ANNUAL NOTIFICATIONS
District Information and Educational Policies
It is the intention of Shenandoah CSD to comply with all federal and state regulations controlling
asbestos and to take necessary steps to ensure students and employees a healthy and safe
environment in which to learn and work. Rob Addy is our designated asbestos program
coordinator, all inquiries regarding the asbestos plan and asbestos-related issues should be
directed to him at 712-246-1581.
Shenandoah CSD prohibits acts of physical or sexual abuse, including inappropriate and
intentional sexual behavior towards students committed by employees or volunteers. It also is the
district’s policy to respond to allegations of abuse by employees or volunteers by investigating or
arranging for the full investigation of allegations that are made.
The district has trained and designated specific staff to investigate allegations. Reports of alleged
abuse may be reported to one of the listed investigators.
Investigators:
Linda Laughlin, High School Nurse 712- 246-4727
Kristy O’Rourke, Elementary and Middle School Nurse 712-246-2520
Alternate Investigators:
Aaron Burdorf, Elementary and Middle School Principal 712-246-2520
Andrew Christensen, High School Principal 712- 246-4727
Tiffany Spiegel, Director of Student Services 712-246-1581
Your Life Iowa is the statewide crisis line that provides information and referral, counseling,
crisis service coordination and linkages to crisis screening and mental health services, 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week.
Your Life Iowa
Call: 855-581-8111
Text Message: 855-895-8398
Website: yourlifeiowa.org
The district values and prioritizes providing high-quality curriculum and instructional materials
for our students aligned with Iowa education standards and best practices.
Elementary Instructional Resources
Middle School Instructional Resources
High School Instructional Resources
Conscious Discipline Resources
Elementary Guidance Resources
Middle School Guidance Resources
Parents can view instructional materials and books in the library consistent with the district’s
Board Policy 605.2 Instructional and Library Materials Inspection and Display.
Board Policy also includes a process to object to instructional materials or ask for
reconsideration of instructional materials in use.
605.3 OBJECTION TO INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
605.3E2 RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Human Growth and Development
Students in grade levels one through twelve will receive, as part of their health education,
instruction about personal health; food and nutrition; environmental health; safety and survival
skills; consumer health; family life; human growth and development; substance abuse and non-
use, including the effects of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and poisons on the human body; human
sexuality; self-esteem; stress management; interpersonal relationships; emotional and social
health; health resources; prevention and control of disease; and communicable diseases,
including acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
The purpose of the health education program is to help each student protect, improve, and
maintain physical, emotional, and social well-being. The areas stated above are included in
health education, and the instruction are adapted at each grade level to aid understanding by the
students. Parents who object to health education instruction in human growth and development
may file a written request that the student be excused from the instruction. The written request
will include a proposed alternate activity or study acceptable to the superintendent. The
superintendent will have the final authority to determine the alternate activity or study.
603.5E1 Excused From Human Growth & Development Request Form
Religious- Based Exclusion from a School Program
Board policy 604.5 allows for parents to request their child be excluded from a school program
based on a religious belief. Parents who wish to have their child excluded from a school program
because of religious beliefs must inform the superintendent. The board authorizes the
administration to allow the exclusion if it is not disruptive to the education program and it does
not infringe on a compelling state or educational interest. Further, the exclusion must not
interfere with other school district operations. Students who are allowed to be excluded from a
program or activity which violates their religious beliefs are required to do an alternate
supervised activity or study. In notifying the superintendent, the parents will abide by the
following:
• The notice is in writing;
• The objection is based on religious beliefs;
• The objection will state which activities or studies violate their religious beliefs;
• The objection will state why these activities or studies violate their religious beliefs; and
• The objection will state a proposed alternate activity or study.
The superintendent will have discretion to make this determination. The factors the
superintendent will consider when a student requests to be excluded from a program or activity
because of religious beliefs include, but are not limited to, staff available to supervise a student
who wishes to be excluded, space to house the student while the student is excluded, available
superintendent-approved alternative course of study or activity while the student is excluded,
number of students who wish to be excluded, whether allowing the exclusion places the school in
a position of supporting a particular religion, and whether the program or activity is required for
promotion to the next grade level or for graduation.
Shenandoah CSD is committed to the equitable treatment of our students and staff. The District
has adopted formal policies related to bullying, harassment and discrimination and has grievance
procedures. You can access these policies here.
Notification of Rights under FERPA for Schools
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are
18 years of age or older ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education
records. These rights are:
The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days after the day the
school district receives a request for access.
Parents or eligible students who wish to inspect their child’s or their education records should
submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect.
The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of
the time and place where the records may be inspected.
