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Enrollment
and Withdrawal Procedures: To
enroll in Kindergarten, students must be 5 years old on or before
June 1. To enroll in First Grade, students must be 6 years old on
or before June 1. Students who have attended a certified Kindergarten
program outside of the Warrick County School Corporation may enroll
in First Grade without meeting the age requirement.
School offices are
to be notified at least three days prior to the withdrawal date.
Also, school offices should be notified of any changes of address,
even if the change is within the present school boundaries.
Book
Rental and Fees:
All book rental and
fees are due the first week of school. A book rental and fee schedule
will be sent home the first day of school. All checks should be
made payable to the school.
Illness
and Accidents:
Parents should notify
the school if their child has a chronic illness, such as epilepsy,
heart condition, diabetes, allergic reactions, etc., so this information
can be properly recorded. This would include any physical impairment.
(See form at the end of this handbook).
Minor injuries will
be cared for by general first aid at school. If any questions desist
as to the severity of the injury, it is the policy to contact the
parents (or person designated on the Emergency Card) and arrange
for the student to be taken home for care and observation.
Generally speaking,
if a child is running a temperature, the parents will be contacted
to arrange transportation home for care.
Student
Immunization and Physical Examinations:
Periodic
physical examinations by a physician are in the best interest of
each student and are recommended, but not required, by the Warrick
County School Corporation. Physical examinations may be required
before participation in some special school activities such as competitive
athletics are required.
When a student enrolls
in a school in the Warrick County School Corporation, the parent
must show that he/she has been fully immunized as follows:
All Children Newly
Enrolled in Kindergarten or Grade 1 and Less Than 7 Years of Age:
-
5 doses of dipththeria-tetanus-accellular
pertussis (DTaP), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussin (DTP), or pediatric
diphtheria-tetanus vaccine (DT) or 4 doses are acceptable if
the fourth dose was administered on or after the fourth birthday;
-
4 doses of either
oral polio vaccine (OPV) or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV),
in any combination of 3 doses of all OPV or all IPV are acceptable
if the third dose was administered on or after the fourth birthday;
-
2 doses of measles
(rubella) vaccine, on or after the first birthday;
-
1 dose of rubella
(German measles) vaccine, on or after the first birthday;
-
1 dose of mumps
vaccine, on or after the first birthday;
-
3 doses of hepatitis
B vaccine
All Children
Enrolled in Grade Two or Above 7 Years of Age and Older:
-
3 does of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular
pertussis (DTaP), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), or tetanus-diptheria
(Td) vaccine, or pediatric diphtheria-tetanus (DT) vaccine;
-
3 doses of either
all oral polio vaccine (OPV) or all inactivated polio vaccine
(IPV). If a combination of OPV and IPV is used, 4 doses are
required.
-
1 dose of measles
(rubeola) vaccine, on or after the first birthday;
-
1 dose of rubella
(German measles) vaccine, on or after the first birthday;
-
1 dose of mumps
vaccine, on or after the first birthday;
-
2 doses of measles-containing
vaccine are required for children in grades six to twelve and
students in upgraded classrooms who are 11 to 12 years of age
or older by August 1, 1999.
Procedure for
Obtaining Immunization Records for Students Not In
Compliance With The Board Policy On Student Immunization
1. Parents are notified
of needed immunizations by the school secretary or the school nurse.
2. Parents are to
supply the school with an immunization record from the health department,
the physician, the former school, or certain other sources.
A telephone verification
to a designated school representative from a former school representative,
a physician, or a health department representative will be accepted
pending written verification.
3. The school principal
can issue a waiver for up to twenty (20) days.
4. A letter or statement
of immunization objection signed by the parent,
guardian, or physician can be accepted.5. At the end of twenty (20)
days, if the immunization program has not been initiated, contact
the parent or guardian again and begin the following process of
notification of parents or guardian:
(a) Send letter #1
to the parents or guardian by U.S. Mail.
(b) If no response
to letter #1 in two (2) weeks, send letter #2 to the parents or
guardian by U.S. Mail.
(c) If there is no
response to letter #2 within two (2) weeks, a home visit by the
school nurse and principal (or designee) is conducted.
(d) If there is no
response to step (c) within two (2) weeks, submit the name to the
school principal who will notify the Directory of Student Services
of the student who does not comply with the board policy on immunization.
Student
Attendance:
It is the policy
of the Board of School Trustees to provide and maintain the appropriate
and required educational programs for students residing in the Warrick
County School Corporation. Regular school attendance is an important
element in attaining and maintaining successful performance in school.
Clear policy and guidelines which encourage, nurture, and if necessary,
compel students and parents to expect and maintain regular school
attendance help student performance.
A child is entitled
to attend either a public school or "some other school which
is taught in the English language," except in specific exception
as detailed in the guideline following. All children age seven (7)
to age seventeen (17) must attend a school or receive instruction
as designated in the law IC 20-8.1-3-17 and HEA 1597. It is the
responsibility of the parent or legal guardian to "ensure that
each child attends school as required" by law.
All students enrolled
in schools in the Warrick County School Corporation are to be in
their assigned classes at the required times unless they have been
excused. Excuses allowed are: (a) personal illness; (b) death in
immediate family; (c) home emergencies or other conditions where
parents make arrangements which are approved by the principal; (d)
exclusion because of exposure to contagious diseases; (e) other
exceptions as designated in the law.
Accurate student
attendance records will be kept for each student. Parents will be
notified of each student's attendance by the regular report card
or by special notice when there is a specific need. Students whose
attendance approaches, or exceeds the limits as established by the
Warrick County School Corporation of the State of Indiana shall
be subject to corrective restriction, punitive action, or legal
jurisdiction.
1. COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE:
All students who are enrolled in school of the Warrick County School
Corporation are to be in their assigned classes at the required
times, unless they have an allowable excuse for their absence.
2. EXCUSED ABSENCES:
Excused absences and tardiness are these: (a) personal illness;
(b) death in the immediate family; (c) home emergencies or other
conditions where parents make arrangements which are approved by
the principal; (d) exclusion
because of exposure to contagious disease; and (e) exceptions as
designated in the law. Excused absences are recorded.
