Tuesday, July 24, 2012

2012-2013 Van Buren Middle/High School Conduct Policy FAQ’s

Back to school time is upon us and it is in this time that we take time to remind you about Van Buren Community School Districts’ Code of Conduct. A couple of revisions have been made to the conduct policy since last year and we want to be sure you are aware of these changes. Lets’ start with what hasn’t changed:

What is a conduct policy?Van Buren’s conduct policy provides students and parents with a set of guidelines of what is expected in terms of a student’s conduct in order to be eligible to participate in activities at Van Buren. Participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege and students must demonstrate good behavior not only during school hours but at all times in order to earn the privilege of participating.

Why is a conduct policy necessary?
Van Buren’s code of conduct sets behavioral standards to assist youth in making good decisions. The reason for the conduct policy is not just to punish those who break the rules. It sets clear and consistent boundaries for participation in athletics and activities at Van Buren.

What if my student isn’t in sports? Can my student be unable to attend prom?
All students that are involved in activities of any sort at Van Buren, including music, theatre, clubs and even school sponsored events such as Prom and Homecoming are expected to abide by the standards set in the conduct policy. If a student is found in violation of the policy then they will be ineligible to participate in activities as covered by the policy.

Who should I talk to if I’m aware of a violation?
Violations should be directed to school staff and/or the building administrator for investigation. Steps will then be taken to address the occurrence. However there must be more evidence than hearsay to find a student in violation of the conduct policy. Additional guidelines for reporting a violation can be found in the policy.

What is covered in the policy?
Any violation of the policy would be that in which a student is not conducting themselves in a proper and/or legal manner. Students are expected to maintain high standards of behavior both on and off school grounds as they are a representation of the district. Violations could include but are not limited to; alcohol, drug or tobacco use, of being in the presence of these substances, bullying/harassment of others both verbally and via electronic communications, any act that would be grounds for arrest, inappropriate or offensive behaviors and any use of online communication that depicts inappropriate behavior or disparages the school district. For a full list of violations please refer to the policy.

What is new this year?
The 2012/2013 revised conduct policy has a new probationary period for students who have entered the 9th (freshman) grade. This probationary period is to give those students who received violations during middle school an opportunity to show that they have grown and learned from their mistakes. If they complete their freshman year with no conduct violations, all previous violations will be expunged from their record for their 10th (sophomore) year moving forward. If any violations are received during the 9th grade year all violations will carry forward.

For more information on the policy you may contact the school administrator or the school board office for a copy of the policy and more details.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Local Youth Chosen to be a National Youth Trainer

Congratulations to Lydia Heald for being selected to become a National Youth Leadership Initiative Trainer. Lydia lives in Keosauqua and will be a junior at Van Buren County High School this fall. Lydia has been a member of the Van Buren County Youth Leadership Council (YLC) for four years.

Lydia is a part of YLC because she has experienced first hand the affects that drug and alcohol abuse has on families. That has pushed her to become a bigger and better person. She feels that she is a role model in the community and by being a part of YLC she can show many young children how to push past all of the negative things and just focus on the positive things in their lives. Lydia decided to apply to be a CADCA Trainer because she not only wants to help people in her community, but she also wants to make an impact on people all across the world and CADCA can help her do that.

Lydia is very active in the community. She works as a waitress at Riverbend Pizza & Steak House and is a lifeguard and WSI swim instructor at the Riverview Country Club in Keosauqua. She is on the volleyball, softball, golf, basketball and color guard teams at Van Buren County High School. She participates in the YLC, Spanish Club, Science Club, ETC and Rachel’s Challenge as well. Her favorite subject in school is Science. She is also a member of the Leo Club in Keosauqua.

CADCA's National Youth Leadership Initiative (NYLI) is a component of the CADCA Institute's National Coalition Academy and, like the Academy, requires completion of an application process and acceptance prior to participation. Youth trained by CADCA are demonstrating that they are the leaders of today and for the future!

Lydia was selected as one of twenty youth from across the country to participate in this unique opportunity. They only select youth trainers once every 5 years from hundreds of applicants.

Lydia will travel to Nashville, Tennessee to begin her duties by attending a CADCA Training of Trainers from July 21-28, 2012. Once she has completed the training she will be equipped to teach youth from across the country how to effect change in their communities. Lydia has been successful in doing this locally with the Van Buren County Youth Leadership Council and will be a great addition to the CADCA – NYLI training team!