- The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent
or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the
student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the [School] to amend their child’s or
their education record should write the school principal [or appropriate school
official], clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it
should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the
parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the
decision and of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.
Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the
parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally
identifiable information (PII) from the student's education records, except to the
extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school
officials with legitimate educational interests. The criteria for determining who
constitutes a school official and what constitutes a legitimate educational interest
must be set forth in the school’s or school district’s annual notification for FERPA
rights. A school official typically includes a person employed by the school or school
district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including
health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving on the
school board. A school official also may include a volunteer, contractor, or
consultant who, while not employed by the school, performs an institutional service
or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is
under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII
from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist;
a parent or student volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a
disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting
another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official typically has
a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in
order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of
another school or school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is
already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or
transfer.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning
alleged failures by the [School] to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The
name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:
Student Privacy Policy Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
[NOTE: In addition, a school may want to include its directory information public notice, as
required by § 99.37 of the regulations, with its annual notification of rights under FERPA.]
See the list below of the disclosures that elementary and secondary schools may make without
consent.
Per Board Policy Section 506.1E8 and Iowa Code §22:279:9B, 280.24, .25, 622.10 (2005), the
following information about your student may be released to the public including; a student’s
name; grade, level, enrollment status; participation in officially recognized activities and sports;
weight and height of members of athletic teams; degrees and awards received; photograph and
likeness; and other similar information. Any parent or guardian who does not want this
information released to the public must make objection in writing to the principal of the
appropriate school no later than September 15th of each school year.
FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the
parent or eligible student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in § 99.31 of the
FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some
judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and
disclosures to the parent or eligible student, § 99.32 of the FERPA regulations requires the school
to record the disclosure. Parents and eligible students have a right to inspect and review the
record of disclosures. A school may disclose PII from the education records of a student without
obtaining prior written consent of the parents or the eligible student –
- To other school officials, including teachers, within the educational agency or
institution whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests.
This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school
has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed
in § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) - (a)(1)(i)(B)(3) are met. (§ 99.31(a)(1))
- To officials of another school, school system, or institution of postsecondary
education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already
enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or
transfer, subject to the requirements of § 99.34. (§ 99.31(a)(2))
- To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney
General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities,
such as the State educational agency (SEA) in the parent or eligible student’s State.
Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of § 99.35,
in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education
programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements
that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to
outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to
conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf,
if applicable requirements are met. (§§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)
- In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the
student has received, if the information is necessary for such purposes as to determine
eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the
aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (§ 99.31(a)(4))
- To State and local officials or authorities to whom information is specifically allowed
to be reported or disclosed by a State statute that concerns the juvenile justice system
and the system’s ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose
records were released, subject to § 99.38. (§ 99.31(a)(5))
- To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to: (a)
develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs;
or (c) improve instruction, if applicable requirements are met. (§ 99.31(a)(6))
- To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§ 99.31(a)(7))
- To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§
99.31(a)(8))
- To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena if applicable
requirements are met. (§ 99.31(a)(9))
- To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to §
99.36. (§ 99.31(a)(10))
- Information the school has designated as “directory information” if applicable
requirements under § 99.37 are met. (§ 99.31(a)(11))
- To an agency caseworker or other representative of a State or local child welfare
agency or tribal organization who is authorized to access a student’s case plan when
such agency or organization is legally responsible, in accordance with State or tribal
law, for the care and protection of the student in foster care placement. (20 U.S.C. §
1232g(b)(1)(L))
- To the Secretary of Agriculture or authorized representatives of the Food and
Nutrition Service for purposes of conducting program monitoring, evaluations, and
performance measurements of programs authorized under the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, under certain
conditions. (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1)(K))
The District offers breakfast and lunch each day school is in session. Meal prices are listed
below.
Breakfast
Elementary $2.00
Middle School $2.00
High School $2.00
Lunch
Elementary $2.45
Middle School $2.65
High School $2.85
Your child may qualify for free or reduced priced meals. You can access the application form for
free or reduced cost meals here. If you need further assistance, please contact Kristin Edwards at
(712)246-3773 or email edwardsk@shenandoah.k12.ia.us. This is a confidential process so
please do not hesitate to ask for assistance.
It is the District’s policy to strive to identify homeless children and youth within the District,
encourage their enrollment in school, and ensure they have equitable access to public education,
including public preschool, is available at the District Offices, 304 W. Nishna Road, Shenandoah,
IA 51601 and on the District website.
Home School Liaisons are available at each school site and are assist homeless children and
youth.