Exceptions to compulsory
attendance designated in the law and for which the student's absence
is not to be recorded or penalty awarded (IC 20-.8.1-3-18) are service
as a page or an honoree of the Indiana General Assembly, secondary
school (high school) students service on the election board, or
who help in the election process, appearance by subpoena in court,
and ordered service on active duty in the Indiana National Guard
(IC 20-8.1-318).
3. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:
All absences and tardiest not designated in #1 and #2 shall be considered
as unexcused. Examples of more common unexcused absences are (work,
missing bus, trips, car trouble, oversleeping, suspension, and truancy).
4. CLASSIFICATION OF ABSENCE:
(a) Excused Absence-(See
#2 above). No penalty. Reasonable make-up work is allowed.
(b) Unexcused Absence
WITH Make-up Credit-(See #3) above where there is an arrangement
with the school before the absence occurs and where approval has
been granted. Examples of Unexcused Absence With Make-up could be
family trips approved in advance, verified emergencies, etc.) Make-up
work credit is allowed.
(c) Unexcused Absence
WITHOUT Make-up Credit-(See #3) above where there is NO knowledge
or approval of the parent and school - no acceptable parent permission,
truancy, work, suspension, missed bus, etc.) Make-up work may be
expected for educational development, but credit will not be applied
to class grade.
(d) Truancy-A student
will be considered truant when the absence from school or class
is without the knowledge and approval of a parent and school official.
(e) Habitual Truancy-A
student who has been found to be truant for the second time in a
school year is considered a habitual truant.
(f) Preplanned Absence-A
Preplanned absence occurs when a student or group of students choose
to violate school and/or state attendance laws or regulations by
participating in a planned absence from classes.
5. SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: Students who miss school for the full day
because of illness or unexcused absences may not attend after school
activities the same day unless permission is granted by the principal.
6. LEAVING SCHOOL
(EARLY DISMISSAL): Students may leave the school building or school
grounds during the regular hours of school when written permission
from a parent and approval of the school principal have been obtained.
7. RETURN TO SCHOOL:
Students returning to school from an absence shall have a note from
a parent stating the reason for absence. (Phone contact by a parent
will be satisfactory in place of a written note.) The note should
contain the student's name, reason for the absence, date(s) and
time of absence, a parent signature and the phone number where the
parent may be reached. The note is to be presented prior to re-admittance
to school.
8. NOTIFICATION AND
PENALTY:
Elementary School and Junior High School -A student in the Elementary
or Junior High School who misses thirty (30) days or more in any
one year may not earn promotion to the next level or grade unless
special circumstances are approved by the principal.
Due Process
10 DAYS OF ACCUMULATED ABSENCE - Written notice to the parents from
the principal and a contact by the Home/School Advisor.
20 DAYS OF ACCUMULATED ABSENCE - Written notice to the parent from
Director of Student/Support Services requesting a parent conference.
Notification may be sent to the Division of Family and Children's
Services
and the Court.
30 DAYS OF ACCUMULATED
ABSENCE - Written parent notice of a request for non-promotion and
right of a hearing. Written report sent to Warrick County Welfare
Department, Child Protection Agency. A determination for non-promotion
does not exempt a student from school attendance.
9. MAKE-UP WORK -
It id the responsibility of the student to arrange for make-up work
with each teacher on the day that they return to school. A teacher
may expect make-up work in cases where the absence is found to be
an UNEXCUSED ABSENCE WITHOUT MAKE-UP CREDIT, but make-up credit
will not apply to the class grade. Make-up work should be turned
in within a reasonable time after returning to school (one day for
each day of absence), unless special arrangements are made in advance
with the teacher. Failure on the part of the student to make up
work as directed will limit credit for the effort.
10. TARDINESS - Students
who report to school or class late will receive a reasonable penalty
(loss of recess time, etc.) as established by the school.
Student
Health Services:
School Nurses are
shared between buildings, but are always on call to any building
needing their services. Nurses will not diagnose or prescribe treatment.
They will render first aid when needed, advise parents concerning
student health problems, provide vision screening and scoliosis
testing for students.
Procedures
for the Administering of Medications to Students:
Administration of
medication to students shall follow the guidelines below (House
Enrolled Act 1566 (Now Public Law 287 - Acts of 1979 as amended
1981) creating IC 3404016-16.5-3.5 Section 1. IC 34-4-16.5 is amended
by P.L. 156-1988 effective March 2, 1988 and DOE Memorandum February
10, 1989]:
1. The parent/guardian
of the students are encouraged to deliver the medication to school
in person. The prescribed medication shall be in the original container
bearing the original pharmacy label, which includes the directions
from the physician, name of medication, date, student's name, and
written instructions from the student's parent or guardian should
be attached.
2. The parent/guardian
shall sign the Authorization for Administering Medication by School
Personnel form, which can be obtained from the school nurse or school
office.
3. The parent/guardian is encouraged to bring limited amounts of
medication to school and to schedule times of administration so
that a minimum number of doses will be given during the school day.
The parent/guardian should ask the pharmacist for a small bottle
with the pharmacy label to use to send medicine to school.
4. The medication
must be administered by the school employee designated by the school
administrator.
5. The medicines are to be kept in the nurse's office or the principal's
office.
6. All prescription
and parental authorization forms must be renewed annually. The school
nurse will be responsible for all necessary follow-up involved with
such renewal.
7. Under no circumstances should any staff member tell a parent
that a child should be given medication to improve school behavior
or concentration. This is a medical practice decision between the
parent and their physician. The staff may advise a parent to consult
with the physician to see if medication might be of assistance.
8. Very often medication
prescribed for hyperkinesias needs to have the dosage adjusted to
improve behavior throughout the school day. Consequently, teachers
should provide feedback information to parents on the effectiveness.
Indiana
Statewide Test for Educational Progress (ISTEP+):
The Indiana Statewide
Test for Educational Progress (ISTEP) will be administered to students
in grades three, six, eight, and ten. The test will primarily assess
the achievement of students in the areas of language arts and math.
The test will be administered in September and results will be available
in January.
Educational
Field Trips:
Schools have the
option of providing students educational field trips. These trips
must be in compliance with existing State Department of Education
Guidelines.
PTO
Room Parties:
The number of room
parties during the school year shall not exceed two. The PTO and
school administrator will schedule the parties at their discretion.
