Student Services
The Building Student Assistance Team (BSAT) at James Giles School applies expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help our students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. Our team utilizes a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach when partnering with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to help children thrive while attending Norridge School District 80.
Parents who are interested in seeking support for their child can contact their principal.
- Attendance
- Truancy
- Tardies
- School Dress Code / Student Appearance
- Electronic Devices
- Special Education
- PBIS
Attendance
There are two types of absences: excused and unexcused. Excused absences include: illness, observance of a religious holiday, death in the immediate family, family emergency, situations beyond the control of the student, circumstances that cause reasonable concern to the parent/guardian for the student’s safety or health, or other reason approved by the principal. All other absences are considered unexcused. The principal must approve pre-arranged excused absences.
The school may require documentation explaining the reason for the student’s absence.
In the event of any absence, the student’s parent/guardian must call the school before
8:00 a.m. for Giles and 8:10 a.m. for Leigh to explain the reason for the absence. If a call has not been made to the school by 9:00 a.m. for Giles and 9:10 a.m. for Leigh on the day of a student’s absence, a school official will call the home to inquire why the student is not at school. If the parent/guardian cannot be contacted, the student will be required to submit a signed note from the parent/guardian explaining the reason for the absence. Failure to do so shall result in an unexcused absence. Upon request of the parent/guardian, the reason for an absence will be kept confidential.
Truancy
Student attendance is critical to the learning process. Truancy is therefore a serious issue and will be dealt with in a serious manner by the school and district.
Students who miss 5% or more of the prior 180 regular school days without valid cause (a recognized excuse) are considered chronic truants. Students who are chronic truants will be offered support services and resources aimed at correcting the truancy issue.
If chronic truancy persists after support services and other resources are made available, the school and district will take further action, including:
- Referral to the truancy officer
- Reporting to officials under the Juvenile Court Act
- Referral to the State’s Attorney
- Appropriate school discipline
A parent/guardian who knowingly and willfully permits a child to be truant is in violation of State law.
Tardies
Students who arrive at school after classes have begun must report directly to the school office to sign in and provide an explanation for the tardiness.
Students must be in their seats and ready for class when the tardy bell rings. Students who enter class after the tardy bell rings will be considered tardy and may receive disciplinary action.
Students may receive a detention (before, during or after school) for tardiness. Generally, a detention will be assigned after a third tardy during a grading period, but may be assigned after any time a student is tardy.
School Dress Code / Student Appearance
Students are expected to wear clothing in a neat, clean, and well-fitting manner while on school property and/or in attendance at school-sponsored activities. Students are to use discretion in their dress and are not permitted to wear apparel that causes a disruption in the school environment.
- Student dress (including accessories) may not advertise, promote, or picture alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, violent behavior, or other inappropriate images.
- Student dress (including accessories) may not display lewd, vulgar, obscene, or offensive language or symbols, including gang symbols.
- Hats, coats, bandannas, sweatbands, and sunglasses may not be worn in the school building during the school day.
- Hairstyles, dress, and accessories that pose a safety hazard are not permitted in laboratories
- Clothing with holes, rips, tears, and clothing that is otherwise poorly fitting, showing private body parts and/or undergarments may not be worn at school.
- The length of shorts or skirts must be appropriate for the school environment.
- Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times.
- If there is any dispute about appropriate dress and appearance, the building principal will make the final decision.
- Student whose dress causes a disruption of the orderly process of school functions or endangers the health or safety of the student, other students, staff or others may be subject to discipline.
Electronic Devices
The use of electronic devices and other technology at school is a privilege, not a right. Students are prohibited from using electronic devices, except as provided herein. An electronic device includes, but is not limited to, the following: cell phone, smartphone, audio or video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), ipod©, ipad©, laptop computer, tablet computer or other similar electronic device. Pocket pagers and other paging devices are not allowed on school property at any time, except with the express permission of the building principal.
During instructional time, which includes class periods and passing periods, electronic devices must be kept powered-off and out-of-sight unless: (a) permission is granted by an administrator, teacher or school staff member; (b) use of the device is provided in a student’s individualized education program (IEP); or (c) it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals.
Electronic devices may never be used in any manner that disrupts the educational environment, violates student conduct rules or violates the rights of others. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: (1) using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms; (2) cheating; and (3) creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing an indecent visual depiction or non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images (i.e., sexting).
The school and school district are not responsible for the loss, theft or damage to any electronic device brought to school.
School officials may conduct an investigation or require a student to cooperate in an investigation if there is specific information about activity on the student’s account on a social networking website that violates a school disciplinary rule or policy. In the course of an investigation, the student may be required to share the content that is reported in order to allow school officials to make a factual determination.
Special Education
The special education department at Norridge SD 80 provides a comprehensive continuum of services to meet the dynamic needs of our students. Our services are designed to provide students access to a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment possible.
In order to receive special education services, a student must have a qualifying disability (ISBE, n.d.) that adversely affects educational progress and requires specially designed instruction.
It is important to note that not all students with a disability will be eligible for special education services. If a student with a disability does not qualify for an IEP, they can request a 504 plan to meet their educational needs (105 ILCS 5/14-6.01).
Notice of Procedural Safeguards for Parents/Guardians of Students with Disabilities
Other links:
Parent and Student Right to a Qualified Interpreter at IEP and Section 504 Meetings .pdf file