STUDENT HANDBOOK

FORT RECOVERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK

2007-08

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Topic Page Number

Foreword 1

Mission of the School 1

School Day 1

Crossing Guard 2

Student Responsibilities 2

Student Well Being 2

Injury and Illness 2

Section I - General Information

Enrolling in the School 3

Scheduling and Assignment 3

Immunizations 3

Emergency Medical Authorization 4

Use of Medications 4

Nonprescribed Medications 5

Students with Disabilities 5

Student Records 6

Student Fees and Fines 6

Student Fund Raising 7

Student Valuables 7

Cafeteria Service 7

Student Rules for Cafeteria Behavior 7

Visitors/Safety and Security 8

Fire and Tornado Drills 9

Emergency Closings and Delays 9

Use of the Library 9

Use of School Equipment and Facilities 9

Lost and Found 9

Use of Telephones 9

Advertising Outside Activities 10

NOTE:

This Student/Parent Handbook is based in significant part on policies adopted by the Board of Education and on Administrative Guidelines developed by the Superintendent. Those Board Policies and Administrative Guidelines are incorporated by reference into the provisions of this Handbook. These documents are periodically updated in response to changes in the law and other circumstances. Therefore, there may have been changes to the documents reviewed in this Handbook since it was printed in summer 2007. If you have questions or would like more information about a specific issue or document, contact your school principal or you can access the document on the District's website at www.noacsc.org/mercer/fr by clicking on the Board Policy link and finding the specific policy or administrative guideline in the Table of Contents for that section.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Topic Board Policy

Section II - Academics

Field Trips 10

Grading System 10

Promotion, Acceleration, and Retention 11

Homework 11

Computers Technology and Networks 11

Section III - Student Activities

Nonschool-Sponsored Clubs and Activities 12

Student Attendance at School Events 13

Section IV - Student Conduct

School Attendance Policy 13

Truancy 13

Excused Absences 13

Notification of Absence 14

Tardiness 14

Vacations During the School Year 14

Code of Conduct 14

Expected Behaviors 15

Care of Property 15

Harassment and/or Aggressive Behavior 15 & 16

Improper Dress 17

Recess Rules 17

Discipline 18

Suspension of Bus Riding/Transportation Privileges 18

Section V - Transportation

Bus Transportation to School 19

Bus Conduct 19

Penalties for Infractions 20

Transportation of Students by Private Vehicle 20

NOTE:

Student/Parent Handbook

For the

FORT RECOVERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Welcome to the Fort Recovery Elementary School.. The staff and I are pleased to have you as a student and will do our best to help make your experience here as enjoyable and successful as you wish to make it. To help provide a safe and productive learning environment for students, staff, parents and visitors, the Board of Education publishes this updated Student/Parent Handbook annually to explain students' rights, responsibilities and consequences for misbehavior.

Parents are encouraged to take a few minutes to review and discuss the information in this Handbook with their school-age children. Teachers will also review this Handbook with students at the beginning of the school year.

Thank you for taking the time to become familiar with the important information in this Handbook. Please know that you are always welcome at your child’s school. Your involvement sends your child the message that you care about his/her education. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me anytime.

Shelly Vaughn

Elementary Principal

Mrs. Shelly Vaughn – 419-375-2768 Ext. 201 vaughn@fr.noacsc.org, Principal

Mrs.Lucy Staugler – 419-375-2768 Ext. 302 stauglerl@fr.noacsc.org, Guidance Counselor

Mrs. Karen Schroer – 419-375-2768 Ext. 200 schroer@fr.noacsc.org, School Secretary

Mr. David Riel – 419-375-4139 Ext. 501 riel@fr.noacsc.org, Superintendent of Schools

School Year 2007

Adopted by the Board of Education on August 14, 2007

FOREWORD

This Student Handbook was developed to answer many of the commonly asked questions that you and your parents may have during the school year and to provide specific information about certain Board policies and procedures. This Handbook contains important information that you should know. Please take time to become familiar with the following information and keep the Handbook available for frequent reference by you and your parents. If you have any questions that are not addressed in this Handbook, you are encouraged to talk to your teachers or the building principal. This Handbook replaces all prior handbooks and other written material on the same subjects. This Handbook does not equate to an irrevocable contractual commitment to the student, but only reflects the current status of the Board’s policies and the School’s rules as of August 14, 2007. If any of the policies or administrative guidelines referenced herein are revised after the start of the 2007-08 school year, the language in the most current policy or administrative guideline prevails. Copies of current Board policies and administrative guidelines are available from the building principal and on the District's web site.

