Annual Notices

Iowa law states that a child must be 5 years old by September 15 to enter kindergarten and 6 years old by September 15 to enter first grade.

House File (HF) 2589 eliminates the March 1 deadline for open enrollment. This change allows parents/guardians to apply for open enrollment at any time without the need for good cause.

Parents and guardians of open enrolled students whose income meets federal poverty guidelines and live in a district contiguous to Ames are eligible for transportation assistance in the form of a cash stipend. Also, the student may ride the bus from the nearest stop within the Ames School District boundary. Parents and guardians should be aware that open enrollment may result in a student’s loss of varsity level athletic eligibility for the first 90 days of school.

For full details of Open Enrollment, please contact the District Registrar at 515-268-6605, 2005 24th St., Ames, IA  50010.

• Morning Preschool and Early Kindergarten–Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:15 – 11:15 a.m. Wednesday:  No school.
• Afternoon Preschool and Early Kindergarten–Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 12:15 – 3:15 p.m. Wednesday: No School. 
• Elementary (Kindergarten–Grade 5) Monday – Friday: 7:40 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
• Middle School (Grades 6-8) Monday – Friday: 8:40 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
• High School (Grades 9-12) Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 3:35 p.m.

The District welcomes visitors in the schools, but requires all visitors to check-in at the school office and bring a valid ID. Whenever possible, please make arrangements in advance with the principal. 

All students who qualify for free and reduced-priced meals are eligible for a fee waiver or reduction under the Ames Community School District’s policy. The Fee Waiver Request is included in the Annual Registration Update process. The Fee Waiver Request will also be available in paper form and will need to be completed, signed, and returned to the Business Office or turned into any school office.

The State of Iowa mandates instruction in human growth and development. In grades 1-6, the required instruction includes human sexuality, self-esteem, stress management and interpersonal relations, and the characteristics of communicable diseases, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

In grades 7-12, the required instruction includes the characteristics of communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases and acquired immune deficiency syndrome; current health issues; human sexuality; self-esteem; stress management and interpersonal relationships. The curriculum to deliver these requirements to students has been developed and is available for parent(s)/guardian(s) to review prior to instruction by staff. Each school will send notice of an opportunity to review the material being used, but parent(s)/guardian(s) are welcome to make their own arrangements.

The law states, “A pupil shall not be required to take instruction in human growth and development if the pupil’s parent(s)/guardian(s) files with the principal a written request that the pupil be excused from instruction.” It is the District’s intent to provide appropriate instruction following state guidelines. The Ames Community School District will honor parent(s)/guardian(s) wishes relative to the topic with as little disruption of the total program as possible.

The District has included an overview of the calendar approved by the Ames Community School Board. Dates and times of athletic events are subject to change. Please check the Ames High School activities website for the most current dates and times of athletic events, or call the Athletic Office at 515-817-0611. Please check the district website for the most up-to-date information on other school events.

The District holds parent-teacher conferences twice each year to report student progress for Early Kindergarten through 12th grades. The District encourages parents and guardians to take advantage of these conference opportunities:

• Elementary Mini-Conferences: Aug. 29 – Sept. 2, 2022

• Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences: 
  • Northwood: November 1-3, 2022
  • Elementary: November 7, 9-10, 2022
  • Ames Middle School: October 31-November 3, 2022
  • Ames High School: November 1 and 3, 2022

• Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences: 
  • Northwood: March 7-9, 2023
  • Elementary: March 20, 22-23, 2023
  • Ames Middle School: March 6-9, 2023
  • Ames High School: March 28 and 30, 2023

A portion of the District’s Nondiscrimination Policy deals with students.

It is the policy of the Ames Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Kristin Johnson, Director of Human Resources, kristin.johnson@ames.k12.ia.us, District Offices, 2005 24th St. Ames, IA 50010, 515-268-6610. 

The entire Policy 102 on Nondiscrimination is available at the Ames Community School District Office and in each school.

