ENROLL A STUDENT

STUDENT REGISTRATION
PROCESS & INFORMATION

Registration for the 2023-24 school year at Vinton-Shellsburg Community Schools will be available online starting July 24. 

Start the process by logging into the POWERSCHOOL PORTAL (see the Step-by-Step Registration Instructions below.)  

NEW TO THE DISTRICT FAMILIES

Click Here to pre-register your student(s). Then contact your student’s building for next steps.

High School: 319.436.5704

Middle School: 319.436.5600

Tilford Elementary: 319.436.5800

Shellsburg Elementary: 319.436.5900

Quick Links: Use the links below to access internet-based systems used during enrollment and throughout the year. Details for each are provided in the tabs below.

The instructions for registering new students and updating registration information for returning students are below. It is important for all families to update registration for each student annually to ensure the district has the most current information available. REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. Go to vscsd.powerschool.com or click on the PowerSchool link on the school district website.

  2. Enter your username and password for the parent/guardian account that you previously created. If you need assistance with creating a parent/guardian account, please contact your student’s school office.

  3. Click on the name of the student at the top of the page (under the PowerSchool SIS logo) that you would like to register.

  4. Click on Forms on the left-hand side of the page in the Navigation area. (See image.)
  5. Click on the first form titled “Registration” to begin the registration process. Complete all fields possible. Fields with a red asterisk are required.
  It is very important you update the Parent/Guardian Email, Phone, and Text Message Notifications section. The email addresses and phone numbers entered here will be used to notify parents/guardians via email, phone, and/or text message for weather-related cancellations and delays, student attendance, emergency notifications, and other important announcements. When all information has been entered, click the Submit button in the lower right-hand corner of the page. This will automatically take you to the next form to be completed.

Vinton-Shellsburg Community Schools provides parents an easy and convenient way to and money to their student’s food service account or pay for school fees. Parents may pay with Discover, MasterCard or VISA credit or debit cards. Our Web Store accepts payments over the internet 24/7. By contracting with RevTrak, a national credit card payment processor, we provide you a secure site for making payments. Note: A service of 4.37% will be applied to your shopping cart at checkout.

Pay the Following Fees Online:
  • Preschool, Grade K-12 Registration
  • Food Service
  • Yearbooks
  • Textbooks
  • Activity Passes
  • 1:1 Computer Fees
  • Vinton Popcorn Products
  • Transcripts
  • Karr Complex Renovation Donations
  • VSCSD Foundation Donations

TIP: If you are paying for multiple 1:1 Computer Co-op or insurance fees, you’ll need to add it to your cart more than once instead of changing the quantity of the single item in the cart.  This way you can assign the charge to each of your students with the dropdown.

Instructions and answers to frequently asked questions can be accessed from the VSCSD RevTrak log-in page.

The district uses Total Access, an internet-based system, to provide families with up-to-the-minute information regarding student meal accounts. Student account history for purchases and deposits is easily accessible. Additionally, the program provides email notifications when meal account balances are low.

Total Access FAQ

How do I access Total Access?
You will need a username and password to access Total Access. You may get these by emailing our Food Service Director,  Karen Ackman at karen.ackman@vscsd.org. Please provide first and last name, and grade of your student(s).

I forgot my username and/or password.
If you previously received your username and password, and have forgotten or misplaced it, simply enter the last known email address on the account and the system will email it to you.

I got a new email address.
Keep your email address up-to-date so you continue to receive low account balance reminders. You may update your student’s account by logging into Total Access using your username and password. You can make edits there first; then update it in PowerSchool. Once PowerSchool is updated, it’s the only place you need to keep it updated.

How do I know when the account is low on funds?
You will receive an email low balance warning approximately 3 days before your account will reach zero, based on your family’s purchase history. This is an approximation. The district sets low balance warnings at a level which is three times the price of one meal per child. Negative balances are not allowed at the high school and all students must pay for a la carte purchases.

How do I add money to my child’s account?

  • Online credits may be entered any time through VSCSD’s online payment system, RevTrak  by using the username and password created for electronic registration through that platform. This is NOT the same username and password used for Total Access.
  • Credit and debit cards are acceptable. Deposits must be completed by 9:00 AM in order for funds to be available for same-day purchases. There is no fee for this service.
  • Cash or checks may be sent to school daily and taken to the main office in elementary and middle school buildings and given to the cashier at the high school.

Please log into your parent Powerschool account. On the left navigation menu select Forms. Click on the form titled “Transportation Request“. If you need assistance please contact your building’s office. 

ENROLLMENT FORMS

Below are forms your student may need for enrollment regardless of which building or grade they attend. Please print off and fill out the forms that apply to your student(s) and return them to your school on or before the first day of school.

