2024-25 Family Handbook
General School Procedures and Protocols
Animals on School Grounds
Live animals will not be allowed in school district facilities except under special circumstances and only for an educational purpose. Permission from the principal will be required of anyone wishing to bring an animal into school district facilities. Appropriate supervision of animals is required when animals are brought into the school district facilities.
The person bringing the animal must furnish transportation for the animal brought to school. Animals will not be allowed to travel to and from the student's attendance center on the school bus without prior approval from the principal.
It is the responsibility of the principal to determine appropriate supervision of animals in the classroom. This policy is not intended to address the use of service animals, assistive animals, therapy animals or emotional support animals on District property.
If someone is injured by an animal or comes into contact with a toxic plant, the incident shall be immediately reported to the school nurse and administration. The principal shall notify the appropriate persons.
Appointments/Picking Up Students
Generally, students are allowed to leave the school building only at dismissal times. Please come into the office to pick up your child for appointments or illness and sign your student out in the office. Elementary students will not be allowed to leave the building without a parent or guardian coming in to check them out.
Anytime you are waiting to pick up your child, please wait in the office. Parents/guardians in the hallways near the classrooms create a distraction to the instructional program of the school.
Parents/Guardians should try to arrange medical, dental, and legal appointments during non-school hours to minimize lost instruction time. If a student needs to be excused for a particular period, parents/guardians must call the Attendance Office/School Office before the student exits the building. High school students should report to the Attendance Office where they will be issued a verification form, which is to be signed and returned to the Attendance Office/School Office upon returning. Once the form is returned to the Attendance Office/School Office, the absence will be marked excused. Failure to return the verification form will result in an unexcused absence.
Bicycles/Rollerblades/Skateboards/Scooters
The school policy is that only students in grades 3 and above may ride bicycles to school without being accompanied by an adult or older sibling. Bicycle helmets are expected if your child rides his/her bike to/from school. Bikes should be walked on and off school property. A bicycle lock is suggested, as the school assumes no responsibility for supervision, theft, or damage of bicycles. Students should discontinue the use of skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, heelys, hoverboards, mopeds, and scooters, etc., when they are on school property.
Cell Phones & Electronic Devices
The school will not be responsible for electronic devices (i.e smartwatch, earbuds) and cell phones brought to school. If a student brings a cell phone or electronic device to school they must turn off the device and leave it in a backpack or locker, unless permission is given by a teacher or administrator. Inappropriate use of a device or a prohibited item will cause the item to be taken away from the student and returned at a later time or date. Students found in violation of this policy may be subject to discipline and, in cases where a law may be violated, law enforcement may be contacted. Age appropriate cell phone expectations may differ by grade levels and be communicated accordingly by school administration.
Distribution of Materials
903.5 Distribution of Materials
903.5R1 Distribution of Materials RegulationThe Bettendorf Community School District provides the Virtual Backpack as a conduit for educational community activities. Approved fliers will be posted on the website and a notice will be sent by email to students' families through the school year Friday newsletter, Bett District Update.
Please refer to the Board Policies above regarding distribution of other information.
Door-to-Door Solicitation
Elementary students should not go door-to-door when participating in such events as school fundraisers, etc. Students should only ask people they know.
Dress Code
502.1 Student Appearance
Students are expected to adhere to standards of cleanliness and dress that are compatible with the requirements of a good learning environment. The standards will be those generally acceptable to the community as appropriate in a school setting.
The board expects students to be clean and well-groomed and wear clothes in good repair and appropriate for the time, place and occasion. Clothing or other apparel promoting products illegal for use by minors and clothing displaying obscene material, profanity, or reference to prohibited conduct are disallowed. While the primary responsibility for appearance lies with the students and their parents, appearance disruptive to the education program will not be tolerated. When, in the judgment of a principal, a student's appearance or mode of dress disrupts the educational process or constitutes a threat to health or safety, the student may be required to make modifications.
Drug Free School Zones
502.7 Smoking – Drinking - Drugs
905.2 Tobacco-Free EnvironmentThe Bettendorf Board of Education, in cooperation with the Bettendorf Police Department, has established Drug Free School Zones around all schools within the Bettendorf School District. A Drug Free School Zone is identified as all property within 1,000 feet of a school. Iowa state law provides an increased penalty for a person who distributes an illegal substance to a person under eighteen years of age within the Drug Free School Zone. Any indications of drug trafficking in the area should be reported to the Bettendorf Police Department at 344-4015.