It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9.  If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E. 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the information on this application.  You do not have to give the information, but if you do not submit all needed information, we cannot approve your child for free or reduced-price meals.  You must include the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application.  The social security number is not required when you apply on behalf of a foster child or you list a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Family Investment Program (FIP) or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) case number or other FDPIR identifier for your child or when you indicate that the adult household member signing the application does not have a social security number.  We will use your information to determine if your child is eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and for administration and enforcement of the lunch and breakfast programs.  We may share your eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of programs rules.

The Ames Community School District complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Iowa Civil Rights Act (ICRA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act in ensuring people with disabilities have an opportunity equal to that of their non-disabled peers to participate in the District’s programs, benefits and services, including those delivered through electronic or information technology. For requests or inquiries regarding access to the District’s webpage or another electronic resource, contact the District’s Director of Communications Amy DeLashmutt at 515-268-6651 or email: amy.delashmutt@ames.k12.ia.us. For requests or inquiries regarding Section 504/Equity, contact the District’s Special Education Director Deani Thomas at 515-268-6626 or email: deani.thomas@ames.k12.ia.us.

Reporting Accessibility Issues

If you are using assistive technology and having problems accessing this site or its content, please contact the Ames Community School District Webmaster. Every effort will be made to correct the issue and/or provide you with the information you are seeking in an alternative format until the issue can be remedied.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are: 

(1) The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

(2) The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.

Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the school to amend a record should write the school official, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. The parent or eligible student will receive additional information regarding the hearing procedures.

(3) The right to privacy of personally identifiable information in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the school has outsourced services or functions it would otherwise use its own employees to perform (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

The school discloses education records, without consent, to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled, only upon the request of the other district, and discloses those records solely for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer. 

(4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School to comply with the requirements of FERPA. 

The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202.

Directory information is information contained in the education records of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. The District may disclose “directory information” to third parties without consent if it has given public notice of 1) the types of information which it has designated as “directory information,” 2) the parent’s or eligible student’s right to restrict the disclosure of such information, and 3) the period of time within which a parent or eligible student has to notify the school in writing that he or she does not want any or all of those types of information designated as “directory information.” The District has designated the following as “directory information”: student’s name, address, telephone listing, photograph, year of birth, dates of attendance, grade level, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors, and awards received, and the most recent educational agency or institution attended.

Prior to developing a student directory or to giving general information to the public, parents (including parents of students open enrolled out of the School District and parents of children homeschooled in the School District) will be given notice annually of the intent to develop a directory or to give out general information and have the opportunity to deny the inclusion of their child’s information in the directory or in the general information about the students. The entire policy 506.2 on student directory information is available at the Ames Community School District Office.

1. Except as limited by Iowa Code 280.22, students of the public schools have the right to exercise freedom of speech, including the right of expression in official school publications. 
2. Students shall not express, publish, or distribute any of the following:
   1. Materials which are obscene. 
   2. Materials which are libelous or slanderous under chapter 659. 
   3. Materials which encourage students to do any of the following:
      1. Commit unlawful acts.
      2. Violate lawful school regulations.
      3. Cause the material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.
3. There shall be no prior restraint of material prepared for official school publications except when the material violates Iowa Code 280.22.
4. Each board of directors of a public school shall adopt rules in the form of a written publications code, which shall include reasonable provisions for the time, place, and manner of conducting such activities within its jurisdiction. The board shall make the code available to the students and their parents. 
5. Student editors of official school publications shall assign and edit the news, editorial, and feature content of their publications subject to the limitations of Iowa Code 280.22. Journalism advisers of students producing official school publications shall supervise the production of the student staff, to maintain professional standards of English and journalism, and to comply with Iowa Code 280.22. 
6. Any expression made by students in the exercise of free speech, including student expression in official school publications, shall not be deemed to be an expression of school policy, and the public school district and school employees or officials shall not be liable in any civil or criminal action for any student expression made or published by students, unless the school employees or officials have interfered with or altered the content of the student speech or expression, and then only to the extent of the interference or alteration of the speech or expression. 
7. “Official school publications” means material produced by students in the journalism, newspaper, yearbook, or writing classes and distributed to the student body either free or for a fee. 
8. Iowa Code 280.22 does not prohibit a board of directors of a public school from adopting otherwise valid rules relating to oral communications by students upon the premises of each school.

