Harrisville Elementary School Creed Collins Elementary School

Ritchie County Middle School 2020-2021 Smithville Elementary School Ritchie County High School

Employee Calendar

THeRe’s An APP FOR tHAt!

Simply go to the APP store and type in Ritchie County Schools to download the app on your iPhone, iPad, Android or Windows device. Download for FREE today!

www.ritchieschools.com

2020-2021 Ritchie County Schools Employee Calendar and Information Guide

TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE! Torie Jackson, President The 2020-2021 school year brings about many unknowns Term Expires - June 30, 2024 and will most definitely present numerous challenges for our school community. However, as Albert Einstein once said, “In the Midst of Every Crisis, Lies Great Opportunity!” I encourage our schools to rise above the challenges we face by focusing on solutions and not the problem. This will require all of us to work together as a collective team, united to do the very best for the students we serve. Our sense of mission cannot be the opening of school but doing all that Betsy Wells, Vice-President we can to stay in school. Indicative of how our school community functions Term Expires – June 30, 2024 and the standards we operate from, we are setting the bar very high. Our district Reentry to School Operational Plan puts forth the necessary precautions and supports to maintain the health and safety of our students and employees. We have also developed a model reflective of the varied levels of concern and provides options to parents and students. Our plan is structured, and expectations are clearly defined but we also realize at any point in time we may need to Misty Ingram-Keen, Member pivot and adjust our strategies. As your Superintendent, please know my primary focus and Term Expires – June 30, 2022 guiding principles will always be the health and safety of students. In collaboration with our Board of Education, I will not hesitate to make the difficult decisions when it comes to the health and safety of our students. Currently, over seventy percent of our students will be returning for in-person learning. Having students physically present in school in the healthiest manner possible requires us to accept the premise that school will not look the same for the foreseeable future. The protocols outlined in our plan are practical, feasible, and appropriate for child Denver Nelson, Member and adolescent developmental stages given the challenges of operating school in the midst Term Expires – June 30, 2022 of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understand, the opportunity to implement in-person learning is contingent on our ability to minimize exposure to our students and employees, and the strategies we have put in place gives us the best hope to accomplish that goal. With that said, we all must do our part in adhering to the protocols. Equally important, we have approximately thirty percent of our students opting for distance learning. Based on lessons learned during the school closure this past Spring, our distance learning model will be much improved and incorporate a learning process that is more consistent across classrooms, grade levels and schools. The model incorporates Ryan Reed, Member effective strategies to provide direct instruction, a more efficient method of accessing Term Expires – June 30, 2022 instructional lessons as well as the submission of assignments. However, this model requires a true commitment from our students, parents, and teachers to function as a partnership between home and school. This process will also provide an avenue for students to seamlessly transition back to school for in-person learning as the risks associated with this pandemic lessen. Our success this year will be measured by how well our school community comes together and functions as a TEAM. I truly believe as a collective body of ordinary people committed to the mission of serving our students we can and will have an extraordinary school year! Respectfully, Jim Brown, Superintendent of Schools

1

RITCHIE COUTY SCHOOLS Staff Technology Acceptable Use Agreement Ritchie County School Board Employee Policy Agreement Ritchie County Schools encourage the use of technology to further its educational mission and to facilitate effective educational practices. It is the general policy of Ritchie County Schools that all technology resources are to be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner. Both West Virginia State Policy 2450 and Ritchie County Schools Employees are to utilize this calendar as a source of information related to the guidelines are established to ensure safe and appropriate use. overall operations and functions of the school system. As a technology user, I will adhere to all West Virginia State and Ritchie County policies including the following acceptable use guidelines: Employees are expected to meet standards of conduct and performance • I understand that all students must have training annually and have a signed Technology Acceptable expectations and to adhere to applicable State Board of Education policies. Use Agreement. Failure to meet such standards, adhere to rules, regulations, policies and • I will enforce the RCS Student Technology Acceptable Use Agreement, and Board Policy 4110 Technology directives may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of Acceptable Use Policy. • I understand that all classroom technology activities will focus on appropriate and specific learning goals employment. and objectives. • I understand all students must be directly supervised when using technology resources. I, Employee Name (please print) • I understand that I must (with the help of the /TIS/other RCS designee) educate students about appropriate online have received the 2020-2021 Ritchie County School Employee Calendar and behavior, including cyber bullying awareness and response and interacting with others when online (chats, wikis, blogs, social networking, etc.) I will provide on-going information to students about safe and acceptable use of have read and understand the Employee Code of Conduct, and all policies technology. pertaining to employees. I understand that complete policies can be found on • I will not share any of my assigned USER ID’s and/or passwords with anyone, nor will I allow anyone access www.ritchieschools.com and the WV Department of Education website. to the network using my USER ID and password. I will notify the system administrator of any security problems of which I am aware. • I will use only appropriate language and polite responses and will not access, read, print, create, or send unethical, illegal, immoral, inappropriate, obscene, harassing materials or information of any type or use abusive Employee Signature ______language. I will not send or post information that might be misconstrued as representing the school’s or the county’s point of view. Date:______• I will directly supervise any classroom activity (social networking, chat, wikis, blogs, etc.) using electronic messaging/posting and the activity will have a specific curricular purpose. • I will not use bandwidth intensive resources unless I have the approval of the technology department or other Administrator’s Signature: ______authorized RCS personnel. This includes but is not limited to internet radio, continuous downloading, or streaming video. Date:______• I will refrain from any non-educational uses of technology. I will not permit students to access games except those educational games that are assigned and directly supervised. • I will respect network security and not attempt to bypass it. This includes, but is not limited to, “hacking” and attempting to interfere with system security software. If I am aware network resources are being used This signature page must be signed and returned to your inappropriately or bypassed, I will report it to the principal and authorized RCS personnel. principal or immediate supervisor, and will remain on file at the • I will treat all equipment with care and respect. I will report needed equipment maintenance repairs to the work BOE office. order system. • Personal or county owned electronic devices should not interfere or disrupt the duties assigned to any employee. In order to protect your professional reputation, Ritchie County Schools recommends that you do not accept students as friends on your personal social networking sites. Allowing students access to your social network, gives them the ability to download and share your information with others. The user is personally responsible for his/her actions in accessing and utilizing the school and county technology resources. Failure to adhere to this policy and the guidelines established below shall result in the renovation of access privileges and/or disciplinary actions involving local, county, state, or federal agencies. I have read the rules and regulations above. I also understand that any computer, as the property of Ritchie County Schools, is subject to random auditing for the purpose of determining the presence of unauthorized software, by the technology department staff.

Employee Name Printed Employee Signature

Date : ______

2

3

Ritchie County SchoolsRitchie Core CountyBelief Statements Schools Core Belief Statements

EMPLOYEE CODE OF CONDUCT WV STATE POLICY 5902

4.1 "Employee" shall include all school personnel employed by a county board of education whether employed on a regular full-time basis or otherwise, and shall include other personnel such as employees of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, and all employees of West Virginia Department of Education Institutional Programs.

4.2 All West Virginia school employees shall: 4.2.1. exhibit professional behavior by showing positive examples of preparedness, communication, fairness, punctuality, Ritchie County Schools attendance, language, and appearance. where we believe in 4.2.2. contribute, cooperate, and participate in creating an environment in which all employees/students are accepted and every student are provided the opportunity to achieve at the highest levels in all areas of development. and

4.2.3. maintain a safe and healthy environment, free from embrace their potential harassment, intimidation, bullying, substance abuse, and/or violence, and free from bias and discrimination. every day!

4.2.4. create a culture of caring through understanding and support.

