Policies and Procedures

To view all KCPS Board of Education policies, please visit this page.

New policy specifies details on how Missouri State Law impacts KCPS

A new Missouri law (Senate Bill 68) requires all public schools to establish policies that limit student use of personal electronic devices, such as cell phones, during the entire school day—including lunch and breaks.

From comprehensive surveys and student town halls to community meetings and feedback sessions, we have taken seriously the need to collaborate with our families on how best to implement the requirements of the state law within our district in a way that fosters equity and inclusivity while maintaining a supportive and effective learning environment.

With that in mind, we want to share with you this new KCPS personal student electronic device policy, which has been approved by district leaders and the KCPS Board of Directors.

• Starting this school year, KCPS students are not allowed to use or display any electronic personal communication devices during school hours unless permission has been granted by administration. If a student is found to be using an electronic personal communication device during the school day, the device may be confiscated. A refusal to release the device to school personnel or a continual violation of this behavior may result in disciplinary interventions.

What constitutes an electronic personal communication device?

• Cell phones
• Tablets, notebooks & laptops that are not approved for the learning environment
• Portable game consoles
• Smart watches that are being used in a distracting or disruptive manner
• Paging devices & beepers
• Digital media players
• Digital video or audio recorders
• Bluetooth devices
• Digital cameras

What do you mean by "during school hours"?
The electronic personal communication device policy is in effect from the first bell to the last bell of the school day. This includes:

• Instructional time
• Breaks
• Study hall
• Meals
• Time between classes
• Field trips

Are there exception to this policy? What if there is an emergency?

Yes, there are several exceptions to this policy allowed, including situations involving:

• Active fire, earthquake or tornado
• Evacuation
• Medical emergency
• School-wide emergency
• IDEA, ADA or Section 504 requirements
• Other urgent or emergency situations as they arise

What happens if students are found to be using or displaying these items during prohibited times?

On the first offense, the device will be confiscated, and the student may retrieve it from the office at the end of the day. Each school has been given a specialized, secure storage locker to store confiscated devices.

On second and subsequent offenses, the device will be confiscated, and a parent/guardian will be contacted to come to the school to retrieve the device.

If the student refuses to give up their device during any staff intervention efforts, the behavior may be classified as a Group III behavior, "Failure to meet conditions or other disciplinary interventions."

*NOTE: No recovery room or out-of-school suspension (OSS) will be issued solely for possession of a personal electronic device.

We understand that this is an issue of high interest to our students and families, and we want to thank you for taking part in the collaboration process of formulating a comprehensive policy that is in compliance with Missouri State Law.

Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI)

Alternative Methods of Instruction Overview

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) allows school districts to use Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) on days when in-person classes are canceled due to inclement weather. On these days, instruction will be provided using the alternative methods explained below in the AMI Day Instructional Schedule. This ensures that learning can continue when schools are closed.

Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) Day

Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) day is when we teach and work from home, with students participating in:  

• synchronous learning: teachers and students online
• asynchronous learning: students access assignments online and complete take-home assignments independently.

Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) – Student Attendance

Students will be marked present for an AMI day based on the completion of electronic lessons/ activities on the AMI day or by returning lessons/activities the next school day following AMI day. Students who did not work or log in on the AMI day(s) will be identified by the teacher and marked absent.

Alternative Methods of Instruction – Schedules

AMI Day Schedule (4 hours):

8:00 - 8:45 am - Check-In w/ Principal and/or Instructional Coach (45 minutes)

8:45 - 9:00 am - Teacher Planning: (15 minutes)

9:00 - 12:00 am - AMI Day Instruction / Office Hours Support (3 hours)

 

AMI Day – Grade Level Instruction

Instruction for Elementary Students (PK-6) will utilize the district instructional choice boards that contain activities for core subject areas and exploratory classes, and district learning packets that contain assignments in reading/writing, math, science, and social studies.

Instruction for Middle and High School Students (6-12) will engage in asynchronous instruction (students accessing assignments online). Classroom teachers will post assignments in Canvas and/or Edgenuity.

Instruction for KCVA Students (6-12) and Evening Academy (9-12) will engage in synchronous instruction (teachers and students online) from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. 

Bullying & Cyberbullying

In order to promote a safe learning environment for all students, Kansas City Public Schools prohibits all forms of hazing, bullying and student intimidation. Hazing is defined as any activity, on or off school grounds, that a reasonable person believes would negatively impact the mental or physical health or safety of a student or put the student in a ridiculous, humiliating, stressful, or disconcerting position for purposes of initiation, affiliation, admission, membership or maintenance of membership in any group, class organization, club or athletic team including, but not limited to, a grade level, student organization, or school-sponsored activity.

Bullying is defined as intimidation or harassment of a student or multiple students perpetrated by individuals or groups. Bullying includes, but is not limited to, physical actions, including violence, gestures, theft, or damaging property; oral or written taunts, including name-calling, put-downs, extortion, or threats of retaliation for reporting such acts. Bullying may also include cyberbullying or cyber threats. Cyberbullying is sending or posting harmful or cruel texts or images using the Internet or other digital communication devices. Cyber threats are online materials that threaten to raise concerns about violence against others, suicide or self-harm.