Elementary
School Rules:
1. Students are encouraged
to avoid behavior that interferes with their or other student's
achievement or education goals. a. Students are expected to refrain
from loud and unruly behavior in the hallways or on the school grounds.
b. Students are expected to pass from room to room in an orderly
manner and to arrive at their rooms at the appropriate time.
2. Loitering in the
halls and restrooms is considered a waste of valuable time and should
be avoided.
3. Possession of
tobacco, alcohol, and controlled substances is a violation of School
Board Policy.
4. of any kind is
a violation of school rules.
5. Respect for school
and private property is essential. This includes, but is not limited
to, books, lockers, equipment, desks, chairs, etc.
6. Respect to fellow
students, teachers, substitute teachers, and all other staff members
is expected.
7. Items such as
radios, tape players, toys, games, and pets should be approved by
a teacher before being brought to school.
8. Help keep your
school clean by using waste containers and picking up paper.
9. Gum and candy
is permitted at P.T.O. parties and other special occasions, but
not on a daily basis.
Playground
Rules:
1. Play in designated areas only.
2. Use the playground
equipment as it was designed to be used.
3. Help keep the
playground clean.
4. Show fairness
and consideration for others.
5. All students,
unless they have valid excuses, are expected to participate to outdoor
recess.
6. Throwing objects
that may cause injury such as rocks, sticks, snowballs, etc is a
violation of school rules.
7. Fighting and rough
play, such as tackle football, are violations of school rules.
8. Students can only
leave the school property after securing permission from the teacher
or under the supervision of the teacher.
Lunch
and Breakfast Programs:
Each elementary school
has a well-equipped kitchen and serves nutritious breakfast and
lunches daily. The cost of student lunches and breakfasts will be
sent home the first day of school. Information concerning free and
reduced price meals will be sent home the first day of school. Monthly
menus will be provided for all students.
Cafeteria
Rules:
1. Students shall
not be permitted to share food.
2. No throwing of
food or other objects.
3. No loud or boisterous
shouting.
4. No hitting or
scuffling.
5. All students will
be seated during the lunch period and must have permission from
the adult on duty before leaving.
Bus
Students:
School bus drivers
are to have control of all children conveyed between the homes of
the children, or pick up points, and the school building and return.
The drivers shall keep order, maintain discipline among the children
while in the bus or along the route, shall treat all children in
a civil manner, see that no child is imposed upon or mistreated
while in his charge, and shall use every care for the safety of
the children under his charge.
A written request
must be sent by the parent of a child to ride a bus he normally
does not ride. The request will be denied any child without a written
request or if the bus is overcrowded. This request must be approved
by the school principal and presented to the bus driver. School
bus driver should assure that the bus regulations are observed by
all pupils.
Bus
Rules:
1. Observe same conduct
as in the classroom.
2. Be courteous;
use no profane language.
3. Do not eat or
drink on the bus.
4. Keep the bus clean.
5. Cooperate with
the driver.
6. Do not smoke,
use tobacco, or use controlled substances on the bus.
7. Do not be destructive.
8. Stay in your seat.
Standing on the seats or putting feet on the seats is prohibited.
Moving about while the bus is in motion is prohibited.
9. Keep head, hands,
and feet inside the bus.
10. Bus driver is
authorized to assign seats.
11. Animals, insects,
reptiles, fowl, firearms, weapons, fireworks or other dangerous
or unsanitary objects will not be permitted on the bus.
12. Equipment may
not be transported on the bus that would damage the bus, block the
view of the driver, block the aisles, entry or exit doors.
13. There will be
no talking to the driver while the bus is in motion, except for
emergencies.
14. Pupils will not
tamper with the emergency door or any other part of the bus without
instructions from the driver.
15. When necessary
to cross the street, students must cross in front of the bus.
16. Buses will stop
at authorized bus stops only.
17. Students should
respect the personal property of property owners at bus stops.
18. Only authorized
students are permitted on buses. New students on a bus must have
a note signed by the principal. Occasional student riders (Boy/Girl
Scouts, babysitting, etc.) wanting to ride busses other than their
assigned route must have written permission signed by the school
principal.
19. No student will
be allowed to get off or on the bus at any other stop, other than
his own, unless they have written permission from the parent and/or
principal.
20. The student should
be waiting at his stop when the bus arrives. In case of emergency
causing late arrival by the student at his stop, the school bus
driver will wait a reasonable amount of time. The school bus driver
will be required to wait no longer than three (3) minutes after
the scheduled time for arrival. If the school bus driver as already
three (3) minutes late, he/she need not wait at all.
21. Adults will not
be allowed to remove students once the students have boarded the
bus
Student
Dress Code:
The following regulations
shall be used for implementation of the Student Dress Code policy:
1. The wearing of
apparel that has on it any writing, printing, symbols or pictures
that is judged to be immoral, lewd, or, vulgar, or is suggestive
and/or implies sex, drugs, alcohol, violence, or other subjects
disruptive to the normal operation of the school, or which interfere
with normal educational functions or school purposes, is prohibited.
2. Bare midriffs, halter tops, muscle shirts, and tank tops, or
any other garments which unduly or suggestively expose the upper
torso are prohibited, beginning with Grad Four through Grade Twelve.
3. All skirts and
shorts shall approach the knee in length (mid0thigh or lower). Biker
shorts are prohibited.
4. All students are
required to wear footwear, such as boots, shoes, or sandals. Footwear,
which is unsafe, inhibits movement, creates a disturbance, or which
is disruptive, either by appearance or sound, is prohibited.
5. The wearing of
clothing which is torn in such a way as to cause disruptions to
or
distractions from the educational process, is prohibited.
6. Any extreme in
clothing, hair, cosmetics, jewelry, or appearance that may disrupt
normal operations of the school, or which interfere with normal
educational functions or school purposes, is prohibited.
7. HATS/CAPS - Students
are not permitted to wear hats/caps unless it is for a special
occasion which has been approved by the school.
8. Any jewelry or
other items are prohibited when worn in any pierced body part other
than the ear.
Additional regulations
may be added by school administrators if such regulations are deemed
important to an orderly implementation of the policy. New proposed
regulations shall be approved by the Superintendent of Schools and
presented to the School Board prior to any such implementation.
