Student/Parent Handbook

If a student's illness or accident should occur on school property or at a school-related event:

• Parents/Guardians will be contacted depending on the seriousness of the illness or injury.
• Minor injuries will be reported to the parents at the end of the day in writing.
• If the illness or injury is serious, parents or the designated emergency contact person will be contacted to determine the best course of action to follow.
• In the event no one can be reached, the Grand Ledge Area Ambulance Service will be contacted. The student will be placed under their care to determine if it is necessary for the student to be transported by ambulance to the hospital. (Ambulance transportation charges will be the responsibility of the parents.
• In NO instance can the student be released to anyone but the parents/ guardians unless parental consent and approval is obtained.

Prescription Drugs and Medication

When a student is required to take drugs or medication at school, any and all medication must be delivered to the teacher by a parent/guardian or an adult parent representative—NOT BY THE STUDENT.

Strange Elementary School will require the following in connection with the administration of medication to a student in the school setting

• The student’s parent/guardian must submit, in advance, written permission to administer the medication.
• The student’s parent/guardian must furnish the physician’s instructions that are on the medication container in order to administer the medication.
• Medication will be administered by the teacher or other school employee designated by the teacher.
• Medications with directions of ”take as needed” require instructions from the parent or physician on what constitutes appropriate conditions for dispensing the dosage amount and the maximum number of times the medications can be administered during the day.

Medication will not be dispensed if these requirements are not followed. Please arrange to have medication given at home if possible.

Students with respiratory or highly allergic conditions will be allowed to carry inhalers or emergency medical kits with them while at school. Parents/Guardians need to contact school officials, in writing, so proper precautions are taken and staff are well informed as to the condition.

The Oneida Township School District No. 3 Strange Elementary School Board of Education recognizes a safe and civil environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. The district finds that bullying, like other disruptive or violent behavior, is conduct that disrupts both a student’s ability to learn and the school’s ability to educate its students in a safe environment.

This policy prohibits bullying against students in any form, regardless of its subject matter or motivating animus. Retaliation or false accusation against a target of bullying, a witness or another person with reliable information about an act of bullying, is also prohibited.

The Board of Education shall ensure the implementation of this policy and develop ongoing strategies for environmental change that are shared annually with all district staff.

The Board of Education delegates to the teacher the function of implementing administrative procedures that provide for notification of the parents or legal guardians of both victims and perpetrators of bullying.

Reporting

Any student who believes they have been or is currently the victim of bullying or retaliation should immediately report the situation to the teacher, aide or Board of Education.

Investigation

All reports about bullying behavior, or other complaints that may violate this policy, shall be promptly investigated. The Board of Education delegates to the teacher the responsibility of establishing and implementing a procedure for the prompt investigation of a report of bullying or related complaint to be followed by the Board of Education which receives a report of violation of this policy.

If the investigation concludes that bullying behavior or other prohibited activity has occurred, it will result in prompt and appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. Individuals may also be referred to law enforcement officials.

The complainant shall be notified of the findings of the investigation and, as appropriate, that remedial action has been taken.

The Oneida Township School District No. 3

Strange Elementary School adheres and agrees to the State of Michigan Model Anti-Bullying Policy as of May 22, 2012.

It is very important for students to be in attendance each school day to take part in valuable classroom education. Many learning experiences result from active participation in the classroom and other school activities which cannot be replaced by individual study. The State of Michigan requires attendance from age six to sixteen.

A student may not miss more than six (6) days per trimester except in cases of extended illness or hospitalization, documented with a doctor’s note. Any additional absences beyond the six (6) days will result in the teacher contacting the Eaton RESA Truancy Intervention Program. Please refer to the Truancy rules.

In keeping with the student's best academic interests being of foremost importance; the teacher may strongly recommend a prearranged absence from school not happen when a student is:

• underachieving academically,
• has too many absences,
• is habitually tardy

Tardiness

If a student arrives after the start of the school day, they are considered tardy. If a student is more than one hour late to school or leaves more than one hour before the end of the school day, the State of Michigan requires this to be recorded as a half-day absence rather than a tardy. When a student accumulates six (6) tardies within a single trimester, a parent/guardian/teacher conference will be scheduled to discuss a plan to help the student be punctual.