MISSION OF THE SCHOOL

Vision: Fort Recovery Local Schools: An exemplary school district adding value for all students.

Mission: The mission of Fort Recovery Local School District is to create a culture of collective responsibility to add value for all students through academic rigor and best instructional practices in a safe, caring learning environment.

Goals:

· All students will learn through curriculum and instruction that is rich in academic rigor.

· All students will learn in a safe, supportive, caring environment.

· All stakeholders (students, staff, parents, and community) will be highly involved and feel a sense of accountability that value is added for all students.

SCHOOL DAY

8:15 – School Begins

3:21 – Bus and Parent pick up dismissal bell

3:26 – Walker Dismissal Bell

Walkers should not arrive before 8:00 and are to go directly to their classrooms and remain there until the start of school. If students do arrive before 8:00, they must report to the designated “Early Arrival” area. Bus students will not be dismissed from buses before 8:00. After 8:00, all students should report directly to their classrooms. There should be no loitering in the halls. All students should be in their rooms by the 8:15 bell.

All teachers and students are involved with instruction until the “get ready bell” at 3:17. At 3:21 the bell rings which dismisses bus students and children being picked up. At 3:26 a bell rings which allows “walkers” to be dismissed from the back doors. Parents who are picking up children, must make arrangements to be at school promptly after school - 3:21.

Children are expected to clear the school building immediately upon their dismissal bells. The school cannot be responsible for the supervision of children beyond that time. The school is directly responsible for supervision of students only while they are on school property. Once they leave school property, this becomes the responsibility of the parents. The school will cooperate with parents in stressing the rules of safety to and from school and will assist with discipline problems that occur between home and school. Generally misbehavior that occurs off school property is a police matter.

CROSSING GUARD

A crossing guard will be provided at the intersection of Center and Elm (Rt. 49) Streets from 8:00-8:15 and from 3:25-3:40.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The School’s rules and procedures are designed to allow students to be educated in a safe and orderly environment. All students are expected to follow staff members’ directions and to obey all school rules.

Students must arrive at school on time, prepared to learn and participate. If, for some reason, this is not possible, the student should seek help from Mrs. Vaughn.

In addition, if a new student resides in the District with a grandparent and is the subject of a: 1) power of attorney designating the grandparent as the attorney-in-fact; or 2) a caretaker authorization affidavit executed by the grandparent that provides the grandparent with authority over the care, physical custody, and control of the child, including the ability to enroll the child in school, consent in all school related matters, and discuss with the District the child’s educational progress, the student’s grandparent may enroll the child in school on a tuition-free basis. However, in addition to the above‑referenced documents that are typically required for enrollment, the grandparent must provide the District with a duly executed and notarized copy of a power of attorney or caretaker authorization affidavit.

STUDENT WELL BEING

Student safety is the responsibility of both students and staff. Staff members are familiar with emergency procedures such as fire and tornado drills and accident reporting procedures. If a student is aware of any dangerous situation or accident, s/he must notify a staff person immediately.

State law requires that all students have an emergency medical authorization completed and signed by a parent or guardian on file in the School office.

Students with specific health care needs should deliver written notice about such needs, along with physician documentation, to the School office.

INJURY AND ILLNESS

All injuries must be reported to a teacher or the office. If the injuries are minor, the student will be treated and may return to class. If medical attention is required, the office will follow the School’s emergency procedures and attempt to make contact with the student’s parents.

A student who becomes ill during the school day should request permission to go to the office. An appropriate adult in the office will determine whether the student should remain in school or go home. No student will be released from school without proper parental permission.