Upon reasonable suspicion that a violation of the school’s rules or policies has occurred, including violation of the substance abuse policy or upon reasonable suspicion that a person is in possession of contraband or unauthorized items, authorized school officials may search lockers, desks, and work areas; and anyone on, entering, or leaving the school premises, including students, school employees, employees of contractors or their subcontractors or agents doing business with the school; and others such as visitors and guests. When appropriate, items found in the course of an inspection or search will be taken into custody and may be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

The Ames Community Schools’ Board of Directors has established Policy 502.8 concerning inspections and searches. A complete copy of the District’s inspection and search policy is available in the principals’ offices and media center at each attendance center, at the District Offices, 2005 24th St., and on the District website.

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232h, requires the Ames Community School District to notify you and obtain consent or allow you to opt your child out of participating in certain school activities. These activities include a student survey, analysis, or evaluation that concerns one or more of the following eight areas (“protected information surveys”): 1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; 2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family; 3. Sex behavior or attitudes; 4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; 5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships; 6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers; 7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or 8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility. This requirement also applies to the collection, disclosure or use of student information for marketing purposes (“marketing surveys”), and certain physical exams and screenings. Following is a schedule of activities requiring parental notice and consent or opt-out for the upcoming school year. This list is not exhaustive and, for surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, the Ames Community School District will provide parents, within a reasonable period of time prior to the administration of the surveys and activities, notification of the surveys and activities and be provided an opportunity to opt their child out, as well as an opportunity to review the surveys. (Please note that this notice and consent/opt-out transfers from parents to any student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under State law.)

It is the District’s policy to strive to identify homeless children and youth within the District, encourage their enrollment in school, and ensure they have equitable access to public education, including public preschool, as available. District policy 501.16, Homeless Children & Youth, is available at the District Offices, 2005 24th St., and on the District website. Chapter 33 in Iowa Administrative Code requires the District to give written notice to homeless children and families before denying their access to educational programs. Homeless children and families may obtain free legal services by contacting: Story County Legal Aid, 936 Seventh St., Nevada, IA  50201, phone: 515-382-2471.

District policies prohibit harassment, bullying, hazing, or any other victimization of students or employees based on any actual or perceived traits or characteristics, including but not limited to age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status. Employees and students who believe they have suffered bullying/harassment shall report in a timely manner such matters to their building principal or department director who serves as the compliance officers for complaints. Claims regarding bullying/harassment may also be reported to the Superintendent, who serves as the alternate compliance officer: Erin Miller, Director of Teaching and Learning. The entire anti-bullying/harassment policy Policy 104 is available in the principal’s office at each school building, on the District website, and in the District Offices, 2005 24th St., Ames, IA  50010.

Anyone who believes an Ames CSD employee, volunteer, or student has been the victim of discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment or sexual misconduct may use this form to notify the District of their concerns. While anonymous reports are accepted and will be reviewed, the District’s ability to address and respond to anonymous reports is significantly limited.

Ames CSD Discrimination/Bullying/Harassment Complaint Form

Translations:

Arabic: Ames CSD Discrimination/Bullying/Harassment Complaint Form
Chinese: Ames CSD Discrimination/Bullying/Harassment Complaint Form
Spanish: Ames CSD Discrimination/Bullying/Harassment Complaint Form
Vietnamese: Ames CSD Discrimination/Bullying/Harassment Complaint Form

Ames Community School District prohibits acts of physical or sexual abuse, including inappropriate and intentional sexual behavior towards students committed by employees or volunteers. It also is the District’s policy to respond to allegations of abuse by employees or volunteers by investigating or arranging for the full investigation of any allegation and to do so in a reasonably prudent manner. Anyone believing that a District employee or volunteer has abused a student shall report the abuse to the Director of Human Resources at 515-268-6610.

