Students should not bring dangerous or inappropriate items to school. Suspension or expulsion or other discipline may result. Prohibited items include: 

1. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling tobacco or nicotine materials, e-cigarettes(whether or not containing tobacco or other substances),or vaping devices (whether or not containing tobacco or other substances).
2. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling alcoholic beverages. Students who are under the influence of an alcoholic beverage are not permitted to attend school or school functions, and are treated as though they had alcohol in their possession.
3. Using, possessing*, distributing, purchasing, selling, or offering for sale:
   1. Any illegal drug or controlled substance, or cannabis (including marijuana, hashish, and medical cannabis unless the student is authorized to be administered a medical cannabis infused product under Ashley’s Law).
   2. Any anabolic steroid unless it is being administered in accordance with a physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
   3. Any performance-enhancing substance on the Illinois High School Association’s most current banned substance list unless administered in accordance with a physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
   4. Any prescription drug when not prescribed for the student by a physician or licensed practitioner, or when used in a manner inconsistent with the prescription or prescribing physician’s or licensed practitioner’s instructions. The use or possession of medical cannabis, even by a student for whom medical cannabis has been prescribed, is prohibited unless the student is authorized to be administered a medical cannabis infused product under Ashley’s Law.
   5. Any inhalant, regardless of whether it contains an illegal drug or controlled substance: (a) that a student believes is, or represents to be capable of, causing intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or nervous system; or (b) about which the student engaged in behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student intended the inhalant to cause intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or nervous system. The prohibition in this section does not apply to a student’s use of asthma or other legally prescribed inhalant medications.
   6. Any substance inhaled, injected, smoked, consumed, or otherwise ingested or absorbed with the intention of causing a physiological or psychological change in the body, including without limitation, pure caffeine in tablet or powdered form.
   7. “Look-alike” or counterfeit drugs, including a substance that is not prohibited by this policy, but one: (a) that a student believes to be, or represents to be, an illegal drug, controlled substance, or other substance that is prohibited by this policy; or (b) about which a student engaged in behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student expressly or impliedly represented to be an illegal drug, controlled substance, or other substance that is prohibited by this policy.
   8. Drug paraphernalia, including devices that are or can be used to: (a) ingest, inhale, or inject cannabis or controlled substances into the body; and (b) grow, process, store, or conceal cannabis or controlled substances.
      
      Students who are under the influence of any prohibited substance are not permitted to attend school or school functions, and are treated as though they had the prohibited substance, as applicable, in their possession.
       
4. Using, possessing, controlling, or transferring a weapon as that term is defined in the Weapons section of Board of Education Policy, or violating the Weapons section of that policy.
5. Using or possessing an electronic paging device. Using a cellular telephone, video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment or violates the rights of others, including using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms, cheat, or otherwise violate student conduct rules. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing an indecent visual depiction of oneself or another person through the use of a computer, electronic communication device, or cellular phone. Unless otherwise banned under this policy or by the Building Principal, all electronic devices must be kept powered-off and out-of-sight during the regular school day unless: (a) the supervising teacher grants permission; (b) use of the device is provided in a student’s individualized education program (IEP); (c) it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals; or (d) as otherwise permitted by staff. 
6. Using or possessing a laser pointer unless under a staff member’s direct supervision and in the context of instruction.

Child sexual abuse, grooming behaviors, and boundary violations harm students, their parent/guardian, the District’s environment, its school communities, and the community at large, while diminishing a student’s ability to learn.

Warning Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

Warning signs of child sexual abuse include the following.

Physical signs:

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or other genital infections
• Signs of trauma to the genital area, such as unexplained bleeding, bruising, or blood on the sheets, underwear, or other clothing
• Unusual weight gain or loss

Behavioral signs:

• Excessive talk about or knowledge of sexual topics
• Keeping secrets
• Not talking as much as usual
• Not wanting to be left alone with certain people or being afraid to be away from primary caregivers
• Regressive behaviors or resuming behaviors that the child had grown out of, such as thumb sucking or bedwetting
• Overly compliant behavior
• Sexual behavior that is inappropriate for the child’s age
• Spending an unusual amount of time alone
• Trying to avoid removing clothing to change or bathe

Emotional signs:

• Change in eating habits or unhealthy eating patterns, like loss of appetite or excessive eating
• Signs of depression, such as persistent sadness, lack of energy, changes in sleep or appetite, withdrawing from normal activities, or feeling “down”
• Change in mood or personality, such as increased aggression
• Decrease in confidence or self-image
• Anxiety, excessive worry, or fearfulness
• Increase in unexplained health problems such as stomach aches and headaches
• Loss or decrease in interest in school, activities, and friends
• Nightmares or fear of being alone at night
• Self-harming behaviors or expressing thoughts of suicide or suicidal behavior
• Failing grades
• Drug or alcohol use

At the school’s discretion, classroom parties may be held on certain holidays and special occasions. Due to allergy concerns, food will not be allowed at class parties. 

