K-5 Handbook

The district has the ability to call and email all district families. In order to help ensure that you receive these important messages, please go to www.edenpr.org and make sure that we have the correct email address and phone numbers for us to use. 

Updating Family Contact Information: You can update your email address and cell phone number yourself by logging into the parent portal and click on "Family Members". Make the necessary changes and click "Update" in each cell that you change. If you have moved or changed your primary home phone number, please contact your students' schools to have that information updated in the system. Contact us with questions at (952) 975-7094 or helpline@edenpr.org.

Families with students attending Eden Prairie Schools receive print and electronic publications from the district.  

●      District Communications: To ensure you’re receiving electronic communication from the district and your school, log onto the district website, www.edenpr.org. You can update your email address and cell phone number yourself by logging into the parent portal and click on "Family Members." Make the necessary changes and click "Update" in each cell that you change. If you have moved or changed your primary home phone number, please contact your students' schools to have that information updated in the system.

●     School Communications: Each school uses electronic communication. Communication includes news on upcoming events, school expectations, and reminders. Classroom teachers also keep parents informed with electronic communication through the Campus Parent Portal, Schoology, and e-mail. This information is also posted on your school website and can be obtained through requested hard copy. Select the "Translate" button in the top right-hand corner of the website to select the preferred language, and the website information will automatically be translated. 

Elementary school students frequently bring home information from the classroom and the office for parents/guardians to review. Please watch for this information in your child’s backpack. If you are in need of school supplies, please contact your school social worker. 

2021-22 EP Online School Supplies

If you have any address, home or work phone number changes during the school year, it is very important that families notify your child’s teacher and the office. The office needs current telephone numbers in case you need to be reached during the day. Families will then be assured of receiving all school-related mailings.

●      Updating Family Contact Information: You can update your email address and cell phone number yourself by logging into the parent portal and click on "Family Members". Make the necessary changes and click "Update" in each cell that you change. If you have moved or changed your primary home phone number, please contact your students' schools to have that information updated in the system.

If your child attended an Eden Prairie School last year, they will automatically be registered for the current school year and you will receive information from your child’s teacher prior to the beginning of the school year. Preschool children who are listed on census information will automatically be sent kindergarten registration information. Census information forms are sent out each year via the district office. 

●      New Families: If you are new in the area, please contact our District Central Registration Office for registration materials. You may either pick up the forms at the Administrative Services Center or call 952-975-7008 and have them mailed to you.

• Link to Welcome Center website.

Throughout the school year, situations at your elementary school may bring about questions or concerns for students or families. The process described below is structured to promote resolving situations quickly to the satisfaction of all parties involved. This process also encourages those people closest to the situation to examine and develop solutions to concerns. A positive resolution of these situations enhances communication, builds trust between members of the school community, and benefits the educational program for the students.

Please follow the steps below if you have a question or concern:

●       Step 1 – Contact the appropriate staff member: The first step in resolving a concern is to discuss it with the staff member(s) most closely involved. Most likely this is your child’s classroom teacher. More than 95 percent of all questions or concerns are resolved at this level.
●       Step 2 – Contact the Head of School: If your question or concern remains unresolved, contact the Head of School. He/she is the instructional leader in charge of the school and the person responsible for handling questions or concerns regarding the school’s operation. The Head of School can share school information and explain procedures, guidelines, and policies. He/she is available to listen and support your student and family.  
●       Step 3 – Contact the appropriate district administrator: If the previous steps have been unsuccessful, contact the appropriate district administrator or the Associate Superintendent. We sincerely hope that we can work together to solve problems as they arise. Please know we believe clear, open, honest, and two-way communication is the key to promoting positive home-school connections.

Our district website, www.edenpr.org allows you to stay in closer contact with Eden Prairie Schools – click the “Schools” menu to find the website for your school. Information available online includes general information, teacher web pages, supply lists, calendar, lunch menus, newsletters, parent involvement, etc. 

Eden Prairie Schools recognizes the importance of families and teachers working together. Families and teachers communicate and build relationships at conferences. EP Online meet has a different structure for conferences than other EP Schools. Teachers will contact families at least monthly for a conference call to provide updates about a student's progress.

To access your child’s report card:

• Log into the Campus parent portal
• Select “Reports” from the menu options
• Select “Report Card” 
• If you do not see “Reports” as an option, the grades are not yet available. 