The entire policy 402.3 on abuse of students by District personnel is available at the Ames Community School District Office.

State law forbids school employees from using corporal punishment against any student. Certain actions by school employees are not considered corporal punishment. Additionally, school employees may use “reasonable and necessary force, not designed or intended to cause pain” to do certain things, such as prevent harm to persons or property.

State law also places limits school employees’ abilities to restrain or confine and detain any student.  The law limits why, how, where, and for how long a school employee may restrain or confine and detain a child.  If a child is restrained or confined and detained, the school must maintain documentation and must provide certain types of notice to the child’s parent.

If you have any questions about this state law, please contact your school.  The complete text of the law and additional information is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s website.

The District uses guidelines developed for schools by the Environmental Protection Agency for identifying asbestos within buildings and a system designed by the Institute for Environmental Assessment for determining relative risks and suggesting appropriate safety responses. The District has formulated general recommendations for procedures for dealing with material that may contain asbestos. These recommendations contribute to the safeguarding of all building occupants. Detailed descriptions of the recommendations are available for review at each school building, and at the Ames Community School District Office.

The Institute has inspected the District’s buildings to determine if there are asbestos-containing building products, especially in a form that could represent a health risk. The Institute’s findings and recommendations for specific buildings may be reviewed in each principal’s office.

The Iowa Department of Public Health requires school districts to test all water coolers and fountains for lead-containing sediments. The District has completed the required testing of all water coolers and fountains and has identified that the level of lead-containing sediments in all water dispensers is below 20 parts per billion (0.020 mg/liter), as required by law. Additional information regarding specific testing results may be obtained by contacting the Department of Facilities Planning and Management, 515-239-3795.

District policies prohibit the use of tobacco or products that resemble tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, on its property, including vehicles, buildings and grounds. All persons, including visitors, who do not comply with these policies will be asked to leave District property. These policies also apply to school functions with students in attendance. The District’s non-smoking Policy 905.2 is also available at the Ames Community School District Office.

The District holds school as scheduled on the calendar unless weather conditions present hazards to students and/or staff. Parents and guardians may use their judgment and choose not to send their children to school in severe weather. The District will announce morning closings and start-time delays as early as possible, but no later than 6 a.m.

The District alerts all local media, such as television stations (KCCI-8, WHO-13, WOI-5), the Ames Tribune, the District website, and on the District’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).

Parents and guardians who have subscribed to Infinite Campus parent notifications will receive announcements about school closings and start-time delays by email, voicemail, and text messages according to their subscription choices.

While school is in session, the District will dismiss schools early for severe weather only if the Superintendent determines that conditions would prevent buses from making the return trips safely at the regular time. Parents and guardians may use their judgment for severe weather and choose to pick up their children early or request for high school students driving vehicles to be dismissed early.

The District will manage and announce non-weather related closings, such as mechanical equipment failures for example, on a building-by-building basis.

Iowa law requires that evidence of immunization be presented before any student will be enrolled in the Ames Community Schools. A certificate documenting these immunizations must be on file for each student attending and may be obtained through the student’s medical provider or the public health office. Where records indicate partial completion of these requirements, the medical provider or public health office will issue a provisional certificate. All students registering with the Ames Community Schools who have lived in a country other than the USA within the past year, must provide proof of a current Mantoux tuberculin test taken within the past year.

All students entering 7th grade must have proof of both the Meningococcal and the Tdap vaccines before school starts in August unless the student has a Certificate of Immunization Exemption. There will be no grace/extension period for the implementation of this requirement.

All students entering 12th grade must have proof of having the Meningococcal vaccine before school starts in August unless the student has a Certificate of Immunization Exemption. There will be no grace/extension period for the implementation of this requirement.

