Primary Panthers
Where all students will learn and
succeed
and all means
ALL
Reviewed May 2010
PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK
2010-2011
Table of Contents
Academic
Standards……………………………………………………………………………….............. 1-2
·
Report Cards
- Grading Scale
Acceptable Use for Internet……………………………………………………………………………….. 2
Alcohol, Controlled Substance, Look
Alikes……………………………………………………………… 2
Asbestos Materials………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Attendance………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3-5
- Computation
- Acceptable Reasons For Absence
- Unacceptable Reasons For Absence
- Excellent Attendance
- Make Up Work
- Homework Requests
- Pupil Absence For Vacation
- Excessive Absences
- Consideration For Absences After the 10th
Absence
Building Policies…………………………………………………………………………………………… 5-7
- Dress Code
- Party Invitations
- Class Parties
- General Rules Of Conduct
Bus Conduct……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7-8
- Expectations
- Consequences
- Gross Misconduct
Bus Passes……………………………………………………………………………………………….... 8
Use of Video Cameras on School Busses……………………………………………………………….... 8
Cafeteria…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8-9
Calendar…………………………………………………………………………………………………….25
Discipline………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9-10
Explosives, Incendiaries, Firearms, and Look Alikes……………………………………………………… 10-11
Fee Waiver………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11
Harassment/Sexual Harassment/Discrimination………………………………………………………….. 12
Health/Safety……………………………………………………………………………………………..... 12-13
- Immunizations
- Physical Examinations
- Emergency Information
Homework Policy/Homework Voucher………………………………………………………………….... 13-14
Integrated
Medication at School………………………………………………………………………………………. 15
No Child Left Behind Act and RTI…………..……………………………………………………………. 16
Parent Advisory Committee………………………………………………………………………………. 16
Parent/Teacher Conferences………………………………………………………………………………. 16
Pediculosis (Head Lice)…………………………………………………………………………………… 16
Placement, Promotion, Retention…………………………………………………………………………. 17
Police Assistance………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
Publication of Student Directory Information…………………………………………………………….. 17
Recess……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17
Records Access-Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act…………………………………………….. 17-19
Residence………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20
Routine Dismissal Procedures…………………………………………………………………………….. 20-21
School Hours………………………………………………………………………………………………. 21
School Program……………………………………………………………………………………………. 21
School Safety……………………………………………………………………………………………… 21-22
Search and Seizure………………………………………………………………………………………… 22
Security Cameras………………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
Signature Page……………………………………………………………………………………………... 26
Student Assistance Program……………………………………………………………………………….. 22
Suspicion-Based Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy……………………………………………………….. 22
Testing and Assessment…………………………………………………………………………………… 23
Title I……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23
Transitional Program of Instruction………………………………………………………………………. 23
Vision and Hearing Screening…………………………………………………………………………….. 23
Visitors…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23
Wellness Plan……………………………………………………………………………………………… 24
Withdrawals and Transfers………………………………………………………………………………… 24
The School Board
and School Administration reserve the right to amend this Parent-Student
Handbook.
Parents will be
promptly notified if changes are made.
Board
of Education
Belief Statements
CHARACTER COUNTS! in
school, at home and in our community.
All students will become responsible,
productive citizens of good character.
Best educational decisions will be made within
financial means.
All grade levels are of equal importance.
With appropriate instruction, all
students can learn.
Application of knowledge and problem solving
is an essential part of education.
Education is a team effort between school,
community, students and parents.
Education is NOT limited to the classroom, to
the school, nor to the school year.
Technology will enhance the educational
process.
A school environment that is caring,
supportive and promotes mutual respect
is the most conducive to learning.
curriculum that
allows children to develop skills in order
to become
life-long learner and productive
contributors to
society.
INTRODUCTION
Welcome
to
Putnam
County Primary offers a fully certified teaching staff and a well-trained
support staff, most of whom are also certified, as well as a fully certified
administrator. These dedicated
professionals fulfill a very real commitment to the students. Careful planning, preparation, and
instructional practices are focused toward providing the best possible education
for our students.
The
climate in building is purposefully geared to the needs of the students who
attend the school. Great care is taken
to provide a climate that is developmentally appropriate as well as
academically challenging.
Parents
are encouraged to visit their child’s school at least once during the school
year. A parent’s presence at school is
one of the most effective ways of letting the child know that he/she is
important and that his/her education is a top priority. Visiting, even if only briefly, also helps to
build a positive and mutually supportive relationship with the child’s
teacher(s); this can be of tremendous benefit to the child, the parent, and the
school. For the safety of all, any person entering the building during the
school day is to stop in the office before proceeding to a classroom or other
areas of the building.
This
handbook has been prepared as a source of information to assist the parents and
students of
After
reading this handbook, keep it in a convenient place for future reference. If there are any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact the building principal.
Please take a moment to sign the statement on
the last page, pull it off the handbook, and send that sheet to school with
your child. This will help us in our
efforts to be certain that each family has received a copy of the handbook.
The
faculty and staff of
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kristal LeRette, Principal
Equal Educational Opportunities
Equal educational and
extracurricular opportunities shall be available for all students without
regard to color, race, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation,
ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, gender identity, status of being
homeless, order of protection status, actual or potential marital or parental
status, including pregnancy. Further, the District will not knowingly enter
into agreements with any entity or any individual that discriminates against
students on the basis of sex or any other protected status,
except that the District remains viewpoint neutral when granting access to
school facilities under School Board policy 8:20, Community Use of School Facilities. Any student may file a discrimination
grievance by using Board policy 2:260, Uniform
Grievance Procedure.
Sex Equity
No student shall, based
on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity be denied equal access to
programs, activities, services, or benefits or be limited in the exercise of
any right, privilege, advantage, or denied equal access to educational and
extracurricular programs and activities.
Any student may file a
sex equity complaint by using Board policy 2:260, Uniform Grievance Procedure.
A student may appeal the Board’s resolution of the complaint to the
Regional Superintendent (pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/3-10) and, thereafter, to the
State Superintendent of Education (pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/2-3.8).
Homeless Children
Any homeless child shall
be immediately admitted, even if the child or child’s parent/guardian is unable
to produce records normally required for enrollment, this would include
immunization and health records. Board
policy 6:140, Education of Homeless
Children, and its implementing administrative procedure, govern the enrollment
of homeless children.
1-815-882-2800 Option 3
Extension 334
ACADEMIC STANDARDS
Academic
excellence is the goal that all instruction, both formal and informal,
targets. Curriculum and instructional
practices are evaluated in a continuous manner so as to provide the best
opportunity for each student to reach his/her potential. Report cards are issued every nine weeks
(quarter) of the school year in an effort to keep parents informed of the
student’s progress.
Formal
parent/teacher conference times are set aside in the school calendar each
semester and teachers contact parents as needed throughout the school year in
an effort to build a partnership in support of the student’s effort and progress. Parents are encouraged to contact their
child’s teacher any time if there are questions or insights they might wish to
share.
Students in kindergarten
receive a report card at the end of each quarter; with the first report card
being distributed at the fall Parent-Teacher conferences. Indication of the student’s progress in MATH,
LANGUAGE ARTS AND KINDERGARTEN SKILLS is evaluated by “+ Identified Correctly/Satisfactory Progress” or “Blank—Couldn’t
Identify/Needs Practice”. Progress in
MUSIC, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND CONDUCT/EFFORT is evaluated from an S+ to U. See the grading scale below.