For assistance with Campus portal username or password, contact the website helpline at helpline@edenpr.org or (952) 975-7094.  The timeline for grading and reporting will be posted on the district’s website; school officials will inform families when report cards are ready to view

Eden Prairie Schools believes each student, regardless of age, race, gender, ability level, religious beliefs, national origin, sexual orientation (actual or perceived), or physical attributes, deserves the right to be educated in an environment that does not interfere with their educational opportunities or ability to participate in school functions or activities or receive school benefits, services, or privileges. 

According to the Minnesota Safe and Supportive Schools Act bullying means any intimidating, threatening, abusive, or harming conduct that is objectively offensive in nature. Furthermore, there is an actual or perceived imbalance of power between the student engaging in prohibited conduct and the target of the behavior and the conduct is repeated or forms a pattern. Bullying does not refer to a one-time argument or disagreement between students. The act of cyber-bullying which refers to bullying others by using technology or other electronic devices, or retaliation for asserting, alleging, reporting, or providing information about bullying or knowingly making a false report about bullying in any form are prohibited as well.

Our intent is to create and maintain a safe and welcoming environment by taking a proactive rather than reactive approach. To prevent or stop bullying or cyber-bullying behaviors we will provide ongoing training around anti-bullying techniques and strategies for all staff and students.

If bullying occurs on any district property (i.e. school building, school grounds, bus stop, walking route to and from school, school bus, school related vehicles) or at any school-related function, school-sponsored activity, event, or trip, the incident should be reported to the building’s designated primary contact person (principal, associate principal, or social worker) who will begin an investigation as soon as possible. If bullying/cyber-bullying takes place off of school property and impacts the educational process, it should be reported to the school. In the event an act of cyber-bullying has occurred the same protocol will be followed. Cyber-bullying may take place on or off school property.

If the result of the investigation concludes bullying or cyber-bullying took place the offender(s) could receive consequences ranging from written conduct reports to loss of privileges during the school day to in or out of school suspensions depending on the severity of the incidents.

Teachers and school personnel seek to co-create a positive learning environment with students in classrooms, and as a school community. This includes building trusting relationships with each student by getting to know individual strengths, interests, and culture. Schools will foster a learning environment that values multiple perspectives and articulates how our differences make us stronger.  

Behavioral expectations specific to all areas of school, for example, classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, lunchroom, playground, and school buses, are taught at the beginning of the school year.  Behavior expectations are re-taught and positively reinforced throughout the year to promote a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment for each child. 

If students demonstrate inappropriate behavior at school, an adult will seek to understand what happened, support the child in reflecting on their behavior, and provide opportunities for restoring relationships, as applicable.  In addition, specific consequences may be applied; parents may be contacted, depending on the nature of the behavior, frequency of the behavior, and severity of the specific incident. 

Adults will:

1. Create a balanced approach for all learning.  
2. Create a climate for learning that includes:

●      Provide opportunities for students to explore and construct their learning through student choices, practice, trial, error and reworking
●      Knowing the students culturally, and individually, by being fully cognizant of their individual strengths and interests
●      Co-creating classroom rituals that maximize learning bell-to-bell
●      Creating a climate that respects difference and allows for multiple perspectives without hurting others
●      Fostering opportunities for students to take responsibility for academic, social, and emotional expectations in monitoring their self-control
●      Responding to unexpected behaviors in restorative ways that support accountability and healing to re-build relationships or the learning community

Students will:

1. Participate fully in the learning experience, including curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular activities, from the moment he/she is on the bus until s/he is returned home, at all district activities and events.
2. Participate actively in the learning experience by being fully engaged, fully prepared, raising engaging questions, and effectively and positively communicating with all students and staff.
3. Participate actively in the learning experience by sharing information about themselves—strengths, weakness, and culture to create common bonds in curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
4. Participate actively in the learning experience by respecting differences while asserting perhaps a divergent viewpoint, doing so without harm to the other students, staff, team, other leader, and property.
5. Demonstrate empathy (knowing others) to build fruitful relationships that create a cohesive learning opportunity for all and through self-control behave in an ethical manner from the moment he/she is on the bus until s/he is returned home.