Excused Absences

An excused absence allows the student to make up all possible work. The teacher will have all missed class work in a file ready for the student upon the student's return to school.

Students may be excused from school for one or more of the following reasons and will be provided an opportunity to make up missed school work and/or tests:

• An illness that exceeds more than three (3) days requires a doctor’s note.
• Medical appointments with doctor’s note.
• Recovery from an accident with a doctor’s note.
• Family emergencies.
• Professional appointment, if it cannot be scheduled outside of school hours.
• Observation or celebration of bona fide religious holiday.

A letter will be sent home informing parents/guardians when a student has reached three (3) absences in a trimester.

Students with a health condition that results in repeated absences are required to provide the school with a doctor’s note of explanation. We will keep this document in the student’s file. Without such a statement, the student’s permanent attendance record will indicate “frequent unexplained illness” resulting in unexcused absences.

During the next grading period, a frequently absent student will be placed on an attendance watch to monitor whether or not the pattern continues. If it continues, a notation will be made on the student's grading record concerning the frequent absence from school.

The teacher shall develop procedures for the attendance of students which:

• Ensure a school session that is in conformity with the requirements of the law.
• Ensure students absent for any excusable reason have an opportunity to make up the work they missed;
• Govern the keeping of attendance records in accordance with the rules of the State Board;the student's behavior and consider modification activities to meet particular needs and interests;
• Ensure any student who due to a specifically identifiable physical or mental impairment exceeds or may exceed the district’s limit on excused absences is referred for evaluation of eligibility either under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Such guidelines should provide a student’s grade in any course is based on the student's performance in the instructional setting and is not reduced for reasons of conduct unless such conduct results in abysmal performance.

If a student violates the attendance or other rules of the school, the student should be disciplined appropriately for the misconduct, but the student's grades should be based upon what the student can demonstrate has been learned.

If you are emailing the notice, please include the student’s name, date of absence and reason for absence. In order to be considered an excused absence, medical authorization such as a doctor’s note is required including the above information. The note must be given to the teacher upon the student’s return to school.

If the absence can be foreseen and approved, the parent/guardian should arrange to discuss the matter as many days as possible before the absence occurs, so arrangements can be made to assist the student in making up the missed school work.

If prior contact is not possible, the parents/guardians must provide an excuse (written or verbal) as soon as possible. Followed by the formal written authorization (see above). When no excuse is provided, the absence will be “unexcused” and the student will be considered truant.

Make-up Tests and Other School Work

Students who are excusably absent from school or who have been suspended shall be given the opportunity to make up work that has been missed. The student should contact the teacher as soon as possible to obtain assignments.

• Make-up work due to suspension must be completed by the time the student returns to school.
• Work can be requested before an absence if you know at least 24 hours ahead of time.
• Work for an absent student may be picked up at school anytime after school on the day of the absence.
• A student will have two (2) days to make up work for each day the student is absent. Please talk to the teacher to be sure you know when your student’s work will be due.
• A student's unexcused absence due to a planned vacation must complete their assigned school work during vacation prior to returning to school when possible.

If a student misses a teacher’s test due to an excused absence, the student may make arrangements with the teacher to take the test. If the student misses a state mandated test or other standardized test, the student should consult with the teacher to arrange for taking the test.

Students must agree to follow these rules
 

1. The following actions are not allowed, and I may lose all technology privileges and or face disciplinary actions if I:
   1. get into someone else’s file.
   2. copy or delete files or software.
   3. use or share ID’s or passwords.
   4. break into files or systems.
   5. keep another student or a teacher from doing work.
   6. make, read or send inappropriate files.
   7. use school technology to buy, sell, trade or advertise.
   8. use technology to damage school equipment. This includes but is not limited to:
      • doing anything that brings a virus into school equipment.
      • purposely destroying hardware, software or information.
      • trying to learn or use other people’s passwords or identification.
      • sharing my own passwords.
2. I will only use technology my teachers have approved that is school appropriate.
3. I will have to pay for any damages I have caused.
4. The school’s technology is only for people who are registered to use it, and I am responsible for my own account and password and/or privileges.
5. The school’s technology may not always meet my needs, and it may not always work.
6. The school will not be responsible for lost data or time or harm caused by me or to me because I did not follow directions or because I did not know how to use the system.
7. The school has the right to check anything I do on school equipment.
8. I have received training in acceptable uses of technology and the internet.