Halloween

Students are permitted to wear costumes on Halloween as long as their attire complies with the student appearance policy and meets the following set of expectations for a school setting:  

• Children should not wear bloody, gruesome, or especially scary costumes. Fake blood is not allowed.
• Actual weapons, look-alike weapons, toy weapons or weapon-like objects are not allowed.
• Masks that cover the face and head should not be worn during the  school day -- only during costume parades. 
• Costume make-up is allowed if it does not cover the student’s entire face. Staff members must be able to identify students.
• Costumes that could be offensive or perpetuate a stereotype about someone’s culture, gender, heritage or religion are not allowed. 

Alternative activities will be available for students whose parents/guardians do not want their children to participate in Halloween celebrations.

Birthdays

Treats provided in celebration of a child’s birthday must be non-edible. The classroom teacher will determine the best time to distribute them. If you are planning a party for your child at home, please do not distribute invitations at school. 

The Bensenville Police Department and the Board of Education provide adult crossing guards. Students are instructed to cross streets at designated points.

Parents of students that students that typically take the bus need to contact the office to inform the school of any transportation change (example: riding a bike, walking).

The school is not responsible if a bicycle or any other item used to ride to school is stolen.

All District 2 staff will have professional and appropriate relationships with students that respect employee-student boundaries. You can read more about this in Board Policy 5-120, available online or from any school or District office. You can always contact your school’s principal or the District office if you have questions about your student’s relationship to any staff member.
 

Illinois public schools are required to provide from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with age-appropriate personal safety awareness and prevention education. Lessons have been carefully developed to comply with this requirement to provide developmentally sensitive and appropriate training for our students. Additionally, staff receive annual professional development on this topic. Parents/guardians will also be provided with resources and information annually.

The district provides 5 days advance notice to parents prior to offering any class or course in recognizing and avoiding sexual abuse to pupils in grades kindergarten through 8th grade. The district provides that such pupils shall not be required to take the course if their parent/guardian submits a written objection.

Fire and disaster drills are carefully planned at each school. Students frequently practice the drills so they become familiar with the routines. The schools collaborate with Bensenville police, fire, and emergency management in planning for disaster drills.

District 2 practices integrated pest management, a program that combines preventative techniques, chemical pest control methods, and the appropriate use of pesticides with a preference for products that are the least harmful to human health and the environment. The term “pesticide” includes insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and fungicides.

District 2 maintains a registry of people who wish to be notified prior to pesticide applications. Contact your school to be included in this registry.

Students may bring cellphones to school; however, they must remain turned off, and may not be used in the school building unless under the direction of a teacher or administrator. This includes before and after school, and at all extracurricular activities. 

Exceptions to this rule include if the phone is included in a student’s Individual Education Program or if the phone is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals. If a student needs to call a parent or guardian, he or she may do so in the main office with the permission of school staff.

Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in the phone being taken away from the student until a parent/guardian comes to school to retrieve it. Further violations of this policy may result in additional consequences.

Taking Photos & Videos

Taking photos or recording video of an individual without their consent is prohibited, and will result in disciplinary action. Cellphones with photographic capabilities are not allowed in locker rooms or washrooms. 

Sexting

Sexting is the sending of sexually explicit messages or images by cell phone, and is unacceptable behavior prohibited in school.

Calling Parents/Guardians

If a student needs to call a parent/guardian, they may do so in the main office with the permission of school staff. 

Emergency Calls

Students may use their cellphones in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals.

If there is severe weather at or near dismissal, students will be kept until the danger has passed, and parents/guardians will be notified via emergency emails, text messages, and/or phone calls sent through the District’s mass notification system.

Law enforcement assists school officials in screening individuals who come in contact with students at school or school events.School officials are prohibited by law from releasing this information, but parents/guardians may receive information regarding child sex offenders registered in the area through the Illinois State Police website at www.isp.state.il.us.

Any person, including a District employee or agent, or student, engages in sexual harassment whenever they make sexual advances, request sexual favors, and engage in other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual or sex-based nature, imposed on the basis of sex, that:

1. Denies or limits the provision of educational aid, benefits, services, or treatment; or that makes such conduct a condition of a student’s academic status; or
2. Has the purpose or effect of:
   1. Substantially interfering with a student’s educational environment;
   2. Creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment;
   3. Depriving a student of educational aid, benefits, services, or treatment; or
   4. Making submission to or rejection of such conduct the basis for academic decisions affecting a student.

The terms “intimidating,” “hostile,” and “offensive” include conduct that has the effect of humiliation, embarrassment, or discomfort.

Students, who believe they are victims of sexual harassment, or have witnessed sexual harassment, are encouraged to discuss the matter with the Student Non-Discrimination Coordinator, principal, assistant principal, or a complaint manager. Students may choose to report to a person of their same sex. Complaints will be kept confidential to the extent possible given the need to investigate. Students who make good-faith complaints will not be disciplined. An allegation that one student was sexually harassed by another student will be referred to the principal or assistant principal for appropriate action.

