Code No. 504.1
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
The student council provides for student activities, serves as a training experience for student leaders, promotes the common good, gives students a share in the management of the school, develops high ideals of personal conduct, acts as a clearinghouse for student activities, seeks to interest students in school district affairs and helps solve problems that may arise. Members of the council are student representatives who have direct access to the administration.
The principal, in conjunction with the students and licensed employees, will set forth the guidelines for the student government's elections, operations, and other elements of the government.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (2013).
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 5-2-12 Revised 4-16-2018
Code No. 504.2
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Secondary school student-initiated, non-curriculum-related groups and student curriculum-related groups, upon receiving permission from the principal, may use school facilities for group meetings during non-instructional time.
Non-instructional time will mean any time before the first period of the day and after the last period of the day in which any student attends class. Meetings will not interfere with the orderly conduct of the education program or other school district operations. It is within the discretion of the principal to determine whether the meetings will interfere with the orderly conduct of the education program or other school district operations. Activities relating to and part of the education program will have priority over the activities of another organization.
Curriculum-Related Organizations
It will also be the responsibility of the principal to determine whether a student group is curriculum-related. One or more of the following questions will be answered affirmatively if the group is curriculum-related:
· Is the subject matter of the group actually taught in a regularly offered course?
· Will the subject matter of the group soon be taught in a regularly offered course?
· Does the subject matter of the group concern the body of courses as a whole?
· Is participation in the group required for a particular course?
· Does participation in the group result in academic credit?
Secondary school curriculum-related student organizations may use the school district facilities for meetings and other purposes before and after the instructional school day. Employees are assigned to monitor approved meetings and may interact with curriculum-related organizations.
Non-curriculum-Related Organizations
Student-initiated, non-curriculum-related organizations are provided access to meeting space and school district facilities.
Only students may attend and participate in meetings of non-curriculum-related groups. Such attendance is strictly voluntary and student-initiated. As a means of determining whether a student's attendance is voluntary, the principal may require parental consent for the student to attend the meetings.
Employees will be assigned to monitor approved meetings. Employees will not participate in the meeting or assist in planning, criticizing, or encouraging attendance. Only students may be involved in and attend the non-curriculum group's meetings.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference:
Westside Community Board of Education v Mergens, 496 U.S. 226 (1990).
Bender v. Williamsport Area Community School District, 741 F.2d 538 (3d Cir. 1984), vacated and remanded on other grounds, 475 U.S. 534 (1986).
20 U.S.C. §§ 4071-4074 (2012).
Iowa Code §§ 287.1-.3; 297.9 (2013).
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 5-2-12 Revised 4-16-2018
Code No. 504.3
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
Students may produce official school publications as part of the curriculum under the supervision of a faculty advisor and the principal. Official school publications include material produced in the journalism, newspaper, yearbook, or writing classes and distributed to the student body either free or for a fee.
Any expression made by students, including student expression in official school publications, is not an expression of official school policy. The school district, the board, and the employees or officials are not liable in any civil or criminal action for any student expression made or published by students unless the employees or officials have interfered with or altered the content of the student speech or expression. The liability, if any, is only to the extent of the interference or alteration of the speech or expression.
Official school publications are free from prior restraint by employees or officials except as provided by law. A faculty advisor will supervise student writers to maintain professional standards of English and journalism and to comply with the law including, but not limited to, the restrictions against unlawful speech. The production of official school publications is guided by the law and by the ethical standards adopted by professional associations or societies of journalism.
Persons, other than students, who believe they have been aggrieved by student expression in a student-produced official school publication will follow the grievance procedure outlined in board policy 214.1. Students who believe their freedom of expression in a student-produced official school publication has been restricted will follow the district grievance procedure.
The superintendent is responsible for developing a student publications code. This code will include, but not be limited to, reasonable rules including time, place, and manner of restrictions. The superintendent will also be responsible for distributing this policy and the student publications code to the students and their parents.
Legal Reference:
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).
Bystrom v. Fridley High School, 822 F.2d 747 (8th Cir. 1987).
Iowa Code § 280.22 (2013).
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 5-2-12 Revised 4-16-2018
Code No. 5O4.3R1
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS CODE
A. Official school publications defined.
An "official school publication" is material produced by students in the journalism, newspaper, yearbook, or writing classes and distributed to students either free or for a fee.