4.2.5. immediately intervene in any code of conduct violation, that has a negative impact on students, in a manner that preserves STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION confidentiality and the dignity of each person. It is the policy of the Board to afford equal opportunity for employment without 4.2.6. demonstrate responsible citizenship by maintaining a high regard to race, color, religion, national origin and disability, which can be standard of conduct, self-control, and moral/ethical behavior. reasonably accommodated, gender, age, veteran status or political

affiliation. This policy of nondiscrimination prevails throughout every aspect of 4.2.7. comply with all Federal and West Virginia laws, policies, regulations and procedures. the employment relationship including recruitment, selection, placement, training, promotions, transfers, pay, benefits, discipline and other terms and conditions of employment.

4

Policy 4110 Acceptable Use Policy employees under their supervision and require each employee to sign the Employee Technology Acceptable Use Agreement each year. The agreements are to be (Technology/Internet Use) kept on file by the immediate supervisor. Every student is required to sign the Technology Acceptable Use Agreement each year. A Student Technology

Acceptable Use Agreement must be signed by the student and Purpose parent/guardian. The purpose of this policy is to bring Ritchie County Schools in compliance with West Virginia Department of Education Policy 2460 – Educational Purpose and Network Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources, Technologies and the Internet and the The district network includes wired and wireless computers and peripheral Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). equipment, files and storage, e-mail and Internet content (blogs, web sites, web mail, groups, wikis, social media, networking, etc.). The district reserves the right to prioritize The Ritchie County Board of Education recognizes that an effective public the use of, and access to, the network. education system develops students who are globally aware and civically All use of the network must support education and research and be consistent engaged. The Board also believes that students need to be proficient users of with the mission of the district. information, media, and technology to succeed in a digital world. Acceptable network use by district students and staff includes: Therefore, Ritchie County School District will use electronic resources as a  Creation of files, projects, videos, web pages and podcasts using network powerful and compelling means for students to learn core subjects and applied resources skills in relevant and rigorous ways. It is the district’s goal to provide students  in support of educational research; with rich and ample opportunities to use technology for important purposes in  Participation in blogs, wikis, bulletin boards, social networking sites and schools just as individuals in workplaces and other real-life settings. The groups and the creation of content for podcasts, e-mail and web pages district’s technology will enable educators and students to communicate, learn, that support educational research; share, collaborate and create, to think and solve problems, to manage their  With parental permission, the online publication of original educational work, and to take ownership of their lives. material, curriculum related materials and student work. Sources outside the classroom or school must be cited appropriately; The Board directs the Superintendent or designee to create strong electronic  Staff use of the network for incidental personal use in accordance with all educational systems that support innovative teaching and learning, to provide district policies and guidelines; appropriate staff development opportunities and to develop procedures to  Connection of any personal electronic device is subject to all guidelines in support this policy. this document.

Procedure Unacceptable network use by district students and staff includes These procedures are written to support the Electronic Resources, but is not limited to: Technologies and the Internet Policy of the West Virginia Board of Education  Personal gain, commercial solicitation and compensation of any kind; and to promote positive and effective digital citizenship among students and  Disclosing any confidential records without adequate authority to do so; staff. Digital citizenship represents more than technology literacy: successful,  Downloading, installation and use of unauthorized and/or non-educational technologically fluent digital citizens live safely and civilly in an increasingly digital world. games, audio files, video files or other applications (including shareware They recognize that information posted on the Internet is public and permanent or freeware) without permission or approval from the school principal or and can have a long-term impact on an individual’s life and career. technology staff; Expectations for student and staff behavior online are no different than face-to-  Support or opposition for ballot measures, candidates and any other face interactions. political activity;  Hacking, cracking, vandalizing, the introduction of viruses, worms, Trojan All staff and students are required to abide by this policy and by WV BOE Policy horses, time bombs and changes to hardware, software, and monitoring 2460- Educational Purpose and Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources, tools; Technologies and the Internet. Signed agreements are required for all  Any attempt to disable or overload any computer system or to circumvent employees and students. any system intended to protect the privacy or security of another user; Employee supervisors shall annually review technology acceptable use with 5

schools/principals will monitor and ensure that these requirements are being Policy 4110 Acceptable Use Policy implemented and followed. (Technology/Internet Use) Continued Filtering and Monitoring Filtering software is used to block or filter access to visual depictions that are obscene  Unauthorized access to other district computers, networks and and all child pornography in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act information systems; (CIPA). Other objectionable material could be filtered. The determination of what  Bullying, hate mail, defamation, harassment of any kind, discriminatory constitutes “other objectionable” material is a local decision. jokes and remarks, or any other use of school equipment to threaten, harass, or insult another person in violation of West Virginia Code § 18-  Filtering software is not 100% effective. While filters make it more difficult 2C-2. Emphasis is added as it pertains to race, color, religion, national for objectionable material to be received or accessed; filters are not a origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability; solution in themselves. Every user must take responsibility for his or her  Information posted, sent or stored online that could endanger others use of the network and Internet and avoid objectionable sites; (e.g., bomb construction, drug manufacture);  Any attempts to defeat or bypass the district’s Internet filter or conceal  Accessing, uploading, posting, sharing, downloading, storage and Internet activity are prohibited: unauthorized virtual private networks distribution of violent, obscene, pornographic or sexually explicit (VPNs), proxies, https, special ports, modifications to district browser material; and settings and any other techniques designed to evade filtering or enable  Attaching unauthorized equipment to the district network. Any such the publication of inappropriate content; equipment will be confiscated and destroyed  E-mail inconsistent with the educational and research mission of the  Unauthorized disclosure use, or dissemination of personal information district will be considered SPAM and blocked from entering district e-mail regarding yourself (if student) or of any student. boxes;  Using social media to engage in non-professional interaction between  The district will provide appropriate adult supervision of Internet use. The employees and students in an inappropriate manner, as set forth in first line of defense in controlling access by students to inappropriate WVDE Policy 2460, Section 5.8. material on the Internet is deliberate and consistent monitoring of student  All other prohibited activities as listed in WVDE Policy 2460, Section access to district technology; 6.3.  Staff members who supervise students, control electronic equipment or  The district will not be responsible for any damages suffered by any have occasion to observe student use of said equipment online, must user, including but not limited to, loss of data resulting from delays, non- make a reasonable effort to monitor the use of this equipment to assure deliveries, mis-deliveries or service interruptions caused by its own that student use conforms to the mission and goals of the district; and negligence or any other errors or omissions. The district will not be  Staff must make a reasonable effort to become familiar with the Internet responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from the use and to monitor, instruct and assist effectively. of, or access to, the district’s computer network or the Internet. The WVDE and West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing (WVNET) operate Internet Safety: Personal Information and Inappropriate Content the statewide infrastructure to provide access for all Pre-K-12 public schools. In Students and staff should not reveal personal information, including a home accordance with state purchasing guidelines, filtering will be installed at the state level for address and phone number, on web sites, blogs, podcasts, videos, social Internet access. This will provide filtering for all public schools in a cost effective manner and with efficient management. The Ritchie County School District and/or schools may media, wikis, e-mail or as content on any other electronic medium. Students also add other electronic filters. and staff should not reveal personal information about another individual on any electronic medium. No student pictures with names can be published on Copyright any class, school or district web site unless the appropriate permission has Downloading, copying, duplicating and distributing software, music, sound files, movies, been granted. If students encounter dangerous or inappropriate information or images or other copyrighted materials without the specific written permission of the messages, they should notify the appropriate school authority. copyright owner is generally prohibited. However, the duplication and distribution of

