Heritage Community Unit School District #8

Parents

Most Recent Updates for 2023-2024 School Year

October 2022 (Approved Heritage School Board Policy Action Item November 21, 2022) 7:180

Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment [1]

Bullying, intimidation, and harassment diminish a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate. Preventing students from engaging in these disruptive behaviors and providing all students equal access to a safe, non-hostile learning environment are important District goals.

Bullying on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, military status, unfavorable discharge status from the military service, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender-related identity or expression, ancestry, age, religion, physical or mental disability, order of protection status, status of being homeless, or actual or potential marital or parental status, including pregnancy, association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics, or any other distinguishing characteristic is prohibited in each of the following situations: [2]

1. During any school-sponsored education program or activity.

2. While in school, on school property, on school buses or other school vehicles, at designated school bus stops waiting for the school bus, or at school-sponsored or school-sanctioned events or activities.

3. Through the transmission of information from a school computer, a school computer network, or other similar electronic school equipment.

4. Through the transmission of information from a computer that is accessed at a nonschool-related location, activity, function, or program or from the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by the School District or school if the bullying causes a substantial disruption to the educational process or orderly operation of a school. This paragraph (item #4) applies only when a school administrator or teacher receives a report that bullying through this means has occurred; it does not require staff members to monitor any nonschool-related activity, function, or program.

Definitions from 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7 [3]

Bullying includes cyberbullying and means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student or students that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

1. Placing the student or students in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s or students’ person or property;

2. Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s or students’ physical or mental health;

3. Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ academic performance; or

4. Substantially interfering with the student’s or students’ ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

Bullying may take various forms, including without limitation one or more of the following: harassment, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, theft, public humiliation, destruction of property, or retaliation for asserting or alleging an act of bullying. This list is meant to be illustrative and non-exhaustive.

Cyberbullying means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including without limitation any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photo-electronic system, or photo-optical system, including without limitation electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. Cyberbullying includes the creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages if the creation or impersonation creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying. Cyberbullying also includes the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons if the distribution or posting creates any of the effects enumerated in the definition of bullying.

Restorative measures means a continuum of school-based alternatives to exclusionary discipline, such as suspensions and expulsions, that: (i) are adapted to the particular needs of the school and community, (ii) contribute to maintaining school safety, (iii) protect the integrity of a positive and productive learning climate, (iv) teach students the personal and interpersonal skills they will need to be successful in school and society, (v) serve to build and restore relationships among students, families, schools, and communities, (vi) reduce the likelihood of future disruption by balancing accountability with an understanding of students’ behavioral health needs in order to keep students in school, and (vii) increase student accountability if the incident of bullying is based on religion, race, ethnicity, or any other category that is identified in the Ill. Human Rights Act. [4]

School personnel means persons employed by, on contract with, or who volunteer in a school district, including without limitation school and school district administrators, teachers, school social workers, school counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, school resource officers, and security guards. [5]

Bullying Prevention and Response Plan

The Superintendent or designee shall develop and maintain a bullying prevention and response plan that advances the District’s goal of providing all students with a safe learning environment free of bullying and harassment. This plan must be consistent with the requirements listed below; each numbered requirement, 1-12, corresponds with the same number in the list of required policy components in 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(b) 1-12. [6]

1. The District uses the definition of bullying as provided in this policy. [7]

2. Bullying is contrary to State law and the policy of this District. However, nothing in the District’s bullying prevention and response plan is intended to infringe upon any right to exercise free expression or the free exercise of religion or religiously based views protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or under Section 3 of Article I of the Illinois Constitution.

3. Students are encouraged to immediately report bullying. A report may be made orally or in writing to the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Building Principal, Assistant Building Principal, Dean of Students, a Complaint Manager, or any staff member with whom the student is comfortable speaking.[8] Anyone, including staff members and parents/guardians, who has information about actual or threatened bullying is encouraged to report it to the District named officials or any staff member. The District named officials and all staff members are available for help with a bully or to make a report about bullying.[9] Anonymous reports are also accepted; however, this shall not be construed to permit formal disciplinary action solely on the basis of an anonymous report.