B. Expression in an official school publication.
1. No student will express, publish or distribute in an official school publication material which is:
a. obscene;
b. libelous;
c. slanderous; or
d. encourages students to:
1) commit unlawful acts;
2) violate school rules;
3) cause the material and substantial disruption of the orderly and efficient operation of the school or school activity;
4) disrupt or interfere with the education program;
5) interrupt the maintenance of a disciplined atmosphere; or
6) infringe on the rights of others.
2. The official school publication is produced under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
C. Responsibilities of students.
1. Students writing or editing official school publications will assign and edit the news, editorial and feature contents of the official school publications subject to the limitations of the student publications code and the law.
2. Students will strive to achieve professional standards of accuracy, fairness, objectivity and thoroughness in each and every aspect of official school publications.
3. Students will strive to achieve professional standards of grammar, usage, punctuation and spelling for clarity and accuracy of official school publications.
D. Responsibilities of faculty advisors.
Faculty advisors will supervise student writers to maintain professional standards of English and journalism and to comply with the law including, but not limited to, the restrictions against unlawful speech.
E. Liability.
Student expression in an official school publication will not be deemed to be an expression of the school district. The school district, the board, and the employees or officials are not liable in any civil or criminal action for any student expression made or published by students unless the employees or officials have interfered with or altered the content of the student expression. The liability, if any, is only to the extent of interference or alteration of the speech or expression.
F. Appeal procedure.
1. Students who believe they have been unreasonably restricted in their exercise of expression in an official student publication will seek review of the decision through the student grievance procedure, under board policy 502.4.
2. Persons who believe they have been aggrieved by a student-produced official student publication will file their complaint through the citizen grievance procedure, under board policy 213.
G. Time, place and manner of restrictions on official school publications.
1. Official student publications may be distributed in a reasonable manner on or off school premises.
2. Distribution in a reasonable manner will not encourage students to:
a. commit unlawful acts;
b. violate school rules;
c. cause the material and substantial disruption of the orderly and efficient operation of the school district or school activity;
d. disrupt or interfere with the education program;
e. interrupt the maintenance of a disciplined atmosphere; or
f. infringe on the rights of others.
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 5-2-12 Revised 4-16-2018
Code No. 504.8
STUDENT ACTIVITY PROGRAM
Participation in school activities is a privilege. School activities provide the benefits of promoting additional interests and ability in the students during their school years and for their lifetime.
Students will have an opportunity to participate in a school activity unless the activity is not offered, the activity is not offered, the activity is an intramural or interscholastic athletic activity, or the student cannot participate for disciplinary reasons. If the activity is an intramural or interscholastic athletic activity students of the opposite sex will have a comparable opportunity for participation. Comparable opportunity does not guarantee boys and girls will be allowed to play on each other’s teams when there are athletic activities available that allow both boys and girls to reap the benefits of school activities, which are the promotion of additional interests and abilities in the students.
Student activity events must be approved by the superintendent unless it involves unusual travel expenses, in which case the board will take action. The events must not disrupt the education program or other school district operations.
A middle school or high school student who participates in school sponsored athletics may participate in a non-school sponsored sport during the same season. Such outside participation shall not conflict with the school sponsored athletic activity.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for each school activity. These regulations will include, but not be limited to, when physical examinations will be required, how and when parents will be informed about the risk of the activity, forms and procedures for the waiver of liability from the parent and student in certain activities, and proof of insurance on the student participating in certain activities. Students wanting to participate in school activities must meet the requirements set out by the school district for participation in the activity.
Legal Reference:
20 U. S. C. 1681-1883; 1685-1686 (1988).
34 C. F. R. Pt. 106.41 (1992).
Iowa Code 216.9; 280.13-.14 (2013).
281 I. A. C. 12.6.
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 5-2-12 Revised 4-16-2018
Code No. 504.9
STUDENT SOCIAL EVENTS
School-sponsored social events shall be approved by the principal and placed on the school calendar prior to public announcement. They shall be under the control and supervision of employees. The hours and activities of the event shall be reasonable and in keeping with board policy.
School-sponsored social events are open to the students enrolled in the school district. Others, such as alumni or out-of-town students, may attend as the date or escort of students enrolled in the school district or with the permission of the licensed employees supervising the event.
Students' and employees' behavior shall be in keeping with the behavior required during regular school hours.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 282.3 (2011).