The board prohibits the distribution, dispensing, manufacture, possession, use, or being under the influence of beer, wine, alcohol, tobacco, other controlled substances, or "look alike" substances that appear to be tobacco, beer, wine, alcohol or controlled substances by students while on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.
Field Trips
Educational field trips authorized by the district are part of the curriculum for all grades PK-12. These experiences are carefully planned and carried out in the same manner as work completed in the classroom, and all school rules apply. Parents of students who do NOT wish to grant student permission to take field trips should notify their building principal. A principal/designee may withhold students from a field trip. Siblings are not allowed to go on field trips.
International Students
Qualified international students in grades 9-12, with an appropriate student visa, may be enrolled and attend school without charge, if they are recommended by the American Field Service or an approved local organization and reside within the boundaries of this school district.
Proper forms and other required papers must be processed by the school district, the student, and the sponsoring organization before an international student can be formally admitted to school.
Meals/Snacks
Donations
Bettendorf Nutrition Services accepts donations to help support students with negative lunch accounts. The funds go into a Negative Lunch Balance Account to allow money to be added to the accounts of students in need. Contact Michell Riessen at (563) 359-3681 or mriessen@bettendorf.k12.ia.us.Breakfast
Breakfast is served at each of our locations. Please check with your student’s school to determine what time breakfast is served each day.Lunch
507.9 Wellness PolicyStudents are expected to be orderly and exhibit manners. Fast food and carbonated beverages are strongly discouraged. Food deliveries from food chains will not be accepted by office staff.
Each lunch is a single serving of food and milk.
Free & Reduced Meals Application
The Free & Reduced Application for Bettendorf School parents/guardians is available online. The application may be accessed through your Parent Portal account. In the left menu bar, select Applications/Forms and then Meals Benefits Application. When completing the application for free or reduced lunch, applicants will be able to select “permission to share” for the Student Fee Waiver which requests consideration for other discounted fees, such as busing and student fees. This application must be completed each school year.Menus
School menus may be viewed at - https://bettendorf.nutrislice.com/menuMeal Account Payments
The Bettendorf Community School District uses an automated food service accounting system. Money may be deposited into your child’s account at any time either by sending money/check in an envelope with your child’s name and room referenced, or by making an online payment.Online Payments of Meal Accounts - Parents/guardians may make school-related payments online through e-check, debit or credit card payments from the Infinite Campus Parent portal. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover. The minimum online transaction must be $5 or greater. There is a convenience fee of $2.50 per purchase for credit card transactions OR $0.35 per purchase for eCheck transactions. Payments can be made online through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Peanuts & Tree Nuts
Elementary Schools
In an effort to meet the needs of all of the elementary students at Bettendorf Community School District, we will not be serving any products with peanuts or tree nuts as an ingredient. Students who are severely allergic to peanuts or tree nuts should have a letter on file from their physician. Although we do not serve items with peanuts or tree nuts as an ingredient in our elementary schools, we cannot guarantee that the products we serve were manufactured in a nut free facility, as the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) does not require companies to list this on labels. Bettendorf Community School District is nut aware, but we are not a nut free school district.
Middle & High School
The high school and the middle school will not serve any products with peanuts or tree nuts as an ingredient on the main serving line; however alternate lines (Chick-Fil-A, pizza, PB&J, etc.) and a la carte lines in both the high school and middle school, as well as the Bulldog Grab ‘N Go, will offer products with peanuts as an ingredient and products with peanut and tree nut traces. Please make sure that your student is aware of this when purchasing items from the alternate serving line, the a la carte line, or from the Bulldog Grab 'N Go.
Phone Use & Messages for Students
Please limit messages for students to emergency situations. Families are encouraged to make plans ahead of time and reserve the phone for the rare unavoidable circumstances that occasionally occur. It is very disruptive to the instructional programs to have classes interrupted for messages, and it also demands a great deal of time from the office staff.