A student whose dress
and grooming does not conform to the above standards, or any subsequently
approved standard(s), will be referred to the principal or his/her
designee. Students will be informed by the principal, or his/her
designee, as to what adjustments must be made in order to comply
with approved standards.
If a student chooses
not to remedy or correct a problem, his/her parent(s) or guardian
will be contacted immediately to arrange a conference for the purpose
of:
1. Building communication
linkages between home and school regarding the
student's behavior.
2. Developing an
understanding of the issue by the parent(s) or guardian.
3. Encouraging and
receiving parental or guardian support and commitment to
correct the problem.
4. Outlining consequences
for failure to correct the problem.If the problem remains uncorrected,
the student will be removed from the class, activity, or school
until the student corrects the problem. The student will be subjected
to suspension and expulsion during this period of time.
Dress and grooming
regulations will become incorporated in student handbooks and distributed
directly to parents/guardian and students following approval by
the Superintendent of Schools and presentation of the School Board.
Adverse
Weather Plans:
Because the potential
always exists for adverse weather conditions, the Warrick County
School Corporation has adopted the following set of plans that may
be used this school year.
PLAN A- School as
usual.
PLAN B - No School in Warrick County.
PLAN C - All schools in Warrick County to start one hour later.
(This plan could be used when we have early morning fog, sleet,
or snow with temperatures hovering around the freezing point.) This
plan would also allow much of the business traffic to be out of
the way when driving conditions are not ideal and buses would only
add to traffic congestion, it they traveled at their usual time.
PLAN D - Schools in Warrick County will be open with no buses running.
(This plan could be used when extended periods of cold weather,
coupled with heavy snow, keep secondary roads impractical for bus
travel.)
PLAN E - Schools in Warrick County will be open with buses running
on highways or main secondary roads. (With this plan, bus drivers
would need to communicate with students as to where individual pick
up points would be located.
The plans listed
above are different alternatives that could be used during bad weather
periods; however, any decision about school closing will normally
be made at approximately 6:00 A.M. the morning of the school day
in question. When the decision is made, the Warrick County School
Corporation will notify all local radio and television stations,
and they, in turn, will relay the message to parents and students.
PARENTS AND STUDENTS ARE ASKED NOT TO CALL THE SUPERINTENDENT'S
OFFICE, AS THE TELEPHONES MUST BE KEPT OPEN. REMEMBER: If there
is no announcement, school will be held as usual.
Early
Dismissals: Because
of weather conditions, heating failure, power failure, or water
failure, it may become necessary to dismiss school early. Notification
of early dismissal will be made on the same radio and TV stations
listed under Adverse Weather Plans in this handbook. All children
should be instructed in advance by their parents as to where they
are to go. If the schools are not notified otherwise, all children
will be sent home. In addition to early dismissal, possible conditions
might arise that make it necessary to keep pupils past normal dismissal
time for their safety.
Health/Family Life Education:
An approved curriculum
for Family Life Education is presented to students as a part of
the regular health education classes. Before teaching the Family
Life Education Curriculum in grades 4 through 12, teachers must
have parental consent forms properly completed. Teachers will have
an appropriate alternative program for those students choosing not
to participate. The alternate programs will not exceed the amount
of work required by teaching students in regular classroom. Parents
may wish to discuss this program with the teacher and/or principal
before agreeing to student participation. The parent response form
is attached in this Handbook.
Athletic
Eligibility/Participation:
Scholastic Eligibility
- Any student in an elementary sports program shall be declared
ineligible when they receive an "F" in any subject of
one "U" in conduct. This ineligibility shall be for a
period of three weeks. The conduct mark is a composite of a child's
behavior from all classes and is issued by the homeroom teacher.
Eligibility will be reviewed after three weeks.
Participation/Age Limits - Students may only participate in an elementary
sport one time at any one grade level.
No student may participate
in an elementary school sport at the age of fourteen. Students become
ineligible on their fourteenth birthday.
Fire
Drills and Emergency Drills:
All schools will
conduct one fire drill each month. All schools will conduct a minimum
of two disaster drills each semester.
Homework:
The School Corporation
believes that the effective use of homework can extend productive
learning experiences beyond the school day. Homework is only one
part of the teaching/learning process. Homework is seen as giving
the students the opportunity to extend their classroom learning
and to practice skills while developing self-discipline and study
habits that will benefit them in school as well as in careers at
the completion of school.
The responsibility
for the success of the homework policy is shared equally among administrators,
teachers, parents, and students.
We believe homework
should give students the opportunity to accept the responsibility
of participating in their learning process.
The School Corporation
supports the practice of assigning reasonable homework as a necessary
part of the learning process and as a legitimate demand on the non-class
time of the student.
Homework is a flexible
and individual instructional responsibility of the instructional
staff of the school corporation. Because of the individual differences
and needs of students, the school corporation does not require or
expect all students to experience the same kind of homework in connection
with classroom instruction.
Basic guidelines
regarding homework suggest that homework have a purpose, that understanding
precedes the homework, that homework be checked, and that such homework
enrich and extend learning experiences.
Homework should be
reserved primarily for either the reinforcement of those skills
which have already been introduced to the student or projects that
are extensions of classroom work and should reflect individual pupil
needs.
Homework Definition
Homework is properly
defined as any work planned or approved by the teacher to be completed
by the student outside of the regular classroom without the immediate
and direct supervision of the teacher.
Goals To Be Accomplished
Through Homework
1. To reinforce learning
through the practice, application, integration, extension, and/or
preparation of knowledge and skills.
2. To develop study skills, work habits, and a sense of personal
responsibility so
that the student may become an independent learner.
3. To stimulate
originality and creativity.
4. To enrich school experiences and encourage a carry over into
leisure and career-centered interests.
Purposes For Homework
1. Provide essential
practice in needed skills.
2. Trains pupils in good work habits.
3. Affords opportunities for increasing self-direction.
4. Enriches and extends school experience.
5. Helps students to budget time.
6. Brings pupils into contact with out-of-school learning resources.
7. Promotes growth
in responsibility.
Criteria helps to
keep homework activities in line with our homework purposes.
1. Does the homework
serve a valid purpose?
2. Is it within the capabilities of the pupils?
3. Has the class been motivated for the work?
4. Does the assignment grow out of school experience?
5. Are pupils entirely clear about what they are to do?
6. Can most pupils do the work without the assistance of parents
or others?