Parents agree to:

As the student’s parent or legal guardian, the parent will agree to the terms and conditions of this agreement. The parent will understand that their student will not be able to use district technology resources and the district’s internet until both the student and the parent have signed this agreement. Parents will also understand the student has been taught proper use of district technology resources and the district’s Internet. The parent will agree to reimburse the district for any fees, expenses or damages incurred as a result of the student’s use or misuse of these tools.

Daily School Schedule

Activity	Start	End
Full Day	8:15am	3:30pm
Half Day	8:15am	12:00pm
Academic	8:15am	10:20am
Recess	10:20am	10:40am
Academic	10:40am	12:00pm
Lunch	12:00pm	12:25pm
Recess	12:25pm	12:55pm
Academic	12:55pm	3:30pm

 

 

 

 

Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary action will be handled through progressive discipline procedures as follows:

Level 1: Be sent home with one (1) additional day of suspension.

Level 2: Three (3) day suspension.

Level 3: Five (5) day suspension.

Level 4: Ten (10) day suspension with board review (possible expulsion).

Disciplinary action of major infractions will be discussed and consequences will be made with parents, teachers and at least one school board member present. Minor infractions of a repetitive nature will carry consequences equal to a major infraction.

Reinforce Positive Behavior

A system is in place to instantly reward positive behavior. It is called the “Clip up - Clip down” method. The student can immediately see the results of making good choices or poor choices as their clip is moved up or down. Rewards connect with a bingo chart for earning prizes throughout the week. We are catching our kids doing good!

A dress code promotes a district’s academic environment, maintains discipline and prevents disruption of the educational process. Dress or hairstyles that are disruptive, distracting, unsanitary or unsafe are prohibited.

• Students are prohibited from wearing clothing or accessories that distract from or are disruptive to the educational setting. Examples of prohibited distracting or disruptive clothing or accessories include but are not limited to:
  • See-through clothing, visible undergarments, oversized pants that expose undergarments, and pajamas.
  • Garments that expose bare skin, including halters, backless dresses or tops, tube tops, bare midriff tops, shorts and skirts shorter than fingertip-length, etc.
  • Obscene, vulgar or demeaning messaging, images or symbols.
  • Sexually suggestive messaging, images or symbols.
  • Messaging, images, symbols or colors that link a student to gangs or similar antisocial behavior.
  • Racially intimidating messaging, images, or symbols (e.g., swastika, Confederate flag, etc.).
  • Messaging, images and symbols that advocate the illegal use of drugs or alcohol or that advertise a substance illegal for minors.
  • Cover-up clothing (jackets, coats, sweaters, etc.) worn over prohibited apparel may also be deemed unacceptable.
• For safety and health reasons, students are required to wear shoes or footwear with soles, dress appropriately for the seasons and refrain from excessive writing on body skin with pens, ink or other materials.
• Hats, visors and sweatbands are prohibited. Hats are defined as head coverings including, but not limited to, baseball caps, cowboy hats, stocking caps, scarves and hoods.
• All dress is subject to staff discretion. If a student violates the dress code, the student will be given the opportunity to correct their attire or style of hair that school day or to remove and keep out of sight prohibited accessories. Corrections may be made by making immediate adjustments at school, wearing a school district garment or going home to change. Parents may be contacted. A student who continues to violate the dress code will be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures. If appropriate clothing cannot be secured, the student may be required to spend the day on in-school suspension. A student who continues on subsequent school days or at school-related activities to violate the dress code will be subject to disciplinary measures up to and including suspension or expulsion from school.

The Family Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA) limits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a student’s educational records. Sections 99.30 of the FERPA Regulations, in part, states:

"Except as provided in Section 99.31, an educational agency or institution shall obtain a signed and dated written consent of a parent or eligible student before it discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records."