Students in the first grade
receive a report card at the end of each quarter. Student progress is indicated from an S+ to a
U in the areas of CONDUCT, EFFORT,
Students in second grade
receive a report card at the end of each quarter. Student progress is indicated from an S+ to a
U in the areas of CONDUCT, EFFORT,
Grading Scale S+ Satisfactory, 98% - 100%
S Satisfactory, 83% - 97%
S-
Satisfactory, 77% - 82%
N+ Needs
Improvement, 75%-76%
N Needs
Improvement, 72%-74%
N-
Needs
Improvement, 70%-71%
U Unsatisfactory,
below 70%
The marking key for CONDUCT and
EFFORT/WORK HABITS is as follows:
X
= Very good/Outstanding Achievement
ü = Indicates need for improvement
No
mark indicates satisfactory improvement
Report
cards are distributed on the last school day of the week following the ending
date of the grading period (quarter).
Signed report cards should be returned to the school on the Monday
following distribution.
Kindergarten
report cards are not signed and returned.
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If a
parent/guardian wishes a conference with a teacher or teachers, the request
should be indicated by marking the box next to the parent/guardian signature
line on the back of the report card or phone the school (882-2800) for an
appointment.
The missing
work that resulted in an “Incomplete” must be made up by the end of the
following grading period. Whatever work
has been complete by the end of the following quarter will be evaluated and a
grade marked for the “Incomplete” at that time.
“Incomplete” will not be marked for the fourth quarter.
ACCEPTABLE
USE POLICY FOR INTERNET USE
All use
of the Internet shall be consistent with the District’s goal of promoting
educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and
communication. Rules and guidelines for
the use of the Internet are aligned with Authorization
for Internet Access, 623.0E2 of the School Board Policy Manual. Each student, teacher, or community member
must sign the Authorization, agreeing
to follow the District’s rules as a condition for using the District’s Internet
connection. The failure of any user to follow the terms of the Authorization for Internet Access will result in the loss of
privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action. The authorization form must be signed each
year and no student may access or use the Internet without a signed form on
file in the school. The use of the
District’s Internet is a privilege, not a
right, and
inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The Building Principal will make
all decisions
regarding whether or not a user has violated this Authorization and may deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time;
his or her decision is final.
ALCOH0L, CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, LOOK
ALIKES
Students are prohibited from
bringing any kind of alcohol, controlled substances, or look-alike substances
to school or any school function.
"Look-alike substance"
means a substance other than a controlled substance which:
(1)
by overall dosage unit
appearance, including shape, color, size, markings or lack thereof, taste,
consistency, or any other identifying physical characteristic of the substance,
would lead a reasonable person to believe that the substance is a controlled
substance or
(2)
is expressly or
implied represented to be a controlled substance or is distributed under
circumstances which would lead a reasonable person to believe that the
substance is a controlled substance.
For the purpose of determining
whether the representations made or the circumstances of the distribution would
lead a reasonable person to believe the substance to be a controlled substance,
the court or other authority may consider the following factors in addition to
any other factor that may be relevant:
(a)
Statements made by the
owner or person in control of the substance concerning its nature, use or
effect
(b)
Statements made to the
buyer or recipient that the substance may be resold for profit
(c)
Whether the substance
is packaged in manner normally used for the illegal distribution of controlled
substances;
(d)
Whether the
distribution or attempted distribution included an exchange of or demand for
money or other property as consideration, and whether the amount of the
consideration was substantially greater than the reasonable retail market value
of the substance.
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ASBESTOS MATERIALS
State
statutes require school districts to update parents and employees annually on
the presence of asbestos-containing materials throughout its school buildings.
In accordance with AHERA regulations, the buildings of Putnam County CUSD
No.535, have been reinspected for asbestos-containing
building materials by an accredited inspector. Also, an Asbestos Management
Plan has been prepared by an accredited Management Planner. Both the Inspection
Report and Management Plan are on file in the Office of the Superintendent and
are available for public review during normal business hours. Copies of these
reports are available upon notification.
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance is required at
PCPS, as mandated by law. Students who
are irregular in attendance develop insecurity about their place in the school
environment; this insecurity often forms the basis for poor academic
achievement and behavior problems. Being
on time for school is also a part of regular attendance. Tardiness, too, can play a part in both poor
academic achievement and behavior problems.
Students are required to be in class on time so that the student’s day
can begin in a positive and confident manner.
In the
event of illness or other excused absence, parents/guardians are to call the
school absentee reporting line, 1-815-882-2800, for their son/daughter by 9:00
A.M. on the day the student is absent.
It will be assumed that the student is truant unless a parent/guardian
calls before 9:00 A.M. on the day of the student’s absence.
When
there is the possibility of a student being absent for more than one day, the
parent/guardian should inform the school of this possibility and no further
call will be necessary. A physician’s
note is required to return to school after any of the following: contagious
diseases, rashes, surgery, illness requiring a physician, and excuses from
physical education class. In order to
preserve the instructional time of PCPS students, children other than enrolled
students, are not allowed to attend classes at the elementary buildings.
ATTENDANCE
COMPUTATION
Tardy Arriving
after 8:15 A.M.
Full Day Attendance (Grades K and
1) In School At Least 4 hours
Full Day Attendance (Grade 2) In School At Least 5 hours
Half Day Attendance (Grades K and
1) In School At Least 2 hours
Half Day Attendance (Grade 2) In School At Least 2 ½
hours
ACCEPTABLE REASONS FOR ABSENCE
- Student illness
- Illness in the family of such nature that the student’s help is
needed at home
- Death in the family
- Medical and/or dental appointments that cannot be arranged
outside the school day
UNACCEPTABLE REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Oversleeping Missing the bus Hunting/Fishing
Shopping Unexplained “personal reasons”
When it is necessary for a student
to be released from school before regular dismissal time, the parent/guardian
must send a dated, signed written note explaining the reason for the early
dismissal to the office. The student may
then be picked up by the adult designated in the note. The student will be picked up in the school
office.
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ATTENDANCE RECOGNITION
Students will be recognized for
less than five absences during the school year at the end of the school year.
“Excellent Attendance for the Year” is an exclusive
achievement with stringent requirements.
Students must be in attendance the full day for a day of attendance to
count. Additionally, students may
accumulate no more than two incidences of tardiness for the entire school
year. Students are recognized for
“Excellent Attendance for the Year” at the last Character Counts assembly.
MAKE UP WORK
Excused
absences require that the student make up any work missed. It is generally allowed that the student will
receive a day to make up work missed for each day of absence.
Unexcused
absences require that the student do the work missed in a timely manner upon
return to school. Usually, the student
will spend recess time completing the work.
HOMEWORK REQUESTS DURING EXCUSED ABSENCES
Requests
for homework will be honored for students who are absent. Requests should be
made by contacting the school before 8:15 A.M.
Assignments will be sent home with a sibling, relative, or neighbor who
attends in the same building, or the parent/guardian
may pick up the assignment at 3:45 P.M.
PUPIL ABSENCE FOR VACATION
Families
who must take students out of school for a vacation other than the school
holidays provided in the official school calendar are asked to inform the
building principal. Requests for
homework in this situation will be honored where feasible.
Homework
assignments are based on classroom instruction and student practice. It is usually not helpful to give a student
assignments based on instruction and practice when the student is not able to
be present for the classroom instruction and to participate in the
practice. Students will be given an
opportunity to make up missed assignments upon return to school.
If the
class is engaged in a unit of study that cannot, for all practical purposes, be
duplicated, parents might consider daily activities for the student that will
help to maintain basic skills. Some
examples would be activities such as keeping a written journal about the
vacation, reading a book or books about the places being visited, computing the
day’s mileage, maintaining a data collection on the number of license plates
observed from a given list of states, and/or plotting a map of the journey.