7. Does the assignment minimize the temptation merely to copy information?
8. Can the homework be evaluated fairly and/or used in the daily
program?
The amount of homework
assigned should vary with the grade, age, and the needs of child
and the class. The following guidelines are provided:
Primary Grades (1.2.3)
Homework is assigned to meet individual students' needs. Thirty
(30) minutes
per day should be sufficient for children in the primary grades.
Homework should
not be assigned every day, however, it may be assigned on weekends.
Appropriate homework assignments include work missed due to absence,
individual assignments, special projects.
Intermediate Grades
(4.5.6)
Homework is assigned in language arts/reading and mathematics on
a regular basis. In addition, special projects are suitable homework
assignments. Home-
work may be assigned daily and on weekends. One (1) hour of homework
per
day should be sufficient for children in the intermediate grades,
assuming they
have efficiently used their class time at school.
Homework should
be consistent with course objectives and may include practice
drills for review and reinforcement as well as extension activities.
Absences
When requested,
makeup work will be sent home for students. They are expected to
do the work and follow the time frame specified by the teacher for
completion of the work. If the specified schedule can't be followed,
parents should notify the teachers. Students
will be given one day for each day's absence to complete work missed
when absent. For example: a student who has three consecutive days
of excused absences will have three days in which to complete the
work.
Elementary Absences
When a student is absent from school for any reason, assignments
missed during that absence are expected to be completed. Parents
are encouraged to contact the office by 9:00 A.M. to make arrangements
to have their child's homework picked up in the office between 2:45
and 3:20 P.M. unless special arrangements are made.
Role of the Parent
Cooperation by parents
is a necessary factor in meaningful homework experiences .Parents,
you can encourage your children by showing interest and exhibiting
helpful attitudes toward homework. You can do the following:
1. Provide a quiet,
well-lighted place for your child to study.
2. Establish a regular "homework time" in the home and
have a special place free from excessive noise and other distractions
where your child can work.
3. Encourage and support your child's efforts.
4. Before going to the principal, superintendent or the school board,
please communicate with the teacher whenever your child has consistent
difficulty with homework assignments.
5. Encourage your child to seek help and ask questions of the teacher
when in doubt about an assignment. 6. Help students organize adequate
time for homework completion (time frame).
7. Familiarize your child with the resource materials available
at the library.
8. Allow ample uninterrupted time to look over your child's homework.
Role of the Student
In the early grades,
the effectiveness of homework assignments depends largely on the
concern each student's parents and teachers show for his/her welfare.
As the student matures, however, his/her success with homework becomes
progressively more dependant on his/her own efforts. The students,
with guidance from teachers and parents, should continue to develop
responsibility for bridging the gap of communication between home
and school. Each student has the responsibility to develop good
work and study habits. Students, you should do the following:
1. Clarify with the teacher any questions pertaining to the instructions
before
leaving class (i.e., its purpose, when it is due and how it should
be done.)
2. Take home any materials and information needed to complete the
assignment.
3. Learn to budget your time.
4. Analyze your study habits and take advantage of available study
aids.
5. With the aid of your parents,
a. Set aside a special
time in which to do the assignment.
b. Find a workplace free from excessive noise and other distractions
to which to work.
c. Organize your time so assignments can be completed in a reasonable
length of time.
d. Check carefully
the completed assignment.
6. When absent from
school for any reason, complete missed assignments.
7. Return all work completed to the teacher by the date requested.
Student
Grading System:
The Policy concerning
the student grading system states that "one of the most important
requirements of a good grading system is that the grades indicate
as accurately as possible the extent to which students have mastered
the subject matter being taught. A corporation-wide systematic approach
to deriving the most accurate objective grading possible will be
implemented to assure uniformity." The following information
is a digest of the printed Policy. For clarification and interpretation
consult the printed Policy.
1. STUDENT EVALUATION
may include performance on teacher made tests, quizzes, textbook
prepared tests, homework, assignments, oral and written projects,
and class participation. Other factors considered in student evaluation
could be, but might not be limited to, following directions, correct
spelling, neatness, promptness, effort, and work habits.
2. ATTENDANCE AND
BEHAVIOR are not to be considered as factors in
grading unless it involves suspension or expulsion, which by corporation
policy denies inclusion of make-up work.
3. Grade Definition:
A - Excellent - High
level of understanding and/or mastery of skills in course content
B - Good - Good level of understanding and/or mystery of skills
in course content.
C - Satisfactory - Acceptable level of understanding and/or mastery
in skills in course content.
D - Poor - Minimum level of understanding and/or mastery of course
content.
F - Failure - (No Credit Earned) Unacceptable level of understanding
and/or mastery in skills in course content.
4. Teachers have
"a certain amount of freedom" in evaluating student progress
among different disciplines, ability groups and grade levels.
5. Students and parents
are to be informed in advance, in writing, concerning the grading
scales to be used in each class.
6. SUGGESTED GRADING
SCALE:
95 - 100 = A
88 - 94 = B
78 - 87 = C
70 - 77 = D
Below 70 = F
7. Teachers may assign
letter grades or numerical points to each factor used to evaluate
student progress. These evaluations may be averaged to determine
the report card grade. Junior and senior high school teachers may
assign semester grades based on accumulated points.
8. Parents of students
whose work is likely to result in a failing grade should be notified
in writing as soon as possible.
9. REPORT CARDS will
be issued every six weeks.
Promotion
and Retention Guidelines:
The promotion or
retention of students should be based on what is best for each student
within laws, regulation, and policies. Consideration should be given
to the student's current level of achievement and the potential
for successful work at the next grade level. Guidelines for grading
and promotion shall emphasize the attainment of passing grades in
each subject or course of study. The Warrick County School Corporation's
Curriculum Guides define the goals and objectives for each student.
In order for a student to receive a passing grade in any subject
area, the student must demonstrate successful completion of minimum
standards. Decisions on remediation, retention, or promotion may
include but not be limited to the following:
1. Testing a. Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress
(ISTEP+) program at
grades designated by the Department of Education.
b. Available standardized achievement test data.
c. Other evaluation instruments.
