Parent Handbook a Guide to Programs and Services in Anne Arundel County Public Schools
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2015–16 Parent Handbook A guide to programs and services in Anne Arundel County Public Schools Flip over to see the Student Handbook Contacting Us Many questions can be answered at your child’s school. Public information is available upon request. Please refer to the following telephone numbers for assistance. If you’re not sure which office to contact, please call the Communications Office at 410-222-5312 or 410-222-5316. Advanced Studies and Programs 410-222-5365 Military Liaison 410-222-5280 Advanced Learner Program (ALPs) 410-222-5430 Music 410-222-5465 (formerly G/T) Out-of-Area Placements and Transfers 410-222-5326 AP/College Prep 410-222-5434 Outdoor Education 410-222-3822 Alternative Education Programs 410-222-5193 Art 410-222-5450 Physical Education & Health 410-222-5460 Athletics 410-222-5463 Public Information 410-222-5312 or 5316 AVID 410-222-5458 Reading/Language Arts (Elementary) 410-222-5455 Board Members Office 410-222-5311 Reading/Language Arts (Middle) 410-222-5456 Bus Transportation 410-222-2910 School & Family Partnerships 410-222-5414 Charter Schools 410-224-8572 School Attendance Boundaries 410-439-5683 Co-Curricular 410-222-5434 School Counseling 410-222-5280 Continuing Education 410-222-5384 School Performance Regional Offices, by Cluster: Curriculum & Instruction 410-222-5401 Annapolis/Broadneck 410-626-9745 Arundel/South River 410-518-6473 Deputy Superintendents Glen Burnie/Severna Park 410-766-6592 Academic & Strategic Initiatives 410-222-5304 Chesapeake/North County 410-518-6471 Student & School Support 410-222-5191 Meade/Southern 410-626-9747 Digital Media & Learning Services 443-770-5142 Northeast/Old Mill 410-766-6594 Early Childhood (PreK, Kindergarten) 410-222-5441 School Psychology 410-222-5321 English (High School) 410-222-5452 School Security 410-222-5083 English Language Acquisition 410-222-5416 Science 410-222-5451 (formerly ESOL) Science & Technologies 410-222-5490 Equity & Accelerated Student Achievement 410-222-5354 Signature Programs 410-222-5342 Evening High School/Summer School 410-222-5384 Social Studies 410-222-5440 Food & Nutrition Services 410-222-5900 Special Education 410-222-5410 Student Government, CRASC 410-222-5405 General Information 410-222-5000 Student Safety & Discipline 410-222-5288 or 5289 Home/Hospital Teaching 410-222-5476 Student Services 410-222-5322 Home Schooling 410-222-5457 Superintendent of Schools 410-222-5304 Human Relations/Equity Programs 410-222-5318 Testing 410-222-5147 Immunizations 410-222-4896 Title I 410-222-5444 Infants & Toddlers 410-222-6911 Transportation 410-222-2910 International Student Office 410-263-6420 Volunteer Programs, PTA/PTO/CAC 410-222-5414 Magnet Programs 410-533-4815 World & Classical Languages 410-222-5424 BioMedical Allied Health (BMAH) 410-222-5391 x1 Career & Technology Center—North 410-969-3100 Career & Technology Center—South 410-956-5900 Important Hotlines International Baccalaureate (IB/MYP) 410-222-5415 Student Safety Hotline 1-877-676-9854 Performing & Visual Arts (PVA) 410-224-7284 To confidentially report bullying, fighting, abuse, harassment, Science Technology Engineering 410-222-5391 x1 weapons, gangs, or any other dangerous situation at school & Mathematics (STEM) AA County Crisis Response 410-768-5522 Mathematics (Elementary) 410-222-5461 Mathematics (Secondary) 410-222-5464 Maryland Youth Hotline 1-800-422-0009 © AACPS Publication #1395/52—Parent (rev. 7/15) DPS/SG 7/15) (rev. Publication #1395/52—Parent © AACPS Questions concerning the Parent Handbook should be directed to: Teresa Tudor, Senior Manager School & Family Partnerships Anne Arundel County Public Schools, 2644 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD 21401 410-222-5414 1 AACPS offers several ways you can keep up-to-date on everything from Stay Informed! programs and services to current AACPS news and events, and school closings. AACPS Educational Television Online Comcast—Channels 96 & 996 HD Broadstripe—Channels 96 & 496 HD ParentCONNECTxp Verizon— Channel 36 Anne Arundel County Public Schools To follow the progress of your child, AACPS Educational TV broadcasts original programming highlighting the students, sign up for ParentConnectxp. Visit teachers, and programs of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, including: www.aacps.org/parentconnectxp AACPS Bulletin Board Food 4 Thought for more info. Current and upcoming events, Conversations about healthy lifestyles, airing at the top of each hour. communities of wellness and the In addition, many middle and school meals program in AACPS. high school teachers list school AACPS Digest assignments and deadlines on News from and about AACPS. Nuestra Comunidad (Our Community) class specific websites. Ask your Information