Internet Safety: Instruction The school district will educate all students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response. All 6

 The network; Policy 4110 Acceptable Use Policy  User files and disk space utilization; (Technology/Internet Use) Continued  User applications and bandwidth utilization;  User document files, folders and electronic communications; materials for educational purposes are permitted when such duplication and  E-mail; distribution fall within the Fair Use Doctrine of the United States Copyright Law  Internet access; and (Title 17, USC) and content is cited appropriately.  Any and all information transmitted or received in connection with network and e-mail use. Web Publishing Ritchie County Schools recognizes the educational benefits of publishing No student or staff user should have any expectation of privacy when using information on the Internet by school personnel and students. It also the district's network. The district reserves the right to disclose any electronic recognizes the importance of having guidelines that address content, overall message to law enforcement officials or third parties as appropriate and in compliance with responsibility, potential contributors, quality, technical standards and student all applicable laws, rules and policies. protection. In addressing these issues, it will be the policy of the Ritchie County Board of Education to follow the “Web Publishing Guidelines” as set Disciplinary Action forth in WVDE Policy 2460 – Section 10 -Educational Purpose and Acceptable All users of the district’s electronic resources are required to comply with Use of Electronic Resources, Technologies and the Internet. the district’s policy and procedures and agree to abide by the provisions Network Security and Privacy set forth in the district's Technology Acceptable Use Policy. Passwords are the first level of security for a user account. System logins and accounts are to be used only by the authorized owner of the account, for authorized district Violation of any of the conditions of use explained in the Technology purposes. Students and staff are responsible for all activity on their account Acceptable Use, Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources, Technologies and must not share their account password. and the Internet Policy or in these procedures could be cause for These procedures are designed to safeguard network user accounts: disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion from school and  Change passwords according to district policy; suspension or revocation of network and computer access privileges.  Do not use another user’s account; Students will be disciplined for violations in accordance with West  Do not insert passwords into e-mail or other communications;  If you write down your account password, keep it out of sight; Virginia BOE Policy 2460, and employee violations will be addressed in  Do not store passwords in a file without encryption; accordance with the Employee Code of Conduct and, if necessary, West  Do not use the “remember password” feature of Internet browsers; and Virginia Code § 18A-2-8.  Lock the screen, or log off, if leaving the computer.

Student Data is Confidential

District staff must maintain the confidentiality of student data in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Social Networking is rapidly growing and used (FERPA). by all ages in society. Ritchie County Schools

No Expectation of Privacy have a professional image to uphold and how The district provides the network system, e-mail and Internet access as a tool we conduct ourselves on line impacts this image. for education and research in support of the district’s mission. The district Please be professional at all times and aware reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review and store, without prior notice, information about the content and usage of: that you are representing RC schools.

7

Character Trait of the Month: Adaptability - Be ready and willing to adjust as necessary to the changes in people and circumstances that arise in daily AUGUST 2020 life.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday July 2020 September 2020 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 26 27 28 29 30 31 27 28 29 30 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

PAY DAY

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 OS DAY BOE MEETING

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 OS DAY OS DAY OS DAY OS DAY OS DAY

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 PAY DAY PL DAY PL DAY PL DAY PL DAY BOE MEETING PL DAY 30 31 CE DAY

REMINDERS:

8

Illness in the Family Policy 5250 Leave for Illness & Other Causes An employee may use sick leave to care for ill members of the family. An absence of more than five (5) consecutive days will require a doctor’s verification of illness. For purposes of this section of the policy in accordance with WV Code 21-5D-2, The Parental Leave Act, family shall include the employee’s spouse, child, dependent, Full-time and half-time regular employees benefit from two (2) different kinds mother or father, mother-in-law, father- in-law, sibling, or grandchild. By definition, of leave; leave for illness, hereinafter called sick leave, and personal leave dependent means any person who is living with and dependent upon the income of the without cause. Leave for all regularly employed personnel is earned at the Board employee. rate of one and one-half (1.5) days per month of service for full-time employees, and three-quarters (.75) of a day per month for half-time regular Serious Illness of The Employee’s Spouse, Parent(s), Or Child employees with unlimited accumulations, transferable within the State of West A reasonable number of sick leave days may be used by the employee to care for his or her Virginia. Accumulated leave shall be transferable to Ritchie County Schools from spouse, parent, 2 child, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sibling or grandchild who has a serious other educational agencies/institutions of the State of West Virginia governed by health condition, in accordance with the provision of The Parental Leave Act. By definition, similar policies as determined by the county superintendent. Days transferred will a serious health condition means a physical or mental illness, injury or impairment which be credited to the employee upon written verification from the previous employer. involves: 1) Inpatient care in a hospital, hospice or residential health care facility; or 2) Employees are required to enter leave in the district’s automated online reporting Continuing treatment, health care or continuing supervision by a health care provider. system in a timely manner and in all cases, prior to the absence. Failure to do so Quarantine may constitute willful neglect of duty and is subject to disciplinary action, up to Sick leave days will be granted for a quarantine in which the employee is included, as and including the termination of his/her employment. Reasons for the authorized ordered by a duly authorized health official. Sick leave will be approved until the quarantine use of sick leave shall be absence from assigned duty due to personal accident, is retracted or the employee’s accumulated days are exhausted. personal illness, illness in the family, death in the immediate family of the employee, or for the following reasons: Personal Leave Without Cause Each regular full-time employee shall be permitted four (4) days of personal leave Employee Unable to Perform Assigned Duties annually without regard to cause. Each employee shall be entitled to carry over a total of Sick leave may be used where the individual is unable to perform his or her four (4) unused personal leave without cause days, provided that an employee may not assigned duties because of illness or injury resulting from sickness or an accrue more than five (5). Personal leave without cause days in excess of five (5) will be accident. If an employee is absent more than five (5) consecutive days, credited to the employee’s total accumulated leave. the employee must provide a doctor’s verification of illness. The following restrictions apply:  Personal leave without cause may not be taken on consecutive days unless authorized Maternity Leave by the principal or immediate supervisor; Pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and  Requests to use personal leave must be given to the principal or immediate supervisor recovery there from shall be treated for leave purposes as any other at least 24 hours in advance, except in the case of sudden and/or unexpected temporary disability rendering an employee unable to perform her duties. circumstances, in which case, such notice shall be given as soon as reasonably When an employee is unable to perform her duties because of pregnancy, practical; childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and recovery there from,  The use of such day may be denied if, at the time notice is given, either fifteen percent the employee is entitled to take sick leave under the same terms and (15%) of the employees or three employees, whichever is greater have previously filed conditions as for any other disability, but only to the extent of the sick leave to notice with their supervisor of intent to use that day for such leave; and  Personal and which the employee is entitled. Sick Leave may also be available for maternity sick leave shall not be used in connection with a concerted work stoppage or strike. reasons under provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act. If an employee should use personal or sick leave which has not been earned and subsequently leaves his/her employment, the person shall be required to reimburse the Death In the Family Board for the salary or wages paid for such unearned leave. A maximum of five (5) sick leave days may be used. For this section only, immediate family shall include the employee’s spouse, father, mother, son, Obvious abuse of personal leave privileges will not be honored and false daughter, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, stepfather, stepmother, stepchild, legal guardian, father-in-law, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in- reporting of the same by the employee may be construed as breach of contract law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, cousin or any on the part of the employee. other person living in the household of the employee. 9

Character Trait of the Month: Compassion - Show kindness and concern for others in distress by offering help whenever possible. SEPTEMBER 2020