Since
it is often not possible to duplicate the classroom instruction and interaction
preparatory to making the homework assignment, parents/guardians are encouraged
to avoid long absences when possible.
EXCESSIVE ABSENCES
To encourage students to attend school and class regularly, our attendance policy restricts students to a maximum of ten absences per semester. The eleventh absence per semester is considered excessive and may result in a loss of credit. All absences, excused and unexcused, will be included in the count.
The procedure outlined below has been developed to inform students and parents about possible attendance problems and to correct any problem before it results in a student losing the opportunity to receive credit.
Step 1: When a student has accumulated five (5) absences, excused or unexcused in one semester, a notice will be sent to the parents upon the occasion of the fifth absence.
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Step 2: Upon the seventh (7th) day of absence in the same semester, a notice will be sent to the parents from the principal’s office. The principal will contact the parents and take appropriate steps to resolve the problem. These steps may include a family conference, referral to a truancy officer, or a referral to community supportive services. In addition, students will be required to provide verification of further absences.
Step 3: On the tenth (10th) absence each semester, a notice will be sent to the parents from the principal’s office. The principal will consider the reasons for these absences and appropriate remediation conditions may be assigned. If these remediation conditions are not met, every absence after the 10th, that is not deemed excused by the administration, will be considered unexcused and results in loss of credit for that day.
Out of school
suspensions count as unexcused absences toward this ten-day total.
Consideration of absences after the 10th absence
Each absence after the 10-day limit will be recorded as unexcused unless deemed excused by the administration. Students with an unexcused absence will receive no credit for work assigned or completed on those specific days unless parents produce official documentation of an appointment to the principal’s office on the day they return to school – doctor, dental appointment, court papers, or other as deemed excused by the
administration. ABSENCES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FOR A VALID MEDICAL REAONS WILL BE BLOCKED AND COUNT AS ONE DAY ABSENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS POLICY
It is within the sole discretion of the elementary school administration to determine whether the student’s absence is excused or unexcused. If a student is absent from school without valid cause, then such truancy will result in loss of credit. Parents and guardians must provide reasons for student absences to the administration. The principal is the only person who can excuse absences.
BUILDING POLICIES
1.
No one is allowed to
leave the building or the school grounds without the permission of the
principal or other designated employee.
2.
Chewing gum or eating
candy during school hours is not allowed, except as a classroom activity, snack
or party.
3.
Use of vulgarities and
obscene language and gestures is not conducive to the best educational
atmosphere and will not be tolerated anywhere on school grounds or at any
school activities. Violations, as
determined by school administration, will result in disciplinary action.
4.
All members of the
school community must treat each other with respect at all times. Disrespectful, demeaning or discourteous
behavior directed at school personnel will not be tolerated. Violations will result in disciplinary action
and could be interpreted as gross misconduct.
Failure to obey a reasonable request could be considered insubordination
5.
Threats against other
students or adults will not be tolerated.
Violations, as determined by school administration, will result in
disciplinary action.
6.
Fighting or
encouraging others to fight will not be tolerated.
7.
Possession or use of
explosives, firearms, or any other object that can reasonably be considered a
weapon shall be prohibited on school buses, in school buildings, or on school
grounds at all times, or at school-sponsored events. This includes any object that may be
classified as a weapon or any part of a weapon such as a used bullet shell or
cartridge.
8.
When it is believed to
be in the best interest of the student for educational or behavioral reasons,
recess may be withheld at the discretion of the teacher and/or principal.
9.
Personal belongings
such as baseball cards or collections of cards, radios, or toys, etc., should
not be brought to school without permission from the teacher. Such items will be held in the office until
the
-5-
student or parent
picks them up. No betting, trading, or
buying/selling of any items is allowed in school, on the playground, or on the
buses. Toys, trading cards or other
nuisance items confiscated from students will remain with the principal until a
parent or guardian picks up the item(s).
Parents will be notified that the item(s) will be held for two weeks,
after which time the school will not be responsible for the item(s).
10.
Students and their
parents are encouraged to select responsible styles of dress that are
appropriate for a healthy educational environment and that support the
achievement of the educational goals of the
community. While the
responsibility for appropriate attire at school rests with the student and
his/her parents, students should maintain an appearance that will not impair or
endanger their health or safety. A
complete list of attire that is inappropriate for school and which might cause
a disruption of the educational process would be impossible, but the following
examples will serve as guidelines:
a) Clothing students
wear should cover them from at least the shoulder to mid thigh. Short
shorts, halter or tube tops, transparent clothing, bare midriffs
and items with holes in inappropriate places are not allowed.
b) Coats, jackets,
capes, and hats are not to be worn in the building during the day; additionally
sports bags, book bags, etc, may not be carried during the day.
c) Clothing that
displays or communicates drug or alcohol advertisements/names, profane
language, vulgar statements, hate messages, sexual innuendo,
tobacco ads, suicide or
other violent messages are not allowed.
d) Any clothing,
symbols and so forth that relate to gang symbols, gang membership, etc.,
may not be worn.
e) Shoes must be
worn.
Students
who dress in an inappropriate manner will be allowed to correct the situation
and parents will be notified of the school’s concern.
11.
School property,
including, but not limited to, desks and lockers, is owned and controlled by
the District. School authorities are
authorized to conduct administrative inspections of school property as a means
of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the District, its employees,
and students, without notice to or consent from the students or parents and
without a search warrant. This policy is
in agreement with the Illinois School Code.
12.
Smoking, possession of
tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and drugs, or being under the influence
of same, is prohibited at any time, at any school in the District, on school
grounds or school buses. This rule also
applies at any school-sponsored activity at home or away.
13.
Using or possessing
electronic signaling and cellular radio-telecommunication devices, unless
authorized and approved by the Building Principal is prohibited. Electronic signaling devices include pocket
and all similar electronic paging devices.
14.
The classroom
teacher with approval of the principal may distribute invitations to personal
parties only when they include every student in the classroom or all of the
boys or all of the girls in the classroom.
Invitations to personal parties may not be distributed directly by
students or parents at school. The
distribution of party invitations during the school day can often cause problems
in the classroom for the teacher as well as for the students. We encourage parents to distribute party
invitations outside of the school day.
15.
School parties and
activities are planned for the school’s students. While the help and support of parents with
these parties is encouraged and greatly appreciated, it is also necessary to
restrict attendance at school parties (Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day) to
our students, staff, and parents.
Younger siblings, or other children, should not attend school parties
held during the school day.
GENERAL RULES OF CONDUCT
The
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pillars of character as the standard for student conduct and
behavior. Students are expected to know
and follow the six pillars of character.
The pillars of character are:
Trustworthiness Responsibility Caring
Respect Fairness Citizenship
BUS CONDUCT
Students
who do not live within walking distance of their school building are provided
with bus transportation contracted with First Student transportation
service. Students are required to follow
all rules posted in the front of each bus as follows:
1. Follow the driver’s instructions.
2. Do not eat, drink, or smoke on the bus.
3. Keep all harmful materials (drugs, tobacco, alcohol,
weapons, etc.) off the bus.
4. Keep all parts of your body and all objects to yourself and
inside the bus.
5. Keep the noise level down and remain seated facing forward.
6. Keep the aisle clear and do not litter, write on, or damage
the bus.
First
Student consequences:
1)
Verbal warning 2) Assigned seat 3) Written referral
Drivers may skip steps depending upon the
severity, or repetition, of rules violated.
These
rules can be summarized and the safety of the students can be substantially
heightened by following the four basic rules that follow:
1. Obey the driver. 3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
2. Stay in your seat when the bus is moving. 4.
Keep noise level down at all times on the bus.