2. Student Work
a. Teacher assignments, oral reports, homework, and class participation.
b. Exhibits, such as artwork, a model, or similar items.
c. Demonstration skills, such as science, industrial arts, home
economics, physical education.
d. Performance skills, such as a dramatic or musical recital.
Students in grades kindergarten through eight are promoted or retained
in grade levels each year. Students in grades nine through twelve
earn promotion through the accumulation of credits for that particular
grade level. Special Education students are promoted on the basis
of standards set forth in the student's Individualized Education
Program (IEP). Retention of Language Minority Students shall not
be based solely upon English Proficiency (511 IAC 6.1 1-5-8G). The
following standards will be on the basis upon which promotion/retention
decisions are to be made in all Warrick County School Corporation
Schools for each grade level as set forth below:
A. ACADEMIC:
1. Kindergarten - The student must successfully meet the minimum
standards in language arts and mathematics identified in the kindergarten
curriculum to be promoted to grade 1.
2. Grades 1-8 - The student must successfully meet the minimum standards
in the subject areas as set forth in the curriculum to be promoted
to the next grade.
B. ATTENDANCE: Any provision in the Warrick County School Corporation
attendance policy which impacts promotion/retention must be followed
when reaching a final decision on a student's grade placement.
C. ISTEP+: INDIANA STATE TEST FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS PLUS rules
and standards will be followed.
Decision Making
Procedure:
1. Notification of
a parent: Parents of students being considered for retention shall
be notified of the intent and the following procedures and appeals
process.
2. PROCEDURE: If,
after the first semester and before February 15, the teacher(s)
and/or counselor believe that retention should be considered, the
following steps shall be taken:
a. The teacher(s)
will complete the referral form and confer with
the principal.
b. The principal will inform the parents by mail of the possibility
of retention. The teacher will schedule a conference at that time
to discuss remediation and/or the possibility of retention. If the
parent does not respond to the initial letter, the principal will
send a second.
c. During the conference, page 2 of the referral form will be completed
and signed.
d. Exception of the February 15 deadline should be carefully considered,
but available to the principal.
3. Procedure for
Decision to Retain An Elementary School Student: If, near the end
of the school year, the teacher believes that retention is in the
best interest of the child, the following steps will be taken
a. The teacher will schedule a conference with the appropriate school
personnel and the parents to confirm the proposed retention.
b. If the teacher, counselor, and principal agree that retention
should occur, the final disposition form will be completed and signed.
c. Retention will occur upon recommendation of the teacher, with
the approval of the principal. A parent consultation will be held
and parents' opinion will be considered before the final decision
is made.
Discipline
Guidelines:
The Warrick County
Board of School Trustees believes that discipline is a required
condition for educating, teaching, and learning. This means that
students, parents, teachers and administrators - the human components
of every school - must share the responsibility to ensure that discipline
pervades the entire school environment.
Student Discipline
Measures - Kindergarten through Grade 6:
A. While positive
reinforcement for good student behavior is encouraged and rewarded,
consequence (see Page JGA - R-6) will be implemented when students
choose to engage in disruptive behavior leading to misconduct. Consequences
will be imposed for student misconduct, which occur during school
hours, at any school sponsored or related activity and/or while
traveling to and from school.
B. All student disciplinary incidents shall be supported by written
documentation.
C. Unless otherwise stated, all student suspensions will be served
out of school.
D. All student suspensions and expulsion procedures shall be governed
by the provisions set forth under I.C. 20-8.1-5-4.
E. The list of Consequences- Grades K-6 on Page JGA-R-6 is not intended
to be an all inclusive list. Schools reserve the right to address
any other forms of misconduct not listed on the following page and
to apply any reasonable penalty in response to such misconduct.
F. Teachers and principals may select and administer a consequence
for student misconduct at any Suggested Disciplinary Level (A, B,
C, or D on Page JGA-R-5) at their discretion.
G. All K-6 teachers, K-6 principals and their designees, have the
responsibility and authority to implement student discipline measures,
including consequences, explicitly stated in School Board Policy
JGA and accompanying Regulations JGA-R. All K-6 teachers, K-6 principals
and their designees also have authority to implement consequences
not listed in IGA-R, provided that such consequences are approved
by an appropriate K-6 building principal prior to implementation.
Misconduct and
Consequences - Grades K-6:
Suggested Disciplinary
Levels & Consequence
Misconduct 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
1. Negligence resulting in Warning & A B C,D
destruction of property Restitution Restitution Restitution Restitution
2. Dress Code Warning
& A & B & C & D
Change Change Dress Change Dress
3. Failure to follow Warning A B C & D
classroom rules
4. Inappropriate
behavior Warning A B C & D
in classroom, cafeteria,
hallways, playground
5. Possession use
of tobacco B, C D E
products, matches/lighters
6. Truancy B, C C, D D
7. Obscene or profane
B, C C, D D D
8. behavior/language
9. Theft B, C C, D D D+
10. Fighting/threats
B, C C, D D
harassment
11. Insubordination B, C C, D D D
12. Vandalism-intentional
B, C C, D D D
13. Possession/use
of drug D+ E+
paraphernalia
14. Possession/use
of alcohol E+
& other drugs
15. Possession/use of weapons E+
16. Physical or
verbal attack D, E+ E+
on a staff member
Suggested Disciplinary Levels and Consequences
A - Warning
- School work (extra
- Student - teacher contract
- Write narrative concerning misconduct requiring parent signature
- Loss of privileges
B - Time out in
another classroom
- Phoning parents at work or home
- Classroom time out or isolation
- Counseling with At- Risk counselor
- Student conference with teacher
C - Send to principal
- Parent conference with teacher and/or principal of Student/Support
Services
- Parent attends school with child - Saturday School (all day) -
Corporal
Punishment
- Cooperative home/school plan for improved behavior
- In-school suspension
D- Suspension in/out of school
- Contact Assistant Superintendent
E - Expulsion
+ contact juvenile authorities and/or law enforcement officials
Corporal
Punishment:
Corporal punishment
is a penalty for misbehavior and may be administered by authorized
school personnel, unless an individual parent or guardian files
a written statement (School Corporation Form) with a school principal
requesting that corporal punishment not be administered to his/her
child or children. The filing of such a statement by a parent or
guardian may result in a one to five day suspension in or out of
school for a disruptive child or children in lieu of corporal punishment.