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5

PL DAY PREPARATION FOR OPENING / FACULTY BOE MEETING SENATE

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 LABOR DAY STUDENTS GRADES 4, 5 STUDENTS GRADES 3, 6 STUDENTS GRADES 2, 7 STUDENTS GRADES 1, 8 NO SCHOOL AND 9 WILL REPORT AND 10 WILL REPORT AND 11 WILL REPORT AND 12 WILL REPORT BEGIN 1ST 6 WEEKS PAY DAY

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 KINDERGARTEN GROUP KINDERGARTEN GROUP KINDERGARTEN GROUP KINDERGARTEN GROUP A AND STUDENTS GRANDPARENTS B AND STUDENTS BLENDED LEARNING* A AND STUDENTS B AND STUDENT DAY GRADES 1-12 WILL GRADES 1-12 WILL GRADES 1-12 WILL GRADES 1-12 WILL REPORT REPORT REPORT REPORT

BOE MEETING

20 21 22 23 24 MID-TERM 25 26 PRESCHOOL GROUP A PRESCHOOL GROUP B PRESCHOOL GROUP A PRESCHOOL GROUP B AND STUDENTS GRADES AND STUDENTS GRADES AND GRADES K-12 WILL AND GRADES K-12 WILL K-12 WILL REPORT K-12 WILL REPORT REPORT REPORT

PAY DAY

August 2020 October 2020 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F ALL STUDENTS WILL S M T W T F S S 1 1 2 3 REPORT 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 BOE MEETING 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 30 31 REMINDERS: “Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is the probable reason * Blended learning from home will be every Wednesday until further why so few engage in it.” notice. (Holidays excluded). Calendar subject to change. ― Henry Ford

10

Conditions of Contributing Personal Leave Days Policy 5250 Leave for Illness & Other Causes -  Shall be deducted from the number of personal leave days to which the donor Continued employee is entitled.  Shall not be deducted from the number of personal leave days without cause to which the donor employee is entitled if sufficient general personal leave days are otherwise Any employee who is willfully absent from his/her duties without some form of available to the donor employee. approved leave shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including  Shall be credited to the receiving employee as one full personal leave day. termination of his/her employment contract. Employees who make excessive  May not be credited for more or less than a full day by calculating the value of the use of leave or who demonstrate a suspicious pattern of using leave shall be leave according to the hourly wage of each employee. subject to investigation. An employee  May be used only for an absence due to the purpose for which the leave was who is found to have improperly exercised paid leave shall be subject to transferred. Any transferred days remaining when the catastrophic medical emergency disciplinary action, up to and including termination of his/her employment. ends revert back to the donor employee; and  An employee may not be coerced or compelled to contribute to a leave donation Catastrophic Medical Emergency program.  Days donated through this process may affect eligibility status for state / Definitions: district personnel leave incentive programs. A catastrophic medical emergency is a medical or physical condition that:  Incapacitates an employee or an immediate family member for whom the employee Other Leave will provide care; or Employees shall not be absent from their assigned duties beyond their earned paid  Is likely to require the prolonged absence of the employee from duty; leave days except as authorized by the county superintendent or his/her designee  Will result in a substantial loss of income to the employee because they have pursuant to this policy. The Superintendent may recommend the Board of Education exhausted all accrued 3 personal leave; and approve up to a maximum of five (5) unpaid leave days per school year. Such unpaid  Will result in a substantial loss of income to the employee because they are not eligible leave days require prior approval by the county superintendent or his/her designee and to receive personal leave or has exhausted personal leave available from a leave bank. may be granted for vacation purposes, educational trips, or any other absence which may not be covered in this policy or policies. Nothing in this policy should be interpreted Employee means a professional educator or school service person who is employed by to entitle any employee of the Board to any amount of unpaid leave beyond what is a county board and entitled to accrue personal leave as a benefit of employment; already required by state and federal law. The granting of unpaid leave under this policy Donor employee means a professional educator or school service person employed by 4 is permissive, not mandatory. No employee shall be permitted to take an unpaid leave a county board who voluntarily contributes personal leave to another designated day for any reason unless he/she has first submitted a prior written request to do so. employee; and Employee requests to exercise an unpaid leave day(s), before or after the exhaustion of Receiving employee means a professional educator or school service person employed an employee’s earned paid leave, must be made in writing and delivered to a staff by a county board who receives donated personal leave from another employee. member in the office of the county superintendent no later than 12:00 p.m. on the school day prior to the date on which the employee is seeking an unpaid leave day under this Conditions of Donating Leave policy. For example, an employee wanting to exercise an unpaid leave day on a  There is not a limit to the number of personal leave days a donor employee may Wednesday must deliver his/her request to a staff member in the office of the county transfer to a receiving employee who is his or her spouse; superintendent no later than 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday. This is not a mailing date deadline.  There is not a limit to the total number of personal leave days a receiving employee The written request must be in the hands of a staff member in the office of the county receives; and superintendent by this deadline. The form may be sent electronically to the  A donor employee may transfer up to five days to a receiving employee who is not his superintendent. Employee requests made after the deadline established by the policy or her spouse. may not be honored. In the event that an employee has zero (0) paid leave days  The donor employee voluntarily agrees to the leave transfer; remaining must report off due to an emergency and preapproval is not possible, the  The donor employee selects the employee designated to receive the personal leave employee may report to their immediate supervisor and put the day in the district transferred; automated online reporting system as an unpaid leave day. The employee must submit  The receiving employee requires additional personal leave because of a catastrophic the written request to the Superintendent within 48 hours after returning to work. An medical emergency; and employee’s failure to submit proper written notice within this 48-hour period shall be  The donated leave may not be used to qualify for or add to service for any retirement treated as insubordination under WV Code §18A-2-8. “Emergency” for the purpose of system administered by the state or extend insurance coverage pursuant to section this paragraph is defined as a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, thirteen, article sixteen, chapter five of this §18A-4-10f. property, or environment. Most emergencies require urgent intervention to prevent a worsening of the situation.

11

Character Trait of the Month: Contemplation - Think things through OCTOBER 2020 with proper care before taking action.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday September 2020 November 2020 1 2 3 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 27 28 29 30 29 30

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 PAY DAY FACULTY SENATE

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

ND END 1ST 6 WEEKS BEGIN 2 6 WEEKS BOE MEETING REPORT CARD DAY GRADES DUE AT MIDNIGHT

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 PAY DAY

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MIDTERM BOE MEETING

HALLOWEEN REMINDERS: “Genius is 1 percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration.” ― Thomas Edison

12

Professional Leave Policy 5250 Leave for Illness & Other Causes – Ritchie County Schools encourages opportunities for professional staff Continued members to develop increased competence, beyond that which they may Workers’ Compensation Claim attain through the performance of their assigned duties through attendance Payment of personal leave benefits and the charging of personal leave time used shall at professional meetings. be restricted, if the employee is receiving a workers’ compensation benefit from a claim filed against and billed to the Ritchie County Board of Education. If the employee is awarded such benefit, he or she shall receive personal leave compensation only to the A professional meeting/training shall be defined as any meeting that is related to the extent such compensation is required, when added to the workers’ compensation benefit activities, duties, or responsibilities of professional staff members as to equal the employee’s regular pay. If personal leave compensation equal to the determined by the Superintendent. employee’s regular pay is paid prior to the award of workers’ compensation, such determined overpayment shall be deducted from the employee’s subsequent pay.

Paid Leave for Service Substitute Employees Service substitutes may earn paid leave in accordance with WV Code §18A-4-15, as amended.

