School Handbook and Policies

Statement of Policy

I. DEFINITIONS

“Minor” means a person under the age of 18 years.

“Truant” means absent from school without a legitimate or valid excuse.

“School-age minor” means a minor who is at least six years old, but younger than 18 years old; and is not emancipated.

II. PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY

To empower all students to function effectively in the society in which they live, the Cache County Board of Education (Board) promotes and encourages regular school attendance of all students. This policy authorizes appropriate interventions when students are truant. Accordingly, the District expects parents and students to fully comply with the State’s compulsory attendance law.

III. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE PRINCIPLES

Frequent absences of students from regular classroom learning experiences disrupt the continuity of the instructional process. The Board supports the following school attendance principles:

A. Regular interaction between students in the classroom and student participation in well-planned instructional activities under the direction of a competent teacher are essential to the learning experience;

B. The Board recognizes that Utah law requires parents or guardians to ensure the attendance of their school-age children in school;

C. It is reasonable to expect school administrators to encourage a parent or legal guardian to comply with Utah attendance laws to ensure regular student attendance and punctuality.

D. Timely communication between parents, teachers, and the school administration resolves most attendance issues.

IV. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES

Using this policy, each school shall establish attendance procedures to help parents/guardians and students with their responsibility for regular school attendance.

A. Accounting and Definitions:

1. Elementary teachers shall mark attendance at the beginning of each school day. Secondary teachers shall mark attendance for each period of the day.

2. When marking a student’s attendance, the following attendance codes are used:

Attendance Codes:

A - Unverified

G - Verified

I - Illness

V - Vacation

S - School Activity

K - Counselor

O - Admin Office

H - Homebound

P - ISP

X - Suspended

E - Family Death

D - Detention

C - Pending Court Action

Z - Truant

Tardy Codes:

T - Tardy

L - Late

R - Left Early

Y - Excused Tardy

B. Parent or Legal Guardian Notification

1. The school shall make reasonable attempts to notify a parent or legal guardian of student’s unverified absence(s).

2. Injury or Illness. The school shall notify the custodial parent of a student who is injured or becomes ill at school during the regular school day if:

a. the injury or illness requires treatment at a hospital, doctor’s office, or other medical facility not located on the school premises;

b. the school has received a current telephone number for the party it is required to notify or make reasonable efforts to notify.

C. Notice of Extended Absence

If the custodial parent or legal guardian of a student knows that their student will be absent from school for an extended period of time, the parent/guardian shall notify the school’s administration via a phone call, an email, or a written notice in order for the school to properly account for the missed school-days.

V. TRUANCY PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

The Cache School District Truancy Intervention Program has been established to encourage good attendance, identify interventions to resolve attendance problems, and to facilitate the processing of chronically truant students.

A. Interventions

The school shall make and document efforts to resolve a student’s attendance problems and shall include, as reasonably feasible:

1. school authorities provide counseling and positive supports for the student;

2. the school administration making adjustments to the curriculum and schedule to meet special needs of the student;

3. suggestions from the Student Assistant Team (SAT);

4. considering alternatives proposed by a parent or legal guardian;

5. monitoring school attendance of the student;

6. voluntary participation in truancy mediation, if available;

7. home visits;

8. providing a student’s parent, upon request, with a list of resources available to assist the parent in resolving the student’s attendance problems;

9. enlisting the assistance of community intervention education classes as appropriate;

10. issuing a Notice of Compulsory Education Violation to the parent or legal guardian of a student who is younger than 14 years old; 

11. issuing a Notice of Truancy to a student who is at least 12 years old;

12. issuing a Truancy Citation to a student who is at least 12 years old;

B. Notice of Truancy and Truancy Citations

Earnest and persistent efforts to resolve student attendance problems may include the issuance of a Notice of Truancy and/or Truancy Citation, as follows:

1. Notice of Truancy (habitual). A school administrator may issue a Notice of Truancy to a student who is at least 12 years of age and has been MARKED truant at least five (5) times during the current school year. The Notice of Truancy shall:

a. identify the classes and/or dates for which the student has been considered truant;

b. direct the student and parent to meet with school authorities to discuss the student’s truancies; and

c. inform the student and parent that Utah State Law requires their cooperation in securing regular attendance of the student;

d. explain the next step – Truancy Citation

2. Truancy Citations

A school administrator may issue a Truancy Citation to a student who is at least 12 years of age and has been absent without a valid excuse or an immediate citation may be issued for not attending class while at school. A copy of the Truancy Citation shall be delivered in person or by mail to the parent or legal guardian of the student.