If a student is unable to demonstrate how to be Safe, Responsible, and Kind and disrupts the learning for other students, adults may:

○       Re-direct and re-instruct to ensure that student fully understands the expectations
○       Work in partnership with family, students, staff and other significant adults to restoratively determine additional strategies and/or consequences
○      Refer to Peer Mediation, Conflict Resolution or other restorative processes
○      Consider removal from class, possibly through suspension or expulsion

The Eden Prairie Schools’ student management program is based on the foundation that students have a right to be educated in a safe and supportive learning environment.  Teachers or adults in authority have the responsibility to require appropriate behaviors of all students so they can deliver instruction effectively. Behaviors which are considered “severe” will be met with a stricter set of consequences, depending on the severity of the behavior, the frequency of the occurrence, and the student’s age. Severe behavior incidents include, but are not limited to:

●      Fighting/assault/or causing physical harm to another
●      Use/possession of controlled substances including tobacco
●      Written or verbal threats
●      Property damage
●      Stealing
●      Possession of a weapon or toy replica weapons
●      Harassment of another individual, including hazing, sexual or racial harassment, or verbal abuse
●      Attempting to access inappropriate websites when working on the computer
●      Other behaviors that cause excessive disturbance to the school day

These behaviors are subject to one or more of the following consequences:

●      Parent phone call and conference
●      In-school or out-of-school suspension
●      Restitution
●      Referral to Eden Prairie Police Department
●      Referral to outside agencies
●      Recommendation for expulsion

The Pupil Fair Dismissal Act (Statutes 121A.40-121A.56) will be followed with reference to any out-of-school suspension.

Appropriate dress is a necessary component in providing an optimal learning environment. Students may not wear clothing that presents inappropriate language (as determined by each classroom teacher or administrator), drug or alcohol advertising, or ethnic, racial, or sexist putdowns. Your clothing must not become a distraction to the educational environment. Clothing that does not cover the shoulders, midriff and chest, clothing that does not cover undergarments, and undergarments that are worn as outer garments, are all examples of dress that creates a distracting environment. Students who wear such clothing will be required to change clothes.

All students are provided iPads as learning tools for all grade levels, K-5. Your child’s teacher will communicate with you regarding specific classroom procedures and expectations. Filtered and monitored internet access is provided when the student connects to our wireless network. If students bring a mobile device to school, the school is not responsible for loss, damage, or theft.

●      Party Invitations:Birthday party invitations for personal parties should not be distributed at school. By adhering to this policy, we alleviate hurt feelings and friendship dilemmas. Please handle the distribution of invitations outside of the school environment. The school directory may be helpful in this process.
●      Classroom Treats: In light of our district Wellness Policy, students should not bring birthday treats or gifts of any kind. The district Wellness Policy is linked here with more information under Wellness Committee page > Wellness Summary document. Information located on the Child Nutrition page.
●     Acknowledging Birthdays: Our classroom teachers may acknowledge and celebrate the birthdays of their homeroom students. On the Child Nutrition page under the Wellness Committee page > Wellness Summary document, there is a link for ideas.

●      Engaging and relevant learning experiences and development of life skills
●      Learning experiences that encourage cooperation, collaboration, and innovation
●      Use current technology to create, research, communicate and produce academically sound products
●      Demonstrate respect, self-control, ethical behavior and empathy as classmates and members of our communities
●      Being responsible citizens in our schools and communities, as well as the digital world

Being a responsible citizen in our schools, communities and the digital world requires responsibilities adapted for a changing world. We embrace the following conditions of being a digital citizen:

●      Respect yourself. I will select names that are appropriate. I will consider the information and images I post online.
●      Protect yourself. I will protect my personal details, contact details or a schedule of my activities.
●      Respect others. I will NOT use technology to bully or tease other people.
●      Protect others. I will protect myself and others by reporting abuse, and not forwarding inappropriate or hurtful materials or communications.
●      Respect & protect intellectual property. I will suitably use and cite and all content use intellectual property (websites, books, media, software, etc.) according to the copyright or creative commons licensing. 

Access to Eden Prairie Schools’ owned technology is a privilege and not a right. At any point access to devices, internet and the like can be revoked.

As listed below, but not limited to:

Personal Safety
Do not send any message that includes your personal information such as: home address, personal phone numbers and/or last name for yourself or any other person. Do not send information regarding your schedule (where you are/will be, timing, dates, etc.).