Please
be advised that the rules for safe and efficient transportation of the students
are fully supported by school district administration and the Board of
Education. Guidelines regarding the
consequences to be used for notice of misconduct are as follows:
1st
offense – student is notified of the offense, counseled, and may receive a
detention or missed recess(es). Warning is sent home for parent notification
with response requested.
2nd
offense – student is notified, counseled, and will receive a detention or
missed recess(es).
Warning is sent home for parent notification with response requested.
3rd offense – student is notified, counseled,
and given a 2-9 day bus suspension. Parent is notified of offense and written
report is sent home with parent response requested.
4th
offense – student is notified, counseled, and given a bus suspension up to ten
days, and bus expulsion for
remainder of
semester may be recommended to the Board of Education. Parent is notified, written report sent
home, with parent response
requested.
5th
offense – student is notified of the offense, counseled, suspended, and bus
expulsion will be recommended to the Board of Education. Parent is notified, written report is sent
home, and parent response is requested.
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GROSS MISCONDUCT
Any student who commits an act which endangers
others or who abuses the rights of others will be dealt with individually. Removal of bus privileges for the year and/or
suspension from school attendance may result for such misconduct.
Normal
school attendance as outlined by the Illinois
School Code is required of students; students suspended from riding the bus
must attend school or be considered truant.
BUS PASSES
Supervision
of students throughout the school day up to the point at which the buses leave
the school is clearly the responsibility of school personnel. Buses are provided for transportation to and
from school only, and students are assigned to their bus according to where
they live in the community. Only students enrolled in PC schools may
ride the buses. Buses are never
knowingly loaded over the stated capacity because it is neither legal nor
safe. Walkers are supervised and
dismissed from the school grounds when the bus traffic has passed, in order to
provide safe passage for those walkers.
When a
parent calls the school and asks that a student be permitted to ride a
different bus home, or asks that a student who is normally a walker ride a bus,
it is necessary to determine whether there is room on the requested bus for
that student. If the request is made
late in the day it is sometimes very difficult to coordinate the request and be
certain that the student or students are safely where they are requested to be.
All requests for bus passes or any
alternative means of leaving school other than the usual, designated routine
must be in writing. The student
must bring a written note to school that morning. The note must be dated, must indicate
specifically the request, and must be signed by the parent/guardian. In the event of a
family emergency situation where the parent/guardian cannot be at home to
receive the child in the usual routine, a phone call to the office will be
accepted.
USE OF VIDEO CAMERAS ON SCHOOL BUSES
Most buses are equipped with video
cameras. Videotapes are viewed to
investigate an incident reported by a bus driver, administrator, supervisor,
student, or other person. They may also
be viewed at random. Viewing of
videotapes is limited to individuals having a legitimate educational or
administrative purpose and may include both video and audio portions of the
tapes. In most instances, individuals
with a legitimate educational or administrative purpose will be the
Superintendent, administrator (including building principals), transportation
director, bus driver, sponsor, coach, or other supervisor. Videotapes will be reused or erased unless it
is needed for an educational or administrative purpose.
CAFETERIA
Lunch and breakfast meals can be purchased by
the day, week, or month. Students are
not permitted to charge breakfast or lunch.
Breakfast and lunch money and instructions are sent to the office every
morning, along with attendance. All
record keeping for the hot lunch program is maintained in the office. Putnam
County Primary
School
Students
are not permitted to charge meals.
However, no child is ever allowed to go without lunch. A notice of the charge is sent home in the
event it is necessary to provide a lunch.
Students who bring a cold lunch are encouraged to avoid “junk food” and
other non-nutritious items. Carbonated
beverages are not permitted in the cafeteria.
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For
safety reasons, glassware should not be used.
Trading of lunches and/or lunch items is not permitted.
The cafeteria is a public dining room.
Students are required to use their “dining in public” behavior, which
includes appropriate table manners and noise control in the cafeteria. Students
eat at tables in the cafeteria. Noise
must be kept at a conversational level so the Cooks can hear the requests of
the students they are serving.
Free/Reduced Meal Applications
Free and reduced
lunch and breakfast applications, along with letters containing guidelines are
available during registration and throughout the school year in each school's
office. A parent/guardian wishing to apply must complete and return the
application to their student's school office. Verification of income may be
requested and a letter of approval
or denial will be sent by the mail to the parent/guardian.
DISCIPLINE
This
handbook identifies anticipated standards of acceptable behavior and outlines
the general consequences that will occur when those standards are not met. These are guidelines to be interpreted by the
staff members in the Putnam County School Buildings. Each incident will be considered according to
the individual merits of the case.
School
rules published in this handbook are subject to such changes as may be needed
to ensure continued compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and
are subject to such review and revision as becomes necessary for the routine
operation of the schools.
The General
Rules of Conduct and Building Policies have been carefully prepared
to provide the maximum benefits to the maximum number of students based upon a
valid educational philosophy. It is the
responsibility of the Principal, by direction of the Board of Education through
the Superintendent, to operate the school to the optimum educational benefit of
the individual students.
Discipline
is a person’s ability to control his/her own behavior, sometimes with guidance
and/or direct assistance from another person.
At
At
PCPS, students are expected to show consistent ability to control their
behavior. When children are ready to
begin their formal education, they have reached the point in their growth and
development where it is reasonable to expect that the youngster does know the
difference between right and wrong behavior, and behaves accordingly.
At
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In addition to
the rules outlined in the handbook, the principal may establish certain rules
and regulations not inconsistent with those established by the Board of
Education and the Superintendent of Schools.
School
may be closed unexpectedly due to severe weather, power failure, or other
reasons. Parents are advised to listen
to local radio stations for information about the closing of school during
inclement weather conditions. If there
is no radio broadcast, consider that school will be in session. Please do NOT call the school office. School phone lines must remain open for
instructions and staff communications.
When
weather conditions are such that by delaying the start of school either one or
two hours the buses can then safely complete their routes, it will be announced
as early as possible on the radio stations.
When such an announcement of delayed start is made, school opening will
be delayed that amount of time and no students are expected in the building
before the delayed opening time.
All announcements concerning adjustments in
the school schedule due to inclement weather will be made on the following
stations/channels:
Radio Dial Location AM FM
WCIC
WLPO/WAJK LaSalle 1220 99.3
WGLC Mendota 100.1
JMP
WIZZ/WSTQ Streator 1250 97.7
WLRZ
WZOE
Television Channels
WHOI
WEEK
WMBD
EXPLOSIVES, INCENDIARIES, FIREARMS, WEAPONS, AND LOOK ALIKES
To bring any kind of explosive material or look-alikes to
school, whether they are intended to be exploded or not, is prohibited. The same is true for firearms, ammunition,
knives, lasers, look-alikes, or any other weapons, whether concealed or
not. No student will be in possession of
any object that could reasonably be considered as a potential hazard to another
person or another person’s safety. Any student who uses, possesses, distributes, purchases, or
sells an explosive or firearm or any object that can reasonably be considered
as a weapon will be recommended for expulsion for at least one calendar
year. Under the terms of the School
Code, it is mandated that the recommendation for expulsion be for at least one
year when a firearm, weapon, or explosive is involved in the misconduct. The Board of Education can expel a student
for up to two years for any conduct that is in violation of the Student
Code. On a case-by-case basis, the Board
may modify the length of suspension or expulsion. A student who is determined to have brought a
weapon to school, any school sponsored activity or event that bears a
reasonable relationship to school, shall be expelled for a period of not less
than one full year, except that the expulsion may be modified. For the purpose of this section, the term
“weapon” means
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possession, use, control, or transfer of any weapons
as defined by Section 921 of Title 18, United States Code,
firearms as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners
Identification Act or use of a weapon as defined in Section 24-1 of the
Criminal Code; other objects if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily
harm include, but are not limited to, knives guns, firearms, rifles, shotguns,
brass knuckles, billy clubs or look-alikes thereof. Such items as baseball bats, pipes, bottles,
locks, sticks, pencils, and pens may be considered weapons if used or attempted
to be used to cause bodily harm.