Nondiscrimination Coordinator: [10]

Name

Patti Knott

Address

Heritage HS Counselor

206 E. Diller Ave

Broadlands, IL 61816

Patti.knott@heritage8.org

Telephone

217-834-3392

Complaint Managers:

Name

Corey White

Name

Kristi Sanders

Address

Heritage HS Principal

206 E. Diller Ave

Broadlands, IL 61816

Address

Heritage Junior High & Elementary Principal

512 W. First Street

Homer, Il 61849

Corey.white@heritage8.org

Kristi.sanders@heritage8.org

Telephone

217-834-3392

Telephone

217-896-2421

4. Consistent with federal and State laws and rules governing student privacy rights, the Superintendent or designee shall promptly inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) of every student involved in an alleged incident of bullying and discuss, as appropriate, the availability of social work services, counseling, school psychological services, other interventions, and restorative measures. [11]

5. The Superintendent or designee shall promptly investigate and address reports of bullying, by, among other things:

a. Making all reasonable efforts to complete the investigation within 10 school days after the date the report of a bullying incident was received and taking into consideration additional relevant information received during the course of the investigation about the reported bullying incident.

b. Involving appropriate school support personnel and other staff persons with knowledge, experience, and training on bullying prevention, as deemed appropriate, in the investigation process.

c. Notifying the Building Principal or school administrator or designee of the reported incident of bullying as soon as possible after the report is received.

d. Consistent with federal and State laws and rules governing student privacy rights, providing parents/guardians of the students who are parties to the investigation information about the investigation and an opportunity to meet with the Building Principal or school administrator or his or her designee to discuss the investigation, the findings of the investigation, and the actions taken to address the reported incident of bullying.

The Superintendent or designee shall investigate whether a reported incident of bullying is within the permissible scope of the District’s jurisdiction and shall require that the District provide the victim with information regarding services that are available within the District and community, such as counseling, support services, and other programs. [12]

6. The Superintendent or designee shall use interventions to address bullying, that may include, but are not limited to, school social work services, restorative measures, social-emotional skill building, counseling, school psychological services, and community-based services. [13]

7. A reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying is prohibited. Any person’s act of reprisal or retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge with regard to employees, or suspension and/or expulsion[14] with regard to students.

8. A student will not be punished for reporting bullying or supplying information, even if the District’s investigation concludes that no bullying occurred. However, a person who is found to have falsely accused another of bullying, as a means of retaliation, as a means of bullying, or provided false information will be treated as either: (a) bullying, (b) student discipline up to and including suspension and/or expulsion, and/or (c) both (a) and (b) for purposes of determining any consequences or other appropriate remedial actions.

9. The District’s bullying prevention and response plan is based on the engagement of a range of school stakeholders, including students and parents/guardians.

10. The Superintendent or designee shall post this policy on the District’s website, if any, and include it in the student handbook, and, where applicable, post it where other policies, rules, and standards of conduct are currently posted. The policy must be distributed annually to parents/guardians, students, and school personnel (including new employees when hired), and must also be provided periodically throughout the school year to students and faculty. [15]

11. Pursuant to State law and policy 2:240, Board Policy Development, the Board monitors this policy every two years by conducting a review and re-evaluation of this policy to make any necessary and appropriate revisions. The Superintendent or designee shall assist the Board with its re-evaluation and assessment of this policy’s outcomes and effectiveness. Updates to this policy will reflect any necessary and appropriate revisions. This process shall include, without limitation: [16]

a. The frequency of victimization;

b. Student, staff, and family observations of safety at a school;

c. Identification of areas of a school where bullying occurs;

d. The types of bullying utilized; and

e. Bystander intervention or participation.

The evaluation process may use relevant data and information that the District already collects for other purposes. Acceptable documentation to satisfy the re-evaluated policy submission include one of the following:

1) An updated version of the policy with the amendment/modification date included in the reference portion of the policy;

2) If no revisions are deemed necessary, a copy of board minutes indicating that the policy was re-evaluated and no changes were deemed to be necessary; or

3) A signed statement from the Board President indicating that the Board re-evaluated the policy and no changes to it were necessary.

The Superintendent or designee must post the information developed as a result of the policy re-evaluation on the District’s website, or if a website is not available, the information must be provided to school administrators, Board members, school personnel, parents/guardians, and students. Reviews and re-evaluations in years they are due must be submitted to ISBE by September 30.

12. The Superintendent or designee shall fully implement the Board policies, including without limitation, the following: [17]

a. 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure. A student may use this policy to complain about bullying.

b. 2:265, Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure. Any person may use this policy to complain about sexual harassment in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

c. 6:60, Curriculum Content. Bullying prevention and character instruction is provided in all grades in accordance with State law.

d. 6:65, Student Social and Emotional Development. Student social and emotional development is incorporated into the District’s educational program as required by State law.

e. 6:235, Access to Electronic Networks. This policy states that the use of the District’s electronic networks is limited to: (1) support of education and/or research, or (2) a legitimate business use.

f. 7:20, Harassment of Students Prohibited. This policy prohibits any person from harassing, intimidating, or bullying a student based on an identified actual or perceived characteristic (the list of characteristics in 7:20 is the same as the list in this policy).

g. 7:185, Teen Dating Violence Prohibited. This policy prohibits teen dating violence on school property, at school sponsored activities, and in vehicles used for school-provided transportation.

h. 7:190, Student Behavior. This policy prohibits, and provides consequences for, hazing, bullying, or other aggressive behaviors, or urging other students to engage in such conduct.

i. 7:310, Restrictions on Publications; Elementary Schools, and 7:315, Restrictions on Publications; High Schools. These policies prohibit students from and provide consequences for: (1) accessing and/or distributing at school any written, printed, or electronic material, including material from the Internet, that will cause substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities, and (2) creating and/or distributing written, printed, or electronic material, including photographic material and blogs, that causes substantial disruption to school operations or interferes with the rights of other students or staff members. [18]

LEGAL REF.: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.14, 5/10-22.6(b-20), 5/24-24, and 5/27-23.7.