Password Protection
Never share your password, steal or use another person’s password. If a password is lost or compromised the student or teacher should call the technology helpdesk. A technology support specialist will help resolve the password issue.

Privacy
Students and families need to know that files stored on school computers are not private. Network and Internet access is provided as a tool for educational purposes only. Eden Prairie Schools (EPS) has the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review, and store at any time, without prior notice, any and all usage of the computer network and internet access including transmitted and received information. All information files are the property of EPS and no user shall have any expectations of privacy regarding such files. 

Online Etiquette
Follow the guidelines of accepted behaviors within your schools’ handbook. Use appropriate language and graphics. Swearing, vulgarities, suggestive, obscene, belligerent, harassing, threatening or abusive language of any kind is not acceptable. Do not use this device to make, distribute or redistribute jokes, stories, to bully anyone, or pass along obscene material or material which is based on slurs or stereotypes relating to race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion or sexual orientation.

Blogging and/or Podcasting
Use of blogs, podcasts or other Web 2.0 tools are considered an extension of the classroom. Whether at home, or in school, any speech that is considered inappropriate in the classroom is also inappropriate in all uses of blogs, podcasts or other Web 2.0 tools. 

Plagiarism/Copyright/Licensing
Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s words or ideas as your own. Students are required to give proper credit to all Internet sources used in academic assignments, whether quoted or summarized. This includes all forms of media on the Internet, such as graphics, movies, music and text. Plagiarism of Internet resources will be treated in the same manner as any other incidences of plagiarism, as stated in your school’s handbook. In addition, students must adhere to the copyright laws of the United States (P.L 94-553) and the Congressional Guidelines that delineate it regarding software, authorship and copying information. All students should also adhere to the Creative Commons licenses where the author/artist denotes what media may be shared, remixed or reused.

Proxies
The use of anonymous proxies and VPNs to get around content filtering is strictly prohibited and is a direct violation of district policy. 

Accessing/Posting Inappropriate Material
Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, forwarding, downloading, scanning or displaying materials (including photos of students and staff) that are defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing and/or illegal is a violation of this agreement.

Photos and Video
Students are not to take pictures or videos of staff or students without staff permission. Any student use of cameras in Eden Prairie Schools should be part of a class or club activity. Unapproved camera use is a violation of district policy. 

Malicious Use/Vandalism
Any malicious use, disruption or harm to the school unit's technology, networks and Internet services, including but not limited to hacking activities and creation/uploading of computer viruses, is a violation of district policy.

No student shall obtain or try to obtain other students’ accounts, files, and/or data. Students are NOT to remove or attempt to remove or circumvent the management system or modify the operating system and software installed on each iPad. Using or possessing hacking software is a violation of this agreement. Students who attempt to hack or “jailbreak” any EPS iPad will be in violation of district policy. 

Tech Support
If technical difficulties arise with the iPad, or non-conforming content is discovered, the iPad will be restored by Tech staff. If the Technology staff needs to restore the iPad, the District is not responsible for the loss of content put on the iPad by the student.

iPad General Precautions

●      Students should come to school each day with a charged iPad.
●      The iPad is Eden Prairie Schools’ property.
●      The iPad must remain free of any writing, drawing, stickers, or labels that are not issued and placed onto the device by EPS staff.
●      Cords and cables must be inserted carefully into the iPad to prevent damage.
●      Never expose an iPad to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, or prolonged periods of time in rooms that are not at a normal room temperature.
●      iPads must be kept in a secure location at all times; it is the student’s responsibility to know where their iPad is at all times. For students taking devices home, Do NOT leave unsupervised, or lend to friends or family members outside of your home. During times when the iPad is not needed, place the iPad in a secure location within the classroom.

iPad Cases
Acknowledging the importance of a protective case for the iPad, Eden Prairie Schools invested in purchasing protective cases for all of the iPads. iPads need to be in the EPS issued protective case.

●      The iPad should ALWAYS be in its protective case.
●      For students taking devices home, the iPad should be charged (EPS provides a charger) and brought to school ready to use each day.
●      Do NOT place your iPad in a book bag that contains food, liquids, heavy or sharp objects. 

iPad Screen & Cleaning
The screens are sensitive to pressure and therefore can be damaged; they are scratch resistant, not scratch proof.