SECTION I - GENERAL INFORMATION

ENROLLING IN THE SCHOOL

In general, State law requires students to enroll in the school district in which their parent or legal guardian resides unless enrolling under the District’s open enrollment policy.

New students under the age of eighteen (18) must be enrolled by their parent or legal guardian. When enrolling, parents must provide copies of the following:

A. a birth certificate or similar document

B. court papers allocating parental rights and responsibilities, or custody (if appropriate)

C. proof of immunizations

Under certain circumstances, temporary enrollment may be permitted. In such cases, parents will be notified about documentation required to establish permanent enrollment.

Students enrolling from another school must have an official transcript from their previous school in order to have credits transferred. Mrs. Karen Schroer will assist in obtaining the transcript, if not presented at the time of enrollment.

A student who has been suspended or expelled by another public school in Ohio may be temporarily denied admission to the District’s schools during the period of suspension or expulsion even if that student would otherwise be entitled to attend school in the District. Likewise, a student who has been expelled or otherwise removed for disciplinary purposes from a public school in another state and the period of expulsion or removal has not expired, may be temporarily denied admission to the District’s schools during the period of expulsion or removal or until the expiration of the period of expulsion or removal which the student would have received in the District had the student committed the offense while enrolled in the District. Prior to denying admission, however, the Superintendent shall offer the student an opportunity for a hearing to review the circumstances of the suspension or expulsion and any other factors the Superintendent determines to be relevant.

SCHEDULING AND ASSIGNMENT

The Principal in cooperation with the teachers will assign each student to the appropriate classroom and program. Any questions or concerns about the assignment should be discussed with the Principal.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Students must be current with all immunizations required by law or have an authorized waiver from State immunization requirements. For the safety of all students, the school principal may remove a student from school or establish a deadline for meeting State requirements if a student does not have the necessary immunizations or authorized waiver. Any questions about immunizations or waivers should be directed to the elementary secretary.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION

A complete Emergency Medical Authorization Form must be on file with the School in order for a student to participate in any activity off school grounds, including field trips, spectator trips, athletic and other extracurricular activities, and co-curricular activities. The Emergency Medical Authorization form is provided at the time of enrollment or at the beginning of each school year.

USE OF MEDICATIONS

Students who must take prescribed medication during the school day, must comply with the following guidelines:

A. Parents should, determine with the counsel of their child's prescriber whether the medication schedule can be adjusted to avoid administering medication during school hours.

B. The appropriate form must be filed with the respective building principal before the student will be allowed to begin taking any medication during school hours or to use an inhaler to self-administer asthma medication. Such forms must be filed annually and as necessary for any change in the medication.

C. All medications must be registered with the Principal’s Office and must be delivered to school in the containers in which they were dispensed by the prescribing physician or licensed pharmacist.

D. Medication that is brought to the office will be properly secured. Except as noted below, medication must be delivered to the Principal’s Office by the student’s parent or guardian or by another responsible adult at the parent or guardian’s request. Except as noted below, students may not bring medication to school. Students may carry emergency medications for allergies and/or reactions, or asthma inhalers during school hours. Students are strictly prohibited from transferring emergency medication or inhalers to any other student for their use or possession.

E. Any unused medication unclaimed by the parent will be destroyed by school personnel when a prescription is no longer to be administered or at the end of a school year.

F. The parents shall have sole responsibility to instruct their child to take the medication at the scheduled time.

G. The building principal will maintain a log noting the personnel designated to administer medication, as well as the date and the time of day that administration is required. This log will be maintained along with the prescriber's written request and the parent’s written release.

Nonprescribed (Over-the-Counter) Medications

No staff member will dispense nonprescribed, over-the-counter (OTC) medication to any student without prior parent authorization. Parents may authorize administration of a nonprescribed medication on forms that are available from the Principal’s Office. Physician authorization is not required in such cases.

If a student is found using or possessing a nonprescribed medication without parent authorization, the student will be brought to the School office while the student’s parents are contacted for authorization. The medication will be confiscated until written authorization is received.