405 ILCS 49/, Children’s Mental Health Act.

775 ILCS 5/1-103, Ill. Human Rights Act.

23 Ill.Admin.Code §§1.240, 1.280, and 1.295.

CROSS REF.: 2:240 (Board Policy Development), 2:260 (Uniform Grievance Procedure), 2:265 (Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure), 4:170 (Safety), 5:230 (Maintaining Student Discipline), 6:60 (Curriculum Content), 6:65 (Student Social and Emotional Development), 6:235 (Access to Electronic Networks), 7:20 (Harassment of Students Prohibited), 7:185 (Teen Dating Violence Prohibited), 7:190 (Student Behavior), 7:220 (Bus Conduct), 7:230 (Misconduct by Students with Disabilities), 7:240 (Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities), 7:285 (Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program), 7:310 (Restrictions on Publications; Elementary Schools), 7:315 (Restrictions on Publications; High Schools)

[1] All districts must have a policy on bullying, monitor it, review and re-evaluate it, and file it with the Ill. State Board of Education (ISBE) every two years, no later than September 30 of the review year. 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7, amended by P.A. 102-894; 23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.295. The policy must contain all requirements of 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7, indicate the date of adoption (by month, day, and year), and be filed electronically each review year through ISBE’s IWAS system. 23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.295(b), (c). If a district fails to file its policy by the deadline or submits a deficient policy, ISBE will provide a written request for filing and provide the district with technical assistance and resources to assist it in meeting bullying policy requirements and, as appropriate, notify the district’s regional office of education or intermediate service center. 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(d), amended by P.A. 102-894; 23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.295(e). If the district still fails to file its policy within 14 days of receipt of ISBE’s written request, ISBE shall issue a letter of non-compliance (23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.295(e)(3)) and publish notice of non-compliance on its website (105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(d)).

This sample policy’s first paragraph allows a school board to consider its goals for preventing bullying and remedying its consequences; it may be amended.

In addition to a bullying prevention policy, all districts must have a policy on student behavior. 105 ILCS 5/10-20.14; 23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.280. Boards must, in consultation with their parent-teacher advisory committees and other community-based organizations, address aggressive behavior, including bullying, in their student behavior policy. See sample policy 7:190, Student Behavior; 7:190-E1, Aggressive Behavior Reporting Letter and Form.

This policy contains an item on which collective bargaining may be required. Any policy that impacts upon wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment is subject to collective bargaining upon request by the employee representative, even if the policy involves an inherent managerial right. See f/n 9, below.

[2] This paragraph and its subparts 1-4 are from the bullying prevention statute. 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(a); see also 775 ILCS 5/1-103 and 23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.240. The protected statuses are mandated by the bullying prevention statute; the list of protected statuses is identical to the list in sample policy 7:20, Harassment of Students Prohibited.

[3] All definitions are directly from 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7. See also resources from Cyberbullying Research Center, available at: www.cyberbullying.org/, and the U.S. School Safety Clearinghouse website at: www.SchoolSafety.gov, discussed in f/n 1, para. 3 of sample policy 4:170, Safety.

[4] 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(b), amended by P.A. 102-241.

[5] 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(b), amended by P.A. 102-197.

[6] As each numbered requirement, 1-12, corresponds with the same number in 5/27-23.7(b)1-12, there are no reference citations in footnotes. All non-statutory requirements, plus alternatives and optional provisions, are described in footnotes.

[7] 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(b), para. 3(1). See f/n 4, above and ISBE’s School Policies for Bullying Prevention at: www.isbe.net/Documents/Bullying-Prev-Policy-Req.pdf.

A board may augment the School Code requirement by using this alternative:

Using the definition of bullying as provided in this policy, the Superintendent or designee shall emphasize to the school community that: (a) the District prohibits bullying, and (b) all students should conduct themselves with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students. This may include a process for commending or acknowledging students for demonstrating appropriate behavior.

[8] The statute requires that the policy contain the email address and telephone number for the staff person(s) responsible for receiving bullying reports. Using the district Nondiscrimination Coordinator and Complaint Managers is consistent with sample policy 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure. While the names and contact information are required by law to be listed, they are not part of the adopted policy and do not require board action. This allows for additions and amendments to the names and contact information when necessary. It is important for updated names and contact information to be inserted into this policy and regularly monitored. A telephone number for making anonymous reports may also be added.