Teen Dating Violence

Teen dating violence occurs whenever a student age 13-19 threatens to use physical, mental, or emotional abuse to control an individual in a dating relationship; or uses or threatens to use sexual violence in adating relationship. This behavior is prohibited by any person, including a District employee or agent, or student, at school, on school property, at school-sponsored activities, or in vehicles used for school-provided transportation.

Non-Discrimination Coordinator

Anne Paonessa
apaonessa@bsd2.org 
630-766-5940 ext. 1105
BSD2 Educational Administration Center
210 S. Church Road, Bensenville, IL 60106     

Complaint Managers

Anne Paonessa
apaonessa@bsd2.org 
630-766-5940 ext. 1105
BSD2 Educational Administration Center
210 S. Church Road, Bensenville, IL 60106       

Dustin Berman
dberman@bsd2.org
630-766-5940 ext. 1107
BSD2 Educational Administration Center
210 S. Church Road, Bensenville, IL 6010

School officials may not require a student or their parent/guardian to provide a password or other related account information to gain access to the student’s account or profile on a social networking website.

School officials may conduct an investigation or require a student to cooperate in an investigation if there is specific information about activity on a 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 reported content to allow school officials to make a factual determination.

Board Policy 7:15 - Student and Family Privacy Rights outlines students’ and parents’/guardians’ rights related to the following:

• Surveys requesting personal information from students, as well as any other instrument used to collect personal information from students
• Parental review of any instructional material used as part of their child’s educational curriculum 
• Non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as a condition of school attendance.
• Prohibition of the sale or marketing of students’ personal information

Personal Information

School personnel will not disclose the identity of any student who completes any survey or evaluation containing any of the following:

• Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent/guardian.
• Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family.
• Behavior or attitudes about sex.
• Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior.
• Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom students have close family relationships.
• Legally-recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those with lawyers, physicians, and ministers.
• Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent/guardian.
• Income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program)

Reviewing & Opting Out of Student Surveys

Parents/guardians can, without penalty, review and/or opt not to allow their children to participate in any student survey requesting personal information. To do so, please contact your child's school.

Students will use educational websites in the classroom that will sometimes use their name or other login information to track their work.

Many of these websites are subject to the Illinois’ Student Online Personal Protection Act, or SOPPA (105 ILCS 85/). Educational technology vendors and other entities that operate Internet websites, online services, online applications, or mobile applications that are designed, marketed, and primarily used for K-12 school purposes are referred to in SOPPA as operators. SOPPA is intended to ensure that student data collected by operators is protected, and it requires those vendors, as well as school districts and the Illinois State Board of Education, to take a number of actions to protect online student data.

Depending upon the particular educational technology being used, the District may need to collect different types of student data and share it with educational technology vendors through their online sites, services, and/or applications. Under SOPPA, educational technology vendors are prohibited from selling or renting students’ information, or from engaging in targeted advertising using their information. Such vendors may only disclose student data for K-12 school purposes and other limited purposes permitted under the law.

In general terms, the types of student data that may be collected and shared include personally identifiable information (PII) about students or information that can be linked to PII about students, such as:

• Basic identifying information, including student or parent/guardian name and student or parent/guardian contact information, username/password, student ID number
• Demographic information
• Enrollment information
• Assessment data, grades, and transcripts
• Attendance and class schedule
• Academic/extracurricular activities
• Special indicators (disability information, English language learner, free/reduced-price meals, or homeless/foster care status)
• Conduct/behavioral data
• Health information
• Food purchases
• Transportation information
• In-application performance data
• Student-generated work
• Online communications
• Application metadata and use statistics
• Permanent and temporary school student record information 

Operators may collect and use student data only for K-12 purposes that aid in the administration of school activities, such as:

• Instruction in the classroom or at home (including remote learning)
• Administrative activities
• Collaboration between students, school personnel, and/or parents/guardians
• Other activities that are for the use and benefit of the District
   

To assess possible safety threats, whether to students, staff or property, the District uses a Student Safety Assessment System developed from recommendations by the U.S. Secret Service and Department of Education. Contact your school for more information on the District’s procedures for student safety and threat assessment. 

In accordance with Illinois law, students have no expectation of privacy in school property and equipment owned or controlled by the school, or in any personal effects left in those places. Student lockers are school property. School authorities may inspect and search places and areas, including, but not limited to, lockers, desks, and parking lots, as well as any personal effects left therein, without notice to or consent of the student, and without a search warrant. 

The superintendent may request the assistance of law enforcement officials to conduct inspections and searches of lockers, desks, parking lots, and other school property and equipment for illegal drugs, weapons, or other illegal or dangerous substances or materials, including searches conducted through the use of specially trained dogs.

Security cameras are installed in some hallways and at all exterior doors at all schools. If they capture disciplinary actions, the recordings may be used for internal review practices only.