GREENMONT ELEMENTARY

2014-2015

STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK

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Greenmont Elementary Student Handbook

VISION STATEMENT:

Our vision is to provide a safe and nurturing environment in partnership with families where all students are engaged in learning.

BELIEFS:

We believe all children can reach their learning potential in a safe and nurturing atmosphere where families and teachers share in the responsibility of encouraging students to act and do their best.

MISSION:

The mission of the Greenmont School community is to educate all students to their maximum potential in a challenging and nurturing environment.

SCHOOL HOURS The Greenmont Elementary office is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students are NOT permitted on school grounds prior to 7:55 a.m. unless they are attending morning childcare. Breakfast is served from 7:55 – 8:10. Students will eat breakfast in the classroom. The first bell rings at 8:05 for students to enter the classrooms. The tardy bell rings at 8:15 a.m. School begins promptly at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. Students arriving after the 8:15 a.m. bell are considered tardy and should report to the office. A parent must sign a tardy student in at the office. *Please assist us in assuring your child’s safety by not dropping your child off at school prior to 7:55 a.m. unless they will be attending morning childcare.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements will be made each morning at 8:15am and on an as-needed basis in the afternoon between 2:20 and 2:25pm. SCHOOL RULES Positive behavior enables students, parents, and school staff members to work together to achieve the best possible education and most positive learning environment for all students. At Greenmont Elementary, our goal is to develop behaviors that will be most conducive to learning. To this end, we strive to model appropriate behavior that promotes good character and citizenship. We support the aforementioned beliefs with the following 3 school-wide rules, which we refer to as ‘THE GREENMONT WAY’:

1.) Be Safe 2.) Show Pride 3.) Give Respect

Since this is a school-wide initiative, ‘The Greenmont Way’ is a broad guideline for all types of situations and it guides students to the desired behavior, rather than prohibiting negative behavior.

PRINCIPAL’S  DISCIPLINE  PLAN   Our classroom teachers do an excellent job of creating and maintaining a positive climate in our classrooms. If a student has been referred to the office, this usually means that he or she has had several opportunities to correct or change his/her misbehaviors. When a student is referred to the office the Principal may use any or all of the following options:

1. Conference with the student to formulate a behavior/self-improvement plan. 2. Loss of school privileges. 3. Parent contact by phone or letter sent home. 4. Parent conference. 5. In-school or out-of-school suspension

If a student continues to demonstrate poor choices and misbehavior, his/her discipline plan will be modified. ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURE To ensure each student’s safety, we are continually striving to improve our arrival/dismissal procedure at Greenmont Elementary. Students arriving between 7:55 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. in cars will be dropped off in the front driveway (Loop). Parents picking up students in the afternoon at 2:30 must stay in their cars and load students in the loop. Cars picking up 3 students or more and those picking up preschoolers should loop around the playground blacktop for pick up. If you wish to get out of your car you will have to park in the lot. Please be patient and allow 10 minutes for dismissal. We encourage parents NOT to pick up on Wren Circle. In addition to being a NO PARKING area, picking up students along Wren Circle potentially jeopardizes the safety of our students. We ask that everyone abide by the aforementioned guidelines when dropping off or picking up children. It is well worth a few extra minutes to insure the safety of our students 1. Students are to be dropped off on the north (loop) side of the building.

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2. Between 7:55 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., all vehicles will enter the East end of the loop and proceed

slowly to the cross walk in single lane traffic. Students dropped off in the morning will proceed to the cafeteria and/or the hallway outside their classroom.

3. Vehicles will not be allowed to pass other vehicles. 4. Parents entering the building may park in the front lot. CROSS IN FRONT OF THE

BUILDING WHERE THE SAFETY PATROL REGULATES TRAFFIC. 5. No student should arrive at school before 8:00 a.m. unless he/she is eating breakfast.

