Schleswig Principal

Bullying/Harassment Policy

2012-02-09T14:28:00.001-08:00

In early February I attended a workshop featuring Matt Carver from School Administrators of Iowa. The topic was Iowa Code concerning Bullying and Harassment, with the focus being on schools. Iowa Code 280.28 is the reference if you would wish to further research the law. You can find it here.

A major aspect of this law is that it gives a legal definition of what “Harassment” and “Bullying” is. It is “any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student which is based on any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of the student and which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:

1) Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.

2) Has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.

3) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance.

4) Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

As I read these criteria, a couple of thoughts come to mind for me. First is how these are written to be specific buy vague. The “reasonable fear” and “substantially detrimental” and “substantially interfering” all leave room for interpretation and flexibility to handle each situation on its own. What may be “bullying” for one student may not be for another. Second is that events that can be called bullying and harassment can be a series of events or, albeit rarely, a single occurrence.

Another factor to consider is where and how these incidents may occur, if outside the school building. The law is clear that if activities that may be considered bullying or harassment occur during a school event, such as an athletic event, or happen online using school technology, the school has jurisdiction. Also, if actions that are not on or use school property or at a school event affect a student’s academics (example: a student does not want to go to school because of an incident on Facebook) this may still fall under the criteria to be considered bullying and harassment..

As part of Iowa Code, Schleswig School is required, as are all schools, to have an anti-bullying policy in place. This can be found in the school handbook as well as School Board Policy (104). Part of this policy is that there is a written complaint form that can be filed with the office that will be part of the procedure of investigating the bullying and harassment.

If you ever have any questions about this topic, please do not hesitate to give me a call or send me an email at davidgalvin@schleswig.k12.ia.us and I will do the best I can to answer your questions.

Honor Roll

2012-01-17T13:40:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I had the privilege of handing out certificates for Academic Honor Roll for the Fall 2011 Semester. We here at Schleswig Community Schools have two levels of Honor Roll, Black and Gold. To be on the Black Honor Roll, a student must earn a 1 on 80% of their standards on the report card, to be on the Gold Honor Roll, they must earn 90%.

Students who make the Honor Roll for two consecutive semesters also receive a Schleswig "letter", which can be seen with some of the students in the pictures.

Congratulations to all our recipients. Good job!

5-8th Grade Honor Roll

8th Grade

7th Grade

6th Grade

5th Grade

4th Grade

3rd Grade

Kindle Fire

2012-01-11T12:00:00.000-08:00

Today, Schleswig Schools received its first set of Kindle Fires. If you are unfamiliar with a Kindle, it is a product of Amazon.com and can be checked out here. The Kindle Fire is a book reader and media device that is comparable to an iPad. Our intent here at Schleswig Schools is to treat these Kindles like a library book, where students would have the opportunity to check out the Kindle, use it to read their book, and return it to the library when completed.

This Thursday, members of the Schleswig Technology Club will be presenting a "Texting" class to members of the community. This will be a great learning experience for our students. This will hopefully be the first of many opportunities for students at Schleswig School to interact with members of the community and for the community to pick up some technology skills.

Concert and Performance Video

2012-01-03T12:44:00.000-08:00

This year, the student Technology Club is recording and editing video from school performances, including concerts and programs. These are available from the school on DVD for $5 or for viewing on YouTube. The first sets are now complete and online. Follow the links below. To order a DVD, please contact the school. Thanks.

Veterans Day - 3 Parts, 4th is video created by Mrs. Larson's 3rd Grade.

http://youtu.be/o0nUS7dV6OE

http://youtu.be/iXvd0b5gN-w

http://youtu.be/rv25nLU5Xl8

http://youtu.be/pAhnPD7f3lg

Elementary School Concert – 6 Parts

TK/K

http://youtu.be/D0NQUH47rhA

1st Grade

http://youtu.be/FuvvM8WKL_E

2nd Grade

http://youtu.be/RzfFJhhp5QQ

Rocking Christmas (3 parts)

http://youtu.be/oqtpIuc76QI

http://youtu.be/P8uKyAb45QM

http://youtu.be/xC1jGTViZXk

Middle School Concert – 4 Parts

5th Grade Band

http://youtu.be/eOUsI9_FuQI

5th/6th Chorus

http://youtu.be/QW_IhQAMrLA

6th-8th Band

http://youtu.be/YWGMjlbgdIE

7th-8th Chorus

http://youtu.be/XtDFGqvPKbA

Twitter

2011-12-22T12:50:00.000-08:00

If you are a Twitter user, or interested in becoming one, you can follow events that happen in Schleswig School by searching for #schleswigschool online. Look for pictures from our day of making care packages on Twitter.

Care Packages

2011-12-22T12:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Middle School Students from Schleswig Community Schools went out into the community to deliver care packages to local businesses and members of the community. Jack Schultz, 8th grader, explains what goes into a care package. Thanks to Max Wigg for the idea of a video explanation of the packages, and for operating the camera and editing the video.

The day was a success, and a great way for the students to interact with the community and hopefully brighten someone's day.

2011-12-19T09:37:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that break is just around the corner. The kids sure are excited. The Middle School students will be out Wednesday to deliver Care Packages. It is a good experience for the students to interact with community members.

2011-12-19T08:03:00.000-08:00

This is my first post on my Blog. I am excited to share some of what goes on in Schleswig Schools with everyone out there.