Sonia Leece: Elementary & Middle School
Natalie Denton: High School
Chapter 33 in Iowa Administrative Code requires the District to give written notice to homeless
children and families before denying their access to educational programs. Homeless children
and families may obtain free legal services by contacting: Iowa Legal Aid Southwest Iowa
Regional Office. 532 1st Avenue, Suite 300 Council Bluffs, IA 51503 phone: 1-800 -532-1275.
It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs,
activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and
216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP
Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E.
14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416;
website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.
The school district maintains a school library in each building for use by employees and by students during the school day. Materials for the libraries are acquired consistent with all applicable laws and board policy, "Instructional Materials Selection." The district provides access to all parents and guardians of students enrolled in the district to an online catalog of all books available to students in the school libraries. The access is displayed as a quick link on the parent/student site and is available here. Any challenges to library materials will be handled following the process for handling challenges to instructional and library materials as established by board policy.
Request to Prohibit a Student From Accessing Specific Instructional Materials Form
It is the policy of the Shenandoah Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status
(for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its
educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for
processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this
related to this policy, please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator: Aaron Burdorf, 601, Dr.
Creighton Cir., Shenandoah, IA 51601, (712) 246-2520, burdorfa@shencsd.com
The Shenandoah Community School District offers career and technical programs in the
following areas: Agricultural Science, Automotive Technology, Business Education, Family
Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Technology. It is the policy of the Shenandoah
Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual
orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs
and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of
discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this related to this policy, please
contact the district’s Equity Coordinator: Aaron Burdorf, 601, Dr. Creighton Cir., Shenandoah,
IA 51601, (712) 246-2520, burdorfa@shencsd.com.
If you are interested in attending Shenandoah CSD and are a nonresident student you will need
to complete the open enrollment form. Once the form is completed you will need to submit it to the
central office for approval. This can be submitted to Cori Feller by email or sent to the Logan
Administration Building located at 304 W. Nishna Road, Shenandoah, IA 51601. Resident students who
want to attend a different school district must complete the same process. If you have questions about
the form or the process please contact Cori Feller or call 712-246-1581.
2023-2024 Open Enrollment
We encourage you to ask questions and arrange to visit our schools. If you have questions or
would like to discuss program services, please contact the following people.
Mr. Andrew Christensen, High School Principal
Mrs. Denise Green, IGNITE Online and Personalized Learning Coordinator
Mr. Aaron Burdorf, Elementary and Middle School Principal
Mrs. Tiffany Spiegel, Director of Student Services
Mr. Jon Weinrich, Student Activities Director and Athletic Eligibility
Dr. Kerri Nelson, Superintendent, District Services, Schools and Programs
In the 2021 legislative session, Governor Reynolds signed House File (HF) 868 into law. The
new law creates Iowa Code section 279.8B, i which outlines the process for eligible voters
within the school district to petition their local school board. With that, the purpose of this Iowa
Department of Education (Department) guidance is to provide school districts, local school
boards, and eligible district voters with information related to the petition process.
Notification of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
PPRA affords parents of elementary and secondary students certain rights regarding the conduct
of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams.
These include, but are not limited to, the right to:
· Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the
following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in
part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)–
- Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
- Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
- Sex behavior or attitudes;
- Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
- Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
- Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
- Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; or
- Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.
·Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of –
- Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding;
- Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of
attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the
immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis
screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law;
and - Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected
from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.
(This does not apply to the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information
collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating, or
providing educational products or services for, or to, students or educational
institutions.)
·Inspect, upon request and before administration or use –
- Protected information surveys of students and surveys created by a third party;
- Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above
marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and - Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.
These rights transfer from the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor
under State law.
District policies, in consultation with parents, regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to
protect student privacy in the administration of protected information surveys and the collection,
disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes.
The District will directly notify parents of these policies at least annually at the start of each
school year and after any substantive changes. The District will also directly notify, such as
through U.S. Mail or email, parents of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific
activities or surveys noted below and will provide an opportunity for the parent to opt his or her
child out of participation of the specific activity or survey. The District will make this
notification to parents at the beginning of the school year if the District has identified the specific
or approximate dates of the activities or surveys at that time. For surveys and activities
scheduled after the school year starts, parents will be provided reasonable notification of the
planned activities and surveys listed below and be provided an opportunity to opt their child out
of such activities and surveys. Parents will also be provided an opportunity to review any
pertinent surveys. Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys covered under this
direct notification requirement:
- Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for
marketing, sales, or other distribution. - Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED.
- Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.
Parents who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:
Student Privacy Policy Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202
Elementary School 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM
Middle School 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM
High School 8:00 AM to 3:25 PM
The Shenandoah Community School District is committed to the overall development of the
whole child and has adopted the following wellness policy.