Students participating in the breakfast program should not arrive before 7:55 a.m. Parent Pick Up Within the Building at Dismissal Time – To ensure safety and child accountability, we ask that you NOT wait by your child’s classroom door at dismissal time. Please park in the lot and wait outside. If you need to get a message to your child at this time, come in the office and the office staff will deliver the message. Children not picked up by 2:45 will be taken to Childcare. School is dismissed at 2:30. After 15 minutes, a Safety Patrol student or the teacher on duty will bring your child to the office. The child will then be signed in to Childcare. Parents will be charged for this service. Parents will need to go to Childcare to sign out and pick up the child. We will not leave any child outside unsupervised and often we have meetings that begin at 2:45.

BEE STINGS More and more children are becoming allergic to bee stings. The children we should be concerned about are not those with localized reactions at the site of the sting, but rather those who have a systemic reaction with swelling of the throat and breathing difficulties. Children known to have such reactions should have medication (bee sting kit) at school and a medical form on file. BIKES/ROLLER BLADES/SCOOTERS/SKATEBOARDS/HEELIES Students in 4th and 5th grades may ride bicycles to school only if they follow proper safety precautions. Students must wear a bike helmet by law. Students are NOT permitted to ride roller blades, scooters, or skateboards to school. Students must take the wheels out of “Heelies” during the school day. The bike should be walked across intersections and when on school property. We strongly suggest locking bikes for security reasons. BUILDING NEATNESS Students are asked to respect the work done by the custodians by keeping the building clean and neat. Food and drink will not be allowed in the classrooms except when authorized by the teachers. BULLY PREVENTION PROGRAM Greenmont Elementary instituted a bully prevention program at the start of the 2005-2006 school year. Listed below are the school rules we have implemented against bullying.

• We will not bully others. • We will try to help students who are bullied. • We will make it a point to include students who are easily left out. • When we know somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and at

home.

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CARE OF TEXTBOOKS We know that all of our Greenmont students will treat textbooks with care and respect. In the case of an accident or a lost book, district guidelines have been set for replacement costs of textbooks. CHILDCARE Greenmont continues to provide before and after school Childcare. Please review the parent information sheet for details. Please note: students arriving earlier than or staying later than usual will be sent to our Childcare program. Parents will be billed for the time spent in Childcare. CLASSROOM PARTIES/ACTIVITIES Classroom parties will be held for the following occasions: Halloween, Winter Break, Valentine’s Day, and the annual Greenmont Grillout at the end of year. Note: With the teacher’s permission, a student may bring a birthday treat for the class, as long as it does not interfere with class time. If this is done, please be sure all of the homeroom students receive a treat. Please do not plan surprise birthday parties for teachers. Invitations for home birthday parties will not be distributed at school unless all students in the class receive an invitation. In order to respect those children and staff who may suffer from a food allergy, please refrain from sending food for parties or birthdays made allergies with peanuts or tree nuts. Additionally, please check with your child’s teacher to determine if there are other specific foods in the classroom to which a child is allergic. Parents of children with food allergies may want to consider sending in a small supply of acceptable snacks in the event that your child is unable to eat a treat sent in by another parent. EDUCATION CONNECTION The Education Connection is a communication system designed to allow parents and students to phone a central computer to find out information about the student’s homework assignments and to find out upcoming events at Greenmont. The phone number is 643-4444. Each teacher has a specific code number for parents and students to access. You may call the Education Connection at 499-1850 to report your child’s absence from school. This line operates 24 hours a day, so you may call if your child becomes ill during the night or early in the morning. FIRE AND SEVERE WEATHER DRILLS During the school year we will have monthly fire drills. These are of the utmost importance. We take the drills very seriously and we feel children must know exactly what to do in case of a fire. Severe weather drills are also practiced during the spring of the year when our area is more likely to experience this type of weather. The time we spend doing the drills could save lives. Students choosing to misbehave during fire or severe weather drills will call their parents and will receive school discipline consequences. FORMS At the beginning of each school year there are a number of forms that will need to be reviewed and/or completed. We appreciate your help in completing this yearly task.

