provided for all students within one year of entering kindergarten, fifth and ninth grade.  Dental examinations are required for students entering kindergarten, second, and sixth

grades.  All students including transfer students who do not have proof of compliance with physical and immunization requirements by September 1 will be excluded from school pending receipt of the required health forms. Students transferring after the first day of

the school year will have 30 calendar days to comply with the physical and immunization requirements. Dental examinations are due by May 15th and may be completed within one year prior to this date.

Required immunizations for middle school are:

• Polio- 4 or more dose of combination IPV/OPV or three doses of exclusively IPR orexclusively OPV. The last dose must be a booster given on or after the 4th birthday.

• DTP/DtaP or Td - 3 or more doses of DTP/DtaP or Td with last dose given at least six months from the previous dose and on or after the 4th birthday. Td boosters are given every 10 years thereafter.

• Measles - 2 doses, the first dose given on or after the 1st birthday. The second dose must be 4 weeks or more from the first or physicians diagnosis with dates and physician certification or laboratory evidence of immunity.

• Mumps - One dose after the 1st birthday or physicians diagnosis with dates and physician certification or laboratory evidence of immunity.

• Rubella - One dose after the 1st birthday or laboratory evidence of immunity.  Disease history is not acceptable.

• Varicella (Student entering Pre-K, Kindergarten 7/02 or after)

• Haemophilus Influenzae type b Hib: Not required at this age.

• Hepatitis B - 3 dose of Hep B first and second dose at least one month apart, second andthird dose at least two months apart, first and third dose must be at least four months apart. Laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable.

If there is a medical reason the student may not receive any of the above immunizations, written verification from the student’s physician must be submitted with the physical form. This exemption will then be forwarded to the Illinois Department of Human

Services for review.

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TRANSPORTATION

The Valley View District 365-U transportation department can be reached at 815/886- 6686. Special Education transportation is provided by Crawford Transportation, and can be reached at 815/886-1012. Early Childhood Program transportation is provided by

Valley View Transportation Department.

Transportation

Students must be at their assigned school bus stop 5 minutes prior to the pick-up time.  This helps us to maintain schedules to get students to school on time. A basic essential to the transportation process is an environment, which is conducive to safety.

Drivers cannot drive when chaos, disruption and fear exist. The school system has a responsibility to protect the rights of the students to safe travel to and from school, as well as to insure the proper operation of the district transportation system. The behavior is the

joint responsibility of the district, parent, and pupil.

Student(s) are assigned bus stop and route based upon their home address. Student(s) can only ride the bus route they are assigned. They can only ride that bus from their assigned bus stop. Student(s) are not to ride a different route and/or board/depart from a different bus stop without the written permission of school Principal or designee.  If for some reason your student(s) needs to ride a different route/bus stop to and/or from school:

• Parent/Guardian must write a letter requesting permission to the Principal of school.

• Principal or designee must sign letter giving permission for the change.

• Student(s) mustpresent a permission letter signed by Principal or designee to driver in order to vary from the bus route. No exceptions without signed permission from Principal or designee.

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School Bus Safety Guidelines

The courtesy and respect expected of a student in school is also expected on a bus. All school rules that pertain to behavior and conduct in school apply to riding a bus to and from school or to participate in related school activities and field trips. Always listen to

the driver’s instructions. A bus driver has the authority to assign students to seats, and/or to report students to the dean who do not meet behavioral expectations. All students must follow the District’s School Bus Safety Guidelines. Gross disobedience or misconduct

providing grounds for suspension from riding the school bus and/or other disciplinary measures as provided in Valley View Community Unit School District 365U, Board Policy 7:190, Student Discipline include:

1. Prohibited student conduct as defined in the Student Discipline policy.

2. Willful injury or threat of injury to a bus driver or to another rider.

3. Willful and/or repeated defacement of the bus.

4. Repeated use of profanity.

5. Repeated willful disobedience of the bus driver’s directives.

6. Such other behavior as the administration deems to threaten the safe operations of the bus and/or it occupants.

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Instruction to School Bus Riders

School bus riders, while in transit, are under the jurisdiction of the school bus driver.  It is recommended that all riders, parents of riders, and teachers become thoroughly familiar with the following regulations governing school bus riders

1. Be on time at the designated school bus stop; help keep the bus on schedule.

2. Stay off of and away from the road at all times while waiting for the bus.

3. Be careful in approaching the place where the bus stops. Do not move toward thebus until the bus has been brought to a complete stop.

4. Do not leave your seat while the bus is in motion.

5. Be alert to a danger signal from the driver.

6. Remain in the bus in the event of a road emergency until instructions are given by the driver.

7. Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times after entering and until leaving the bus. Do not throw anything out the bus windows.

8. Remember that loud talking and laughing or unnecessary confusion diverts the driver’s attention and could result in a serious accident.