●      The screens are made of glass and can either break or shatter.
●      Do NOT use liquids to clean the iPad. This includes, but is not limited to: window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives.
●      PLEASE USE: A soft, dry cloth or anti-static cloth.

 iPad Care
●      Only labels or stickers approved and placed onto the iPad by EPS staff are acceptable.
●      Never leave an iPad unattended. It is your responsibility to keep your iPad stored in a safe, secure, temperature appropriate space.
●      Do NOT dismantle or attempt to repair the internal workings of the iPad or the iPad case.
●      If your iPad is not working, take your iPad to the Media Center as soon as possible and have EPS technology support specialist examine it. If your iPad needs to be worked on for an extended period of time, you will be issued a temporary iPad until yours is working properly.

Storing Documents
There will be limited storage on the device and academic files take priority over personal. Several backup options exist to cloud storage or personal computers. Students should backup their files.

Applications and Content
Students, with the support and permission of parents may install apps or other content having an educational purpose on their iPad. Applications or content that does not have an educational purpose and is disruptive to the educational process or at home will be removed from the device.

Student Discipline
If a student violates any part of the above policy, he/she will be subject to disciplinary action. The disciplinary action for a violation will range from the student needing to check his or her iPad in and out of school each day for a period of time, to having all iPad privileges revoked.

In instances where the student has put his/her own safety or the safety of others at risk (i.e. bullying), iPad privileges will be revoked immediately.

We understand instances of damage, destruction, or loss of the assigned iPad. These instances will be dealt with on a case-by case basis. Incidents of gross negligence or repeated incidents may result in financial restitution from the family, up to the cost of the entire device if warranted. If the device is damaged beyond repair or lost the cost of replacement is $300. Samples of approximate repair and replacement cost of individual parts are listed below. If there is damage that can be repaired the student will be charged for the actual cost of repair. 

●      Replacement iPad - $300
●      iPad Brick - $13
●      iPad Cable - $7
●      iPad Glass Damage - $100
●      iPad Case Replacement - $32

Please contact your child's teacher if your child(ren) is arriving late or leaving early from required online sessions. The message should include the parent/guardian’s name, student name, and reason for absence. Excused reasons for being late or leaving early will follow the same listing as excused absences. Students who are late due to oversleeping or missing the bus are considered unexcused and may be counted as tardy or in some cases, as an unexcused absence.

The following reasons shall be sufficient to constitute excused absences:

Students are expected to be online at the start of the classes the teacher has required. Failure to do so constitutes tardiness.

Valid excuses for tardiness are:

• Illness
• Serious illness in the student’s immediate family.
• A death or funeral in the student’s immediate family.
• Medical, dental, orthodontic, or mental health treatment.
• Court appearances occasioned by family or personal action.
• Physical emergency conditions such as fire, flood, storm, etc.
• Any tardiness for which the student has been excused in writing by an administrator or faculty member.

An unexcused tardiness is failing to be in an assigned area at the designated time class period commences without a valid excuse.

These are examples of absences that will not be excused:

1. Truancy which is an absence that is not approved by the parent and/or the school district
2. Any absence where the student/ family failed to comply with any reporting requirements of the school district’s attendance procedures
3. Vacations with family without prior notice and exceeding 5 days
4. Any other absence not included under the attendance procedures set out in this policy

●      School district staff will work with the parent, student and the Hennepin County Attorney’s office be@school program and follow the three-day notification and six-day Parent Group Meeting process.
●      If unexcused absences continue after following be@school process, the Hennepin County Attorney's office will follow with necessary legal action to ensure attendance at school.
●      Absences resulting from official suspension will be handled in accordance with the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, Minn. Stat. 121A.40-121A.56.
●      Days during which a student is suspended from school shall not be counted in a student’s total accumulated unexcused absences.
●      Along with following the Hennepin County Attorney’s be@school programs, the student or his or her parent or guardian may, within a reasonable time, request a conference with school officials regarding the student’s absences and the prescribed discipline. The notification will state that the school strongly urges the student’s parent or guardian to request such a conference.