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GUIDANCE COUNSELOR The services of a full time Guidance Counselor are available to students and parents. The counselor is trained to deal with problems in areas such as learning, attitudes, adjustment, social relationships, etc. The counselor can be very helpful and stands ready to meet the needs of children to make their school learning and social experiences as rewarding and productive as possible. To contact the counselor, call the school office at 499-1850. LIBRARY POLICIES

1. Books will be checked out for one week, except for reference books, which are one day only and are not to leave the library. Books may be renewed for additional time, but the library should be notified of the renewal.

2. You may have only one book out at a time. 3. Fines for overdue books are $0.02 per day, school days only. If a child is ill, there is no

charge as long as the book is returned the first day back in school. 4. At the end of each grading period all books are to be turned in or fines paid. If they are not,

the student will not receive his/her grade card until the debt is paid. 5. Persons returning damaged books will be expected to pay for the book. 6. Lost books that are paid for and found later should be returned to the library. The cost of the

book, minus late fees, will be refunded. PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) The Greenmont Parent Teacher Association exists to promote the education and welfare of our children. Parents are encouraged to join and participate in the activities of the PTA. We are always looking for new volunteers. If you want more information about our PTA or would like to help, call the school office at 499-1850. PLAYGROUND Students may not play on the playground immediately following dismissal unless under the supervision of an adult. Dogs are not permitted on the playground during the hours of 8:05a.m. – 2:45 p.m. SCHOOL PROPERTY All students should be proud of their school and should accept the responsibility of taking care of the school’s property. Students who deface, damage, or lose school property will be required to compensate for the damage or loss. Trashcans are provided on both playgrounds to help keep the school clean. SPIRIT DAY Spirit Day will be held one Friday of each month. We encourage students and staff to show their school spirit by wearing the school colors which are blue and gray. Student Council will collect money on Spirit Day to help support the Kettering Clothing Room. TO AND FROM SCHOOL The school is directly responsible for supervision of students only while they are on school property. Once students leave school property, this becomes the responsibility of the parents. The school will cooperate with parents in stressing the rules of safety to and from school and will assist with discipline problems that occur between home and school.

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In the event that a parent notices property damage, please notify the police. If malicious behavior and other problems continue to occur, it should be handled by notifying the school with the following information: date, location of incident, time of incident, names and/or descriptions of students involved. CONCLUSION This student/parent handbook has been prepared for the benefit of the students and parents of Greenmont Elementary. It is not flawless and several changes may have to be made, as progress always calls for change. Inevitably, something of importance has been overlooked and left out. If you have suggestions for other items that should be included in the future, please contact the school office. Every school has a personality.

Welcome to Greenmont

What is Your Dream?

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Kettering City Schools District Wide Information

DAILY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

7:00 a.m. – Daycare Coverage Begins 7:55 a.m. – Breakfast 8:05 a.m. – Students may enter building 8:15 a.m. – School Begins; Tardy Bell 10:50 a.m. – Morning Kindergarten Dismissal 11:55 a.m. – Afternoon Kindergarten Begins 1:30 p.m. – Early Dismissal 2:30 p.m. – Dismissal 2:30 p.m. – Daycare Coverage Begins (closing time varies in each building)

See Individual School Offices for More Specific Schedules

ATTENDANCE RESPONSIBLITIES Parent’s Responsibilities It is the parent’s responsibility to:

A. Recognize the importance of regular school attendance to the instructional program of their child. B. Help develop good attitudes toward attendance with their children which will be transferable to the

world of work. C. Work cooperatively with the schools and communicate problems and concerns relative to their

children’s attendance. D. Make every effort to schedule family trips or vacations during school vacations or during the summer

months. E. Attempt to schedule medical appointments after school hours or on weekends. If medical

appointments must be scheduled during the school day, students are expected to return for the remainder of the day unless advised otherwise by their physician.

F. Ensure children are in school, on time, on a regular basis. G. Contact the school on the morning of the student’s absence by 8:30 am. H. Provide students with a note from home explaining the reason(s) for the absence upon their return to

school. Student’s Responsibilities It is the student’s responsibility to:

1. Understand the relationship between good school attendance and success in their academic programs.

2. Be in school, on time, on a regular basis. 3. Follow the specific procedures relative to school attendance and tardiness as established by the

school district.

ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS A. When it is necessary that a student be absent from school, he/she will be expected to bring a note

from home on the day of his/her return explaining the reason for the absence. B. An absence from school will be considered as (1) excused, (2) unexcused, or (3) truant. All work

missed during any absence must be made up. C. A student late to school is marked tardy. D. Make-up work for excused absences – the student has the same number of days to make up missed

work as days absent. The teacher is responsible for providing the missed assignments to the student except as stated in the Vacation Guidelines of the Elementary Principal’s Handbook.

E. It will be the obligation and practice of the school to communicate with the home of absentees during the day of the student’s absence. All parents are respectfully requested to cooperate with this practice in the spirit of the student’s welfare.

Excused Absences Personal illness Illness in the family Quarantine of the home Death of a relative Work at home due to the absence of parents or guardians

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Observance of major religious holidays Religious camps or seminars Family emergencies or sets of circumstances which the superintendent constitutes good and sufficient cause for absence from school and specifically include:

Medical appointments Driver examinations Court appearances Family trips or vacations (only if the trip or vacation cannot be scheduled during the summer

months/must be taken with parents or guardians/maximum of five days per year cumulative) School function Activities not sponsored by the school but which foster the intellectual, physical, social, or emotional

growth of the student Unexcused Absences

There are absences about which a parent or guardian may know, but which are not acknowledged by the school as being legitimate – examples are: Shopping trips Job-hunting Visiting relatives Visiting other schools Beauty shop appointments Oversleeping Missing the bus Hunting Car trouble

Truancy

Any student who is absent from school or misses any part of the school day without the knowledge and permission of his/her parents or guardians or school authorities is truant. It is possible for a student to be truant even though the parent has given permission for such absence. Absences, even with the approval of parents which are excessive and/or which interfere with the student’s educational program, may be interpreted as truancy and result in the initiation of legal procedures.

A. Penalties

1. Tardy without excusable reason a. Penalties assessed according to each school’s assertive discipline plan

2. Excessive absences may result in verbal and written encouragement from the school and or the need for a physician’s note as acceptable documentation. Should a student’s attendance continue to decline, further action will be taken.

3. Mandatory truancy school for the parents may be required, or the parents may be taken to court for “failure to send”.

BUS INFORMATION General Guidelines

Bus transportation will be provided for those students living more than one mile from school. Check for stops and/or bus numbers by calling the Transportation Department at 499-1770. Students should sit in assigned seats while riding the bus and obey rules of conduct established by the Transportation Department while being transported. Parents are required to fill out a special transportation request form if they wish their child to use a bus stop other than the one designated by their residence address. Request forms are available in the school office. Students are NOT permitted to ride any bus other than their assigned one. Exceptions are made in emergency situations, however the Transportation Department, not the school, must approve these in advance. Please do not send a note to school asking permission for your child to ride another child’s bus. Please be aware that a bus may be late due to weather, breakdown, or a different driver and that, on occasion, another bus may be substituted. Please have your student(s) always get on and off at the same stop.

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State Laws: 1. Prohibit animals to be transported 2. Prohibit large instruments or other objects to be transported 3. Prohibit students who are not normally bus riders to be transported

Bus Riders All students living in areas where school bus transportation is provided must at all times use such transportation to and from school. The only exception would be private transportation by car. We feel that walking and bicycle riding to and from such areas is too hazardous. Students on a bus or other authorized Board of Education transportation vehicles are under the authority of and directly responsible to the bus/vehicle driver. The driver has the authority to enforce the established regulations for bus/vehicle conduct. Disorderly conduct or refusal to submit to the authority of the driver will be sufficient reason for refusing transportation service to any student. Before a suspension from bus/vehicle riding privileges is imposed, the Superintendent or other designated District personnel will provide a student with notice of an intended suspension and an opportunity to appear before the Superintendent or other designated District personnel. Disciplinary suspension periods will be commensurate with the infraction(s) committed as determined by the Superintendent or designated District personnel.

