The mission of the administration,
faculty, and support staff of VB Glencoe Charter School is to guide students in
the acquisition of knowledge and in the development of skills necessary to
become productive members of society who possess a lifelong love of learning.
School Policies
School
Attendance, Individual
Rights, Health
and Safety, General
Information,
Bells
SECTION 1 - SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
Admission,
Attendance,
Arrival
at School, Dismissal, Emergency School Closing, Absence,
Tardies,
In
School Detention, Change
of Address or Withdrawals.
If the child has not attended
school before, or has never attended school in
All students are expected to
attend school regularly and to be on time for classes in order to benefit from
the instructional program and to develop habits of punctuality,
self-discipline, and responsibility.
There is a direct relationship between poor attendance and class
failure. Students who have good
attendance generally achieve higher grades, enjoy school more and are much more
employable after leaving school.
General Provisions for the
Attendance Policy
1.
Absences described in
the policy are to take care of:
a.
a personal illness
b.
professional
appointments that could not be scheduled outside of a regular school day
c.
other serious or
personal problems
2.
School sponsored or
sanctioned activities will not count toward total absences.
3.
The School will
contact parents whenever illegal or suspicious absences occur.
4.
A student suspended
from school for disciplinary reasons will have those days charged against the
total number of absences.
5.
It is extremely
important that students and parents realize and understand that days of absence
built into the attendance policy are not to be used as skip days, but rather
they should be used only as indicated in this policy.
6.
A student will not be
allowed to leave school early unless a parent or guardian personally signs the
student out of the office.
7.
A check out will count
as an absence. In case of extenuating
circumstances parents may appeal to the Director.
Attendance Policy
Elementary students are required
to attend one hundred sixty (160) days per year to receive credit in all full
credit courses.
Elementary Students and Middle
School Students
1st
NOTICE: When a student misses half
the allowed absences, ten (10) days, the Director will notify the parent or
guardian. This notice would request
contact with the Director by the parent or guardian to discuss problems, which
may arise with continued absences. When
a student reaches fourteen (14) days of absence, the Director shall send a
REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE letter to the District Attorney’s office for an
attendance hearing. REQUEST FOR
ASSISTANCE letters may be sent if a student develops a pattern of suspicious
absences.
2nd
NOTICE: When a student misses the
maximum allowed absences, twenty (20) days, the Director will notify the parent
or guardian that the student has missed the maximum days as allowed by law and
any additional absences will result in a low of credit. A parent should contact the Director as soon
as possible to discuss the child’s attendance problem.
3rd
NOTICE: When a student has been
absent from school beyond the number of days allowed by state regulations,
failing grades will be given. Unless the
parent or guardian contacts the Director within ten (10) days to justify the
absences with a legitimate excuse for extenuating circumstances, the student
will receive failing grades and will be referred to the District Attorney’s
Office for prosecution for being in violation of
Arrival at School
Students are not to arrive at
school before
Dismissal
School is dismissed at
In the event school is closed due
to bad weather or any emergency, listen to local radio stations for school
opening and closing announcements. KQKI (95.3) KXKC (99.1) KLFY (Channel 10)
Absence Policy
When your child returns to school after an absence, please send a signed
Doctors’ note to the child's teacher explaining the absence. If your child will
be absent for more than two consecutive days, please contact the office. We
encourage you to schedule medical/dental appointments outside school time
whenever possible. Habitual absenteeism will be reflected in student grades. If
a child is absent 1 day he/she is given 1 day to make up work, 2 days, 2 days
to make up work etc...
Tardiness
School hours are from
Change of Address or Withdrawals
Please notify the school office of any change of address or telephone number.
It is very important that we have a telephone number where we can reach parents
in the event of an emergency. We also need to be notified of plans to withdraw
a student from Glencoe Charter. All books must be accounted for before a final
report card will be issued.
SECTION 2 - INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
Student
Rights, Parent
Rights, Faculty
and Staff Rights
Student Rights
Students attending
...the right to a quiet, orderly classroom in which to study and learn.
...the right to a well organized, clearly articulated program of instruction,
facilitated by teachers and other school personnel.
...the right to be treated with respect by teachers and by other students. This
right begins when student’s leave home to come to school, continues throughout
the school day, and extends to the time they arrive back home. Harassment or
belittling of students will not be tolerated.
...the right to personal respect and a safe environment in this school and on
its grounds.
...the right to be protected from offensive, demeaning sexual comments or
behavior.
...the right to report any type of sexual harassment immediately to school
authorities.
...the right to contact the school office for further information about the
sexual harassment policy of this school.
...the right to use clean and private restroom facilities.
...the right to eat in a clean lunchroom, free from the annoyance of rude,
crude, or otherwise disgusting behavior of other students.
...the right to participate in classes, assemblies, or any other school
activities without interruption from disruptive or undisciplined students.