9. Be absolutely quiet when approaching a railroad crossing stop.

10. Treat bus equipment as you would valuable furniture in your own home. Never tamper with the bus or any of its equipment.

11. Assist in keeping the bus safe and sanitary at all times. No eating or drinking is allowed on the bus.

12. Carry no animals on the bus.

13. Keep books, packages, coats, and all other objects out of the aisles.

14. Leave no books, lunches, or other articles on the bus.

15. Be courteous to fellow pupils and the bus driver.

16. Help look after the safety and comfort of smaller children.

17. Do not ask the driver to stop at places other than the regular bus stop; he/she is not permitted to do this except by proper authorization from a school official.

18. Observe safety precautions at bus stop discharge points. Where it is necessary to cross the highway, proceed to a point in front of the bus where you can see the bus driver and the bus driver can see you, on the right shoulder of the highway where traffic may be observed in both directions. Then wait for a signal from the bus driver permitting you to cross.

19. Observe the same rules and regulations on other trips under school sponsorship as you observe between home and school. Respect the wishes of the chaperone appointed by the school.

20. Do not get involved in improper activities, unsafe behavior or destruction of property at a bus stop.

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Use of Video Cameras on School Buses

Video cameras may be used on school buses as necessary in order to monitor conduct and maintain a safe environment for students and employees.  The contents of the videotapes are student records and are subject to District policy and procedure concerning school student records. Only those people with a legitimate educational or administrative purpose may view the videotapes. In most instances, individuals with a legitimate educational or administrative purpose will be the Superintendent, Building Principal, Transportation Director, bus driver, and sponsor, coach, or other supervisor. If the content of videotape becomes the subject of a student disciplinary hearing, it will be treated like other evidence in the proceeding. In no case, is a person not authorized by the policy allowed to view a videotape of students on school buses.

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Discipline Procedure

The District’s standard suspension procedures shall be used to suspend a student’s privilege to ride a school bus.

Notice to Parent/Guardian

Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) who must provide transportation to and from school, because free transportation is not available for their children, may be eligible to receive money from the state to help offset some of the cost. For example, bus fares or mileage reimbursement for private automobiles. If you can answer yes to the following questions for the current school year, you may be

eligible to receive reimbursement for providing THIS transportation.

1. Will the pupil be under the age of 21 at the close of the school year?

2. Is the pupil a full-time student in grades kindergarten through twelve?

3. Does the pupil either live 11/2 miles or more from the school or live less than 11/2miles from school but must be transported due to a serious safety hazard resulting from vehicles? (See instructions below for verification of safety hazard through Regional Superintendent’s Office.)

4. Does the pupil attend a school within Illinois which meets Illinois compulsory attendance laws?

5. Did the parent/guardian incur transportation expenses resulting from transporting the pupil to and from school?

6. Did the pupil not have access to transportation to and from school provided entirely at public expense?

7. Did the parent/guardian reside within Illinois during the time period expenses were incurred?

If you answered yes to the above questions, lived in Illinois and wish to file a claim, you must go to the school where each of your children is enrolled by June 30 of the current school year to submit claim information. You may provide claim information to appropriate

school personnel at your child’s attendance center from the middle of February until June 30.

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Parents/guardians who have pupils living less than 11/2 miles from the school attended must verify that a safety hazard due to vehicular traffic exists by:

1. requesting an application for determination of serious safety hazard at the Regional Superintendent of Schools Office, Joliet, Illinois;

2. completing and returning the Application for Determination of Serious Safety Hazard to the Regional Superintendent of Schools Office, Joliet, Illinois, by FEBRUARY 1.

The Regional Superintendent is required to send the Application to the Illinois Department of Transportation within 15 days. The Illinois Department of Transportation reviews and approves or denies the Application and returns it to the Regional Superintendent of Schools within 30 days.  The Regional Superintendent of Schools office will then mail the reviewed Application to the parent/guardian who requested the safety hazard verification. If the safety hazard is approved, THE PARENT/GUARDIAN MUST GO TO THE SCHOOL THE PUPIL ATTENDS TO SUBMIT CLAIM INFORMATION. THIS MUST BE DONE BY JUNE 30 OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR. 

REMEMBER, parents/guardians who have students living less than 11/2 miles from the school attended must request and complete an application for determination of serious safety hazard by February 1, at the Regional Superintendent’s Office in Joliet. If the application is approved, parent(s)/guardians) then must go to the school the pupil attends to submit claim information. Claim information should be submitted from the middle of February through June 30. Claim information will be transmitted electronically to the Illinois State Board of Education on the next business day after June 30. If the claim is approved, a check will

be sent directly from the state during November. If parents/guardians have any questions, please call the school office.