Student Release During School Hours
Open lunch privileges are extended to sophomores with 7 or more credits with parent permission, and juniors with fourteen or more credits. Open campus privileges are extended to students in their fourth year of school with twenty-one or more credits. Parents or guardians of junior and senior students, who do not want their students to have open lunch/open campus privileges, must contact an administrator at Bettendorf High School and indicate their request in the form of a letter. The student will be assigned to a supervised area or encouraged to enroll in an additional class where available space remains. Open lunch/open campus is a privilege that is earned by students who remain in good academic standing and who demonstrate positive attendance and disciplinary behaviors. Junior and senior students who qualify for open lunch may, on occasion, have their lunch times switched to accommodate course testing. Additionally, freshman or sophomore students outside the cafeteria doors during lunch will be considered off-campus. Junior or senior students who transport freshmen and/or sophomores off campus will receive consequences which may include loss of off campus privileges for a designated amount of time.
Student Directory Information
506.2E1 Parent Authorization for Releasing Student Directory Information - Denial Form
Parents not wanting their student’s information released for military recruiters and post-secondary institutions, student directory, district website and publicity must fill out a denial form and return it to their school office by September 1 each year of their student’s enrollment in the district.
Technology
The Bettendorf Community School District commits to equity and access of learning and technology resources for all students PK-12. Technology devices and online resources are critical to our educational program, and access is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in this technology use agreement. The disclosure of student information by district staff is subject to local, state, and federal policy including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Online Registration Release Agreements
The list below is a summary of all of the annual notices and agreements presented annually to families during online registration/annual updates.
Board Policy 605.6: Internet - Appropriate Use
Google Workspace and Third Party Learning Tools
Filtering, Monitoring, and Responding to Online Activity
Technology Use Agreements
Student Information/Directory Release
Permission for Military Recruitment and Post Secondary Institutions
Field Trip Agreement
Acknowledgement of BCSD Family Handbook
Acknowledgement of Policy 503.8 Discipline of Students Who Make Threats of Violence or Cause Incidents of Violence
*Note: If parents wish to update student access to the internet after online registration has been completed, parents should fill out the Internet - Appropriate Use Form and turn it into the building secretary at your student’s respective school.
Internet/Social Media Use
605.6: Internet - Appropriate Use
605.6R1: Student Internet/Network Appropriate Use Regulation
District Web Page AgreementBCSD takes digital citizenship and your students’ online privacy seriously. To learn more about BCSD’s Internet/Social Media Policies, please view them on the district website at www.bettendorf.k12.ia.us.
Parents can update their household, family member and non-household contact information through their Infinite Campus Parent Portal account. IC Parent Portal is the system that allows parents to securely access information about their student such as attendance and lunch accounts, and to update contact information via the internet. It is critical to the health and safety of your student that you keep your contact information up-to-date.
The district has online registration through IC Parent Portal and you will need a parent account to access registration material. IC mobile portal apps are even available for Apple and Android devices. If you do not have computer access, please contact your building for assistance.
Parents/guardians needing to obtain access to IC parent portal, should please fill out the Infinite Campus Parent Portal Acceptable Use Agreement linked or contact the building secretary to receive necessary information to obtain an account. If you have established a parent account but cannot remember your login information, contact Technology at 359-3681 x 3032.
Students and families who are issued any district owned technology device shall consent to a user's agreement annually during online registration. Please refer to the Student Device Agreement to review the terms and conditions presented during online registration.
The BCSD Operations Center staff work to ensure that students are transported safely and that our facilities are managed to help provide great services to our students, staff and community. Learn more at Transportation Request Form | Nonpublic Transportation Reimbursement Form
Bettendorf Community School District adheres to the State of Iowa statutory busing limits. Elementary and middle school students residing more than 2 miles from school, and high school students living more than 3 miles from Bettendorf High School will have available FREE bus transportation provided by the school district. For students who qualify for busing, daily transportation to and from school will be available at designated stops. Transportation is also provided for all administrative transferred students at no cost to the family. All families requiring transportation for their students are required to register for transportation on the district website., regardless of free or paid status.
For students within the district boundaries who do not qualify for free transportation services, daily transportation to and from school will be available as space allows at designated stops for $175 per semester, or $350 per year. One-way transportation is available for $87.50 per semester, or $175 per year. Fees must be paid at registration.
School Bus Safety
711.7 School Bus Safety Instructions
The school district will conduct school bus safe riding practices instruction and emergency safety drills at least twice during the school year, once in the fall and once in the spring, for students who utilize school district transportation. Documentation of these safety drills will be maintained by the district for five years and made available upon request. Each school bus vehicle will have, in addition to the regular emergency safety drill, a plan for helping those students who require special assistance to safety during an emergency. This will include, but not be limited to, students with disabilities. Employees are responsible for instructing the proper techniques to be followed during an emergency, as well as safe riding practices.