If you reside in another school district and want details on becoming a Viking, please visit our Open Enrollment page.

Code No. 507.2

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION TO STUDENTS

The board is committed to the inclusion of all students in the education program and recognizes that some students may need prescription and nonprescription medication to participate in their educational program. Medication will be administered when the student’s parent or guardian (hereafter “parent”) provides a signed and dated written statement requesting medication administration and the medication is in the original, labeled container, either as dispensed or in the manufacturer’s container. When administration of the medication requires ongoing professional health judgment, an individual health plan will be developed by an authorized practitioner with the student and the student’s parent. Students who have demonstrated competence in administering their own medications may selfadminister their medication. A written statement by the student’s parent will be on file requesting coadministration of medication, when competence has been demonstrated. By law, students with asthma or other airway constricting diseases or students with a risk of anaphylaxis who use epinephrine autoinjectors may selfadminister their medication upon the written approval of the students parents and prescribing licensed health care professional regardless of competency.Persons administering medication will include authorized practitioners, such as, licensed registered nurses and physicians, and persons to whom authorized practitioners have delegated the administration of medication (who have successfully completed a medication administration course). A medication administration course and periodic update will be conducted by a registered nurse or licensed pharmacist, and a record of course completion shall be maintained by the school. A written medication administration record will be on file including:

  • date;
  • student’s name;
  • prescriber or person authorizing administration;
  • medication;
  • medication dosage;
  • administration time;
  • administration method;
  • signature and title of the person administering medication; and
  • any unusual circumstances, actions, or omissions.

Medication will be stored in a secured area unless analternate provision is documented. Emergency protocols for medicationrelated reactions will beposted. Medication information will be confidential information as provided by law.

Disposal of unused, discontinued/recalled, or expired medication will be in compliance with federal and state law. Prior to disposal school personnel will make a reasonable attempt toreturnmedication by providing written notification that expired, discontinued, orunused medications needs to be picked up. If medication is not picked up by the datespecified, disposal will be in accordance with thedisposalprocedures for the specific category of medication.

Legal Reference:

Disposing on Behalf of Ultimate Users, 79 Fed. Reg. 53520, 53546 (Sept. 9, 2014).

Iowa Code §§124.101(1); 147.107; 152.1; 155A.4(2); 280.16; 280.23.

281 IAC §41.404(1)(f), (3)(f).

657 IAC §8.32(124); §8.32(155A).

655 IAC§6.2(152).

Cross Reference:

506 Student Records

507 Student Health and WellBeing

603.3 Special Education

607.2 Student Health Services

*****

Approved: 8-16-93

Reviewed: 2-22-16; 5-11-20

Revised: 3-14-16

AUTHORIZATION FORMS:

  Asthma or Other Airway Constricting Disease Medication or Epinephrine Auto-Injector Self-Administration Consent Form

  Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of Prescription Medication to Students

Children need healthy meals to learn. Vinton-Shellsburg CSD offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast cost $1.85; lunch costs $2.95.

Your children may qualify for free meals/milk or for reduced price meals. CLICK HERE to apply,

Reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch.

If you need assistance completing this web-based application contact: Lori Werning, 319-436-5900 or lori.werning@vscsd.org. Please visit our website to complete an application at: 

1. WHO CAN GET FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEALS?
  • All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-formerly Food Assistance in Iowa), the Family Investment Program (FIP) or a few specific Medicaid programs are eligible for free or reduced price meals.
  • Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
  • Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.
  • Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.
  • Children may receive free or reduced price meals if your household’s income is at or below the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines below. (Requires submitting an Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals/Milk.)
 
FEDERAL INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES for School Year 2023-2024

Household Size

Yearly

Monthly

Twice per Month

Every Two Weeks

Weekly

1

$26,973

$2,248

$1,124

$1,038

$519

2

$36,482

$3,041

$1,521

$1,404

$702

3

$45,991

$3,833

$1,917

$1,769

$885

4

$55,500

$4,625

$2,313

$2,135

$1,068

5

$65,009

$5,418

$2,709

$2,501

$1,251

6

$74,518

$6,210

$3,105

$2,867

$1,434

7

$84,027

$7,003

$3,502

$3,232

$1,616

8

$93,536

$7,795

$3,898

$3,598

$1,799

EACH ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBER:

$9,509

$793

$397

$366

$183

 
2. SHOULD I FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IF I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR SAYING MY CHILDREN ARE ALREADY APPROVED FOR FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEALS?  