FERPA defines education records as:

"Those records that are (1) directly related to a student; and (2) maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution. Section 99l3. The transfer of student records in Michigan is governed by Revised School Code Section 1135 (MCL380.1135) which requires that: Within 14 days after enrolling a transfer student, the school shall request in writing directly from the student’s previous school a copy of his or her record. Any school that compiles records for each student in the school and that is requested to forward a copy of a transferring student’s record to the new school shall comply within 30 days after receipt of the request unless the record has been tagged pursuant to section 1134 (Section 1134 deals with records of missing students)."

In the view of the Michigan Department of Education, the “school record” referred to in section 1135 includes a student’s disciplinary record including any suspension or expulsion action against the student.

FERPA — Parent/Guardian Right to Review Student Records

Students and parent/guardians of the student have the right to review and examine official student records. Reviews will take place by appointment only and in the presence of a school employee. Records and/or transcripts will be released only after written permission has been granted by the parent or by the student who is 18 years of age. Requests for records by courts or educational institutions will be honored. You have the right to obtain a copy of the policy adopted by the Grand Ledge Board of Education in compliance with Family Education Right Privacy Act. A copy may be obtained in person or by mail from the Superintendent’s Office, Grand Ledge Public Schools, 220 Lamson Street, Grand Ledge, MI 48837.

Parents have the right to review student records and any information the district considers directory information such as student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major fields of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and honors received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student. Parents may file a written request to the principal by September 30 of each school year to request information not be published about their student.

Field trips offer our students an opportunity to examine and experience how learning can be connected to outside the classroom. We strive to participate in several field trips each year. Some are small and local; others are all day and farther away. Participation is a privilege. Students must be in good academic and behavioral standing in order to attend field trips. This includes the completion of in-class and homework assignments.

Students representing Strange Elementary School while on field trips are expected to be on their best behavior and to leave a positive impression on the visit. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated on field trips, and students may be asked to leave early.

A general permission slip will be sent to parents for their signature at the beginning of each new school year. A letter, email or communication in the classroom newsletter will be sent home prior to the field trip that will explain the purpose, location and cost of the field trip. Students who have not returned their signed permission slips will not be allowed to attend field trips.

We rely on volunteers to provide the transportation (car/van) for our field trips. All volunteers attending a field trip need to have a completed iChat form on file and must sign a waiver to drive. If you would like to volunteer to help with a field trip, please contact the school.

Fire and tornado drills will be held to ensure proper execution of drill procedures. Drill procedures are posted in each room, stating the directions to follow in case of a disaster. There will be occasional tornado, fire and lockdown drills throughout the school year. Cooperation and alertness are necessary at all times.

School homework assignments are the responsibility of the student and teacher. If a student is absent from school or has missed a class for any reason, the student is responsible for talking with the classroom teacher regarding any missed work. Please see the attendance policy for the procedure for making up work missed due to absences.

The responsibilities regarding homework are as follows:

• Student accepts full responsibility for completing homework.
• Student completes homework assignments on time.
• Student asks for clarification of homework assignments.
• Student requests help and arranges for assistance with homework.
• Student manages time to ensure homework receives the priority it deserves.
• Student has the materials and resources necessary to complete homework.

Michigan law, according to Section 9208 of the Michigan Health Department Public Act #368 of 1978, states the following:

“A parent, guardian or person in local parentis applying to have a child registered for the first time in a school in that state shall present to school officials, at the time of registration or not later than the first day of school, a certificate of immunization or statement of exemption under Section 9215. A teacher or principal shall not permit a child to enter or attend school unless a certificate indicating that a minimum of one dose of an immunizing agent against each of the diseases specified by the department has been received and certified by a health professional or local health department. A parent, guardian, or person in local parentis having a child register with only these minimum doses of immunizing agents shall present an updated certificate of immunization within four months after initial attendance showing the immunizations have been completed as prescribed by the department."

Parents of children entering school for the first time in Michigan are reminded each child must be immunized for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, smallpox, rubella, chicken pox, measles and Hepatitis B. Vision and hearing examinations are also required. The information must be brought to school on the first day or within a reasonable time after school has begun. An immunization waiver form is available in the school office upon request. Family physicians may do the immunization, or you may take the child to the Eaton County Health Department, 528 Beech Street, Charlotte, MI. Free clinics are available at both the Barry-Eaton District Health Department and at various Outreach clinics in the area. Please call 517.543.2430 or 517.485.7110 for specific dates and places.