FEE WAIVERS
The Superintendent
will recommend to the Board for adoption what fees, if any, will be charged for
the use of textbooks,
consumable materials, extracurricular activities, and other school fees.
Students
will pay for loss of
school books or other school-owned materials.
Fees for textbooks,
other instructional materials, and driver education are waived for students who
meet the eligibility
criteria for fee waiver contained in this policy. In order that no student be
denied
educational services or
academic credit due to the inability of parent(s)/guardian(s) to pay fees and
charges, the Superintendent
will recommend to the Board for adoption what additional fees, if any,
the District will waive
for students who meet the eligibility criteria for fee waiver. Students
receiving
a fee waiver are not
exempt from charges for lost and damaged books, locks, materials, supplies, and
equipment.
The Superintendent
shall ensure that applications for fee waivers are widely available and
distributed
according to State law and
ISBE rule and that provisions for assisting parents/guardians complete the
application are available.
A student shall be
eligible for a fee waiver when:
1. The student is
currently eligible for free lunches or breakfasts pursuant to 105 ILCS 125/1
et seq.; or
2. The student or student’s family is currently
receiving aid under Article IV of The Illinois
Public Aid Code (Aid to Families with
Dependent Children).
The Building
Principal will give additional consideration where one or more of the following
factors
are present:
1. Illness in the family;
2. Unusual expenses such as fire, flood, storm
damage, etc.;
3. Seasonal unemployment;
4. Emergency situations;
5. When one or more of the parent(s)/guardian(s)
are involved in a work stoppage.
The
parent(s)/guardian(s) shall submit written evidence of eligibility for waiver
of the student’s fee.
The Building
Principal will notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) promptly as to whether the fee
waiver
request has been granted or
denied.
A Building
Principal’s denial of a fee waiver request may be appealed to the
Superintendent by submitting the appeal in writing to the Superintendent within
14 days of the denial. The Superintendent or designee shall respond within 14
days of receipt of the appeal. The Superintendent’s decision may be appealed to
the School Board. The decision of the Board is final and binding.
Questions regarding
the fee waiver request process should be addressed to the Building Principal’s
office.
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HARASSMENT/SEXUAL
HARASSMENT/DISCRIMINATION
“Harassment
of, or threats to students, employees of the District, or the Board of Education
on or off school grounds is not allowed. Any conduct, including teasing,
bullying, and harassment directed against students which causes them to be
fearful of attending school is not allowed. Any student who teases, bullies, or
harasses another student will be subject to disciplinary action, which may
include, but not be limited to, suspension or expulsion.”
Sexual Harassment:
It is Board Policy to not discriminate on
the basis of sex, marital status or pregnancy in District-operated or
District-supported programs or activities. In addition, Board Policy prohibits
sexual harassment or sexual intimidation of students by other students and
District employees. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and
other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual
harassment when:
A. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly
or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's education or
school-related activities;
B. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an
individual is used as the basis for academic or other decisions affecting that
individual; or
C. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of
substantially interfering with an individual's academic or school-related
performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational
environment.
Individuals engaging in such
prohibited activity shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including
expulsion from this institution as determined by such administrative or Board
action as is required by
This policy applies to acts of
sexual harassment by any member of one sex against a member of the opposite or
the same sex at all levels of the school community (i.e.,
supervisor-subordinate, faculty-student, employee-peer, student-student).
If you feel that you have been discriminated against, harassed or intimidated
on the basis of sex, please contact the Principal or Superintendent.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Heath Examinations and
Immunizations
Students
entering preschool and kindergarten must have a physical examination before
entering that grade. Lead screening is a
required part of the health examination for children age six years or
younger. Kindergarten students are also required to have an eye examination.
All children
in kindergarten and the second grade shall have a dental examination. Each of these children shall present proof of
having been examined by a dentist by May 15th of the school year.
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A complete record of required
dental exams, vision exams, physical exams, and immunizations will be kept on
file for each student. Students are
excluded from school beginning October 16th if requirements for
health examinations, immunizations, and vision examinations have not been met.
Immunizations
must be obtained as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health Rules
and Regulation (Title 77, Part 665, Section
665.240). The student’s immunization
record must be maintained in the office of the school in order to prove
compliance with the law. Students must
be in compliance with all health exam and immunization requirements in order to
attend school. Children who are not in
compliance may register for school but may not attend beginning the first day
of classes until such time as they are in compliance. Please check with the secretary or principal
of the school if you have questions regarding immunization and health
requirements.
Safety
Safety
is a top priority for students at
Parents
of students who are injured or who become ill at school will be contacted to
come for the student. The Registration
Form contains a section which provides the office with EMERGENCY INFORMATION, part
of which must be the phone number of a person who lives in Putnam County and
could come to school for your child in an emergency. Current information is imperative; PLEASE KEEP THE OFFICE INFORMED OF ANY
CHANGES. In the event of an
emergency, the schools will always try to contact the parent/guardian
FIRST. If the parent/guardian cannot be
reached, the EMERGENCY INFORMATION section on the registration form will be
followed.
If a
student is injured at school, it is the responsibility of the student’s
parent/guardian to request an insurance claim form from the office. Claim forms must be filed with the insurance
company within thirty (30) days from the date of the accident.
HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
Parents
are encouraged to visit their child’s school and classroom. The development of a positive and mutually
supportive relationship with a child’s teacher can be of great benefit to the
child, the parent, the teacher, and the school.
Formal parent/teacher conferences are held District-wide twice each
school year. In addition, PreK-4 teachers hold conferences on an “as needed”
basis, either in person or by telephone.
Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher regarding
academic progress, behavior, or other concerns.
In the interest of maintaining open, two-way, communication, parents are
encouraged to contact the teacher first whenever there is a concern. To maintain a strong academic focus, parents
should avoid classroom visits during any testing times.
HOMEWORK
POLICY
The Primary School’s
“Homework Policy” is intended to (1) foster informative and supportive
communication between school and home, (2) continue the development of
individual responsibility, and (3) increase academic performance.
When an assignment is incomplete or not turned in on time the steps listed below will be followed:
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1st Incident The student uses his or her Homework Voucher. (See below.) The assignment is turned on the following school day and no credit is lost.
2nd
Incident A
note is sent home informing parents of the incomplete or missing
assignment. Parents sign the “Homework
Note” and return the note to school. The
assignment is turned in the following school day and partial credit is
lost. Homework completion is expected
for each assignment and loss of partial credit applies for each incident after
the 1st incident. Parents
will also be informed of each incident in writing.
3rd Incident The classroom teacher contacts parents to work together to improve the shared concern and a recess detention is assigned.
4th Incident The principal contacts parents to assist in improving homework completion by the student and a second recess detention is assigned.
5th Incident The principal assigns an “After School Homework Detention.” The detention will be arranged one day prior to the actual day served. Parents are responsible for transportation home from school at 4:30 PM.
6th Incident The principal assigns a second “After School Homework Detention.” The detention will be arranged one day prior to the actual day served. Parents are responsible for transportation home from school.
7th Incident A home visit is scheduled for school officials and parents to develop a cooperative plan to improve homework completion.