3. Truancy notices and citations shall be documented in Power School.

4. The parent shall have the right to appeal a Truancy Citation or Notice of Truancy in writing to the building level administrator within ten (10) days of being issued.

5. A school administrator may impose administrative penalties. Administrative penalties may include, but are not limited to, make-up classes or a Truancy Citation as outlined in the schedule below. A school administrator may void a Truancy Citation with improved attendance. 

6. Truancy Citation Fine

Truancy Citation Fines are approved by the Board

1^st Citation $20

Additional Citations $25

7. A school district or school may refer a minor to court for a class C misdemeanor committed on school property or for being a habitual truant (10 times during one school year), as defined in Section 53G-6-201and 53G-8-211, if the minor refuses to participate in an evidence-based alternative intervention. The district’s Director of Student Services is required to be part of this referral.

When a minor is referred to court the school shall appoint a school representative to continue to engage with the minor and the minor's family through the court process. A school representative may not be a school resource officer. A school district or school shall include the following in its referral to the court:

a. attendance records for the minor;

b. a report of evidence-based alternative interventions used by the school before referral, including outcomes;

c. the name and contact information of the school representative assigned to actively participate in the court process with the minor and the minor's family; and

d. any other information the school district or school considers relevant.

VI. Compulsory Education Violation

A school administrator, in coordination with the Student Services Director, may issue a Notice of Compulsory Education Violation to the parent of a student under the age of 14 if the school-age minor is absent without a valid excuse at least five (5) times during the school year.

A. The Notice of Compulsory Education Violation shall:

1. direct the parent to meet with school authorities to discuss the student’s attendance problems;

2. direct the parent to cooperate with the school in securing regular attendance by the student;

3. designate the school authority with whom the parent is required to meet;

4. state that it is a class B misdemeanor for the parent to intentionally or recklessly fail to meet with the school authority or fail to prevent the student from being absent without a valid excuse five (5) or more times during the remainder of the school year.

B. The Notice of Compulsory Education Violation must be school aged minor’s parent or legal guardian in personal or certified mail. the on served

C. If a parent or legal guardian intentionally or recklessly fails to meet with the school authority or the school-age minor is absent without a valid excuse an additional five (5) or more times during the remainder of the school year, the school administrator shall forward a copy of the documented efforts which have been made by the school to address the school-age minor’s attendance issues along with a copy of the Notice of Compulsory Education Violation to the Student Family Resources Department.

D. If the school’s efforts are not successful, the school administration shall submit the school’s interventions and documentation to the appropriate county or district attorney.

VII. School-aged Minor Exempt from School Attendance

The District may not issue a citation for truancy or compulsory education violation if the student is properly exempt from school attendance. A student that is exempt from school shall not be on any school campus during the regular school day unless he/she has been approved by the school administration to participate in a specific class or event.

A. The Board shall excuse a school-age student from attendance if the student’s parent/guardian submit a signed affidavit stating the school age minor will attend a home school program.

B. The Board may excuse a student from attendance if it has received sufficient evidence to support a finding by the Superintendent that the student is over the age of sixteen (16) and is unable to profit from attendance at school because of inability or a continuing negative attitude toward school regulations and discipline, or as otherwise provided in Utah Code Ann. § 53G-6-204(1). When a school-aged minor is excused from attendance by the Board, a certificate shall be issued by the District Director of Student Services stating that the school-aged minor is excused from school attendance for the period specified on the certificate.

VIII. POLICY DISSEMINATION AND REVIEW

Schools shall provide annual notification of the District and school attendance and discipline policies to the parent/guardian(s) of all students at the time of registration.

Elementary Schools K-6

• Elementary students' cellular devices including wearable devices (I.e. Airpods, smart watches, Gabb watches, etc.) must be turned off from the first bell, and remain off until the last bell during school hours. 
• Communication with parents/guardians will be facilitated through the teacher or the central office of the school.
• Wearable cellular devices may be worn as longs as they do not create a distraction or a disruption during school hours.
• Students who choose to bring cellular devices to school do so at their own risk. The school district assumes NO LIABILITY for lost, stolen or damaged devices.

view district cellular device policy

Dress Code

Another great school year is about to end and warm weather is finally here!  With this nice weather change it's natural to want to wear shorts and summer apparel.  Parents and students, please be aware and remember the Cache County School District’s Dress Code Policy. 