Bus Rules
711.2R1 Student Conduct on School Transportation Regulation
All persons riding in school district vehicles shall adhere to the following rules. The driver, sponsor or chaperones are to follow the school bus discipline procedure for student violations of this policy. Recording devices are in operation on the school buses.
Bus riders will be at the designated loading point before the bus arrival time.
Bus riders waiting for a bus will stand a safe distance from the curb until the bus comes to a complete stop and the door is opened. Students must refrain from crowding or pushing.
Riders must not extend arms or head out of the windows at any time.
Aisles must be kept clear at all times.
All bus riders will load and unload through the right front door. The emergency door is for emergencies only.
A bus rider will depart from the bus at the designated point unless written permission to get off at a different location is given to the driver.
A rider may be assigned a seat by the driver.
Riders who damage seats or other equipment will reimburse the district for the cost of the repair or replacement.
Riders are not permitted to leave their seats while the vehicle is in motion.
Waste containers are provided on all buses for bus riders’ use.
Permission to open windows must be obtained from the driver.
Classroom conduct is to be observed by students while riding the bus except for ordinary conversation. Riders shall converse in normal tones; loud or vulgar language is prohibited. When the bus is crossing a railroad track, all conversations must stop until the bus has crossed the tracks.
The driver is in charge of the students and the vehicle, and the driver is to be obeyed promptly and cheerfully.
Students will assist in looking after the safety and comfort of younger students.
A bus rider who must cross the roadway to board or depart from the bus will pass in front of the bus (no closer than 10 feet), look in both directions and proceed to cross the road or highway only on signal from the driver.
Students will not throw objects about the vehicle nor out through the windows.
Shooting paper wads, squirt guns, or other material in the vehicle is not permitted.
Students will keep feet off the seats.
Roughhousing in the vehicle is prohibited.
Bus riders must refrain from playing or loitering in the roadway.
The use or possession of alcohol, tobacco, or look-alike substances is prohibited in the vehicle.
The Good Conduct Rule is in effect.
Student Conduct
Students utilizing school transportation shall conduct themselves in an orderly manner fitting to their age level and maturity with mutual respect and consideration for the rights of the school vehicle driver and the other passengers. Students who fail to behave in an orderly manner will be subject to disciplinary measures. After one warning for bad conduct, the building principal will have the authority to suspend transportation privileges of the student or impose other appropriate discipline. Those students guilty of flagrant, repeated, or gross disobedience or misconduct on school buses are subject to suspension within the guidelines of the school district’s Student Behavior and Discipline Policy, Code No. 503.1. Continued violation of bus rules will be considered sufficient cause for refusing to transport student(s) involved, and may lead to suspension or expulsion from school, depending on the seriousness of the matter.
Video Surveillance711.2 Student Conduct on School Transportation
The Board supports the use of recording devices on school buses used for transportation to and from school as well as for field trips, curricular or extracurricular events. The recording devices will be used to monitor student behavior and may be used as evidence in a student disciplinary proceeding. The recordings are student records subject to school district confidentiality, board policy and administrative regulations.
Toys & Games
Students may not bring toys, toy guns, games, sports cards, trading cards, video games, etc. to school unless prior approval is granted by the building principal. Trading or selling items at school is prohibited. The school will not be responsible for any such items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.
Unsafe/Dangerous Items
502.6 Dangerous Weapons
Matches, lighters, guns (including water guns, and toy pistols), knives, and hard balls of any kind are forbidden at school. These items will be taken from the student and the parent will be contacted. At that time, disciplinary action will be discussed, including possible suspension or expulsion.
Visitors
All visitors are required to show government photo identification when they register in the office prior to visiting classrooms, and to wear a visitor badge while they are in the building. Parents are encouraged to visit at school, but it is important to avoid interrupting instructional and planning time. Scheduling appointments is the best way to handle this. If you wish to visit a classroom, please get prior approval from the building principal.
Visitor Check-In Procedures
To help provide a safe environment for our students, staff and visitors, the Bettendorf Community School District has a check-in procedure for school visitors (including parents and volunteers).
Check in through the front office
Provide a driver’s license or government photo ID
Sign in and out via our visitor management system. Please be prepared to provide a driver’s license or government ID for scanning.
Wear a visitor’s badge
Generally, the process should be very quick and efficient. Most importantly, this helps ensure inappropriate access to students or schools does not occur.