8th Incident An “In School Suspension” is assigned to the student.
The procedure outlined above begins from step one at the start of each
nine-week grading period.
Generally,
students will not be assigned more than two recess detentions (stay in for
recess) for late or incomplete homework during any single grading period. This time will be reserved for students, who
for various reasons, would benefit from additional help from the classroom
teacher.
Homework
Voucher
Students are awarded a “Homework Voucher” at the beginning of each month. Vouchers extend the due date of an assignment by one day but are not intended to allow a student to skip an assignment.
Students may use only one voucher each month and may not accumulate more than one.
INTEGRATED
Putnam County CUSD #535 is
committed to providing students a safe environment. It seeks to prevent children from being
exposed to pests and pesticides.
Therefore, an Integrated Pest Management Plan has been adopted.
Even though pest control practices
may involve a variety of chemical and nonchemical methods, insecticide baits
and rodenticide baits are most commonly used at each school rather than
chemical applications. However, there
may be situations where chemical control of pesticides may be used. If such a control is used, parents and staff
members can be informed of such prior to an application. A parent or staff member may contact the
school building principal if they want to be added to a registry for
notification prior to chemical application.
Only those that request such will receive advance notice.
The school district is committed
to use the least hazardous chemical control methods after non-chemical control
methods have been applied. However,
written prior notice shall not be required if there is an imminent threat to
health or property. If such a situation
arises, written notice will be sent to those listed on the registry as soon as
practical.
If there are any questions
pertaining to the Integrated Pest Management Plan, contact the school office.
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MEDICATION AT SCHOOL
Illinois School Code, 105 ILCS 5/10-22.21 states, “It shall be the policy of the State of Illinois
that the administration of medication to students during regular school hours
and during school-related activities should be discouraged unless absolutely
necessary for the critical health and well-being of the student.”
It is
the policy of the school district that District personnel shall not assume
responsibility for administering medication to students. If it is required that a student receive
medication during the school day, the parent/guardian may visit school and
administer the medication; if that is not possible, the principal or his/her
designee may administer the medication provided the school is given written
instructions signed by the parent and the physician which contain the following
information:
1. Student’s name
2. Name of medication, purpose, and duration
3. Time to be administered and dosage
4. Possible side effects of medication
5. Statement from the parent that the school will not be held
responsible for any results of the medication
6. How the parent/guardian wishes to retrieve the container(s)
and/or any remaining medication at the end of the time during which it is to be
administered.
All medication must be brought to and from
school by the parent/guardian. When it is brought to the school, it must be
in the original container, which should be clearly labeled. The name of the student and names and phone
numbers of the physician and pharmacy shall be indicated on the container(s). All medications must be kept in the office for
the student. A written record is
maintained in the office as to dispensing of medication.
These
instructions also apply to all over the counter medications, including but not
limited to Tylenol, aspirin, cough drops, herbal supplements and vitamins. Due to
the threat of Reye’s Syndrome, school personnel will
NOT administer aspirin unless accompanied by a doctor’s prescription. Due to the unpredictability of possible side
effects, school personnel will NOT administer eye drops, eardrops, or
antibiotics.
Forms
to complete the above requirements are available in the office of each school.
Asthma Medication and EpiPen
A student may
possess an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen®) and/or medication prescribed for
asthma for immediate use
at the student’s discretion, provided the student’s parent/guardian has
completed and signed a
“School Medication Authorization Form.”
The
District and its
employees and agents, against any claims, except a claim based on willful and
wanton conduct,
arising out of a student’s
self-administration of an epinephrine auto-injector and/or medication, or the
storage of any medication
by school personnel.
Nothing in this
policy shall prohibit any school employee from providing emergency assistance
to
students, including
administering medication.
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NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT AND RTI
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, signed
into law on January 8, 2002, is a reauthorization of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965.
This update vastly increases the federal government’s role in the
operation of public schools and imposes many new and complex obligations on local
school districts. Of particular interest
to parents is the assurance that all our teachers are duly certified and highly
qualified and that you have the right to request information regarding the
professional qualifications of your child’s teacher(s). You will also be notified if your child is
being taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not
considered “highly qualified” under the NCLBA guidelines. As well as its comprehensive provisions on
school improvement, teacher quality and instructional programs, NCLBA also has
numerous other requirements, such as regulations concerning student privacy,
military access to student directory information, community access to school
facilities and guidelines for the exercise of religious freedom in the schools. As required by NCLBA, Putnam County Community
Unit School District No. 535 certifies that no policy of the district prevents,
or otherwise denies participation in, constitutionally protected prayer in
public elementary and secondary schools.
RtI involves activities that typically
occur in the general education setting as schools assist struggling students
prior to and in lieu of a referral for a special education evaluation. RtI provides
high-quality tiered intervention strategies aligned with individual student
need, frequent monitoring of progress to make results-based academic or
behavioral decisions, and the application of data to make important educational
decisions (such as those regarding placement, intervention, curriculum and
instructional goals, and methodologies).
PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The
District has a Parent Advisory Committee (PAC).
This committee of parents meets on a regular basis with the
Superintendent for the purpose of direct two-way communication between the
schools and the parents. The goal is to
have parent representatives from each building and community in
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Formal
Parent/Teacher conferences are held District-wide at two times during the
school year, as noted in the District calendar.
In addition to the District-wide scheduled times,
teachers in grades PreK-4 hold conferences on an “as needed” basis, either on
the phone or in person. PARENTS
ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THEIR CHILD’S TEACHER AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR IF THEY
HAVE A QUESTION OR CONCERN.
PEDICULOSIS
Pediculosis
(Head Lice) is an expensive and frustrating problem that everyone would rather
avoid. It has nothing to do with the
kind of parents or home a child has. In
fact, head lice prefer a clean, healthy head to a dirty one. Head lice are passed from person to person by
direct contact or on shared objects such as hats, combs, towels, barrettes,
headphones, etc.
If head
lice are found on a student, all parents are notified that a case of head lice
has been found. The infected child must
be picked up by the parent and taken home for treatment. By Administrative Procedure 7:100-R, as
determined by the Board of Education, a student must be determined to be nit
free before reentering school.
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PLACEMENT, PROMOTION, RETENTION
In compliance with School Board Policy 7.30, the building
principal shall assign students to classes.
Placement, promotion or retention shall be made in the best interest of
the student after a careful evaluation of all factors relating to the
advantages and disadvantages of alternatives.
The building principal will direct and assist teachers in their
evaluation of students and review grade assignments in order to ensure
uniformity of evaluation standards. No
student shall be promoted to the next grade level based solely upon age or any
other social reasons not related to the student’s academic performance.
In accordance with the Illinois Education Reform Act and in compliance
with School Board Policy 6.280, both quantitative measures and qualitative
assessment will be used to determine placement/promotion/retention. Such decisions will be reached with the
support and involvement of the parents within the prescribed time frame. If a student is currently part of a case
study evaluation or receiving Special Education services, placement decision
shall be determined by the student’s educational team
POLICE ASSISTANCE
In situations
where a student refuses to cooperate with school staff in the proper execution
of their duties, or participates in conduct which is disorderly, or which also
may be a violation of criminal laws, the local police department may be called
upon to assist staff members.
No employee of the school district shall
participate in or arrange for the interrogation of a student of the District,
without the express prior approval of the principal or his/her designee.
All such interviews at school by officers
of the law will be conducted in a private office with the principal or designee
present. Prior notice shall be given to the parent(s) of any student to be interviewed
and parent(s) may be present at such interviews if he/she so desires.