It is Michigan law that all new entering students must have the Hepatitis B immunization. A parent or guardian must provide dates when the immunization for hepatitis was given, a physician-signed statement that the child “is in the process” of completing the three (3) vaccinations series for Hepatitis B, or a signed statement that the parent does not choose to have their child(ren) immunized against Hepatitis B for religious reasons or other noted reasons of objection.

A digital newsletter (hard copy provided upon request) is sent home once a month via email. It is most important parents read these letters as they contain important information on upcoming school activities and events. If you are not receiving the newsletter be sure to check your junk mail.

The teacher will use email for other communication as well.

If a question or concern arises, please seek an answer or solution by contacting the teacher first. If the question or concern is not satisfactorily resolved at the building level, the concerned person may request a meeting with the teacher(s) and the school board.

Your student may be photographed or videotaped while participating in school programs and activities. These photographs and videos may be used for school district publication including the school website. On occasion, these photographs or videos may be used in the "Grand Ledge Independent." You will be asked to fill out a photo release at the beginning of the school year. You may request to change this form at any time during the year.

Elementary school students are expected to participate in all curricular activities each day, including outdoor recess activities. All children go outdoors for recess unless it is raining or zero wind chills. Parents are asked to dress their child/children appropriately for weather conditions.

The teacher reserves the right to revoke the student’s participation in recess as a matter of discipline if the student’s behavior justifies this action.

There are three formally scheduled reporting periods planned annually. Two of these are parent/teacher conferences, one scheduled in the fall and one in the spring.

Parent/teacher conferences provide an opportunity for the parent and teacher to discuss the student's academic progress, social adjustment and other observations relating to school life. A formal written progress report will be sent home within one (1) week of the end of each trimester. Trimesters end in November, March and June. The report will help identify areas of concern or progress in academic skills, social adjustment and other related areas. The parents or teacher may request a conference at any time to discuss student progress and special concerns. We will do our best to accommodate all scheduling considerations.

Strange Elementary School follows Grand Ledge Public Schools for delays and cancelations. Please check your local TV and radio stations for these delays and cancelations. If Strange Elementary School is going to vary from Grand Ledge Public Schools in any way you will be contacted via our in-school emergency phone tree. Please follow the directions on the phone tree to be sure everyone is contacted.

Students will be allowed to have snack for the mid-morning break. Please send healthy snacks such as fruit, vegetables or fruit/fiber bars.

The school provides books and technology for use in various class subjects. The books and technology are on loan to students during the school year and returned to the school at the end of the current school year. It is understood that students are responsible for taking care of any book or technology issued to them. If the book or technology is lost, damaged or temporarily misplaced, the student must pay the price of replacement.

The money paid to replace any lost materials will be refunded provided the item is returned within the current school year. Parents and students agree to sign a separate “Technology Policy Agreement” form.

If you lost your housing and now live in a shelter, motel, vehicle, camping ground or temporary trailer, on the street, doubled-up with family or friends or in another type of temporary or inadequate housing, your child may be able to receive help through a federal law called the McKinney-Vento Act. Your local district liaison is Cindy Coakley (517.282.3419).

Parents/guardians are responsible for making arrangements to drop off and pick up their student. Please be sure your student is on time for school and be prompt to pick them up after school. If you have to be late for any reason, please call the teacher to let her know. If you have to be late consistently, please make other transportation arrangements for your student.

In the case of divorce or separation, either parent has the right to pick the student up from school unless there is a legal document stating one of the parents may not pick the student up from school. A Personal Protection Order is a legal document, however, it does not refrain a parent with such restrictions in place, from picking up the student unless the order is written with the student's name as being the protected individual.

Parents are asked to work these matters out prior to picking the student up from school.

The procedure for withdrawal from Strange Elementary Schools is as follows:

• Parents/guardians must request a school “Exit” form from a teacher in order to authorize the withdrawal.
• Once the exiting form has been completed, if a student wishes to return, they are required to follow the Strange Elementary School of Choice guidelines.
• All school books and property must be returned and all fees must be paid.