Most students taking medication can be adequately treated by taking the medication before and after school.  However, some students’ health and educational needs require them to take medication during the school day.  For these students, the District will assist in administering medication under the direction of a legal prescriber if parents’ and guardians provide a written request. The District also allows parents or guardians to personally administer medication, over-the-counter medication, or an alternative medicine product at school.  Alternative medications such as remedies, enzymes, herbs, vitamins, dietary supplements, homeopathic medicines, or medications from other countries will not be administered to school children without a written order from a health care provider with legal Iowa prescriptive authority and a written request from the parent(s)/guardian(s) to follow the health care provider’s order. The provider’s order must explain the product’s safety and the condition and indications appropriate for its use; the dosage for a child of a specific age, weight, and body surface area; possible side effects, toxic effects, and/or interactions, and treatment of overdose. Medical treatment using Essential Oils and/or Aromatherapy will not be administered at school by staff. The full policy, 507.2, Administering Medicines to Students, is also available at Ames Community School District Office. School nurses follow Iowa Board of Nursing 655 ICA 6.2 and Declaratory Ruling No. 81, which provides the conditions under which a Registered Nurse has the responsibility to refuse to administer medication.

Dental Screening: Iowa law requires a record of a dental screening exam performed within the year prior to enrolling students in Kindergarten and 9th grade. The District registration packets include forms for the dental provider to complete.

Blood Lead Level test: Iowa law requires a Blood Lead Level test for all kindergarten students. Please contact the student’s physician to verify the test has been done. The medical provider records the test in a statewide registry and no form is required.

Vision and Hearing: The Iowa Department of Public Health requires a Vision Screening for students enrolling in Kindergarten and 3rd grade.  The District registration packets include forms for the screening provider to complete. The school nurse conducts vision screening annually for students in grades Kindergarten, 3 and 5; hearing screening annually for students in grades K-5; and individual screenings upon request.

Ames Community School District provides internet-enabled devices and chargers to all students in grades PK-12. Chromebooks are the most common type of device issued to students, but they may also access tablets, desktop computers, and other equipment approved for use on our network. Any device available to students will be labeled as the property of Ames Community School District and will be tracked using our inventory management systems. All devices are provided for the express academic purposes of teaching and learning, not personal use.

The district assigns Google Workspace for Education accounts to all students and staff. This ad-free service provides access to Google Drive, Google Classroom, Google Meet, and a managed email account ending in @ames.k12.ia.us. (Students in grades K-5 may only email teachers and peers.) A complete list of Google Workspace tools is available here.  Google accounts also allow the district to safely authenticate our users on other sites and provide access to a variety of third-party learning tools. A few of the sites and tools available to student are listed below:

• Seesaw & Google Classroom: Secure, online learning platforms and communication tools.
• Follett Destiny & MackinVia: School library catalog and access to ebooks and audiobooks.
• WeVideo & SoundTrap: Web-based video and sound-editing tools for multimedia projects.
• Snap&Read: Text-to-speech extension to support a diverse range of reading needs.

The list of tools and resources available to students is constantly evolving.  Staff are encouraged to seek out new and innovative uses of technology to engage their students; therefore, the teacher is often the best source of information about particular sites used in the classroom.  Additional information on the use of technology in the Ames Community School District is described in board policies 604.11 Appropriate Use of Online Learning Platforms, 605.4 Technology and Instructional Materials, and 605.6 Internet – Appropriate Use.

All on-site network traffic in the Ames Community School District is filtered in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and federal eRate guidelines.  Any off-site activity involving the use of a student Chromebook or while logged into a student Google account may also be subject to filtering and monitoring.  There is no guarantee of privacy from administrators, technology staff, or other designated personnel when using district-provided technology.  The district reserves the right to take immediate action when responding to student online activity.

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) applies to commercial companies and website operators that knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.  The goal of COPPA is to place parents in control over what information is collected from their young children online and requires parental consent before such information can be disclosed.  With permission, schools may also act as an agent for the parents when disclosing information in an educational context.  Additional information about COPPA is available.