Parent Rights
Parents of Glencoe Charter School students have...
...the right to be treated with respect by the teachers and staff of
...the right to timely notification of student progress. Report card grades
will be given at the end of each 6 week period. The parent may seek additional
information on the student’s progress at any time throughout the year. However,
progress inquiries should be made before or after school, not during
instructional time.
...the right to express concerns freely and openly, without fear of retribution
from school personnel. Concerns about the classroom should be brought to the
teacher's attention first, then to the attention of the Director. Experience
has shown that discussing serious concerns with friends or neighbors does not
serve the child or the school.
Faculty and Staff Rights
Faculty and Staff of “
...the right to be treated with respect by students, parents, and other staff
members.
...the right to carry-out a well-organized instructional program without
interruption. General announcements will take place after the daily Pledge of
Allegiance each morning before the school day. All other uses of the intercom
for general announcements will be cleared through the Director. Parents should
feel free to express concerns, but should leave a message for teachers to make
contact before or after regular school hours. Disruptive students will first be
subjected to regular classroom consequences. Should any student fail to correct
his/her behavior that student shall be issued a White Slip and parent contact will
be made.
SECTION 3- HEALTH
AND SAFETY
Student
Dress, Inclement
Weather, Stay
in from Recess, Pets
and Other Things from Home, Classroom
Treats, Accidents
and Illness at School, Medication,
Emergency
Procedures
Student Dress
Experience indicates that there are sanitation and safety factors directly
related to proper dress and grooming. There is a real and reasonable connection
between proper dress/grooming and the successful operation of the school with
respect to discipline as well as student achievement. It is with this end in
mind that the
Uniform Policy
Inclement Weather
Daily outdoor recesses are a valuable factor in promoting healthy classroom
conditions
Occasionally, we must cancel
recesses due to extreme weather conditions. As a rule, however, please have
children come to school prepared to play outside.
Stay-in From Recess
If a student has been ill or has some other medical reason not to go outside,
please provide a note or phone call to the office. A "stay-in"
permission note will be issued for these rare exceptions.
Pets and Other Neat Things from Home
Pets, toys, and other neat things
should be left at home. If a pet (or toy) is to be displayed for show-and-tell,
arrangements should be made between the parent and the teacher as to the
appropriate time to bring the pet (or toy). The pet (or toy) should arrive with
the parent, and should leave with the parent.
Items deemed by school
personnel/bus drivers to be disruptive (e.g. Walkman's, Game boy’s, toys etc)
to the learning/safety of students will be confiscated. Items confiscated from
students will be available to parents, but will not be released to students. It
is the student's responsibility to notify parents of confiscated items.
Classroom Treats
We welcome you to bring treats to school parties
special recognitions. However, we ask that you bring them
to the school after
Accidents and Illness at School
If a student is injured on the school grounds,
and the injury is other than what appears to be quite minor to the school
staff, parents will be notified and asked to pick the child up for their own
observation or for examination by the family physician. Parents will be
notified promptly of all injuries not considered minor INCLUDING ANY HEAD
INJURY. The school is allowed to administer only minor first aid.
If the student becomes ill during
school, the school will contact the parent and the child will be brought to the
office. Parents will be asked to take the child out of school.
It is essential that the school
have information on whom we contact and how contact can be made in the case of
an emergency. KEEP THIS INFORMATION CURRENT on the child's registration card.
If your home or work phone number changes, please let the office know right
away. The student may be released only to persons listed on the registration
card unless prior arrangements are made with the office staff.
Medication
No medications (including aspirin,
cough drops, eye drops and inhalers) can be taken at school without this signed
form and daily log (unless administered in person by the parent).
Emergency Procedures
Each classroom has emergency procedures posted
near the door. We hold five emergency drills annually. When you come to the
school, please take a moment to review these procedures.
SECTION
4 - GENERAL INFORMATION
Breakfast
Program, School
Lunch, Discipline,
General
School Rules, White
Slips, Safe
School, Fee
Waiver, Field
Trips, Head
Lice, Homework,
Lost
and Found, Parent
Visits, Pupil
Service Team, Responsibility
for Damages, Use
of Office Telephone
School Lunch (Prices
are subject to change)
All students in grades K-8 are invited to participate in our school lunch. The
cost is as follows:
For each student
$1.00 per day for regular priced lunch
$ .50 per day for reduced price lunch
$ .35 per day for milk only
Lunches can be purchased daily, weekly or monthly. We also provide a monthly
lunch and breakfast menu calendar for your planning.
Discipline
The discipline program at
We are grateful to all students
who build a sense of pride in
In conjunction with the rights
specified in SECTION 2 of this handbook, rules have been established to protect
those rights. Please read and discuss these rules with your child.
General School Rules
1.
...treat students and school staff with respect.
...walk quietly when in the halls and in the restrooms.
...obey classroom rules.
...show good effort and achievement in school activities.