Students participating in or encouraging inappropriate conduct will be disciplined in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct. Such discipline may include, but is not limited to, suspension or expulsion from school and/or removal from participation in activities.

Disciplinary consequences will be issued to anyone or any team found guilty of hazing. According to Missouri State statues, “consent” to hazing is not a defense.

See Administrative Policy JFCF

General Medical Conditions and Possible Exclusions for Students

Fever

Any student with a temperature elevated above 100.1°F should be excluded from school until symptoms have ceased for 24 hours without the aid of fever reducers. All elevated temperatures over 100.1°F must be picked up from school.

Vomiting

Any student vomiting 2 or more times within 2 hours shall be excluded from school for 24 hours unless proper written notice is received from a physician. Students should be picked up and kept at home for 24 hours.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)/Eye Drainage

Conjunctivitis is redness and inflammation of the membrane that covers the eye and lines the inner surface of the eyelids. Any student with oozing eye drainage which may accompany fever, pain or redness of the eyes shall be excluded until proper treatment has begun. The student may return once symptoms have cleared.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the body, scalp or feet. If a student is diagnosed with ringworm, the student must be excluded from school until treatment has begun. However, the student may remain in school if the lesion can be covered. In order to prevent spreading, treatment must be started as soon as detected. Any child with ringworm should not participate in gym, swimming, and other close contact activities that are likely to expose others until treatment has begun or the lesions can be completely covered. If the lesion is on the scalp, the student should see a medical provider for proper treatment.

Diarrhea (Infectious)

Any student having an increased number of bowel movements (uncommon with the students’ normal bowel pattern) along with watery, bloody and/or mucus containing feces, shall be excluded until diarrhea free for 24 hours.

Asthma/Difficulty Breathing

Any student having an unusual breathing pattern with complaints of wheezing, chest tightness, consistent coughing or any other signs of discomfort for students are asked to visit their health provider to exclude any possible serious illnesses.

***The above criteria are common but not limited to all exclusionary rules from school***

Health Services Forms

Health History Form

Over the Counter (OTC) Medication Form

Prescription Medication Authorization Form

Immunization Schedules:
Birth to 12
7-18

Common Illness Information

Health & Medications Policy

If a student becomes ill in school, he/she should report to the nurse with a pass. Students must not leave the building because of illness without prior authorization by the school nurse (or designee). If the nurse is unavailable, students are to report to the main office. First aid care will be administered to sick and injured students. In cases of serious illness or accidents, parents will be notified immediately.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to submit any relevant information regarding the medications their student needs, including a diabetes medical management plan or other information the district may use to develop an IEP, Section 504 Accommodation Plan or Individualized Health Plan (IHP). The district prohibits students from possessing or self-administering medications while on district grounds, on district transportation or during district activities unless explicitly authorized in accordance with administrative policy JHCF.

The administration of medications is a nursing activity that must be performed by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse or a licensed practical nurse. A school nurse may delegate the administration of medication to unlicensed personnel who are trained by the nurse to administer medications.

The parent/guardian must provide the district with written permission to administer over-the-counter and/or prescription medication before the district will administer such medication. All students must have a current health history on file in order to receive any medications from the health office. Any medication not picked up by an authorized adult shall be discarded at the end of the school year.

Missouri School Immunization Requirements

• All students must present documentation of up-to-date immunization status, including month, day, and year of each immunization before attending school.
• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) allows a 4-day grace period. Students in all grade levels may receive immunizations up to four days before the due date.
• For children beginning kindergarten during or after the 2003-04 school year, required immunizations should be administered according to the current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Schedule, including all spacing. (CDC Website)
• To remain in school, students "in progress" must have an Immunization In Progress form (Imm.P.14), which includes the appointment date for needed immunizations, on file and must receive immunizations as soon as they become due. The student is in compliance as long as he/she continues to receive the appropriate immunization(s) at the correct intervals according to the ACIP recommendations.
  In progress means that a child has begun the vaccine series and has an appointment for the next dose. This appointment must be kept and an updated record provided to the school. If the appointment is not kept, the child is no longer in progress and is noncompliant (i.e., Hep B vaccine series was started but the child is not yet eligible to receive the next dose in the series).
• Religious (Imm.P. 11A) and Medical (Imm.P.12) exceptions are allowed. The appropriate exemption card must be on file. Unimmunized children are subject to exclusion from school when outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases occur.

Winter Weather - School Cancellation

 

Title IX Training

At Kansas City Public Schools, it is very important to us that every child, staff member and community member feel welcome, safe and valued as an individual. In order to ensure a safe environment for all students and to comply with the law and our own policies, we have developed training both for staff and students around Title IX, the federal statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. 

Relevant staff attending Title IX trainings for Title IX Coordinator, Title IX Investigator, Title IX Decision Maker, and Title IX Appeals.  Training materials may be reviewed at https://tuethkeeney.com/tueth-keeney-title-ix-webinars/.

 

Title IX Coordinator

Shana Long
(816) 418-7699
Email