Paid Leave Records and Request for Information about Paid Professional Leave Procedures Leave Records of accumulated paid leave days will be kept by the payroll department documented on individual pay stubs. Requests for an accounting of one’s own ❏ A need for professional training has been determined. accumulated paid leave days must be made in writing to the payroll department. For the ❏ Complete Yellow Form (2 weeks prior to training), including: purposes of this section and policy, calling off work for an extra-curricular or extra-duty ❏ Funding Code assignment for any reason shall constitute the use or seeking the use of unpaid leave ❏ Estimated spending time. ❏ Administrative signature

❏ Turn form into BOE for review. Repayment of Leave Benefit When an employee or former employee has exercised paid leave which he/she has not ❏ If approved, a sub will be requested in eSchool Solutions and the yet earned by his/her service to the Board, the Board authorizes the Administration to funding source must be noted. pursue all reasonable legal remedies to recoup the value of the employee’s use of said ❏ Following the training, you must turn in appropriate paperwork to be unearned leave. For example, if an employee were to use an entire year’s worth of paid reimbursed. leave in September and then quit working for the Board in November, the Administration would be authorized to pursue the recoupment of the value of that unearned leave time. If any of the steps noted above are not completed, you risk not being

Family and Medical Leave Act Compliant reimbursed, and/ or charged an unquestioned/unpaid employment Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to conflict with the Federal Family and Medical day. Leave Act.

All Parental Leave Act Leave Time Designated as FMLA Leave All leave exercised by any employee under the Parental Leave Act is hereby designated as leave time under the 5 Family and Medical Leave Act.

False or Misleading Information Any employee who uses or seeks to use paid or unpaid leave time and submits false or misleading information in connection therewith shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including the unpaid suspension and/or termination of his/her employment.

Reference: WV Code 21-5D-1 through 21-5D-9 (Article 5D) - The Parental Leave Act; The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 Chapter 18a. School Personnel. Article 4. Salaries, Wages and Other Benefits. §18a-4-10f. Leave Donation Program 13

Character Trait of the Month: Courage - Face difficulty or danger and NOVEMBER 2020 express your beliefs even if you are afraid.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 DAYLIGHT ELECTION DAY SAVINGS NO SCHOOL ENDS

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 PAY DAY VETERANS DAY BOE MEETING (OBSERVED)

NO SCHOOL

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 PAY DAY END 2nd 6 WEEKS

22 23 24 25 26 THANKSGIVING DAY 27 28

THANKSGIVING BREAK - NO SCHOOL

29 30 October 2020 December 2020 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S BEGIN 3RD 6 WEEKS 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 GRADES DUE AT 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 MIDNIGHT 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

REMINDERS: “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.” ― Henry Ford

14

Employee Benefits and Information

Performance Evaluations: Employees receive an annual written job performance evaluation by their supervisors in accordance with West Virginia State Board Staff Development of Education Policy 5310 and District 5220. All employees are required by law to attend 18 clock hours of staff development training this year. Health and Safety: Employees are expected to follow safety instructions and to comply with procedures established to prevent accidents. An employee is Professional Employees: responsible for immediately reporting health and safety concerns to his or her It is your responsibility to log in to the county staff development immediate supervisor. District Policy 7010 site and evaluate each training you attend as well as ensure you have received credit for those trainings. Appearance: District employees serve as role models for the education http://ritchiecountysd.com/ profession. Employees are expected to use good judgment in determining appropriate attire. Clothing should be professional and reflect a high standard of personal hygiene. Clothing that alludes to obscenity, violence, sex or Service Employees: advertises alcohol, tobacco or an illegal substance is prohibited. It is your responsibility to record your staff development hours and give documentation to your direct supervisor when Attendance and Punctuality: The District expects regular attendance from all completed. employees. Supervisors shall ensure that the work of the school, office or department is able to continue when considering all leave requests. Employees are required to be on time and ready to work at the beginning of their scheduled workday. • Be careful with whom you share information. The person must be directly involved with the student’s education. Confidentiality: Employees may be exposed to information that must remain • Knowing or meeting parents outside of school doesn’t confidential and are prohibited from disclosing confidential information as change your responsibilities to honor the rules of delineated in WV State Board of Education Policy 4350 and District Policy 7130. Violation of confidentiality may be grounds for disciplinary action. confidentiality. • You should not answer parents’ questions about their own child or other students in public. • School personnel are only allowed to have access to information pertaining to students with whom they work. • Always remember that it is not only unprofessional and dishonorable to break confidentiality, but it is also illegal!

Complete policies can be found at www.ritchieschools.com 15

Character Trait of the Month: Honesty - Be truthful in all you do and never deceive, steal, or take advantage of the trust of others. DECEMBER 2020

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 REPORT CARD DAY

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 PAY DAY HANUKKAH

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 BOE MEETING MIDTERM

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 WINTER BEGINS CHRISTMAS DAY FACULTY SENATE PAY DAY Christmas Break- No School

27 28 29 30 31 November 2020 January 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 Christmas Break- No School 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

NEW YEAR’S EVE 31

REMINDERS: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” ― Unknown 16

Accommodating Employees with Disabilities: Our District will Tobacco Control make a reasonable accommodation(s) to the known physical or Ritchie County Board of Education works to promote the adoption of healthy mental impairment(s) of a qualified individual with a disability, lifestyles by students and employees and to provide when necessary, to enable the qualified individual with a disability a healthful environment in which students and staff members may learn to perform the essential functions of the job. An individual with a and work. The purpose of this policy is to promote achievement of disability has the responsibility to request an accommodation. these two goals by prohibiting the use or consumption of tobacco Information concerning reasonable accommodations for products in school buildings, on school grounds, in school-leased or disabilities may be obtained at http://www.ada.gov/. owned vehicles, and at all school affiliated functions in order to improve the health of West Virginia students and school personnel. District Harassment: Employees shall conduct themselves in a Policy 3010. professional and collegial manner. Our District strictly prohibits racial, sexual or religious/ethnic harassment of any kind or Drug-Free Workplace violence toward students and staff as outlined in district policy. The Board of Education believes that quality education is not possible Our District will not tolerate any form of discrimination or in an environment affected by drugs. It will seek, therefore, to establish and maintain an educational setting which is not tainted by the use or harassment that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work evidence of use of any controlled substance. “Drug-Free Workplace” is a environment nor any act done with intent to cause fear of bodily work site where work is performed in connection with the employee's harm in another. If you believe you have been subjected to contract with the Board of Education. This workplace shall include discrimination or harassment on the job, you have the right to file facilities, property, buildings, offices, structures, automobiles, trucks, trailers, a complaint with our District Title IX Director other vehicles, and parking areas, whether owned or leased by the Board of [email protected] Education. District Policy 5020.

