Student Safety

SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS

The Maquoketa Community School District Board of Directors has authorized the use of video cameras in the district school buildings and on school property. The video cameras will be used to monitor student behavior in order to maintain a safe and healthy environment for students and staff. Students and parents are hereby notified that the content of the videotapes may be used in a student disciplinary proceeding. The content of the videotape is a confidential student record and will be retained with their student records. Videotapes will only be retained if necessary for use in a student disciplinary proceeding or other matter as determined necessary by the administration. Parents may request to view videotapes of their children if the videotapes are used in disciplinary proceedings involving their children.

WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS

A student shall not knowingly possess, handle, or transmit any object that can reasonably be considered a weapon on the school grounds or on a school vehicle during and immediately before or immediately after school hours. The penalty for this includes suspension and possible expulsion from school.

Toy weapons (guns, squirt guns, etc.), knives and pocket knives, and any other object that could potentially be dangerous to the student or others will be taken from the student and given to the principal. The principal will determine the appropriate disciplinary action.

DRUGS

Students shall not knowingly possess, use, transmit, or be under the influence of any type of illegal drug on school grounds during and immediately before or after school hours.

In an effort to maintain a drug free environment , the school, in cooperation with law enforcement authorities, may conduct school wide searches utilizing police dogs that have been trained to detect certain controlled illegal substances.

FIREWORKS

It’s against the law to have or discharge fireworks OF ANY KIND on or around the school campus. Students involved may be suspended.

INTERNET USE POLICY (605.6)

A signed parental permission form must be on file prior to students accessing the InterNet at school.

Restricted Material

This policy stipulates that students shall not intentionally access or download any test file or picture, or engage in any conference that includes pornography. Also, students shall not intentionally access or download any text file or picture, or engage in any conference that advocates violence, racism, anarchy, treason, or discrimination unless the following conditions are met:

  • The teacher has sought and received permission from the building principal, identifying the specific purpose and intent of the project or assignment and the educational value associated with such, and
  • The teacher has requested and received permission from the parent (guardian) of each student involved in the project (assignment) and the reasons why such is educationally beneficial to the student.

Students who access restricted items on the Internet shall be subject to the following consequences:

  • First Offense: For the first violation during the school year, a verbal and written “Warning” notice will be issued to the student. A copy of the notice will be mailed to the student’s parent or guardian and a copy will be kept on file with the building principal. The student shall forfeit all Internet privileges for a period of 1-3 weeks depending on the severity of the policy violation.
  • Second Offense: On the second violation during the school year, verbal and written “Second Infraction” notice will be issued to the student. A copy of the notice will be sent by registered mail to the student’s parent and a copy provided to the building principal. The student shall forfeit all Internet privileges for a period of nine weeks.
  • Third Offense: On the third violation during the school year, a verbal and written “Third Infraction” notice will be issued to the student. A copy of the notice will be sent by registered mail to the student’s parent and a copy provided to the building principal. The student shall forfeit all Internet privileges for the balance of the school year.