VAN RENSSELAER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2020-2021 HANDBOOK "Success Starts Here" TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome ____________________________________________________________________ 4 Mission Statement ___________________________________________________________________________ 5 Contact Information ___________________________________________________________________________ 6 School Calendar _____________________________________________________________________________ 7 School Hours ________________________________________________________________________________ 7 Academics _________________________________________________________________________ 8 E-Learning __________________________________________________________________________________ 8 Every Child Succeeds Act ______________________________________________________________________ 8 High Abilty Programming ______________________________________________________________________ 8 Home Schooling ___________________________________________________________________________ 8-9 Homework __________________________________________________________________________________ 9 Make-Up Work ______________________________________________________________________________ 9 Parent-Teacher Conference ____________________________________________________________________ 9 Progress Reports ____________________________________________________________________________ 9 Study Skills and Work Habits ___________________________________________________________________ 9 Attendance _________________________________________________________________ 10 Exempt Absenses ________________________________________________________________________ 10-11 Excused Absences __________________________________________________________________________ 11 Unexcused Absences ________________________________________________________________________ 11 Late Arrival/Early Departure ___________________________________________________________________ 11 Explanation of Attendance and Tardy Policy – Project Attend _________________________________________ 12 Making Up Work _________________________________________________________________________ 12-13 Exceptions _________________________________________________________________________________ 13 General Guidelines __________________________________________________________________________ 13 Code of Conduct __________________________________________________________________________ 13 Appearance Guidelines ___________________________________________________________________ 13-14 Cell Phones/Electronic Devices ________________________________________________________________ 14 Detention __________________________________________________________________________________ 14 Discipline System ________________________________________________________________________ 14-19 Student Misconduct ______________________________________________________________________ 15-17 Bullying ________________________________________________________________________________ 17-18 Possessing a Firearm or Weapon ______________________________________________________________ 18 Unlawful Activity _____________________________________________________________________________ 19 Legal Settlement ____________________________________________________________________________ 19 Due Process ________________________________________________________________________________19 School-Wide Behavior Matrix____________________________________________________________________20 Harassment ________________________________________________________________________________ 21 In-School Suspension _________________________________________________________________________ 21 Inside Recess Rules _________________________________________________________________________ 21 Insubordination _____________________________________________________________________________ 21 Isolated Instruction __________________________________________________________________________ 21 Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) _____________________________________________ 21-22 Respect for Property _________________________________________________________________________ 22 Respect Toward Staff ________________________________________________________________________ 22 Responsibility Statement _____________________________________________________________________ 22 Search and Seizure _________________________________________________________________________ 22 Smoking-Tobacco ________________________________________________________________________ 22-23 Theft _____________________________________________________________________________________ 23 Computer/Technology/Internet Policy __________________________________________________ 23 Computer/Internet Policy __________________________________________________________________ 23-25 iPads __________________________________________________________________________________ 25-26 2 Emergency Procedures ______________________________________________________________ 26 Early Dismissal _____________________________________________________________________________ 26 Fire Drills __________________________________________________________________________________ 26 Severe Weather or Tornado Drills ______________________________________________________________ 26 Telephone Usage ___________________________________________________________________________ 26 Rights and Policies___________________________________________________________________ 27 Corporation Policies _________________________________________________________________________ 27 Disability Policy Statement ____________________________________________________________________ 27 Full Nondiscrimination Statement _______________________________________________________________ 27 Non-Discrimination Policy Notification Statements _______________________________________________ 27-28 Notification of Rights Under FERPA _____________________________________________________________ 28 Parent Volunteers ___________________________________________________________________________ 28 Title IX ____________________________________________________________________________________ 29 Visits to the School ________________________________________________________________________ 29-30 Student Health and Welfare __________________________________________________________ 30 Air Quality _________________________________________________________________________________ 30 Child Care _________________________________________________________________________________ 30 Cooperative School Services __________________________________________________________________ 30 Counselor _________________________________________________________________________________ 30 Directory Information ______________________________________________________________________ 30-31 Food Service _______________________________________________________________________________ 31 Medication _________________________________________________________________________________ 31 Morning Rules ______________________________________________________________________________ 32 Peanut Safe School _________________________________________________________________________ 32 Personal Equipment _________________________________________________________________________ 32 Pediculosis (Head Lice) ______________________________________________________________________ 32 Pest Control and Use of Pesticides ______________________________________________________________ 32 Reasons to Send Home ___________________________________________________________________ 32-33 School Case Mangement _____________________________________________________________________ 33 School Nurse ______________________________________________________________________________ 33 Student Sickness and Recess _________________________________________________________________ 33 Video Surveilance ___________________________________________________________________________ 33 Transporation ______________________________________________________________________ 33 Arrival and Dismissal _____________________________________________________________________ 33-34 Bicycle Rules ______________________________________________________________________________ 34 Leaving School With Parent Permission __________________________________________________________ 34 Transportation Notes _________________________________________________________________________ 34 Transporation Related Information ______________________________________________________________ 34 Arrival of Busses in the Morning __________________________________________________________ 34 School Closing or Delay at the start of the school day _________________________________________ 35 High School/Middle School Bus Shuttle Parking Lot ___________________________________________ 35 Guidelines Concering Bus Transportation ___________________________________________________ 35 Assigned Bus _________________________________________________________________________ 35 Use of Electronic Devices on School Buses _________________________________________________ 35 Balloons _____________________________________________________________________________ 35 Level I Violations _________________________________________________________________________ 35-36 Disciplinary Actions for Level I Viloations ___________________________________________________ 36 Level II Violations and Disciplinary Consequences ______________________________________________