Communications: To ensure high employee morale and Anti-Harassment and Violence Policy productivity, our District is committed to establishing and The purpose of this policy is to prevent racial, sexual, religious/ ethnic or maintaining communication with and among employees at all disability harassment or violence, by or toward students and staff, to protect levels of the organization. The following vehicles are used to the academic environment, and to assure that Ritchie County Schools accomplish this objective, including but not limited to: holding respond to harassment and/or violence incidents when they occur in a frequent staff meetings; maintaining an up-to-date website, manner that effectively deters future incidents and affirms respect for issuing written communication, utilizing School Messenger and individuals. It is the intent of the Ritchie County Board of Education to providing an open- door policy permitting employees to speak ensure that the learning and working environments are free from any type openly with supervisors. In addition, all supervisors are of harassment or violence. District Policy 3020. responsible for informing employees about matters affecting their job responsibilities or work assignments, the organization's goals and objectives, policies, concerns and matters of mutual interest. Complete policies can be found at

www.ritchieschools.com

17

Character Trait of the Month: Initiative - Take responsible action on your own, without prompting from others. JANUARY 2021

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday December 2020 February 2021 1 2 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 NEW YEAR’S DAY 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 NO SCHOOL 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 27 28 29 30 31 28 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 PAY DAY

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 BOE MEETING END 3RD 6 WEEKS

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 MARTIN LUTHER KING PAY DAY BEGIN 4TH 6 WEEKS REPORT CARD DAY JR DAY

NO SCHOOL GRADES DUE AT MIDNIGHT

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 BOE MEETING

31

REMINDERS: “Read, read, read. Read everything ― trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write.” ― William Faulkner

18

Identification Name Badges Electronic Communication Devices Policy 5300 Guidelines for School Personnel

Policy 5310

All employees of Ritchie County Schools will be required to wear Teachers or display identification name badges upon entering school grounds Ritchie County Board of Education or any area where official board of education business is being believes that the school district was conducted. created for the primary purpose of effectively educating the children It will be the responsibility of the Ritchie County Schools to provide attending school within the school the name badge at board expense and at a site convenient for the system. The Board further believes to employees. accomplish this mission, it is imperative that classroom instructional time be protected. Therefore, any activity that In the event the name badge is destroyed or lost, it will be the distracts the teacher from his or her ability to utilize the entire class period responsibility of the employee to contact the Ritchie County Board for instructional purposes is prohibited. Office for an appointment for replacement. Any further loss of name badges will be replaced at the employee’s expense. Specifically prohibited is the use of cellular telephones by teachers during class time. Talking on cell phone during instructional time is prohibited Visitors or parents will check in at the principal’s office and receive a unless handling a school related issue or of an emergency nature. visitor’s badge while on school grounds. Other Personnel It shall be the building administrator’s responsibility to enforce Employee are discouraged from using cellular telephones while performing security measures at the school facility. their duties. Talking on cell phone during work time is prohibited unless handling a school related issue or of an emergency nature.

VIOLATIONS  Alleged violations of this policy shall be discussed in a conference between the employee and the building principal.

 Second violation, the principal / supervisor shall issue a written reprimand to the employee(s) involved. This reprimand shall become a part of the employee’s personnel file.

 Repeated violations may result in disciplinary action by the Superintendent of Schools.

19

Character Trait of the Month: Loyalty - Show others that you are faithful and dependable when you have a commitment to them. FEBRUARY 2021

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6

GROUNDHOG DAY 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 BOE MEETING PAY DAY 6PM @ CCES

MIDTERM

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

FACULTY SENATE

VALENTINE'S PRESIDENT'S DAY DAY 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 BOE MEETING PAY DAY 6PM @ HES

28 January 2021 March 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31 31 REMINDERS: “When you clench your fist, no one can put anything in your hand.” ― Alex Haley

20

Employee Benefits and Information

Salary Tax Sheltered Annuities Current pay scales are the same as the WV state minimum salary for professionals and service Deductions for the purpose of annuities are tax-sheltered. We participate with several personnel, including equity and county supplements. Electronic Deposit is available to all full- companies. For a list, check with Finance Office. time employees. Credit Union Payroll Dates Ritchie County Schools system is a member of the WEE Federal Credit Union and the Long For employees, annual payroll is divided into 24 equal pay checks unless the employee chooses Reach Federal Credit Union which will provide a payroll deduction for savings, Christmas Clubs, to have a 10 month pay. Pay dates are on the 9th and 24th of each month, unless those dates vacation clubs, and loans. The loans are approved by the local credit union. fall on weekends or holidays. Reporting Absences Retirement Employees must report absences in a timely manner using eSchool system. The web address is: Regular full-time employees of school systems in West Virginia must participate in a state https://ritchiecounty.eschoolsolutions.com. We also encourage staff to communicate with your retirement system. direct supervisor concerning attendance.

Social Security and Medicare Attendance and Punctuality Ritchie County Schools expects regular attendance from all All employees are covered under this plan. The employee share of social security is charged at employees. Employees are required to be on time and ready to work at the beginning of their the rate of 6.2%. The employee share of Medicare is charged at a rate of 1.45% scheduled workday.

Workers Compensation Number of Sick Leave Days Coverage is provided for all employees. The employee pays no cost It is the employee’s responsibility to monitor and be aware of the number of personals days used. This information can be found on the eSchool Solutions website at: https:// Insurance ritchiecounty.eschoolsolutions.com and at the bottom of your paycheck. Paychecks show Health insurance coverage is offered to all full-time employees and charged proportionally for accumulated balances of days used as of dates specified on paycheck. Any employee who fails coverage of dependents. Life insurance through the state is automatic for the first $10,000 to fulfill his/her contract with the board, or who is in violation of the provisions of this policy, (board paid) and an additional $500,000 is available. Dependent Optional Life is a choice also may be subject to disciplinary action for willful neglect of duty, pursuant to 18A- given with four plans from which to choose. 2-2.

Dental Insurance Our present coverage is currently with United Concordia. Employee costs for single coverage is $0.00 and family coverage costs $32.04 per month. Health Reimbursement Vision Insurance Our present coverage is currently with VSP. This is a pre-tax deduction. Employee costs for $600.00 is available for reimbursement to each qualified employee for medical, single coverage is $0.00 and family coverage costs $12.46 per month. dental, or optical expenses each year as per policy and IRS rules.

Voluntary Insurance Coverage Personal Leave Incentive Many companies provide coverage for cancer or other major illness, loss of time, disability, other life insurance, etc., and become deductions from our pay on a voluntary basis. These A bonus will be given at the end of the employment term (July 1 thru June 30) insurance deductions are on an after-tax basis. The Ritchie County Board of Education does not promote any of the voluntary insurances that are offered. Payroll deductions are made if an for each unused day of sick leave accumulated by the employee during that insurance company sells at least 20 policies to become a vendor. school year. Compensation for each eligible employee will be $60.00 per day (maximum 11 sick leave days) earned during the current school year. IRS 125 Plan This optional plan allows for the payment for health insurance premiums (PEIA, AFLAC, and VSP) before taxes and Social Security are calculated on your salary. All employees are given the option to participate.

21

Character Trait of the Month: Optimism - Strive to be hopeful and positive in your beliefs about yourself, others, and the future. MARCH 2021

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6 END 4th 6 WEEKS BEGIN 5th 6 WEEKS REPORT CARD DAY GRADES DUE AT MIDNIGHT

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 BOE MEETING PAY DAY 6PM @ SES

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS

ST. PATRICK'S DAY SPRING BEGINS 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 BOE MEETING PAY DAY 6 PM @ RCMS/HS MIDTERM

28 29 30 31 February 2021 April 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S PALM SUNDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 28 25 26 27 28 29 30