[9] 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(d), requires that “[s]chool personnel available for help with a bully or to make a report about bullying” be made known to parents/guardians, students, and school personnel.

[10] Sample policy 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure, states that a district’s Nondiscrimination Coordinator also serves as its Title IX Coordinator. If the district uses a separate Title IX Coordinator who does not also serve as the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, list the Title IX and Nondiscrimination Coordinators’ names separately in this policy. Best practice is that throughout the district’s board policy manual, the same individual be named as Nondiscrimination Coordinator. In contrast, Complaint Managers identified in individual policies may vary depending upon local district needs.

[11] 105 ILCS 5/10-20.14 contains a similar requirement. See 7:190-E1, Aggressive Behavior Reporting Letter and Form.

[12] This sentence contains requirements found in 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(d), amended by P.A. 102-894.

[13] A grant may be available from ISBE for the promotion of a safe and healthy learning environment. 105 ILCS 5/2-3.180 and 3.181, added by P.A. 101-438 and renumbered by P.A. 102-558. A list of grant funding opportunities is available at: www.isbe.net/Pages/Grants.aspx.

[14] Consult the board attorney about the potential conflict of 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(b)(7) (allowance of suspension and/or expulsion of students for reprisal/retaliation against reports of bullying) with 105 ILCS 5/10-22.6(b-20) (districts must resolve threats, address disruptions, and minimize the length (and implementation of) suspensions and expulsions to the greatest extent practicable). See sample policy 7:200, Suspension Procedures, at f/n 8 and sample policy 7:210, Expulsion Procedures, at f/ns 11 and 13.

[15] 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7(b)(10).

[16] 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7. See the ISBE guidance document that is cited in f/n 7, above.

[17] The statute requires that the bullying policy be consistent with other board policies. The list of policies may be deleted and the following alternative used: “12. The District’s bullying prevention plan must be consistent with other Board policies.” If a policy list is included, be sure the referenced policies were adopted locally and amend the list accordingly.

The bullying statute does not identify staff member duties regarding the prevention of or response to student bullying. The following optional provision addresses staff member responsibilities and may be added as a new paragraph 13:

13. The Superintendent or designee shall fully inform staff members of the District’s goal to prevent students

from engaging in bullying and the measures being used to accomplish it. This includes each of the following:

a. Communicating the District’s expectation and State law requirement that teachers and other certificated or licensed employees maintain discipline.

b. Establishing the expectation that staff members: (1) intervene immediately to stop a bullying incident that they witness or immediately contact building security and/or law enforcement if the incident involves a weapon or other illegal activity, (2) report bullying, whether they witness it or not, to an administrator, and (3) inform the administration of locations on school grounds where additional supervision or monitoring may be needed to prevent bullying.

c. Where appropriate in the staff development program, providing strategies to staff members to effectively prevent bullying and intervene when it occurs.

d. Establishing a process for staff members to fulfill their obligation to report alleged acts of bullying.

[18] For elementary districts, delete: ~~and 7:315,~~ ~~Restrictions on Publications; High Schools~~ and delete the Cross Reference to 7:315, Restrictions on Publications; High Schools. For high school districts, delete ~~7:310,~~ ~~Restrictions on Publications; Elementary Schools,~~ ~~and~~ and delete the Cross Reference to 7:310, Restrictions on Publications; Elementary Schools. In both cases, revise the beginning of the sentence to read: “This~~ese~~ policy~~ies~~ prohibits students from and provides.”

ISBE PaCE Framework Initiative & Heritage HS and JH Projected Framework Charts

Heritage High School Framework (pdf) download here

Heritage Junior High School Framework (pdf) download here

Illinois PaCE: Postsecondary and
Career Expectations

The Illinois PaCE Framework was developed with extensive input gathered from stakeholders and subject matter experts to provide guidance to students, families, and educators on what types of experiences and information a student should have in order to make the most informed decisions about college and career planning, beginning in 8th grade and continuing through high school. The framework was recently extended by statute to begin in 6th grade, with an updated framework required from the State’s educational agencies by no later than July 1st, 2023. The framework is organized around three key areas:

Career Exploration and Development
Postsecondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection
Financial Aid and Literacy

It is recognized that high schools and communities provide a broad array of college and career readiness activities for students, but they are not always documented and/or connected to other initiatives within a school, district, or community. The intent of the PaCE Framework is for it to be an organizing tool to help acknowledge and connect areas of success and identify those that may need additional attention or resources.