District Discipline Plan: 1st written offense: Student conference with principal 2nd written offense: 3-day removal from transportation 3rd written offense: 5-day removal from transportation 4th written offense: Removal from transportation for the remainder of the semester Any serious violations will result in immediate removal from transportation for a period of not less than 10 days. All bus situations/disciplines are handled through our Transportation Department. Our Transportation Supervisor is Mr. Dan Girvin and he can be contacted at 499-1770. Afternoon Trips

All grade 1-5 riders will board the same bus that they rode in the morning to return home in the afternoon. The route stops will be the same in the afternoon as in the morning. Boarding time will be at dismissal – 2:30 p.m.

Kindergarten Parents

The Kettering Board of Education will again provide bus transportation both ways for those kindergarten students who are on bus routes. Those kindergarten students who will be coming to morning class will come on the morning trip with students in grades 1-5, and will return home shortly after 10:50 a.m. Kindergartners who will be coming to afternoon class will be picked up at approximately 11:30 a.m., or shortly thereafter and will go home at 2:30 p.m., with the students in grades 1-5. They may or may not ride the same bus to and from school.

CAFETERIA Breakfast/Lunch

Breakfast is available for $1.65 each morning at 7:45 a.m. Children may either buy a hot lunch for $2.40 or bring their lunch. Milk is available at a cost of $.50. Please do not send pop to school for lunch. We do not have cash to loan lunch money. If your child forgets his/her lunch money, we will call you and ask you to bring it to the office.

Breakfast/Lunch Debit System

We encourage all students to purchase meals using our debit system. All students will be issued an identification/debit card for the school year. Once money has been deposited, this card will allow students to purchase breakfast, lunch, and ala carte items in the school cafeteria. This procedure eliminates the need for students to carry cash and checks to school on a daily basis. Parents/guardians may deposit money into the student debit account by making a payment with cash or check. Checks should be made out to “Kettering City Schools”. Please put the cash or check into a sealed envelope marked “DEBIT CARD MONEY” and please include the student’s name, teacher’s name, and the amount of money enclosed.

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Another option for depositing money to your child’s meal account is via the website, www.spsezpayKettering.com. Simply register online with your child’s student ID# (you can contact your school office for the student number) and a credit card and the payment will be credited to your child’s meal account. The parent/guardian may also bring the deposit directly to the school office. Once money is deposited on the debit card, the breakfast and/or daily lunch price, plus ala carte items, are deducted with a swipe of the card. Students may also use the debit card to purchase milk, juice, or ala carte items when they pack their lunch. Special restrictions to the debit card may be requested by the parent to the school cafeteria manager. The balance of your child’s debit card is available from the cashier upon request. Students not using the debit card system will need breakfast/lunch money on a daily basis.

CHILD ABUSE / NEGLECT Ohio State Law mandates that teachers and staff having knowledge of, or reasonable cause to suspect that a child (coming before his/her official or professional capacity) is abused or neglected, must report this to the authorities. DOGS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS Many parents choose to walk their dog to school when picking up their child. In order to ensure the health and safety of all of our students please be aware:

A. dog owners must keep their pets on a leash. B. dog owners are liable for the behavior of their pet. C. students should never approach or pet animals they do not know. D. dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pet.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS Students are expected to come to school clean and well groomed. Clothing should be appropriate for the weather. Please keep in mind our school is air-conditioned and dress accordingly. Proper attire to ensure a safe and productive learning environment includes:

A. Secure shoes that tie or velcro are requested. Sandals and flipflops contribute to falls and injuries and should not be worn

B. shirts and tops that cover the stomach, chest, back and shoulders. C. slacks and shorts that fit to the waist. D. skirts, dresses and shorts of reasonable length (student undergarments should not be visible when

seated or using playground equipment). E. hats off and bandanas off inside school (boys and girls).