for Spanish-speaking At Your Service— child’s teacher for details. viewers about current and upcoming Support, Strive, Succeed school system and community events Student Services presents topics of im- happening in and around Anne Arun- portance to students and their families. del County. (In Spanish) Athletes in Action Parent Connection Highlights student athletes and Highlighting the contributions of coaches from the various high school parent and business volunteers. To follow us... sports programs. ...on our website—www.aacps.org Parent’s Corner AVID Achievers: Stories of Success Valuable information about current ...on Facebook— Students, educators, and volunteers topics and upcoming and events for www.facebook.com/aacps of the AVID program in middle and adults and students in AACPS. high schools. ...on Twitter—@AACountySchools Schools in the Court Behind the Scenes Annual program in cooperation Celebrating the AACPS employees with the District Court of Maryland who work hard each and every day where high school students spend a AACPSRELEASE to support our students and families day in court to see cases and hear tes- To sign up to receive AACPS behind the scenes. timonies about the consequences news releases as they occur, Board of Education Meetings of poor decision making. visit www.aacpsnews.org. Live coverage of the bi-monthly World View meetings with multiple rebroadcasts. Exploring and celebrating cultural Board of Education Highlights diversity and connections through Monthly recognitions, plus the conversations with community mem- Educator, Employee, Volunteer of bers about topics local and global. To subscribe to our weekly AXIS the Month presented at the Board of Special Events newsletter (www.aacps.org/axis), ask Education meetings. Live or recorded events throughout your child’s school to enter your email BOE Meeting Recap the year, including the Spelling Bee, address into the student database. News recap of each Board meeting. award ceremonies, and more. ¡Charlemos Juntos! (Let’s Chat Together!) Events, school programs and com- Watch us on munity resources of importance to the Over the Phone Hispanic community. (In Spanish). To receive automated phone Click the Youtube link at notifications on school www.aacps.org closings and more through Connect-Ed, be sure the school has Throughout the year, AACPS-TV adds new programming to match your phone number on record. the interests of our community. Visit www.aacps.org/cable for the most up-to-date schedule and list of shows. 2 Contents New, revised, and frequently requested information AACPS Board of Education 3 During the School Year 14 Early Childhood Services 34 Attendance • 14 Special Education Services • 34 Before Your Child Goes to School 4 Complaint Procedures • 15 Child Identification • 34 Immunization Requirements • 4 Custody • 15 Community-Based Services (CBS) • 34 Enrollment & Residency • 4 Field Trips • 15 Early Childhood Intervention • 34 Homeless Students • 4 Fundraising. • 15 Prekindergarten Program • 34 International Students • 5 Home Communications • 15 Kindergarten Programs • 34 Medical Conditions (Concussions) • 5 Pest Management • 16 Section 504 Rights • 5 Reducing Energy Use • 16 Elementary School 35 School Improvement Process • 16 Academic Program • 35 Getting Your Child to & from School 6 Social Media • 17 Elementary Assessments • 35 Schedules & Services • 6 Student Equity • 17 Promotion & Retention • 35 Student Supervision • 6 Student Records • 17 Title I Schools • 35 School Bus Stop Safety • 6 Students & Technology • 19 Triple E • 36 Meeting the School Bus • 6 Kindergarten, Pre-K, & ECI ID Tags • 6 Academics 20 Middle Schools 36 Conduct on School Buses • 6 College & Career Readiness • 20 Scheduling • 36 Requests for Alternate Grading—Overview • 20 Service Learning Requirements • 36 Bus Transportation • 6 Grading — Elementary School • 21 Extracurricular Activities • 36 Video Cameras & Audio Grading — Middle School • 21 Middle School Assessments • 37 Recording Devices • 7 Grading — Middle & High School • 22 Preparing for High School • 37 Unauthorized Entry onto a Bus • 7 Grading — High School • 22 Promotion of Students • 37 Safety around the School Bus • 7 Homework • 23 Skipping a Grade • 37 Walking to School • 7 Honor Roll • 24 Summer School • 37 Crossing Guards • 7 ParentCONNECTxp • 24 Traffic Signs & Crosswalks • 7 High School 38 Parent/Teacher Conferences • 24 Tips to Keep Children Safe • 7 Report Cards • 24 Early College Access Program • 38 Selecting & Changing Courses • 38 Get Involved 8 Service Learning • 25 Alternative Education • 25 Senior Status • 39 Communicating with your School • 8 Evening High School • 25 Summer School • 39 Chaperones & Volunteers • 8 Secondary Summer School • 25 Extracurricular Activities • 39 Parent & Community Involvement • 8 Twilight School • 26 Academic Eligibility • 39 Participating