The PaCE Framework has been adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for benchmarking key points in the college and career planning process for students. With legislation passed and signed into law in June, 2022, Illinois public school districts will be required to adopt and implement a PaCE Framework for grades 6-12 aligned to the Illinois PaCE Framework adopted by the State agencies. (This could be the Illinois PaCE Framework or a customized framework.) The law mandates the following adoption and implementation schedule for a PaCE framework:

No later than July 1, 2024: Chicago Public Schools shall adopt and commence implementation of a PaCE Framework for grades 6-12 aligned to the framework adopted by the State agencies.
No later than July 1, 2025: A school district (other than Chicago’s) shall adopt and commence implementation of career exploration and career development activities in accordance with a PaCE Framework for grades 6 – 12.

Frameworks must be prominently displayed on each district/school website.

Illinois PaCE: Postsecondary and
Career Expectations

Career Exploration and Development
Postsecondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection
Financial Aid and Literacy

No later than July 1, 2024: Chicago Public Schools shall adopt and commence implementation of a PaCE Framework for grades 6-12 aligned to the framework adopted by the State agencies.
No later than July 1, 2025: A school district (other than Chicago’s) shall adopt and commence implementation of career exploration and career development activities in accordance with a PaCE Framework for grades 6 – 12.

Frameworks must be prominently displayed on each district/school website.

Heritage E-learning Remote Plan Documents for Emergency Day Usage

Heritage E-learning Plan for Interruption to School Calendar Due to Weather or Other Emergency Events

Download Approved E-learning Plan Rubric here

Download Copy of Letter Below here

The purpose of this letter is to communicate with all our district stakeholders for the utilization of E-learning days at Heritage School District during Winter 2024. Beginning a process in Spring 2023 which included a public survey and open forum and finalized this November 2023, the Heritage Board of Education adopted a resolution that we will use E-learning days when “snow / cold” or other emergency days occur. This plan was then submitted to the Regional Office of Education and ROE Superintendent Gary Lewis for approval.

The purpose in doing this is to ensure a continuation of learning when unsafe weather conditions interrupt our school schedule. This will also ensure a definitive end date to the school year for student attendance for planning purposes for families.

Heritage E-learning days will occur when school is called off for inclement weather or other unplanned emergency events that cancel school, with a maximum of five days.

When an E-learning day occurs all students will be provided with opportunities to continue learning in all subject areas either via electronic media or through pre-planned learning opportunities. The types of lessons and delivery will vary greatly with the variations of subjects and age levels that we serve. What a kindergarten student is expected to do will be very different from what is expected of a more connected senior in high school.

The learning opportunities will be accompanied by feedback from staff. Some of the feedback will be immediate while other feedback will be provided upon return to school. No student will be left out or penalized for circumstances out of their control.

It is important to note that this is the first year, and a trial run, for this process. Teachers, staff, students, and families are going to be engaging in this platform for the first time. If you, or your student, feels they have missed an opportunity, please reach out to the instructor to ensure we fill any learning gaps that may have been created through this trial run. The district will announce a remote day the night before or the morning of an emergency day occurrence using our web site, our Apptegy phone system, local media, and social media.

It is the intention of the educators to give this our best effort for effective implementation and make a determination, with feedback from students and families, if this is a practice we wish to continue in the future. The Heritage School Board and administration will plan to survey our stakeholders following the usage of any day(s) this winter to measure the effectiveness and also to make changes as we try this new plan.

Thank you to everyone for your willingness to step outside of the box in an effort to evolve our traditional practices to match the growing resources we have at our disposal. You can view the plan on our Parents page on a Heritage Web Site at www.heritage8.or

Tom Davis, Heritage CUSD #8 Superintendent of Schools

District and School Report Cards for 2022-2023 School Year

Released November 2023

District Report Card: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/District.aspx?districtId=09010008026

Heritage HS Report Card: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolid=090100080260001

Heritage JH & Elementary Report Card: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolid=090100080262001

Faith's Law ISBE Guidance, Code of Conduct, and FAQ (pdf) for Parents July 1, 2023 download

Health Notifications 2022-2023 School Year

Health Education Parent Notification Letters for Fall 2022/Spring 2023 and 2022-2023 School Year for Sexual Education Units and Opt-out

Updated April/May 2023: https://5il.co/1tqf0

JH Parents: https://5il.co/1lch2

HS Parents: https://5il.co/1lch3

Nutrition & Summer Food Service Program

Heritage Schools serves Breakfast at the Homer K-8 Building per ISBE guidelines as having 40% or greater Free-Reduced Designated student population. Broadlands 9-12 does not currently qualify under the guideline. You can read more from the USDA on School Breakfast at Make Breakfast First Class Download

Everybody Wins with Summer Food!

Download Flier Here

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was instituted to provide nutritious meals to children during the summer months when school is not in session. The program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

Sponsoring organizations include:

Public or private non-profit local education agencies;
Entities of state, local, municipal, or county government;
Residential camps; and
Private nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status.