If corporal punishment
becomes imperative as a "last resort" consequence for
disruptive behavior, except in cases where a parent or guardian
has filed a written statement with a building principal requesting
that corporal punishment not be administered to their child, the
parent or guardian will first be notified verbally prior to administering
such punishment. Written notification will later be mailed to the
parent or guardian. Corporal punishment is permitted in Grades K-6
only.
Saturday
School - Grades 5-6:
Any 5th or 6th grade
student who commits a suspend able offense during the regular school
program may be offered attendance at Saturday School as an alternative
to suspension from school. A student may not be assigned to Saturday
School for more than two (2) incidents of suspendable offenses in
any school year without the approval of the Superintendent. One
(1) day suspension or any part thereof equals one (1) Saturday Session.
Transportation must be provided by parents/guardians. School buses
are not available. Students are expected to provide their own study
materials and may have available a specific written work program
approved by their principal. Saturday School is staffed by faculty
members who expect student productivity during each Saturday session.
Notification of a Saturday School assignment is to be sent to the
parent/guardian and the superintendent. An incident of student behavior
resulting in a choice of Saturday School as a consequence will be
counted as a suspendable offense in progressive discipline consequences,
including driver's license eligibility.
Suspension
(20-8.15-6):
(a) Any principal
may suspend a student for no more than five (5) school days for
conduct constituting grounds for expulsion or suspension as set
out in section 4 (20-8.1-5-4) of this chapter.
Such suspension shall
be made only after the principal has made an investigation there
of and has determined that such suspension is necessary to help
any student or to prevent interference with an educational function
or school purposes.
However, the student
may be suspended by the hearing examiner until the date of the expulsion
or exclusion hearing, if the hearing examiner determines that this
suspension is necessary under IC 20-8.1-5-12.
(b) No suspension
may be made without affording the student and opportunity for an
informal hearing. At the informal hearing the student is entitled
to:
(1) A written or oral statement of the charges against him;
(2) And, if he denies the charges, a summary of the evidence against
him; and
(3) An opportunity to explain his conduct.
The procedures provided
in sections 8 through 12 (20-8.1-5-8 - 20-8.1-5-12) of this chapter
do not apply to suspensions made under this section.
(c) Notice and the
informal hearing shall precede suspension of the student except
where the nature of the misconduct requires immediate removal. In
such a situation, the notice and informal hearing shall follow as
soon as reasonably possible after the suspension.
(d) Within twenty-four
(24) hours, or such additional time as is reasonably necessary,
following a suspension, the principal shall send a written statement
to the student's parent describing the student's conduct, misconduct
or violation of any rule or standard and the reasons for the action
taken. The principal shall make a reasonable effort to hold a conference
with the parent before or at the time the student returns to school.
Failure of the parent to participate in a conference with the principal
does not justify extending the period of the student's suspension.
(IC 20-8.1-5-6, as added by Acts 1973, P.L.218, -1; Acts 1976, P.L.102,-2;
Acts 1980, P.L.146,12; Acts 1982, P.L.129,-2).
Expulsion:
In the event the
principal feels it is necessary to request the expulsion (or exclusion)
of a student the procedure described in I.C.20-8.1-5-8 will be followed.
Any student or parent wishing to review this process may request
a copy.
Lockers,
Searches, and Seizures (20-8.1-5-17):
All lockers are the
private property of the school corporation. A student using a locker
is presumed to have no expectation of privacy in that locker or
its contents. The principal, or other member of the administrative
staff of a school designated in writing by the principal, may search
a locker and its contents at any time. Other than a general search
of lockers of all students, any search conducted, shall be where
possible conducted in the presence of the student whose assigned
locker is the subject of the search. A law enforcement agency having
jurisdiction over the geographic area in which the school is located
may, at the request of the school principal, assist the school administrators
in searching such a locker and its contents. Only the lock provided
by the school shall be used. Any unauthorized lock may be removed
and destroyed at any time without notice.
Search of the Person
The principal, or
another member of the administrative staff designated in writing
by the principal and acting at the direction of the principal, may
search the person of a student during a school activity if the principal
or another member of the administrative staff has reasonable cause
for a search of that student. Searches of the person of the student
shall be limited to:
1. Searches of the
pockets of the student.
2. Any object in
the possession of the student, such as a purse or briefcase, and
3. A "pat-down"
of the exterior of the student's clothing.
Searches of the person
of a student, which require removal of clothing, other than a coat
or jacket or sweater, may be referred to a law enforcement officer
after contacting parents.
Reasonable Cause
As used in this section
"reasonable cause" means circumstances, which would cause
a reasonable person to believe particular person, place, or thing
will lead to the discovery of:
1. Evidence of a
violation of the student conduct standards contained in the
student handbook; or
2. Anything, which, because of its presence, presents an immediate
danger of
physical harm or illness to any person; or
3. Evidence of an interference with school purposes.
Anything found in
the course of the search conducted in accordance with this section,
which is evidence of a violation of the student conduct standards
contained in the student handbook, or anything which because of
its presence presents an immediate danger or physical harm or illness
to any person, or evidence of an interference with school purposes,
may be:
1. Seized and admitted
as evidence in any suspension or expulsion proceeding;
2. Returned to the parent or guardian of the student from whom it
was seized;
3. Destroyed if it has not significant value; or
4. Turned over to any law enforcement officer.
The principal, or
member of the administrative staff designated in writing by the
principal, may request the assistance of a law enforcement officer
to search any area of the school premises, any student, or any motor
vehicle on school premises, or to identify or dispose of anything
found in the course of the search conducted in accordance with this
section.
Gang-Like
Behavior:
In a continuing effort
to provide a safe and orderly environment for our students and toward
the goal of keeping our schools free from the harmful influence
of any groups or gangs which advocate and/or provoke dangerous,
disruptive, violent and/or intimidating behavior, the Warrick County
School Corporation has implemented the following guidelines.
A gang is any identifiable
group of people who:
1. Are perceived
as a distinct group by the principal,
2. Are perceived by the students, parents and/or staff of the school
as
interfering with normal school activities by participating in dangerous,
disruptive, violent, and/or intimidating acts of behavior,
3. Are involved in the commission of disruptive, violent and/or
intimidating
acts of behavior.