Ames Community School District contracts with some vendors, including Google, that require parental consent under COPPA.  Teachers may also design lessons that involve the use of free online tools which also require consent under COPPA.  The disclosure of student information by district staff is subject to local, state, and federal policy including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  No student data will be collected or disclosed for commercial purposes.  The district is requesting your permission to collect, use, and disclose your child’s data under COPPA to the extent necessary to achieve the goals of our educational program.

Ames Community School District and the Ames Public Library have entered into a data sharing agreement for the purposes of creating student library cards for all K-12 students. The agreement involves the disclosure of some personally identifiable student information. Student library cards provide access to electronic resources offered by Ames Public library, including research and homework databases; learning resources; downloadable e-books, audiobooks, music, magazines, and video streaming. No action is necessary for your child to participate, and you may opt out of the sharing agreement during online registration. Parents or guardians may also opt out of the program at any time by contacting their child’s school.

In order to access the district’s technology resources, students and their families must agree to the terms and conditions defined in this document. Teachers and/or administrators will review these statements with students at least once per year, and parents will be asked to acknowledge these statements during online registration. This document is available on our website.

• I understand that access to the internet and district technology is a privilege, not a right; there may be consequences for not adhering to the technology use agreements and for violating rules.
• I understand that my access to district technology is intended for academic purposes only.
• I will not use district technology to conduct personal business or to access entertainment.
• I will follow the policies of the Ames Community School District and abide by all local, state, and federal laws when using my device at school, at home, or at any other location.
• I will honor my family’s values and follow school expectations when using the device.
• I will not use personal devices to access online resources at school without staff permission.
• I will not activate personal hotspots or other access points at school without staff permission.
• I will respect the district’s content filters and will request staff support to access blocked content.
• I will respect intellectual property rights, including copyrights, with regards to online information.
• I will not engage or participate in any form of cyberbullying or harassment.  If I witness any form of cyberbullying or harassment, I will report the behavior immediately to a trusted adult.
• I will not capture video, audio, or pictures without the consent of all persons being recorded, their knowledge of the media’s intended use, as well as the approval of a staff member.
• I will keep the device in my possession at all times or secure it in a safe place when not in use.
• I will treat the device with care at all times by carrying it appropriately, keeping food and drink at a distance, and avoiding extreme temperatures.
• I will only clean my device using the cleaning methods approved by the school district.
• I will not attempt to repair the device on my own nor pay someone else to repair the device for me.
• I will only add apps or extensions that enhance my learning and serve an educational purpose.
• I will keep all accounts and passwords assigned to me secure, and I will not share this information with any other students.
• I will not release personal information to strangers when using the device.
• I will charge the battery on my device every night if allowed to take it home.
• I will bring the device to school every day.  If I do not have my device, I may need to make up work outside of the school day.
• I will report problems with my device, including any damage, as soon as possible after it happens.
• I will report the loss or theft of a device to an administrator as soon as possible after it happens.
• I will return the device when requested or if I withdraw from the district at any time.

• I/We understand that access to the internet and district technology is a privilege, not a right; there may be consequences for not adhering to the technology use agreement and for violating rules.
• I/We understand that access to district technology is intended for academic purposes only.
• I/We will not use district technology to conduct personal business or to access entertainment.
• I/We will follow the policies of the Ames Community School District and abide by all local, state, and federal laws as it relates to use of district technology, regardless of where that technology is used.
• I/We will discuss our family’s values regarding the Internet, including acceptable online behavior.
• I/We will respect intellectual property rights, including copyrights, with regards to online information.
• I/We will not engage in any form of cyberbullying or harassments.  If I/we witness any form of cyberbullying or harassment, I will report the behavior to the school administrator.
• I/We will supervise the student’s use of the device at home and set clear expectations for the use of technology outside of school.
• I/We will encourage the student to keep the device secure at all times.
• I/We understand that fines may be assessed in order to repair damage to district technology or to replace lost equipment.  Intentional damage may result in the need to replace the device at full cost
• I/We will only attempt to clean the device using methods approved by the school district.
• I/We will immediately report any damage to or loss of district technology to the school district.
• I/We will not attempt to repair the device nor pay someone else to repair the device on our behalf.
• I/We will discuss the importance of protecting our online identity by not sharing passwords or other personal information with friends and strangers.
• I/We will charge the student device every night or make arrangements to charge the device at school.
• I/We will work to ensure the device is brought to school each day.  I/We understand that failing to do so may place the student at an educational disadvantage and that I/we may be called to bring the device to school if the problem persists.
• I/We will report problems with a device, including any damage, as soon as possible after it happens.
• I/We will report the loss or theft of a device to an administrator as soon as possible after it happens.
• I/We agree to return the device when requested or when my/our child withdraws from the district.