As part of its policy, the district has specified a procedure for a parent, guardian, or adult student 18 years or older to review the content of instructional materials, address concerns, and propose alternative instruction for an individual student. The procedure spells out three action steps beginning with an informal meeting of the adult and responsible staff members. If the concern is not resolved, it will be taken to the Head of School. If resolution cannot be reached, the parent/guardian/adult student will be asked to complete a form and a meeting involving representatives of the district and site Teaching and Learning staff will be convened.

Materials that are part of the basic educational program are provided with state, federal, and local funds at no charge to a student. Students are expected to provide their own pencils, paper, erasers, and notebooks. Students may be required to pay certain other fees or deposits, including (not an all-inclusive list):

●      Cost for materials for a class project that exceeds minimum requirements and is kept by the student.
●      Security deposits for the return of materials, supplies, or equipment.
●      Field trips considered supplementary to the district’s educational program.
●      Admission fees or costs to attend or participate in optional extracurricular activities and programs.
●      Voluntarily purchased student health and accident insurance.
●      Use of musical instruments owned or rented by the school district.
●      A school district-sponsored driver or motorcycle education training course.
●      Transportation to and from school for students living within two miles of school.
●      Transportation of students to and from optional extracurricular activities or post-secondary instruction conducted at locations other than school.

Students will be charged for textbooks, workbooks, and library books that are lost or destroyed. The school district may waive a required fee or deposit if the student and parent/guardian are unable to pay. For more information, contact your school’s principal. 

If a parent requests it, the school district will provide information regarding the professional qualifications of his/her child’s classroom teachers, including, at a minimum, the following:

1. Whether the teacher has met state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
2. Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional licensing status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;
3. The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree;
4. Whether the student is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

In addition, the school district will provide parents with information as to the level of achievement of their child in each of the state academic assessments. The school district also will provide notice to parents if, for four or more consecutive weeks, their child has been assigned to or taught by a teacher who is not highly qualified.

Students will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America weekly. Any person who does not wish to participate in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance for any personal reason may elect not to do so. Students must respect another person’s right to make that choice. Students will also receive instruction in the proper etiquette toward, correct display of, and respect for the flag.

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act requires school districts to notify parents/guardians and students that certain information from student records may be released and made public without the written consent of the parents or students 18-years-of-age or older. This information is called “directory information.” Directory information includes name, residential mailing address, telephone number, date and place of birth, grade in school, major field of study, participation in officially organized activities and sports, weight and height of athletic team members, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, previous school attended, and photos. These publications could include district-initiated publications such as calendars, newsletters, annual reports, and brochures. They also include school-initiated publications such as student newspapers and yearbooks. In addition, media, including weekly community newspapers, metro daily papers, and television stations may ask to take photos of district students. 

Parent/guardians or students of majority age who do not want directory information released for internal and/or external use should indicate this on the annual “Directory Release Form” located on the parent portal by October 1. If you need a hard copy of the form, please contact your child's school. Hard copies of the form should be turned into the school office by October 1.

Eden Prairie Schools has adopted a policy about the rights of parents and students with respect to school records. This policy complies with federal and state laws guaranteeing the right to examine and challenge the contents of student records. The Minnesota Legislature has said that all school records are deemed private. This means that the district cannot release any information without permission except directory information. A summary of census information along with grades and attendance data is stored electronically when students leave the school system. 

Occasionally, the school district utilizes surveys to obtain student opinions and information about students. If you have questions related to the rights of parents/guardians and eligible students about conducting surveys, contact your Head of School. 

Eden Prairie Schools is part of the “No Shots, No School” program. All students must have proof of vaccine to start school. Students who have special medical problems and cannot be vaccinated, or whose parents conscientiously object, may receive legal exemption. Contact Health Services for assistance with accessing immunizations or to get information on exemptions.

Eden Prairie Schools does not carry accident, disability, or medical insurance for students. Coverage is through the student’s family medical coverage, including the cost of ambulance services. The district does carry public/general liability coverage for district premises and/or employee negligence. MinnesotaCare health insurance is available for those families who qualify based on monthly income and family size. Questions about this plan can be directed to the school nurse or social worker.

Written doctor’s excuses are required for students who need to be kept in from recess at elementary school or who need to miss physical education. The note must state how long the restriction will be in effect.

The school district is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. Acts of bullying, in any form, by either an individual student or a group of students, is prohibited on school district property or at school-related functions.