An alternative to the SFSP for providing meals to your children in the summer months is the Seamless Summer Option. This program is available to local education agencies that already participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or School Breakfast Program (SBP). Some school food service authorities feel the Seamless Summer Option better meets their needs and requires less paperwork and monitoring requirements than the SFSP. For more information visit the Seamless Summer Option page. Please remember that schools who are offering academic summer school in buildings which have 50 percent or more of the students eligible for free or reduced-price school meals must serve breakfast and/or lunch at each school(s) that meets this criteria and must serve the meals to the children in their summer school program along with opening their doors to the community.

For additional information, please
contact the Illinois State Board of
Education at
800-545-7892 or send an email to
cnp@isbe.net
You can also visit our website at
http://www.isbe.net/sfsp

Student information is critically important to Apptegy and we know you feel the same. Please read below for information about how we are partnering with you in best practices.

Why are you sending this now?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has made student information a priority, particularly as it relates to COPPA (link). And the FTC has recently given new guidance about what it expects for EdTech COPPA practices (link). We want to make sure you have this information, summarize the key points, and give you confidence in Apptegy’s practices.

What do we need to do for Thrillshare?

Two things - schools must make a reasonable effort to (1) provide notice to parents and guardians about Apptegy’s student information practices and (2) establish consent through an FTC-accepted method.

How do we do that?

1: provide notice about Apptegy’s student information practices: Apptegy publicly discloses our student information practices in detail in our privacy policy, which is always accessible here. Parents and guardians can review our practices at any time via that link. We have attempted to make it easily readable and understandable. We update it when there is a material change in our practices. Schools can provide parents and guardians our privacy policy in any number of ways, including forwarding this notice in its entirety to parents and guardians or making the link available on the school website.

2: establish consent through an FTC-accepted method: For Thrillshare, schools establish FTC-accepted consent by “school authorization.” School authorization means a school representative authorizes Apptegy to collect student information by the practices disclosed in our privacy policy on the condition that student information is collected only for an “educational purpose.” Educational purpose includes any use related to a child’s education including instruction in the classroom or at home, administrative activities, and collaboration between students, school personnel, or parents. The FTC has described school authorization as the school providing consent as agent on behalf of parents and guardians for educational purpose EdTech.

Schools can rely on school authorization for Thrillshare because of Apptegy’s relationship with you. Our contract with you confirms in writing that we collect and use student information solely for the educational purposes authorized by you. We do not collect student information for any other purposes. We also confirm in writing that all student information is always under your direct control, and we provide detailed descriptions of all personal information that is collected and how it will be used and disclosed. You don’t have to take our word for it: iKeepSafe, a leading third-party COPPA audit organization, reviewed our practices and granted Thrillshare its COPPA compliance certification (https://ikeepsafe.org/certifications/).

In summary

We are your partner in student information best practices. We only use student information to provide Thrillshare to you and your users. We only collect the student information that is necessary for that limited purpose. You always directly control the use and maintenance all student information. Please see our privacy policy for more detailed information.

*This information is for general information purposes only and is not legal advice. It is summary information and may not include all details relevant to individual circumstances. For advice with respect to any particular circumstance or question, you should seek the advice of your legal counsel.

Food & Nutrition Links and Required Board Policies

Champaign-Urbana Area Free Summer Meals for Children

Hunger can often be invisible. Help us ensure that no child goes hungry this summer.

We have a comprehensive list of places where you can find free meal distribution for kids in the communities of Champaign, Urbana, Rantoul and Mahomet while school is out

While many of us may spend the summer lazily snacking all day, the reality is that in our communities, hunger is a significant problem — especially among children. Many kids who rely on school meals struggle to get enough to eat during the summer months. And with prices soaring at the grocery store, food insecurity is a very real issue for many families as we head into the summer break.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local agencies nationwide to serve free meals to children during the summer months, also known as the Summer Food Program. Any child under age 18 is eligible for free meals; there are no restrictions or residency requirements. Some of the sites we list below are noted as Summer Food Program sites.

To locate a site near you, visit SummerMealsIllinois.org, call the Illinois Hunger Hotline at (800) 359-2163 or text FoodIL to 877877. Se habla español. All locations may not be found on this map yet.