Please make sure your student comes dressed appropriately for school, according to the Dress Code below.  

Dress, Grooming, Personal Property

Purpose:   The following dress code has been designed to support a positive learning environment.  Students should be neat, clean, and modest in their dress and grooming, complying with the following:

• Clothing or personal property must not be excessively soiled, unsanitary, torn, or ragged.   Jeans with holes above the knees are not permitted.
• Clothing must not be revealing, distracting, disruptive, lewd, vulgar, or abbreviated.  Shorts and skirts must be worn near the knee – no mini-skirts, or short shorts.  Shorts and skirts should be near the knee whether or not leggings are worn.
• Clothing must completely cover underwear or areas of the body normally covered with underwear, regardless of whether or not the shirt is tucked in.  Pants should fit snugly around the waist.
• Pajamas or sleepwear, including slippers, are not appropriate.
• Upper clothing must have sleeves that cover and go over the shoulders.  No tank tops or halter tops.  Necklines must be modest.
• Clothing, skin, or possessions cannot have references to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gangs, sex, hate, or bigotry.
• Hats, caps, headscarves, bandanas, sunglasses, or heavy chains are not allowed.
• Shoes or sandals are required.  Shoes with rollers are not allowed.
• No Skateboards, roller blades, water guns, chains, spikes, or any kind of weapon or look-alike weapon, etc. is allowed.

If safety is a concern, a more rigid standard may be required.  Parents, we appreciate your help in this sensitive area.

CCSD Dress Code Policy

Adoption Date: 7/1/1986, Revised: 7/1/1989; 02/01/2008 
SECTION II - STUDENT PERSONNEL POLICY

A. Student
II-A10 Rules of Conduct

a. Dress Code Policy

Purpose: The courts, state, and federal laws, as well as Cache County School District, require an atmosphere at school which provides for a safe, orderly, and distraction-free learning environment. The following dress code policy has been designed to support such an environment.  Please remember that the dress code policy applies to all students whether attending school or any school function (as participant or member of the audience).

There appears to be a close relationship between good dress and grooming habits, good work and study habits, and proper school behavior. If clothing, hair style, or personal adornment is causing a disruption in school or at any school function, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

Disruption is defined as, but not limited to, reactions by other individuals to the clothing or adornment, which causes the teacher/administrator to lose the attention of the students, to modify or cease instructional activities, or to deal with student confrontations or complaints.

Responsibilities: Adherence to dress and grooming standards is the responsibility of the student and his/her parents/guardians. Enforcement of the school’s dress code and standards is the responsibility of the school administration, faculty, and staff. Students that do not comply with a teacher’s request will be referred to the school administration for corrective action. Consequences for the violation of the dress code are listed in each school’s student handbook.  Any item which violates the dress code may be confiscated and not returned to the student or parent at the discretion of the school administration or law enforcement.

All schools are expected to enforce the following guidelines.  Individual schools may add to this policy with School Board approval.  It is recognized that activities may arise that call for variations; therefore, exceptions to this policy may be made for special occasions only when so designated by the school administration.

The Cache County School District has established the following guidelines to aid parents and students in selecting proper school attire:
  
(1)  Students should be clean and well groomed (hair, clothes, cosmetics).  If safety is a factor, more stringent standards may be applied.
(2)  Shoes or sandals must be worn at all times while on campus.
(3)  Except for religious or medical purposes, hats, caps, and other head coverings shall not be worn or displayed inside school facilities during school hours.
(4)  Clothes shall sufficiently cover undergarments at all times.
(5)   See-through or net fabrics, halter-tops, off-the shoulder or low-cut tops, bare midriffs, and muscle shirts (sleeveless/bare midriff shirts) are prohibited.
(6)   Shorts and skirts must be near the knee.
(7)   Clothing, jewelry, personal items (backpacks/bags, binders, bandannas, etc.), and skin shall be free of writing, pictures, symbols, insignia, or color combinations which:

(a) Communicate crude, profane, or sexually suggestive messages
(b) Displays drug, alcohol, or tobacco advertising, promotion, or likenesses
(c) Advocate racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice
(d) Represent or give evidence to gang membership or affiliation

(8)  Metal accessories that present a hazard to the health or safety of the wearer or others are prohibited on school grounds.