SAFE AND HEALTHY KIDS FAIR

WANTED:
All Cowboys and Cowgirls
Come Lasso Some Fun at the
SAFE AND HEALTHY KIDS FAIR
August 2nd — 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The Child Abuse Prevention Council will be sponsoring the seventh annual “Safe and Healthy” Kids Fair. The event will take place on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at the Roberts Memorial Building in Keosauqua from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. and is open to all Van Buren County residents.

The fair theme this year will be a Western Rodeo and will focus on keeping kids, ages 0-18 in the county safe and healthy. Topics that will be covered include: child abuse prevention, nutrition, mental health, dental, immunizations, lead poisoning, fire safety, literacy, quality child care and preschools, parenting skills, and many more. Last year 35-40 exhibitors participated in the fair.

All school-aged children K-8 from Van Buren Community Schools, Harmony Community Schools and home-schooled children will receive free school supplies from the SIEDA/Post Office school supply drive. Handouts promoting health and safety will be given to each child as well as other community services, such as free eye exams and hearing screens. A raffle will also take place where prizes will be given away being donated by the various vendors. Backpacks will be given away to children via a drawing this year as supplies last- children must be in attendance to receive a backpack!

This event promotes the many resources we have available to the children of Van Buren County. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please call 319-293-7157.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Van Buren County School Supply and Backpack Drive

SIEDA, Van Buren County Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Van Buren County Post Offices are holding a school supply drive for the annual SAFE and Healthy kids fair. They will be accepting donations from Monday, July 9, 2012 to Thursday, July 20, 2012. If you would like to donate school supplies to the kids fair you can drop them off at the SIEDA resource center in Keosauqua, Van Buren County Hospital, local banks or your local post office by July 20th 2012. For a list of supplies needed you may contact Donna at 319-293-3722.

BACKPACKS ARE ALSO NEEDED!!– if you would like to donate a youth backpack for the kids fair contact Donna at the number above or drop them off at Community 1st Bank, Libertyville Savings Bank, State Central Bank or Farmers & Traders Bank by July 20th!  They will also be accepting school supplies this year!

Please consider helping a child in need get a good start back to school this year! The school supplies and backpacks that are collected will be given to Van Buren County children at the Safe and Healthy Kids Fair to be held at the Roberts Memorial Building on August 2, 2012 from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. This event promotes the many resources we have available to the children of Van Buren County. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please call 319-293-7157.

The Truth behind Tobacco

By Taylor Diephuis

Have you ever car-pooled with someone that smokes? Have you ever had to leave a room or certain area because the smoke of someone’s cigarette is bothering you? Have you ever lost a loved one from lung cancer? Well, I have. Now, I want you to tell me all the good things about cigarettes you can think of. Pretty hard isn’t it?

As a smoker, you don’t think about all of the harmful chemicals in cigarettes. You think about how they help you cope with the daily stress, how they help you when you’re angry, help you relax at the end of a long day, or when you’re sad and lonely. But truthfully, smoking does the opposite of about everything we give it credit for
When you inhale the chemicals from the cigarette, it puts your body into a state of stress by sending thousands of harmful chemicals into your bloodstream with every puff you take. Carcinogens (chemicals that cause cancer) are some of those chemicals. So, really every time you take these chemicals into your body you are increasing the rise of getting cancer!

You think smoking won’t hurt you? That it isn’t a big deal right? 5.4 million Deaths occur each year from smoking! From the slowly increasing percentage of smoking, it is predicted that by 2015 there will be 6.5 million deaths per year. Over 443,000 Americans die from smoking a year, and 50,000 of them die or suffer from lung cancer from second hand smoking. Meaning people who have never even touched a cigarette are paying the price because they consumed YOUR smoke. Think of all that time you’re taking off of your life and other’s because of this nasty habit.

Tobacco use, whether it is in cigarettes, chew, snuff, etc damages your health and sometimes others. So for your benefit, please take my opinion on the truth behind tobacco use and stop wasting your life away. Life is short enough as it is. Think of all the wonderful things you could accomplish with those extra years you’re granting yourself. Quit Today!

For more information on Tobacco or Quitting please contact the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition at 319-293-6412 or info@vbsafecoalition.com. Or find more information on the Coalitions website at www.vbsafecoalition.com. Taylor is a freshman at Harmony High School and a member of the Van Buren County Youth Leadership Council.