REMINDERS: “There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

22

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal Law,  The right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be requires that Ritchie County Schools, with certain expectations, obtain the inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parents’ written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the information from your child’s educational records. However, Ritchie County hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible Schools may disclose appropriately designed “directory information” without student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her written consent, unless you have advised Ritchie County Schools to the view about the contested information contrary. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow Ritchie County Schools to include this type of information from your child’s education  Parents have the right to access information only about their own child. When record in certain school publications. Examples include: the education record includes information about other student, the information must be separated. • The annual yearbook; • Honor roll or other recognition lists; • Graduation programs; and FERPA allows schools to disclose records, without consent, to the following parties or • Sports activity sheets, such as for football under the following conditions:  School officials with the legitimate education interest Directory information, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a  Other schools to which a student is transferring parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not  Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes limited to, companies that manufacture class rings, or publish yearbooks.  Appropriate parties regarding financial aid If you do not want Ritchie County Schools to disclose directory information  Organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of school from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you  Accrediting organizations must notify us in writing by September 1, 2020. Ritchie County Schools has  To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena designed the following information as directory information:  Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies  State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State Student’s name, Address, Telephone Listing, Photograph, Date and Law Place of Birth, Major Field of Study, Participation in officially recognition activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, School principals and/or other designate personnel are responsible for the and degrees, honors, and rewards collection, maintenance, security, and dissemination of information contained in student records. Ritchie County Schools maintains a list of authorized school Ritchie County Schools wants you, as the parent of a student or a student personnel who have access to educational records. A record of each access, over eighteen years of age, to have a clear understanding of the content of showing the signature of each person accessing the record, the date of access, student records, how records are handled, and your rights with respect to and the specific reason, will be maintained as part of the student’s file. education records. Your rights include: In order to protect the privacy of the student data, Ritchie County Schools will  The right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by adhere strictly to the laws designed to safeguard such information. A copy of the the schools. Education records include- handwritten, video, or audio tape, complete Ritchie County Schools policy relating to the collection, maintenance, electronic or computers media, film and print. and disclosure of student data may be obtained upon request from the Board of Education. If any person should wish to file a complaint concerning violations of  Surveillance cameras are used in schools and buses to improve safety and these procedures, the addresses of proper officials are found in the policy. monitor activities. These tapes become records when disciplinary action occurs.

23

Character Trait of the Month: Perseverance - Continue to work hard and persist toward the goal even when obstacles and difficulties arise. APRIL 2021

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday March 2021 May 2021 1 2 3 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 SPRING BREAK 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 NO SCHOOL 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 28 29 30 31 30 31 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 SPRING BREAK PAY DAY NO SCHOOL EASTER SUNDAY 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 BOE MEETING FACULTY SENATE

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 END 5th 6 WEEKS BOE MEETING REPORT CARD DAY EARTH DAY PAY DAY BEGIN 6TH 6 WEEKS GRADES DUE AT MIDNIGHT

25 26 27 28 29

REMINDERS: “The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.” ― Edward Phelps

24

School Closings

Recognizing the need for parents, students, employees, and citizens to be informed about emergency school closings, the Ritchie County Public School System provides the following information: Schools will be closed if… There are unsafe road conditions such as snow, ice, or flooding. However, failure of mechanical or electrical equipment in schools, heating fuel shortages, epidemics, or other emergency situations could make it School Messenger – inadvisable to operate schools on certain days. Chapter 18, Article 4, is a web-based automated messaging Section 10 relating to the School Laws of West Virginia designates the Superintendent of Schools to make the decision to close schools. system with the right combination of personalized messaging and speed. The If there is a two/three-hour delay, it is recommended that… Parents, students, employees, and citizens listen to the radio and television schools view it as an essential tool to keep for final announcements concerning delays or closings. We have found that students, parents, and staff well informed of once children get to school, it is better to keep them all day so highway school closing and emergency notifications. crews can treat the roads. However, in emergency situations, we will send the children home as soon as possible. Please do not rely solely on one source! If on any given school day a school bus cannot deliver a child to his/her home bus stop because of road conditions, how will parents know the status of their child? School board policy prohibits a bus driver from putting a child off the bus at Parents, students, employees, and the community can check the following sources to be notified when schools are closed… any stop other than the child’s home bus stop or the child’s school unless specific permission is given by the parent or guardian to do otherwise.

RADIO TV Are there emergency plans for keeping children at school should WXIL 95.1 FM WRZZ 106.1 FM WTAP Parkersburg conditions prevent them from getting home? Yes. The principals, in cooperative effort with the Superintendent of FROGGY 99 FM WDMX 100.1 FM WDTV Weston-Clarksburg Schools, will mobilize resources to enable emergency feeding and housing WKYG 1230 AM WNUS 107.1 FM WBOY Clarksburg of students should a situation dictate an overnight stay at the school.

WADC 1050 AM WRVB 102.1 FM WNRJ 103.9 FM WLTP 1450 AM WFBY 106.5 FM WRRR 93.9 FM WHAR 1340 AM WSSN 102.3 FM WV Public Radio 88.9 FM

25

Character Trait of the Month: Respect - Show consideration and regard for yourself, others, and the world around you. MAY 2021

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 PAY DAY

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 BOE MEETING ELECTION DAY NO SCHOOL MOTHER’S MIDTERM DAY

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR PRESCHOOL FOR SENIORS STUDENTS (TENTATIVE)

23 24 April 2021 June 2021 GRADUATION BOE MEETING S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 2 PM PAY DAY 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 25 26 27 28 29 30 27 28 29 30 30 31 MEMORIAL DAY NO SCHOOL

REMINDERS: “Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.” ― Louis D. Brandeis

26

McKinney-Vento Act

The Federal McKinney-Vento Act and West Virginia state law and policy guarantee bound instruction will immediately be provided until appropriate immunizations that you can enroll in school if you live: and TB test results can be obtained.  In a shelter (family shelter, domestic violence shelter, youth shelter or transitional living program); When you move, the following should be done  In a motel, hotel or weekly rate housing;  Contact the school district’s liaison for help in enrolling in a new school or ar- ranging  In a house or apartment with more than one family because of economic hard- to continue in the school you have been attending. ship or loss;  Contact the new school and provide any information necessary to assist the  In an abandoned building, a car, at a campground or on the street; teachers in helping you adjust to new circumstances.  In substandard housing (no electricity, no water, and/or no heat); or  Ask the local liaison, shelter staff, or a social worker for assistance with clothing and  With friends or family because you are a runaway or unaccompanied youth. supplies, if needed.

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, all children and youth are required to have equal You can help your child by access to free and appropriate public education. This program also requires state  Providing any information necessary to assist teachers in helping your child adjust to and local education agencies to remove barriers to enrollment and attendance that their school environment children may experience. Your child has a right to:  Making sure your child attends school every day  Full participation in all school activities and programs, if otherwise eligible  Reading to your child- even a few minutes a day makes a difference  Stay in the school that he or she is attending or transportation to the school of  Making education a family priority origin whenever feasible  Helping your child develop good study habits  Free school meals  Meeting with your child’s teacher and other school personnel  Enroll in school immediately, even if you do not have all the necessary paper-  Checking with school staff, DHHR or the county liaison for assistance with sup- plies work, such as your child’s school records, medical records, and proof of and materials, if needed residency, certified birth certificate, or legal guardian papers.  Receive the same public education that is provided to other children including Ritchie County Schools  preschool David B. Weekley  Access the same special programs and services that are provided to other McKinney-Vento Liaison for Ritchie County Schools children, including special education, migrant education, vocational education 134 South Penn Avenue, Harrisville, WV 26362, and extended day/year programs and other educational assistance programs under Title 1 Part A. 304-643-2991 Ext. 104.