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 5-2-12 Revised 4-16-2018
Code No. 504.4
STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Students, as part of the education program, may participate in contests or other public and private events approved by the superintendent that will be of benefit to the student and the education program. Performance at such events is a privilege.
Students, who perform at such events, serve as ambassadors of the school district and must conduct themselves in the same manner as required in the regular school day. Students who fail to abide by this policy and the administrative regulations supporting it may be subject to disciplinary measures.
Students will be allowed to perform in these events only with proper permission and supervision and when the events do not disrupt the education program or other school district operations. The events must be approved by the superintendent, unless it involves unusual travel and expense, in which case the board must approve of the performance.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. In developing the administrative regulations, these guidelines should be followed:
· Performances by student groups below the high school level should be allowed on a very limited basis;
· All groups of students should have an opportunity to participate; and
· Extensive travel by one group of students should be discouraged.
It is within the discretion of the superintendent to determine whether the event will benefit the education program and the participating students. Contests or other performances by students unapproved by the superintendent are the responsibility of the parent and the student.
Legal Reference:
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).
Iowa Code §§ 280.13-.14 (2013).
281 I.A.C. 12.6.
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 5-2-12 Revised 4-16-018
Code No. 504.7
STUDENT WORK/INTERN PROGRAMS
Coordination of education programs with local businesses can benefit the school district community. When mutually acceptable arrangements can be made between a local business and the board, secondary students may work for a local business to obtain school credit.
Such programs must be compatible with the education program and have the approval of the board.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to pursue such arrangements with local businesses.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 282.3 (2011).
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 5-2-12 Revised 4-16-2018
Code No. 504.6
STUDENT FUND RAISING
Students may raise funds for school-sponsored events with the permission of the school board. The school board delegates to the superintendent and his/her designee the authority to approve routine fundraining as deemed approriate.. Collection boxes for school and nonschool-sponsored organizations, however, must have prior approval from the school board or its designee before being placed on school property.
All funds generated from district-sponsored student fundraising will be placed in the district's student activtiy fund.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference:
Senior Class of Pekin High School v. Tharp. 154 N.W.2d 874 (Iowa 1967).
Iowa Code § 279.8
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 5-2-12 Revised 7-25-2022
Code No. 504.6 E1
STUDENT FUNDRAISING
Student Group/Grade Level/Teacher:
Supervisor/Sponsor/Staff Member:
Date of Sales (MM/DD/YY - MM/DD/DD):
Purpose of Fundraiser:
Items to be sold/requested:
Price of items:
Selling to Whom:
Estimate Revenue/Goal/Price:
___ By selecting this box, I acknowledge that the Supervisor/Sponsor/Staff Member supports and approves this fundraiser or request.
Date of Request (MM/DD/YY):
___I acknowledge that with the submission of this form, it will be sent to the building principal for their approval. The fundraiser or requested item described above will not be posted or begin until it has been approved.
TO BE COMPLETED ONLINE AT -- STUDENT FUNDRAINING FORM
Code3 No. 504.6 R1
STUDENT FUNDRAISING
Student fundraising can enhance a student’s educational experience but it must not be at the expense of the safety and education of the district’s students. The following are additional regulations to assist the administration in developing procedures necessary for successful fundraising efforts.
Safety:
Fiscal Responsibility:
Advertising/Promotion:
This procedure contains District Fundraising Guidelines, Use of an Fundraising Approval Form, and the District Fundraising Calendar of all approved fundraisers across the Riverside Community School District. If you have any questions, please contact the superintendent
Fundraising Guidelines
The Board of Education appreciates contributions and encourages the interest and participation of parents and community members in supporting the District and student activities. While the Board of Education prefers to financially support District-sponsored student programs and activities, they recognize fundraising activities are essential for their existence.
In an effort to provide clarity to our parents and community, the District has set forth the following guidelines in an effort to reduce duplications, overlap, and to provide a central bank of fundraising information including dates and a calendar.
Fundraising Approval Form
Please complete the online form and submit to your building administrator. This form can be found on the district website www.riversideschools.org Click on Explore -- Click on Forms
Fundraising Calendar
Staff members have View rights and Building Principal have Edit rights to add approved fundraising events. Only those events noted on the calendar are approved and are supported by the District.
Check List:
District Trademarks Usage
Fundraising groups desiring to use trademarks of Riverside Community School District, including both District and high school logos, must get approval from the superintendent to do so.
Revised 7-25-2022