A student may possess and use a metered dose inhaler or a dry powder inhaler to alleviate asthmatic symptoms or before exercise to prevent the onset of asthmatic symptoms, at school or at any activity, event, or program sponsored by or in which the student’s school is a participant if the appropriate form is completed and on file in the Principal’s Office.

A student who is authorized to possess and use a metered dose or dry powder inhaler may not transfer possession of any inhaler or other medication to any other student.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The American’s with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibit discrimination against persons with a disability in any program receiving Federal financial assistance. This protection applies not just to students, but to all individuals who have access to the District’s programs and facilities.

The law defines a person with a disability as anyone who:

A. Has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;

B. Has a record of such an impairment; or

C. Is regarded as having such an impairment.

The District has specific responsibilities under these two laws, which include identifying, reviewing and, if the child is determined to be eligible, affording access to appropriate educational accommodation.

Additionally, in accordance with State and Federal mandates, the District seeks out, assesses and appropriately services students with disabilities. Staff members use a comprehensive child study process to systematically screen, assess and, if appropriate, place students in special education and related services. Students are entitled to a free appropriate public education in the "least restrictive environment."

A student can access special education and related services through the proper evaluation procedures. Parent involvement in this procedure is important and required by Federal (IDEIA) and State law.

PROTECTION AND PRIVACY OF STUDENT RECORDS

The School District maintains many student records including both directory information and confidential information.

Directory information can be provided upon request to any individual, other than a for‑profit organization, even without the written consent of a parent. Parents may refuse to allow the Board to disclose any or all of such “directory information” upon written notification to the Board

Other than directory information, FERPA and Ohio law protect access to all other student records. Except in limited circumstances as specifically defined in State and Federal law, the School District is prohibited from releasing confidential education records to any outside individual or organization without the prior written consent of the parents, or the adult student, as well as those individuals who have matriculated and entered a postsecondary educational institution at any age. The Board will provide access or release directory information to armed forces recruiters unless the parent or student request that prior written consent be obtained.

Confidential records include test scores, psychological reports, behavioral data, disciplinary records, and communications with family and outside service providers.

Students and parents have the right to review and receive copies of all educational records. Costs for copies of records may be charged to the parent. To review student records please provide a written notice identifying requested student records to Mrs. Vaughn. You will be given an appointment with the appropriate person to answer any questions and to review the requested student records.

Parents have the right to amend a student record when they believe that any of the information contained in the record is inaccurate, misleading or violates the student’s privacy. A parent or adult student must request the amendment of a student record in writing and if the request is denied, the parent or adult student will be informed of his/her right to a hearing on the matter.

STUDENT FEES AND FINES

Students will be provided necessary textbooks for courses of instruction without cost. In accordance with State law, Fort Recovery School charges specific fees for workbooks, tests, paper, current events, copier ink, and materials used in the course of instruction.

Charges may also be imposed for loss, damage or destruction of school apparatus, equipment, musical instruments, library materials, and textbooks and for damage to school buildings or property. Students using school property and equipment can be fined for excessive wear and abuse of the property and equipment.

Students can avoid late fines by promptly returning borrowed materials.

Failure to pay fines, fees, or charges may result in the withholding of grades.

STUDENT FUND-RAISING

Students participating in school-sponsored groups and activities may solicit funds from other students, staff members, and members of the community in accordance with school guidelines.

STUDENT VALUABLES

Students should not bring items of value to school. Items such as jewelry, expensive clothing, electronic equipment, and the like, are tempting targets for theft and extortion. The School will not be liable for any loss or damage to personal valuables.

CAFETERIA SERVICE

The School participates in the National School Lunch Program and makes lunches available to students for a fee of $1.50. Students may also bring their own lunch to school to be eaten in the School’s cafeteria. No student may leave school premises during the lunch period without specific written permission from the Principal.

Milk cards are also available to students for a fee of $5.00.

Applications for the School’s Free and Reduced-Priced Meal program are distributed to all students at open building. If a student does not receive an application form and believes s/he is eligible, contact Mrs. Karen Schroer.

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