If you live in one of these situations, as for all students enrolling in West Virginia West Virginia Department of Education schools, you may enroll in school without the following documents in hand; how- Rebecca Derenge ever, your full cooperation is needed with county and school personnel in trying to Coordinator, Homeless Education obtain these documents as soon as possible. email: [email protected] 1. Proof of residency website: http://wvde.state.wv.us 2. School records Phone: (304) 558-7805 3. Certified birth certificate 4. Legal guardianship papers Office of Federal Programs 5. Immunization records and/or a TB skin test result (in-state students only) Bldg. 6 Room 330 6. However, if you are coming from out of state without proof of at least the first 1900 Kanawha Blvd., East series of immunizations and a TB skin test result, you will be enrolled, but home- Charleston, WV 25305-0330

27

Character Trait of the Month: Responsibility - Demonstrate that you consider yourself to be accountable for your actions and that you follow JUNE 2021 through on your commitments.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 LAST DAY OF PREPARATION DAY FOR SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS / LAST DAY STUDENTS FOR 200 DAY END 6TH 6 WEEKS EMPLOYEES

GRADES DUE AT REPORT CARD DAY MIDNIGHT 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 BOE MEETING PAY DAY LAST DAY 210 CONTRACT

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 FLAG DAY LAST DAY 215 LAST DAY 220 CONTRACT CONTRACT

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 SUMMER WV DAY HOLIDAY BOE MEETING PAY DAY BEGINS FATHER’S DAY

WV Day 27 28 29 30 May 2021 July 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 1 2 3 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 REMINDERS: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

28

Nutrition Program Information

Federal Civil Rights Law Ritchie County Schools will offer the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulation and policies, the USDA, its 2020-2021 school year Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in For ALL STUDENTS. or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating Ritchie County students will receive a based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity healthy breakfast and lunch at school conducted or funded by USDA. at NO CHARGE Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA Please be aware of the following: through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than  Your child(ren) will be able to participate in these meal programs English. without having to pay a fee or submit a free and reduced-price meals application.  Students who are currently enrolled in Ritchie County High/ Middle To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA School or Ritchie County Elementary Schools are eligible for these Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: free meals. However, students transferring to a http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaintfilingcust.html and at any USDA  non-CEP school during 2020-2021, will be responsible for any office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter potential meal charges and/or applications. all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the  Meal Pricing for adults: Adult Breakfast: $3.50 and Adult Lunch complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form  $4.50 or letter to USDA by: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the  ALL UNPAID BALANCES FROM PREVIOUS SCHOOL YEARS Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, WILL NEED TO BE PAID FOR ALL STUDENTS. Washington, D.C. 20250-9410: Fax: (202) 690-7442: or email: program.

[email protected]. If you have any questions, contact David B. Weekley, Director, Student Support Services Ritchie County Schools, 304-643-2991 ext. 104.

29

EMPLOYEE OBLIGATION TO BE Mandatory Reporting of Abuse INFORMED OF POLICIES Policy 4373

Employees have the obligation to keep themselves Anyone may report suspected abuse or neglect. informed of all policies, rules and regulations by which they are governed. Employees are expected to meet standards of conduct and performance expectations and to However, under WV Code §49-6A-2, adhere to applicable state and federal laws and regulations, certain persons are mandated reporters and as well as applicable State Board of Education policies. Failure to meet such standards, adhere to rules, regulations, required to make a report. policies and directives may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination at the discretion of the These persons include: Superintendent upon recommendation to the Board. An School teachers and other school personnel employee may be suspended without pay or may be dismissed from employment. Examples of reasons for suspension or dismissal include, but are not limited to, 1-800-352-6513 misuse of state funds or property, insubordination, incompetence, unsatisfactory performance, intemperance, willful neglect of duty, job abandonment, immorality, cruelty, violation of the policy relating to alcohol and drugs in the workplace, fraud, the conviction or guilty plea or a plea of nolo contendere (do not wish to contend) to a felony charge, violation of the race, gender, religion/ethnic or violence policy.

Resources: www.RitchieSchools.com or the Ritchie County Schools App, or www.WVDE.us

30

31 Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

32

For Updated Middle School Sports Notes: Schedules visit:

Website: www.wvssac.org ______Click: Rosters/Schedules

______Select: Ritchie County Middle Choose: Sport ______Choose: Schedule or Roster Choose Program: Mid/Jr

Click: Submit

______

______For Updated High School Sports

______Schedules visit:

Website: www.wvssac.org Click: Rosters/Schedules ______

______Select: Ritchie County Choose: Sport ______Choose: Schedule or Roster

Choose Program: Senior Click: Submit

______Or visit the new high school athletics ______website for updated news, photos and schedules: ______

______https://ritchiecountyhighschool.bigteams.com

33

RITCHIE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL CREED COLLINS 201 Ritchie County School Road STE. 1 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL* Ellenboro, WV 26346 512 Collins Avenue Phone: 304-869-3526 Pennsboro, WV 26415 Fax: 304-869-3031 Phone: 304-659-2140 Fax: 304-659-3322 Principal: Kelly Waggoner Ext. 201 Asst. Principal: Chris Wells Ext. 202 Principal: Debbie White Ext. 401 Counselor: Brooke Waugaman Ext. 203 Secretary: Melinda Jones Ext. 400 Counselor: Jodi Walters Ext. 208 Secretary: Becky Boley Ext. 200 HARRISVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL* RITCHIE COUNTY 1201 East Main Street MIDDLE SCHOOL * Harrisville, WV 26362 Phone: 304-643-2220 Fax: 304-643-2710 201 Ritchie County School Road STE. 2

Ellenboro, WV 26346 Principal: Laura Snodgrass Ext. 501 Phone: 304-869-3512 Secretary: Johni O’dell Ext. 500 Fax: 304-869-3519

Principal: Randa Lamp Ext. 301 SMITHVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL* Asst. Principal: Jacob Clevenger Ext. 302 Counselor: Kym Martin Ext. 303 157 Main Street Secretary: Rita Morton Ext. 300 Smithville, WV 26178 Phone: 304-477-3273 Fax: 304-477-3118

Principal: Casey Kerns Ext. 601 *School wide (SW) Title I: This model funds a comprehensive plan to upgrade all Secretary: Vickie Williams Ext. 600 instruction in the school, without distinguishing between “eligible” and “ineligible” children. School wide programs are justified on the grounds that once poverty reaches a certain threshold (at least forty percent), it makes more sense to try to improve the whole instructional program than to provide services separately to some of the students. A school must first be selected by the ELA as a participating school. Any eligible school that desires to operate a school wide program must first develop a comprehensive plan for reforming the total instructional program in the school.

34 RITCHIE COUNTY BOARD OF Secretaries Teresa Bumgardner Ext. 106 County Student Support Services EDUCATION Executive Secretary 134 South Penn Avenue [email protected] Name Extension Harrisville, WV 26362 Phone: 304-643-2991 Lisa Chancey Ext. 108 NURSE Fax: 304-643-2994 Finance Secretary

[email protected] Parsons, Leandra 204 Jim Brown Ext. 106 Superintendent Shepler, Alisa 604 [email protected] STUDENT SUPPORT Stacy Harper Ext. 109 Lori Wells Ext. 102 Student Support Secretary Shannon Cress 116 Director of Finance [email protected] Speech Pathologist [email protected] Kelsey Waggoner 510 Amanda Hayes Ext. 110 Speech Pathologist Federal Programs Secretary Debbie Bever Ext. 103 Gretchen Johnson 117 Director of Federal [email protected] Speech Assistant Programs and Kathy Roby 118 Special Education School Psychologist [email protected] TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

Transportation and Maintenance Kathy Jones 121 David Weekley Ext. 104 Pat Boone Ext. 199 TIS Director of Student Transportation Supervisor Sonya Haught 308 Support Services [email protected] TIS [email protected] Noah Laugh 254 Brad Tallhamer Ext. 114 TSS April Haught Ext. 105 Maintenance Chance Hughart 254 Director of Personnel [email protected] TSS and Instructional Service [email protected] Tom Haddox Ext. 114 Maintenance [email protected]