FROM THE DESK OF THESUPERINTENDENT
by Ed Hawks
July 14, 2008
AUGUST 2008 DISTRICT DISPATCH
The beginning of the 2008-09 school year will be here before we know it. I hope you are having a great summer. Registration for all grades will take place at the high school on Monday, August 4, 2008, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The first day of classes for students will be on Wednesday, August 20, 2008. Please note that we will be having 1:30 p.m. dismissals on August 20th, 21st, and 22nd for faculty professional development activities. We are planning on having a full day of school on Monday, August 25, 2008, but in the event that the weather is extremely hot we will have a two-hour early dismissal. (We are very close to finishing our new middle school/elementary expansion construction project and being air-conditioned throughout the school district, but we are not quite there yet. We will definitely be air-conditioned throughout the school district by next spring.) Please tune in to the following radio and television stations for information regarding weather-related changes to our normal school day: KFAB in Omaha (1110 AM), KNOD in Harlan (105.3 FM), KMA in Shenandoah (960 AM), KMTV in Omaha (Channel 3), WOWT in Omaha (Channel 6), and KETV in Omaha (Channel 7).
Parents/guardians considering the use of the open enrollment option to enroll their child or children in another public school district in Iowa should be aware of the following information: (1) The last date for regular open enrollment requests for the 2009-10 school year will be March 1, 2009; (2) The last date for open enrollment requests for entering kindergarten students will be September 1, 2009; (3) Parents/ guardians of open-enrolled students whose income falls below 160% of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for transportation assistance. This may be in the form of actual transportation or in the form of a cash stipend; and (4) Parents/guardians should be aware that open enrollment may result in the loss of athletic eligibility.
Students whose families meet the income guidelines for free or reduced lunch, the Family Investment Program (FIP), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are eligible to have their student fees partially or completely waived. In addition, students who are homeless or whose families are experiencing temporary financial hardship should contact school officials regarding fee reductions or fee waivers at the time of registration on Monday, August 4, 2008. A partial or full fee waiver does not carry over from year to year. It must be updated annually. Also, it is important to note that the school district annually involves parents in the development of its Title I plan, the process for the review of its Title I plan, and the process for improvement of its Title I plan. For more information regarding parental involvement in the development of the school district’s Title I plan, please contact the elementary principal at 566-2326.
Parents/guardians in the Underwood Community School District have the right to learn about the following information regarding their child’s teacher’s qualifications: state licensure status, special endorsements for grade level/subject area taught, and baccalaureate or graduate certification or degree. Parents/guardians may request this information from the Office of the Superintendent; Underwood Community School District; P.O. Box 130; Underwood, Iowa 51576.
The Underwood Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, national origin, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices, or as otherwise prohibited by statute or regulation. For more information or for concerns regarding educational programs or activities, please contact Edward H. Hawks, Equity Coordinator. For more information or for concerns regarding employment practices, please contact Edward H. Hawks, Superintendent of Schools; Underwood Community School District; P.O. Box 130; Underwood, Iowa 51576 (Telephone: 712-566-2332).