Uniform Grievance Procedure 2260_10_2021 0 https://5il.co/1r87p

Administrative Procedure - Guidelines for Investigating Complaints Filed Under Policy 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure, and Allegations of Misconduct 2260_AP1_08_2020 0 https://5il.co/1r87q

Administrative Procedure – Nondiscrimination Coordinator and Complaint Manager .2260_AP_2_05_2022 0 https://5il.co/1r87r

4120 school board policy confirm adopted Food https://5il.co/1r87w

Restraint and Time Out Reduction Plan Download: https://5il.co/27qxt

Nondiscrimination Coordinator:

Name Tom Davis, Superintendent

Address 512 W. First Street, District Office 200, Homer, IL 61849

Email tom.davis@heritage8.org

Telephone 217-896-2421 Ext 135

Complaint Managers:

Name Corey White, HS Principal

Email corey.white@heritage8.org

Telephone 217-834-3392 direct line

Address Heritage High School, 206 E. Diller Ave., Broadlands, IL 61816

Name Kristi Sanders, K-8 Principal

Address Heritage JH & Elementary Schools, 512 W. First Street, Homer, IL 61849

Email kristi.sanders@heritage8.org

Telephone 217-896-2421 ext 111

Required Bullying & CyberBullying Policy with Resources & Links

Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) PRESS Policy 7:180 – Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment here

Letter to Parents, Guardians, and District Stakeholders concerning bullying prevention intervention reporting download here

Administrative Procedure – Prevention, Identification, Investigation, and Response to Bullying and School Violence download here

Resource Guide for Bullying and School Violence Prevention download here

Be a Hero by Reporting Bullying and School Violence download here

Letter to Heritage Teachers & Staff concerning bullying prevention intervention reporting download here

Bullying Targeted Student Reporting Form download example here

Bullying Interviewing and Investigation Reporting Form download example here

Bullying Administrative Response and Action Reporting Form download example here

Administrative Procedure - Food Services; Competitive Foods; Exemptions 4120_AP_11_2020 0 https://5il.co/1r87y

Illinois Required Units of Study for Public Schools

Click on the Link Below

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/IL-Mandated-Units-of-Study.pdf

Heritage CUSD 8 Student Data Privacy Overview SOPPA Requirement

Our Commitment

Heritage CUSD 8 is committed to protecting all student data from individuals or organizations who have no legal or educational purpose for that data. Heritage CUSD 8 is required to protect student data by several state and federal laws and guidelines including SOPPA, FERPA, COPPA, CIPA, and HIPPA, which are summarized below. Heritage CUSD 8 is subject to strict penalties if student information is misused or compromised. Heritage CUSD 8 protects student data through comprehensive privacy policies and multiple layers of security measures such as firewalls, data encryption, secure servers, external monitoring, access auditing, and intrusion detection/remediation software.

State and Federal Laws & Guidelines

Heritage CUSD 8 Community Unit School District is required by law to follow a variety of state and federal law and guidelines regarding the protection of student data.

SOPPA Student Online Personal Protection Act (State of Illinois)

Defines how schools, the State Board of Education, and external entities must protect student data.

External entities must:

Protect student data
List student data used
Describe the usage of student data
Delete student data when no longer required
Report breaches of data

External entities are prohibited from:

Selling, renting, leasing, trading student data
Creating student profile
Targeting advertising to students

Heritage CUSD 8 must:

Publish a list of data elements used
Publish a list of vendor agreements
Publish parent’s rights of student data

Heritage CUSD 8 is prohibited from:

Selling, renting, leasing, trading student data
Sharing data with external entities without a signed agreement

State Board of Education must:

Publish a list of data elements used

FERPA Family Education Rights Privacy Act (US Department of Education)

Guarantees that parents have the right to review and make changes to their children’s education records.

FERPA also restricts who can use and access student information.

FERPA provides parents with 4 basic rights:

To inspect and review education records;
To challenge the content of education records and to correct or delete inaccurate data;
To control the disclosure of education records containing their child’s PII via consent;
To file a complaint regarding noncompliance with FERPA with the Department of Education.

COPPA Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (Federal Trade Commission)

Controls what information is collected from children under the age of 13 by companies operating websites, games, and mobile apps.

It is specifically for website operators that collect information from children or operate a general audience website and have actual knowledge that personal information from children is being collected or have:

Child targeted websites or those that have visual or audio content
Child models
Advertising directed to children
Information regarding the age of the actual or intended audience
Animated characters or other child-oriented features.

Web site operators must include a privacy policy, when and how to seek verifiable consent from a parent, and what responsibilities an operator has to protect children’s privacy and safety online.

Heritage CUSD 8 inspects websites for COPPA compliance prior to permitting student access.

CIPA Children’s Internet Protection Act (Federal Communications Commission)

Addresses children’s access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet.

CIPA imposes certain requirements on schools or libraries that receive discounts for Internet access or internal connections through the eRate program, a program that makes certain communications services and products more affordable for eligible schools and libraries.

Heritage CUSD 8 filters student access to the Internet with CIPA compliant products and processes.

HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (US Department of Health & Human Services)

Prohibits the disclosure of protected health information to third parties without written authorization.

HIPPA’s application to K12 schools is limited. Education records covered by FERPA are specifically excluded from the definition of protected health information.

Schools are subject to HIPPA if they provide health services and electronically transmit “health information” for a reason specifically listed in the rule.

What Student Data is Collected?