PUBLICATION
OF STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION
Student directory
information is considered to be the student’s name and address, grade level,
birth date and place, parents’/guardians’ name and addresses, information about
participation in school sponsored activities, and period of attendance in the
school. From time to time, a student’s
picture or work may be used as part of the school or District’s homepage. Throughout the school year there are also
times when a child’s picture, with or without name, or their work may appear in
a local newspaper or the school news letter.
Parents/guardians may request that their child’s picture, with or
without name, or their work not appear in any such publications. A parent or guardian must notify the office in writing, at the beginning of each
year, if they DO NOT want their child’s picture, name, other directory
information or work published.
RECESS
Weather permitting, students have recess outside daily. When the weather is inclement, including a
wind chill factor of 20 degrees or lower, recess is held in the school
gym. While it is clearly not the
desire or intention of school staff to usurp the parent in determining if a
coat, hat/scarf, boots, and mittens/gloves are necessary on any given day, it
is also a fact that children often come to school without adequate clothing for
an extended play period outdoors. It is always better to have the option of
leaving a coat in a locker or coat closet than to be outdoors inadequately clad
and run the risk of becoming ill and, as a result, not being able to
participate in class for the rest of that day and/or missing school for several
days.
RECORDS ACCESS - FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND
PRIVACY ACT
The Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords
students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:
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1. The right
to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day
the District receives a request for access.
A
parent/guardian or eligible student should submit to the Records Custodian,
Principal, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the
record(s) they wish to inspect. The District official will make arrangements
for access and notify the parent/guardian or eligible student of the time and
place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by
the District official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall
advise the parent/guardian or eligible student of the correct official to whom
the request should be addressed.
2. The right
to request the amendment of the student's education records that the
parent/guardian or eligible student believes are
inaccurate or misleading.
A
parent/guardian or eligible student may ask the District to amend a record that
they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the District
official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record
they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.
If the
District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent/guardian or
eligible student, the District will notify the parent/guardian or eligible
student of the decision and advise the parent/guardian or eligible student of
their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional
information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the
parent/guardian or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right
to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in
the parent/guardian or eligible 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
District in an administrative supervisory, academic, or support staff position
(including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or
company with whom the District has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or
collection agent); or a person serving on the Board of Education.
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
responsibilities.
Upon request,
the District discloses education records without consent to officials of
another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
4. The right
to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged
failures by the District 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,
Notification
of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights
Amendment (PPRA)
PPRA affords
parents certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of
information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include
the right to:
• Consent
before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of
the following protected areas ("protected information survey") if the
survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of
Education (ED) –
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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;
8. Income, other than as
required by law to determine program eligibility.
9. Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a
student out of :
a. Any other protected information survey,
regardless of funding;
b. Any
non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of
attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to
protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing,
vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or
required under State law; and
c. Activities
involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from
students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to
others.
• Inspect, upon request and before administration or use:
1. Protected information surveys
of students;
2. Instruments used to collect
personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or
other distribution purposes; and
3. Instructional material used
as part of the educational curriculum
These rights
transfer from the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated
minor under State law.
The
The
·
Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing,
sales or other distribution.
·
Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or
in part by ED.
·
Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as
described above.
Parents who believe
their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:
Family
Policy Compliance Office
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RESIDENCE
Education of Homeless
Children
Each child of a
homeless individual and each homeless youth has equal
access to the same free,
appropriate public education,
as provided to other children and youths, including a public pre-school
education. A “homeless child”
is defined as provided in the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and
State
law. The Superintendent shall act as or appoint a Liaison for Homeless
Children to coordinate
this policy’s
implementation.
A homeless child may
attend the District school that the child attended when permanently housed or
in which the child was
last enrolled. A homeless child living in any District school’s attendance area
may attend that school.
The Superintendent
or designee shall review and revise rules or procedures that may act as
barriers to
the enrollment of
homeless children and youths. In reviewing and revising such procedures,
consideration shall be given to
issues concerning transportation, immunization, residency, birth
certificates, school records and
other documentation, and guardianship. Transportation shall be
provided in accordance with
the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and State law.
The Superintendent
or designee shall give special attention to ensuring the enrollment and
attendance of
homeless children and youths
who are not currently attending school. If a child is denied enrollment
or transportation
under this policy, the Liaison for Homeless Children shall immediately refer
the
child or his or her
parent/guardian to the ombudsperson appointed by the Regional Superintendent
and provide the child
or his or her parent/guardian with a written explanation for the denial.
Whenever a child and
his or her parent/guardian who initially share the housing of another person
due
to loss of housing,
economic hardship, or a similar hardship continue to share the housing, the Liaison
for Homeless Children
shall, after the passage of 18 months and annually thereafter, conduct a review
as to whether such hardship continues to exist in accordance with
State law.
Change of Residence Due To Military
Service
If a pupil's change of residence is due to the military service
obligation of a person who has legal custody of the pupil, then, upon the
written request of the person having legal custody of the pupil, the residence
of the pupil is deemed for all purposes relating to enrollment (including
tuition, fees, and costs), for the duration of the custodian's military service
obligation, to be the same as the residence of the pupil immediately before the
change of residence caused by the military service obligation. A school
district is not responsible for providing transportation to or from school for
a pupil whose residence is determined under this condition.
ROUTINE DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
PLEASE NOTE- We remind you that it is illegal to pass a
school bus, from either direction, if the stop arm is extended and/or the
lights are flashing. Parents may drop off students in the morning
at the south/office door. A crossing guard will be on duty at the corner both
in the morning and the afternoons.
Please turn around in the lot prior to letting off students so that they
enter the building directly without having to cross through the parking
lot. If parents need to enter the
building, please park in the parking lot and enter through the south/office
door.
Bus riders will be supervised by
staff members and dismissed at the appropriate times through the south/office
doors. Walkers will be dismissed at
approximately 3:15 at the crosswalk.
Students who routinely ride a bus home, but who are being picked up by
the parent/guardian that day, will be dismissed in the back parking lot.
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Any changes to a student’s regular
dismissal procedure should be noted in a signed and dated note or in an
emergency situation, by telephone, before 2:30 PM. Again, due to space constraints, students cannot
be routinely dismissed from the classrooms or office. Your understanding and cooperation is much
appreciated. All parents must stop by the office for a Pick Up Pass if picking up a child
directly from the classroom.
SCHOOL HOURS
The
office is open from 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Teachers are in the building
from 7:45 A.M. to 3:45 P.M.
daily. Lunches are scheduled for 11:00
(kindergarten), 11:30 (grade 1), 12:00 (grade 2). Recess is scheduled before lunchtimes
whenever possible, or later in the afternoon as necessary.
Students
who are transported to school by bus arrive at various times, with the last bus
arriving at approximately 8:00 A.M.
Students who are walkers should not leave home until 7:50 A.M. so that
they arrive by 8:00 A.M. This provides
ample time for these youngsters to arrive in time for class to begin at 8:15
A.M. Students will be considered
tardy as of 8:15 A.M.
SCHOOL PROGRAM
The district will
provide five 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 pupils shall not be required to take the class or course if the
parents/guardian submits written objection.
SCHOOL SAFETY
In order to provide as secure an
environment as possible, PCPS is part of the Putnam County District #535 Safe
Schools Plan. This plan includes not
only school staff but was developed in conjunction with local law enforcement
and emergency personnel. Plans have been
developed to cover a variety of emergency situations. Drills are conducted at various intervals
throughout the school year to establish routine and minimize panic in the event
of a fire, inclement weather, or other emergency situations requiring that
students be moved to positions of optimum safety. Evacuation plans are posted in each room of
the elementary building which clearly designate the
route(s) to be taken to a position of safety.