No, but please read the letter carefully and follow the instructions.  If any children in your household were missing from your notification, contact: Lori Werning at lori.werning@vscsd.org or call 319-436-5900 immediately as eligibility for free or reduced price meals is extended to all school age children in a household.  If you did not receive a letter from the school, but received a Free Lunch Notice from DHS, submit this letter to your children’s school.  You may add any students living in your household who are not listed on the letter.  Also, if someone in your household receives food assistance and you did not receive either of these letters, you may complete an application listing the case number as this will qualify all school age children in your household for free meals.  If you were informed that your children will get reduced price meals automatically, see the income guidelines above and if you feel you would qualify for free meal benefits, complete an application for free and reduced price meals.

3.    WHAT IF WE HAVE FOSTER CHILDREN?  

Households with foster and non-foster children may choose to include the foster child as a household member, as this may help other children in the household qualify for benefits.  If the foster family is not eligible for free or reduced price meal benefits, that does not prevent a foster child from receiving free meal benefits.

4.    HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILDREN QUALIFY AS HOMELESS, MIGRANT, OR RUNAWAY?  

Do the members of your household lack a permanent address?  Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing arrangement?  Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis?  Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household?  If you believe children in your household meet these descriptions and haven’t been told your children will get free meals, please contact: Sandy Hamilton, Vinton-Shellsburg High School, 319-436-5708 or sandy.hamilton@vscsd.org.

5.    DO I NEED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR EACH CHILD?  

No, complete the web-based application for free and reduced price school meals for all students in your household. An application cannot be approved unless complete eligibility information is submitted, so be sure to complete all required information.

6.    MY CHILD’S APPLICATION WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR.  DO I NEED TO FILL OUT A NEW ONE?  

Yes, your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year, through October 4th, 2022. You must complete a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new schooL year. When the carryover period ends, unless you are notified that your children will receive free meals or you submit an application that is approved, the children must pay full price for school meals. The school is not required to send a reminder or a notice of expired eligibility.

7.     I GET WIC.  CAN MY CHILDREN GET FREE MEALS?  

Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals.  Please complete the web based application.

8.    MAY I APPLY IF SOMEONE IN MY HOUSEHOLD IS NOT A U.S. CITIZEN?

Yes.  You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free or reduced price meals.

9.    WILL THE INFORMATION I GIVE BE CHECKED?  

Yes.  We may also ask you to send written proof of the household income you report.  You are not required to provide proof with your web basedapplication.

10.   IF I DON’T QUALIFY NOW, MAY I APPLY LATER?  

Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year.  For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free or reduced price meals if the household income drops below the income limit, if your household size goes up, or if you start getting SNAP, FIP or other benefits.

11.   WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE SCHOOL’S DECISION ABOUT MY APPLICATION?  

You should talk to school  officials.  You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to:  Brenda Barkdoll, 1502 C Ave., Vinton, IA, 319-436-5684 or brenda.barkdoll@vscsd.org

12.   WHAT IF MY INCOME IS NOT ALWAYS THE SAME?  

List the amount that you normally receive.  For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 per month.  If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.

13.  WHAT IF SOME HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS HAVE NO INCOME TO REPORT?

Household members may not receive some types of income we ask you to report on the application, or may not receive income at all.  Whenever this happens please write a 0 in the field.  However, if any income fields are left empty or blank, those will also be counted as zeroes.  Please be careful when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.

14.   WE ARE IN THE MILITARY.  DO WE REPORT OUR INCOME DIFFERENTLY?  

Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income.  If you get any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing, or receive Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance payments, it must also be included as income.  However if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.  There are currently no active Military Housing Projects in Iowa as found on Active Military Housing Projects.  Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is also excluded from income.

15.  DO I NEED TO PROVIDE MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?  

Only the last four digits of the Social Security Number of the household’s primary wage earner or another adult household member (or an indication of “none”) is needed.

16.  WHO CAN GET FREE MILK?  

If your school participates in the Special Milk Program for half day pre-kindergartners or kindergarteners, your child may be eligible for free milk. Children are not eligible to receive free milk if they buy extra milk with a meal or if they eat breakfast or lunch and have an afternoon milk break.

17.  MY FAMILY NEEDS MORE HELP.  ARE THERE OTHER PROGRAMS WE MIGHT APPLY FOR?  

To find out how to apply for SNAP or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or call 1-877-347-5678. Your children may be eligible for Hawki (children’s health insurance) or a waiver of school fees. Read the information included in the web-based application for Hawki information. A school waiver form may be part of the web-based application or available from your child’s school.

18.  CAN CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES GET FOOD SUBSTITUTIONS?  

If a child has a disability, as determined by a licensed medical professional, and the disability prevents the child from eating the regular school meal, the school will make substitutions prescribed by the licensed medical professional.  If a substitution is needed, there will be no extra charge for the meal.  Please note, however, that the school is not required to make a substitution for a food allergy, unless it meets the definition of disability.  Please call the school for further information.

19. DO I NEED TO REPORT MY RACE AND ETHNICITY?

It is optional to complete the racial/ethnic portion of the application however if you do not select race or ethnicity, one will be selected for you based on visual observation.