The school district recognizes that students and employees have the right to express themselves on school property. This protection includes distributing nonschool-sponsored material, subject to school district regulations and procedures, at a reasonable time and place and in a reasonable manner.

The school district does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, parental status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, or age. The school district also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled students. 

The school district does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status, or veteran status. The school district also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled employees.
 

It is the policy of the school district to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from harassment and violence on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance sexual orientation, or disability. The school district prohibits any form of harassment or violence on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or disability.

Hazing is prohibited. No student will plan, direct, encourage, aid, or engage in hazing. Students who violate this rule will be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the school district’s “Student Discipline” policy.  

Users are expected to use Internet access through the district system to further educational and personal goals consistent with the mission of the school district and school policies. Uses which might be acceptable on a user’s private personal account on another system may not be acceptable on this limited-purpose network. In accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the district filters Internet access. Students are directed to inform staff immediately if they receive any image or communication that is inappropriate. 

The school district is committed to inclusive education and providing an equal educational opportunity for all students. The school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, parental status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, or age in its programs and activities. If you have questions about this policy, please contact your principal. 

●      Disability Nondiscrimination:The school district shall not engage in contractual or other arrangements that have the effect of subjecting its qualified applicants or employees with disabilities to discrimination on the basis of disability. The school district shall not exclude or otherwise deny equal jobs or job benefits to a qualified individual because of the known disability of an individual with whom the qualified individual is known to have a relationship or association.

●      Student Sex Nondiscrimination:The school district provides equal educational opportunity for all students, and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex. No student will be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity operated by the school district on the basis of sex.

The school district will give notice to teachers and other appropriate school district staff before students with a history of violent behavior are placed in their classrooms. Prior to giving this notice, district officials will inform the student’s parent or guardian that the notice will be given. The student’s parents/guardians have the right to review and challenge their child’s records, including the data documenting the history of violent behavior.

School district students and staff have the right to learn and work in an environment that is tobacco-free. School policy is violated by any individual’s use of tobacco or tobacco-related devices in a public school, on school grounds, in any school-owned vehicles, or at any school events or activities. Students may not possess any type of tobacco or tobacco-related device in a public school, on school grounds, in any school-owned vehicles, or at any school events or activities. Any student who violates this policy is subject to school district discipline. Contact the school principal or another staff member if you have questions or wish to report violations.

If for any reason EP Online students are attending school events or visiting school property the following weapons policy is in place.

The district has adopted a weapons policy. Anyone who has reason to believe a weapon is on a school site, bus, or at a school-sponsored activity has a duty to report that information to the site administrator, police officer, or any adult supervisor. Possession is defined as, but not limited to, having a weapon on one’s person or in an area subject to one’s control in a school environment. Weapons are defined as any object, device, instrument, or substance designed as a weapon or through its use capable of threatening or producing bodily harm, or which may be used to inflict self-injury, including, but not limited to: firearms, loaded or unloaded, functional or non-functional, look-alike or facsimile or having the appearance of a weapon; all knives; objects designed to be worn over fists or knuckles; blackjacks, clubs, nunchucks or throwing stars; explosive or incendiary devices; bows and arrows, slingshots, razors; poison chemicals including mace, pepper gas, or similar sprays; firearm muffler, silencer, or ammunition; any object modified to serve as a weapon; articles designed for other purposes such as pencils or scissors but used to inflict bodily harm or intimidate others. 

Violation of the weapons policy may result in one or more of these consequences: out-of-school suspension, confiscation of the weapon; notification of the police, recommendation for expulsion or exclusion from school for up to one year. Students with disabilities who violate the policy will be disciplined in accordance with the requirement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Eden Prairie Schools has adopted a Wellness Policy to encourage students and staff to eat nutritiously and incorporate physical activity into a healthy lifestyle. A Wellness Advisory Committee was convened to monitor implementation of Wellness policies and guidelines, and to make recommendations to the district. Guidelines for healthy snacks, treats, and lunches from home were created. School district practices that have changed as a result of the policy include: lunch was moved after recess to discourage hurried eating, no pop is sold where students are present during the school day, classroom birthday treats are discouraged, staff is encouraged to model healthy behaviors, food and beverage rewards are discouraged, healthy snacks from home are encouraged (a snack guideline is available at each site), classroom/holiday parties should be limited and not centered around food, and staff are encouraged to create opportunities for physical activity for students.