Students will be allowed to wear Halloween costumes on Oct. 31st. To help us ensure a safe and fun environment that is still conducive to learning, please follow these guidelines:

• We encourage you to dress as a character from your favorite book.
• Costumes must maintain modesty as described in the Cache County School District dress code policy:
  • Shorts and skirts must be near the knee
  • Clothes must sufficiently cover undergarments at all times. See-through or net fabrics, halter tops, off-the-shoulder, or low-cut tops, bare midriff, and muscle shirts (sleeveless/bare midriff shirts) are prohibited.
• No Costume Masks are allowed
• No toy weapons or accessory items such as magic wands, swords, guns, etc. are allowed.
• Costumes should not obstruct students from participating in regular academic learning (no inflatables). Please be sure students can get in and out of costumes easily for use in the restroom.
• Please wear makeup in moderation. No fake wounds or makeup that represent blood or injuries.
• No Glitter please!

Cache County School District Illness Protocol

Employees and students who are ill at school pose a significant risk for spreading illness to others in the school setting. Contagious illness results in a lot of absenteeism for students and staff members. School employees actively participate in preventing and controlling the spread of illness in our schools through educating students regarding good hand hygiene and having scheduled handwashing times. Please teach children by encouraging them to wash and/or sanitize their hands frequently.

When a child is sick, their ability to learn is negatively impacted and they are unable to perform or participate in effective learning. It may also seriously affect other student’s abilities to learn in the classroom.

Employees and students may not come to school when they are sick and may NOT return to school until 24 hours after symptoms have subsided. To keep our schools open is expected that you keep your student’s home from school with the following illnesses:

• Any student, which due to illness, is unable to participate in educational learning.
• Chicken pox, until all lesions have dried or crusted
• Cough
• Diarrhea: defined as an increased number of stools compared to the child’s normal pattern and the inability to control or contain fecal matter
• Headache with any other symptom, or if student is unable to participate in school
• Nausea or vomiting
• Other untreated* communicable diseases, such as lice, ringworm, impetigo, scabies, weeping skin lesions or open sores
• Rash with fever, discharge, behavioral changes or accompanied by other symptoms.
• Stomachache
• Sore Throat
• *Untreated consistent runny and/or green discharge from nose or throat. Unless documentation has been provided to the school from the health care provider that the student has allergies.
• *Untreated earache with/without discharge from ear
• Contagious illness, such as but not limited to; Covid, flu, pneumonia, strep, etc., for which the contagious/isolation period has not passed
• Fever: must be fever free for 24 hours without the aid of a fever reducing medication. Defined as; temperature equal to or greater than 100.4◦ F
• Infected eyes: defined as white part of the eye (sclera) is red with/without discharge, until 24 hours after *medical treatment has been started

This is not an all-inclusive list. There may be other illnesses that may require students to be excluded from school.

Cache County School District reserves the right to exclude students as necessary due to health concerns. If your child becomes ill at school or he/she arrives at school sick, you (or your emergency designee if you are unavailable), will be contacted to come and get your child immediately. It is imperative the school has updated emergency phone numbers for you and your emergency contacts.

*Medical treatment refers to being evaluated and treated by a healthcare professional.

CCSD Nursing Services Revised 8/2022

Definitions

Late Start- Morning bus stop times and school starting times are delayed exactly 2 hours.

Early Out - School release times and bus stops times are 1 hour and 15 minutes early (a Friday release time).

School Cancellation - No school that day.

Weather Forecast used - National Weather Service for Logan, Utah

Evening Alerts - Alerts to alter the next day school schedule will be sent by 9:00 p.m.

Morning Alerts - Alerts to alter the same day school schedule will be sent by 6:00 a.m.

 

Conditions

1.  Heavy Snow/Blizzard Warning - If forecast for anytime between 4 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

     i.  Early morning = possible late start

     ii.  Middle of day = possible school cancellation

     iii.  Between 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. = possible early out

2.  Temperature Warning as forecast by the National Weather Service for Logan, Utah

     i.  If temperature is forecast to be at least -15 degrees = late start

     ii. If temperature is forecast to be colder than -20 degrees = school cancelation

3.  High Wind Warning - Possible late start or early out depending on timing

4.  Extreme Fog Warning - Impacting most of Cache Valley = possible late start

 

Notification of Late Start, School Closure or Early Out will be made through Alert Solutions e-mail, text and voice calls to parents and employees.  Media contacts for the district to relay information is KVNU/KBLQ radio and KSL TV