Teachers are required to escort the students and to take attendance upon
reaching their designated position of safety in order to be certain that all
students are accounted for. Teachers
will walk their class through the evacuation plan in a practice drill at
least once before unannounced drills are made.
The signal for a fire drill is the fire alarm system. If needed, classes may also be notified by
either the intercom system or word of mouth.
Classes are signaled to return to the building with a whistle blast or
hand signal. The signal for an inclement
weather drill is 2 short blasts of an air horn.
The signal for an ACTUAL ALERT is a continual blast for 15 seconds. If needed, classes may also be notified by
either the intercom system or word of mouth.
Classes are signaled to return to normal location/activity with an
announcement on the intercom system.
Anyone with information about
possible school violence is urged to call the
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at 1-800-477-0024, as
well as local school authorities. This
line is operated by the Illinois State Police.
When tips come into this line, local law enforcement agencies and the
school are immediately notified. Law enforcement authorities or the state police then follow-up on
the report.
SEARCH AND SEIZURE
School authorities may search a
student and/or a student's personal effects when there are reasonable grounds
for suspecting that the search will produce evidence that the student is
violating either the law or a school policy.
School property, including, but
not limited to, desks and lockers are owned and controlled by the District and
the District may make reasonable rules regarding its use. School authorities are authorized to conduct
administrative inspections of school property as a means of protecting health,
safety, or welfare of the District, its employees and students, without notice
to or consent of the student and without a search warrant.
If a search conducted in
accordance with this policy produces evidence that the student has violated or is
violating either the law or District policy such evidence may be seized and
disciplinary action taken. When
appropriate, this evidence may be transferred to legal authorities. This policy is in agreement with the Illinois
School Code.
SECURITY CAMERAS
All Putnam County Schools are
equipped with security cameras. Putnam County Schools maintain 24-hour video
security with cameras placed at entrances and in hallways. Each school office has a monitor located so
that school personnel can easily observe school areas during the school
day. Videotapes are reviewed when a
safety or security issue is reported.
They may also be reviewed at random.
Viewing of videotapes is limited to individuals having a legitimate
educational or administrative purpose.
Those individuals with a legitimate educational or administrative
purpose are the Superintendent, building administrators, or educational
personnel. Videotapes will be reused or
erased unless needed for an educational or administrative purpose
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The
Putnam County Student Assistance Program exists to assist students with
problems related to academics, attendance, behavior, and health. The program
consists of a coordinator and several trained staff members
working together,
including the appropriate use of the Flexible Service Delivery/Problem-Solving
Model, to develop an action plan to meet the needs of the individual
student. Students may be referred to the
program by faculty, staff, parents, or they may refer themselves. This program is not part of the school’s
disciplinary procedures.
SUSPICION-BASED DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING
POLICY
Board Policy 7:241 – The Board of Education recognizes that drug
and/or alcohol testing of an individual student may be appropriate when there
are reasonable grounds to suspect that the student is violating the Board of
Education’s policy prohibiting the possession or use of drugs or alcohol while
on school grounds or at a school-related activity. The Board of Education authorizes drug and
alcohol testing of students based upon such reasonable suspicion of drug and
alcohol use.
The Administration shall establish
rules and regulations to implement this policy (Board Policy 7:241 – R) in
compliance with applicable laws governing drug and alcohol testing of students.
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TESTING AND ASSESSMENT
Regular and on-going classroom assessment is used to
monitor student progress and guide instruction.
In addition to such local testing, students in grades 3 and 4 take the
Illinois Standards Assessment Test of Reading
and
Mathematics. This testing is required by
the State of
TITLE
I
Title I is a federally funded
program that provides instructional support for students experiencing difficulties
in reading and/or math.
TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION
Students who
demonstrate limited English proficiency are provided support services in the
Transitional Program of Instruction.
Students are tested to determine eligibility and services are provided
until the student demonstrates sufficient skill to exit the program and perform
successfully in the school setting.
VISION
AND HEARING SCREENING
Vision and hearing screening shall
be done, as mandated, for the children listed below. Vision screening is not a substitute for a
complete eye exam and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child is not required to undergo this
vision screening IF an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed
a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the
previous 12 months and that evaluation is on file at the school. This notice is not a permission to test and
is not required to be returned. Vision
screening is NOT an option. If a vision examination report is not on file at school for your
child, your child in the mandated age/grade/group will be screened.
Required Grades for Hearing and
Preschool/Early Childcare/Daycares Hearing
and Vision
Kindergarten Hearing and Vision
1st Grade Hearing Only
2nd Grade Hearing and Vision
3rd Grade Hearing Only
8th Grade Vision Only
4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and HS Hearing and vision for all special ed., new to county
and teacher referrals
VISITORS
For security reasons, all doors to
the
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WELLNESS PLAN
The Wellness Plan is on file in the
School Office and may be reviewed at any time upon request.
WITHDRAWALS AND TRANSFERS
When a
family moves from the District, it is best if the school office is notified at
least one day in advance. This allows
time to complete transfer information for the student’s new school. The district observes the statutory
regulations that require the forwarding, within 10 days of the receipt of
request, an unofficial record of the student’s grades to the school to which
the student is transferring. The school
shall then forward written information relative to the grade levels, subjects,
and record of academic grades achieved, current health records, and a most
current set of standardized test reports, if applicable. The district, within
10 days after the student has paid all of his/her outstanding fines and fees,
forwards an official transcript of the scholastic records of each student transferring.
The law
requires that students take a Student Transfer Form with them. Upon receipt of a Release of Records form
from the new school, which must be signed by the parent(s), student records
will be sent to the new school.
Please
remember that all books must be returned to the teachers and any remaining fees
must be paid in the school office.
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School Calendar
2010-2011
August 16 Institute Day
August 17 First Day of School (11:30am Dismissal)
August 18-20 Early Dismissal (2:05pm) Team Collaboration Meetings
September 3 Early
Dismissal (11:30am) Teacher In-Service Day
September 6 No
School Labor Day
October 8 No
School Teacher Institute Day
October 11 No
School Columbus Day
October 15 End of First Nine Weeks
October 21 Parent/Teacher Conferences (4pm to 8pm)
October 22 No
School Parent/Teacher Conferences (8am to 12pm)
November 12 No School Veterans’ Day Observed
November 24-28 Thanksgiving Break
December 21 End of 2nd Nine Weeks—End of 1st Semester (2:05 Dismissal)
December 22-January 2 Winter Break—School Resumes January 3rd
January 17 No School Martin Luther King Day
February 17 Parent/Teacher Conferences (4pm to 8pm)
February 18 No School Parent/Teacher Conferences (8am to 12pm)
February 21 No School-Presidents’ Day
February 28-March 11 ISAT Testing
March 11 End of 3rd Nine Weeks
March 7 No School Casimir Pulaski Day
March 25 No School Teacher Institute Day
April 18-22 Spring Break
April 27-28 PSAE
May 23 Institute Day
May 24 Report Card Day
Emergency Days May 23-24-25-26-27
Emergency Institute Day May 31st
Emergency Report Card Day June 1
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Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
Please remove this page, sign it,
and send it to school by Tuesday, September 14, 2010. This will assist the school office in making
sure that a handbook has been issued in a timely manner to each family who has
a child in either elementary building.
Please read and review the
handbook so that you and your child have needed information in support of a
happy and successful year for your child.
Please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions or
concerns regarding information contained in this handbook.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Kristal
LeRette, Principal
My child, ,
and I have received, reviewed and understand the
Print Student’s Name First
and Last
2010-2011 Parent-Student Handbook
__________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
Office
Use:
/
Date
Received Initials
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