First and last name
Home address
Telephone numbers
Email addresses
Other information that allows physical or online contact
Student identifiers
Discipline records
Assessment results
Special education records
Juvenile dependency records
Grades
Evaluations
Medical records
Health records
Disabilities
Socioeconomic information
Food purchases
Text messages
Documents
Search activity
Photos

Why is This Student Data Collected?

Data is collected, but may not be limited to, for the following reasons:

For the educational purpose of determining the needs of a student
For determining student placement into various programs
For special education determination purposes
For providing communications to students and families
For reporting required by state or federal agencies such as the Illinois State Board of Education, the United State Department of Education, Regional Office of Education, Illinois Department of Health, etc.
For reporting to colleges and universities for acceptance purposes

Who has Access to Student Data?

Policies are in place that limits access to student data based on an individual’s role within Heritage CUSD 8 and what is referred to as their “legitimate educational interest” in information. Access to data is restricted to trained, qualified individuals who only have access to the specific data they need in order to do their jobs. Teachers, principals, and other administrators have access to the widest range of information, allowing them to monitor a student’s progress in school.

Heritage CUSD 8 works with a variety of outside entities that provide services or applications necessary for delivering instruction and District operations, which requires sharing of student data. These outside entities receive only the information about a student that is required to provide particular services. Some entities such as School board members, the Illinois Department of Education, and the U.S.

Department of Education receive aggregated information that allows them to understand how our schools are performing and make decisions about programs and resources.

Parents have the right to inspect their student’s data for accuracy at any time and in some cases may have the right to prevent student data from being shared. In the event a parent does choose to not have their student’s data shared, this may result in degraded experience and/or limit student’s access to tools and learning aids used in their education.

Asbestos Management Plan Information & Posting

This is to inform parents and staff of the status of the Heritage CUSD #8 asbestos management plan(s). It has been determined by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency that asbestos is a potential health hazard and precautions should be taken to avoid disturbing any asbestos containing materials.

As required, our building(s) were initially inspected for asbestos. Our initial inspection was conducted on September 28, 1988. The AHERA law requires that a visual surveillance of asbestos containing areas be completed every six months, and a re-inspection conducted every three years. Any evidence of disturbance or change in condition will be documented in the Management Plan as required.

The Inspection/Management Plan is available for public review in the District Office, 512 W. First Street, Homer, IL 61949. Should you wish to review the plans, please call to make an appointment between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Any concerns relative to asbestos containing materials should be directed to Superintendent Tom Davis, District Office, 512 W. First Street, Homer, IL 61949

Threat Assessment Team and School Violence Prevention December 2019

Threat-Assessment-Web-Posting-letter-for-threat-assessment-procedures-and-plans-12-19-2019.pdf

Students with disabilities who do not qualify for an individualized education program (IEP), as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Illinois School Code, may qualify for services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if the child (i) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of a physical or mental impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment.

Inquiries regarding the identification, assessment and placement of such children should be directed to:
Name: Tom Davis
Title: Superintendent
Telephone Number: 217-896-2421 or 834-3392
Email Address: tom.davis@heritage8.org
Office Address: 512 W. First Street, Homer, IL 61849, District Office

Other Important Links

Teen Dating Violence Notice for Parents – Parent/Student Resources Web Site

Parent & Staff Notification of IHSA AED Usage Video Video Link

Letter to Parents Concerning Teacher/Staff Qualifications

Champaign County Public Health District
Summer Meals Illinois Flyer
Heritage Elementary CATCH Program Resources
Heritage School District Wellness Policy

District and School Report Cards, 2006-2016
Heritage School District Contract Files 2013-2020
Local Mentoring and College Readiness on Facebook

Illinois State Board of Education
Champaign-Ford Regional Office of Education
Area IV Learning Technology Hub
Rural Champaign County Special Education Consortium (RCCSEC)
Common Core Standards

Remote Learning Plan March 2020

Heritage CUSD #8 ELearning Day Plan Document

Heritage CUSD #8 e-learning verification form 3-25-2020

Resolution to Adopt ELearning Program in Lieu of District’s Emergency Days

504

October 01, 2019

Inquiries regarding the identification, assessment and placement of such children should be directed to Principals below:

Heritage High School:

Principal Corey White
Principal’s Secretary Julie Pearman
Secretary Shelley Fitzgerald
Counselor Patti Knott
Athletic Director Lori Archer
206 E. Diller (Mailing PO Box 260)
Broadlands, IL 61816
phone: (217) 834-3392
fax: (217) 834-3016

Heritage Elementary & Junior High School

Principal Kristi Sanders
Principal’s Secretary Stacy James
Secretary & Lunch/Activity Accounts Laura Benschneider
Secretary Shelley Fitzgerald
512 W. First Street
Homer, IL 61849
phone: (217) 896-2421
fax: (217) 896-2715