———–

If you decide you do not want to complete an application electronically, you can obtain a paper application by contacting your school building secretary or Lori Werning, 319-436-5900 or lori.werning@vscsd.org

Translated applications are available at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/translated-applications

If you have other questions or need help, call 319-436-5900 or email lori.werning@vscsd.org

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement:

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.

Iowa Non-Discrimination Statement:

“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/.”

Information Statement

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.

  Student Fee Waiver & Reduction Information (Download)

Please bring the completed immunization certificate when registering your child. Medical and religious exemptions do also exist and are available in lieu of being up to date on all immunizations.

641-7.3(2) A religious exemption may be granted to an applicant if immunization conflicts with a genuine and sincere religious belief. a. To be valid, a certificate of immunization exemption for religious reasons shall contain, at a minimum, the applicant’s last name, first name, and date of birth and shall bear the signature of the applicant or if the applicant is a minor, of the applicant’s parent or guardian and shall attest that immunization conflicts with a genuine and sincere religious belief and that the belief is in fact religious and not based merely on philosophical, scientific, moral, personal, or medical opposition to immunizations. b. The certificate of immunization exemption for religious reasons is valid only when notarized.

BUILDING INFORMATION

Below are additonal forms your student may need for enrollment depending on attendance by building and grade level. Please print off and fill out the forms that apply to your student(s) and return them to your school on or before the first day of school.

INFORMATION TO NOTE:

Please take note of these tabs listed under District Annual Notices below:

  • Eligibility Requirements/Good Conduct Code for Student Activity (Grades 6-12)
  • Concussion Fact Sheet

SPORTS PARTICIPANTS:  Please be aware that your sport’s physical and concussion information must be completed by eRegistration (through PowerSchool) before camps start or NO LATER than August 3th to participate in the season’s sport.

TECH FEES: All invoiced tech fees due to damage or loss from the previous year must be paid as part of registration. Students WILL NOT receive their computer for the year if these fees are not paid.

HIGH SCHOOL FORMS TO DOWNLOAD

  PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CONTRACT: Healthy Kids Act (Grades 6-12)
  SPORTS PHYSICAL (For Athletes, Grades 7-12) *Required by IA Law – Must have on file before students can practice
  DENTAL SCREENING (Grade 9 only) *Required by IA Law, please return to high school office
  DENTAL SCREENING: Frequently Asked Questions
  AUTOMOBILE INFORMATION FORM Required if student drives to school, please return to high school office
  SCHOOL PERMIT FORM Return to Mr. Kingsbury or Mr. Islas

New to the district? High School Students may contact the guidance office (319-436-5704) beginning August 10th to schedule an appointment for registration with their counselor.  Appointments will be scheduled between Aug. 17th to 21st so that all new students can be enrolled in their courses by the first day of school (Aug. 24th).

New to the district? Middle School Students may come to the building starting August 4 to begin the process of registering.  If your child needs to ride the bus please call Eric Kakac, Transportation Director at (319) 472-3118.

INFORMATION TO NOTE:

Please take note of these tabs listed under District Annual Notices below:

  • Eligibility Requirements/Good Conduct Code for Student Activity (Grades 6-12)
  • Concussion Fact Sheet
MIDDLE SCHOOL FORMS TO DOWNLOAD

  Physical Activity Contract: Healthy Kids Act (Grades 6-12)
  Sports Physical (For Athletes, Grades 7-12) *IA Law – must have on file before students can practice

New to the district? Shellsburg Elementary Students may come to the building starting August 4 to begin the process of registering.  If your child needs to ride the bus please call Eric Kakac, Transportation Director at (319) 472-3118.

SHELLSBURG ELEMENTARY FORMS:

  DENTAL SCREENING (Kindergarten only)
  DENTAL SCREENING: Frequently Asked Questions

New to the district? Tilford Elementary Students may come to the building starting August 4 to begin the process of registering.  If your child needs to ride the bus please call Eric Kakac, Transportation Director at (319) 472-3118.

TILFORD ELEMENTARY FORMS:

  DENTAL SCREENING (Kindergarten only)
  DENTAL SCREENING: Frequently Asked Questions
  PRE-SCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN PHYSICAL FORM (Voluntary)

DISTRICT ANNUAL NOTICES

Use the button below to navigate to the annual district notices that should be reviewed as part of the enrollment process by parents and students. There is no need to print or return any of these notices to the school.

LATE START!

Due to the weather, Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District will have a two-hour late start today (Monday, March 7).

Please Note: Breakfast is not available on late start days.

(And a reminder of a previous schedule change — We will have an Early Out and PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES  TOMORROW, MARCH 8.)

PLEASE TRAVEL SAFE TODAY!