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SCHOOL BUS STOPS:

A RISKY PART OF THE RIDE WHY STUDENTS ARE IN DANGER

Millions of children in the United States ride safely to and from school on school buses each day. Although school buses are the

safest way to get them to school, an average of 33 school-age children die in school bus-related traffic crashes each year. Most of those killed are pedestrians, five to seven years old. They are hit in the danger zone around the bus (A), either by a passing vehicle

or by the school bus itself. It is illegal for a car to pass a bus with its red light flashing.

SAFETY STEPS YOU CAN TAKE

• Educate children to get to the stop on time.  Teach them to stand and wait far away from the road. Instruct them to avoidany rough playing at that bus stop.

• Supervise children to make sure they get to the stop on time, wait far away from the road, and avoid rough play.

• Teach your child to ask the driver for help if he drops something near the bus (B). If a child stoops to pick up something, the driver cannot see him/her. The child could be hit by the bus in this circumstance. A book bag or backpack would help keep loose items together.

• Make sure clothing has no loose drawstrings and back pack straps are short, so they don’t get caught in the handrail or bus door.

• Educate and encourage safe school bus loading and unloading.

• If you think a bus stop is in a dangerous place, talk with your school office or transportation director about changing the location.

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TEACH YOUR CHILD TO GET ON AND OFF THE BUS SAFELY

1. When loading, stay away from the danger zone and wait for the driver’s signal. Board the bus in single file.

2. When unloading, look before stepping off the bus to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (side of the road). Move away from the bus (C).

3. Before crossing the street, take “giant steps”, out from the front of the bus, or until the driver’s face can be seen. Wait for the driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.

4. Look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped. Continue to watch for traffic when crossing.

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RISKY BUSINESS FOR MOTORISTS: PASSING A STOPPED

SCHOOL BUS

What is the most dangerous part of the school bus ride? The bus stop!

Children are at greatest risk when they are getting on or off the school bus. Most of the children killed in bus related crashes are pedestrians, five to seven years old, who are getting on or off the bus. They are hit by the school bus or by motorists illegally passing a stopped bus. In neighborhoods, near schools, and at bus stops, drivers need to take special care because children do not behave

like adults.

Elementary school children:

• Become easily distracted and may start across the street without warning.

• Don’t understand the danger of moving vehicles.

• Can’t judge vehicle speed or distance.

• May be blocked from view by the bus.

Most importantly, children expect vehicles to stop for them at the school bus stop.

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STANDARD SCHOOL BUS STOP LAWS

Learn and follow the school bus laws for motorists in your state. Laws exist to protect children getting on and off the bus AND to protect you from a tragedy. Check with your school transportation office or police department for more information on your state’s laws.

Here are standard rules:

• Motorists coming to a school bus from either direction must stop when the bus displays flashing red warning lights and extends the stop signal arm.  These signals show that children are getting on or off the school bus.

• Vehicles may not pass until the flashing red lights and signals are turned off.

• Drivers traveling in the same direction as the bus are always required to stop.

• In Illinois, drivers moving the opposite direction on divided roadway are not required to stop.

• Never pass on the right side of the bus, where children enter or exit. This is illegal and can have tragic results.

Violation of these laws can result in a citation and fine. In many places, school bus drivers can report passing vehicles!

For more information, call the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline: 1/888-DASH-2-DOT or visit the NHTSA website, www.nhtsa.dot.gov

 ALTERNATE LOCATION DROP-OFF/PICK-UP PROGRAM

The Alternate Drop-off/Pick-up Program provides student transportation to and from an alternate drop-off/pick-up location rather than the student’s residence at the beginning and end of each school day.  Conditions of Participation

• The residence of the child care provider must be within walking distance, with no intervening IDOT safety hazard areas, of the bus route serving the child’s school.

• No deviation shall be required in the established bus routing.

• Participation shall be contingent upon availability of space on the bus route.

• Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must sign a Waiver and Release of All Claims form.

• The Child Care Provider must sign a Child Care Provider form.

• Participation in the Program is contingent upon five-days-per-week participation for a minimum period of one semester.

• Participation in the Program will terminate in the event that any false or misleading information is provided on the forms.

Questions regarding this program should be directed to the Transportation Office at 815/886-7262. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 6 am to 4:30 pm. Present applications in person to the Valley View School District 365U Transportation Department, 758 West Romeo Road (135th Street), Romeoville, IL 60446, or mail to:

Valley View Transportation, 755 Luther Drive, Romeoville, IL 60446.

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TRANSPORTATION OF NON-ELIGIBLE STUDENTS - Parent-Paid Busing
The Parent-Paid Busing Program offers transportation on existing routes to students who are not eligible for district-paid busing. The Parent-Paid Busing program only applies for transportation to and from the student’s home area or day care provider located within the boundaries of the student’s assigned school. At the elementary level, transportation only applies to and from school; it does not include any after-school