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are encouraged to become active in the efforts of the District in many ways. Those interested in serving on building parent-teacher organizations or activities booster clubs can contact the school building.

Volunteers are an important part of our educational team, providing services that support and enrich student learning. Please contact your principal for information on volunteer opportunities. Volunteers working with students must follow the procedures and school board policy for background checks. Policy 505.8.A, Parent Involvement, is available at the Ames Community School District Office.

Area Education Agency 11 Heartland (Ames Office) 515-232-7583

Administration:

Superintendent
Dr. Julious Lawson
515-268-6660

Chief Financial Officer
Chris Stensland
515-268-6640

Ames High School Alumni Association
Bill Ripp
515-232-0230

Athletic Programs and Events
Lyle Fedders
515-817-0609

Before and After School Child Care
515-233-2901 ACPC

Board Agendas
JD Mitchell
515-268-6660

Board Minutes (Official Records)
JD Mitchell
515-268-6643

Boundary/Attendance Areas
Cassie Wendt
515-268-6605

Building Use/Rental
John Hopper
515-239-3795

Bus Information
Brent Fogarty
515-268-6628 or 515-268-6625

Calendar
Amy DeLashmutt
515-268-6660

Driver Education
Kenneth Damron
515-817-0610

Early Childhood Programs
515-268-2470

ESL/ELL (English Language Learners)
Shaeley Santiago
515-268-6628

ELP (Extended Learning Program)
Jeff Hawkins
515-817-0633

Fee Waivers
Deb Milliken
515-268-6646

Food Services
Marilyn Rutherford
515-817-0630

Free and Reduced Breakfast/Lunch
Deb Milliken
515-268-6646

Home School Assistance Program
Kathy Geis
515-233-2586

Insurance (Staff & Student)
Stacy Duhn
515-268-6643

Media Contacts
Amy DeLashmutt
515-268-6651

School Closings
Amy DeLashmutt
515-268-6651

School Supply Lists
Amy DeLashmutt
515-268-6651

Special Education
Deani Thomas
515-268-6631

Student Admissions/Registration (K-12)
Cassie Wendt
515-268-6605

Swimming Pool
515-817-0655

Volunteers
School Principals

Webmaster
webmaster@ames.k12.ia.us
Amy DeLashmutt

Northwood Preschool Center
Mary Morton, Principal
3012 Duff Ave.
515-268-2470

Edwards Elementary School
Jessica Sharp, Principal
820 Miller Ave.
515-239-3760

Fellows Elementary School
Sevond Cole, Principal
1235 20th St.
515-239-3765

Meeker Elementary School
Steve Flynn, Principal
300 20th St.
515-239-3770

Mitchell Elementary School
Justin Jeffs, Principal
3521 Jewel Dr.
515-239-3775

Sawyer Elementary School
Tanise Colvin, Principal
4316 Ontario St.
515-239-3790

Ames Middle School
Yonas Michael, Principal
3915 Mortensen Rd.
515-268-2400

Ames High School
Kenneth Damron, Acting Principal
1801 Ridgewood Ave.
515-817-0600