Special
Education:
The Warrick County
School Corporation, having recognized the many sensible advantages
of cooperative programming for the expressed purpose of serving
special education needs, has joined together with East Gibson School
Corporation, North Gibson School Corporation, South Gibson School
Corporation, and Pike County School Corporation in a joint program
operating under the name of Gibson-Pike-Warrick Special Education
Cooperative.
All the Special Education
services provided in the participating school corporations are directed
by a joint program Director of Special Education. Some of the services
are jointly funded, while others are totally supported by the individual
school corporation.
The following Special
Education services are available to eligible students in the Warrick
County Schools:
Resource Support
from/or placement fin classes for :
Speech & Language Therapy
Physical Therapy
Visually Impaired
Early Childhood Education
Hearing Impaired
Occupational Therapy
Mentally Retarded
Emotionally Disturbed
Learning Disabilities
Eligibility for Special
Education Placement is determined through referral and case conference
procedures with written parental notification and consent. The Cooperative
operates under the guidelines of P.L.94-142.
Prime
Time:
The Warrick County
School Corporation is participating in the state funded Prime Time
Program in grades K-3 to reduce the pupil-teacher ration in the
elementary grades. The pupil-teacher ration is computed for the
entire school corporation for an overall average, and this average
is not intended to be applied on an individual room-by-room basis.
Fireworks:
The act of possession,
using or threatening to use any fireworks, explosives, or other
such instruments capable of inflicting bodily injury will result
in disciplinary consequences, which may result in expulsion from
school.
Directory
Information:
Schools in Warrick
County by the authority of School Board Policy may release certain
"directory information" about students which means information
contained in an education record of a student that would not generally
be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed and
which includes, but is not limited to, the student's name, address,
parents' names and their home and work telephone numbers, major
field of study, participation in official recognized activities
and sports, height and weight of members of athletic teams, dates
of attendance, awards received, motor vehicle description, (including
license plate number), hair and eye color, race, sex, date of birth,
height, weight, grade level, and other similar information, without
consent to media organizations (including radio, television, and
newspapers), colleges, civic or school-related organizations and
state or local governmental agencies.
Parents of a student
years of age or a student who is at years of age desiring to object
to disclosure of any or certain of the categories of directory information
should complete and file form JO-E-2 (Denial of Permission to Release
Certain Directory Information Without Prior Written Consent) at
the school.
Portfolios:
The Warrick County
School Corporation, by recommendation of the Indiana Department
of Education, has designed a portfolio plan that will provide students
with an opportunity to exhibit their learning progress by collection
samples of their work. Students will be expected to share the responsibility
for development and maintenance of their portfolios with their teachers.
These portfolios will be available for parent review at conferences.
Intra-Corporation
Transfers:
Schools throughout
the Warrick County School Corporation have been established in order
to serve the needs of those children living within certain geographic
and community areas. Boundary lines have been established by the
local school board to insure that enrollment levels continue to
conform to the limits for which the various buildings were designed.
Therefore, the Warrick County School Corporation operates within
defined school district areas and is not a free choice system. A
student is to attend the school in the district in which his/her
parents, legal guardians or other adult custodians have established
legal settlement.
Circumstances may
develop for families when it is better for a child to attend a school
in a different school within the corporation. Due to the wide range
of circumstances which can develop, the foregoing policy has been
established.
Consideration for
transfer will be given when any of the following reasons are addressed:
1. CHILD CARE -
The available child care provider lives within another
school boundary. The child care provider must submit to the Office
of
Student/Support Services a written affidavit which indicates their
employ-
ment/position as such.
2. MOVING/BUILDING-
A residence change is expected to be made to a
new school district in a reasonable time, such as the impending
purchase of a
different home or the completion of a new residence. Parents will
be
required to complete a 30-day conditional enrollment form in such
cases,
which will be subject to review at the end of the conditional period.
3. MEDICAL- Parents
provide documentation from a physician, psychologist
or psychiatrist indicating that it is in the student's best interest
to attend a
different school.
Personal preference
of the student or parent is not an acceptable reason for transfer
to, nor continuation of, attendance in a school outside the home
school district.
Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act:
The Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 ("FERPA") serves two primary
functions: to provide access by parents and eligible students to
the student's education records and to protect the privacy of student
education records. FERPA applies to all schools that receive money
from the United States Department of Education. FERPA gives certain
rights to parents regarding their child's education records. These
rights transfer to the student when the student turns 18 or begins
attending any school beyond the high school level. Such students
are known in the Act and its regulations as "eligible students."
Essentially, FERPA gives parents and eligible students the right
to inspect and review the student's education records, to request
that records which the parents or eligible student believes are
inaccurate be amended, and to give or withhold consent for the release
of personally identifiable information from the student's education
record.
Generally, any written
or documentary material concerning a student which is maintained
by a school is considered an education record under FERPA. This
includes test scores, attendance records, and grades, among others.
However, education records do not include:
(1) Personal notes
of a teacher or counselor that are solely for that person's use
or
For the use of a temporary substitute for the teacher or counselor;
Certain records for
the school's law enforcement unit;
Records pertaining
to an individual employed by the school if they are made and maintained
in the normal course of business, relate exclusively to that individual
in his or her capacity as an employee, and are not made available
for any other purpose;
With respect to a
student who is 18 or is attending any school beyond the high school
level, records that are made or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist,
psychologist or other recognized professional that are used only
in connection with the treatment of the student and are disclosed
only to individuals providing the treatment; and
Records containing
information about an individual after he or she is no longer a student
at the school.
Under FERPA and its
regulations, parents have an equal right of access to their child's
education records. Thus, generally, both custodial and non custodial
parents have the right to inspect and review their child's education
records. However, the parent's right to review and inspect his or
her child's education records may be circumscribed by a court order,
state statute, or legally binding document which specifically revokes
those rights. Unless the school has been provided with evidence
of such a court order, state statue, or legally binding document,
it must give full rights under FERPA to either parent. Additionally,
FERPA defines the term "parent" broadly, including a natural
parent, a guardian, or an individual in loco parent is to the child.
All of these individuals are entitled to access the child's education
records. When a student turns 18 or begins any school beyond the
high school level, the rights given to parents by FERPA are transferred
from the parents to the student.

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