2. Referral Slips will be issued to students for the following:
Harassment, making threats, fighting, throwing objects, contact sports, being in off-limits areas
d. Stealing
e. Blatant disrespect or disobedience
f. Sexual Harassment
g. Profanity
h. Five Tardies
3. The following are governed by state and local law and will be referred to the appropriate civil authority:
a. Vandalism
b. Pulling the fire alarm
c. Use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs
d. Sexual harassment (2nd offense)
e. Violation
of
Conduct/Behavior Management
A student should act in an acceptable manner at all times. He/she should be courteous and considerate of his/her teachers and schoolmates. He/she must be orderly, attentive, respectful, responsible, compassionate, polite, kind, decent and moral. Proper behavior is expected from all students so that the classroom educational climate is not compromised. Each classroom teacher will issue weekly conduct grades. Parents are urged to check weekly progress reports to monitor their child’s classroom behavior. If a problem with behavior persists, the following policy will be strictly enforced:
Note: A student experiencing disciplinary problems is only eligible for 1 disciplinary form, 2 after school detentions and 2 suspensions for the entire school year. Violent or extremely disruptive behavior may, at the discretion of the school Director, result in automatic suspension or expulsion at any time.
Glencoe Charter School has adopted
the following "Safe Schools" policy: Student acts of criminal
behavior that include physical assault, possession, display or use of a
dangerous weapon or facsimile, threats against life or property that places any
person in imminent danger and/or requires a law enforcement investigation are
prohibited in Glencoe Charter School, on school grounds, to and from school, at
school sanctioned activities, or when students are being transported in
vehicles dispatched by the School. If anyone communicates the intent to bring a
weapon to school we will inform local law enforcement.
Fee Waivers
A school fee of $20.00 is charged
annually. Extracurricular programs
requiring fees are subject to the restrictions listed in the Fee Waiver Policy
posted in the school office. We periodically request donations to help fund
various activities. Donations are voluntary and anonymous. Participation in the
activity for which donations are solicited is not conditional on student
enrollment.
Field Trips
Throughout the school year, students will have
the opportunity to leave the school and visit various educational sites.
Parental permission is required in order to insure that parents know where
their children are at all times. Field trips are part of the school’s charter. Admission to events and bus cost are paid by
the school. Lunches will be bagged
unless otherwise noted (only 1 lunch per semester in an established eating
place). Field trips are part of the
child’s experiences at
A student may be excluded from
field trips when school personnel determine their behavior poses a potential
threat to self, others or property. Parents will be notified in advance if a
student is to be excluded.
Head Lice
If you discover your child has contracted head
lice, please inform the school office.
If you would like assistance checking your children, please contact the
office.
Homework
The homework policy at
In most academic areas of the curriculum, students will have adequate time during
the school day to complete assignments. However, it will be expected that
uncompleted assignments at school will be taken home and completed before the
following school day. Some activities will be assigned specifically as
homework.
Special reports may be required
from time-to-time. Parent assistance is helpful on these reports.
As a general rule, no student
should be spending more than one hour of focused attention on homework each
night. (However, if work is ignored for several nights in a row, students will
likely exceed the one-hour daily limit when it comes time to catch up!) If you
find your child is exceeding this limit, please contact his/her teacher and
arrange a conference.
We encourage parents to spend time
each day with their student reviewing school assignments. We hope that parents
will encourage their students to read extensively, setting aside a regular
reading period each day.
Daily assignments, which are not
completed by the end of the grading period, will result in a lowering of the student's
grade. An "I" mark indicates that insufficient work was turned-in
during the grading period to give the student a grade. That mark can be changed
through completion of assignments. However, late assignments will not carry the
same grade value as they would have had they been completed on time (except
where prior arrangements are made with the teacher due to illness or absence).
Lost and Found
Lost and found items are stored near the
office. Students and parents may check there for missing items. Please LABEL
all coats, hats, gloves, boots, lunch boxes and thermos bottles brought to
school. Students are responsible for any items they bring to school.
Because these items tend to
accumulate over time, we periodically donate unclaimed items to charitable
organizations.
Parent Visits
Parents are invited and encouraged to visit
the school. We ask that you arrange your visit with the teacher in advance, and
that you check-in at the office to pick-up a
Our
Responsibility for Damages
Students are responsible for the condition of
all textbooks and library books checked-out to them. A charge may be assessed
if these books are lost or damaged beyond normal wear. Any child who willfully
damages school property, or fails to return property lent to him/her when it is
requested, shall cause his/her parents to be liable for repair or replacement
of damaged and/or unreturned items, and shall subject himself/herself to disciplinary
action. If parents object to their child
checking out library books, parents must send a letter stating so.
Use of Office Telephone
The telephone located in the school office is
for business only. Neither teachers nor students will be called out of class
for a phone call.
3:30 P.M. Dismissal