Clothing containing inappropriate language, pictures or representations of alcohol, tobacco or drugs is not permitted. If a student’s attire or appearance is deemed inappropriate or disruptive to the school environment, the parent will be contacted to remedy the situation. GIFTED IDENTIFICATION The state of Ohio defines children who are “gifted” as students who perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment. Ohio law requires school districts to annually identify students under Ohio Revised Code 3324.03, enacted in 2000. In accordance with this law, the Kettering City School District identifies students as gifted in the following areas:

• Superior Cognitive Ability (IQ) • Specific Academic Ability in Math • Science, Reading, and/or Social Studies • Creative Thinking • Visual or Performing Arts

Parents or teachers may refer students for a gifted screening by picking up a referral form from any school office. We recommend that a parent/teacher conference be held before filling out a gifted referral. All students will be screened for gifted identification using the Terra Nova Test for achievement and the InView for ability.

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GRADING POLICY During the year, every student in grades 1-5 will receive a Progress Report each nine weeks. Also, if a student has unsatisfactory work or conduct, the student’s interim report will be available on Progress Book. This is a warning to help correct the level of work needed to reach satisfactory achievement. Parents of kindergarten students receive a progress report in mid-February and at the end of the school year. In kindergarten, first grade, and second grade, progress reports document student progress through the use of the following Progress Marks:

E (Excellent) indicates that a student consistently show skills that exceed the expected S (Satisfactory) indicates that a student is progressing with school and home support NI (Needs Improvement) indicates that a student is showing growth but continued help is needed

both from school and home U (Unsatisfactory) indicates that a student consistently shows skills that are below the expected, and

additional help is needed from both school and home In grades three through five, students earn scholastic achievement grades (letter grades) or progress marks, depending on the subject area or behavior being evaluated. Letter grades are assigned using the following criteria:

Grade A indicates that a student performs at a level of excellence on daily work and assessments/tests (90-100%)

Grade B indicates that a student performs at an above average level on daily work and assessments/tests (80-89%)

Grade C indicates that a student performs at an average level on daily work and assessments/tests (70-79%)

Grade D indicates that a student performs at a below average level on daily work and assessments/tests (60-69%)

Grade F indicates that a student performs at a failing level on daily work and assessments/tests (Below 60%)

HOMEWORK INFORMATION The Purpose of Homework

The assignment of meaningful homework is an integral component of the instruction program. Work done outside of the classroom should provide the student with opportunities to practice through drills; reinforce instruction received during the regular school day; expand upon topics introduced during classroom instruction; and enable each student to pursue individual projects which involve lifetime skills of self-directed work, organization and interpretation of knowledge. If homework is to have value, its purpose and relation to what has been taught in the classroom must be clearly understood by the student. Teachers are encouraged to provide only meaningful homework assignments related to the instructional programs’ goals and objectives.

Definition Homework is defined as out-of-class preparation in a given subject area which is assigned by a student’s teacher. This assignment is of such a nature that the student must complete all or part of the assignment during non-class time. Each assignment may be further defined as one or more of the following four types: 1. Practice: Most common, given to help students master specific skills and limited to material

presented in class. 2. Preparation: Given to students to gain maximum benefit from subsequent lessons. 3. Extension: Given to determine if students can transfer a skill or concept to another situation. 4. Creative: Require a student to integrate skills and concepts in the process of producing a response

or product.

Objectives The objectives of homework are to: 1. Supplement and support classroom experiences. 2. Reinforce learning through practice, integration, and application. 3. Develop student initiative, responsibility, and self-direction through independent effort. 4. Foster parent awareness of their child’s learning activities. 5. Homework may also be used as a method for making up work missed due to illness, etc.

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Student’s Responsibilities It is the responsibility of the student to complete assigned homework. In order to accomplish this task, the student must learn to plan and budget the necessary study time. It is the student’s responsibility to seek additional clarification and assistance from the teacher as soon as the need for such assistance is realized.

Parent/Home Responsibilities

Parents should recognize the important role of homework to the total instructional program of their child. Parents should make themselves aware of the assignments and expectations of the school and the individual teacher. A suitable place and environment in the home for the completion of homework assignments should be provided. Parents should help their child plan and budget the appropriate amount of study time for the completion of the homework assignment. Parents should feel free to consult with the teacher about any questions relating to the homework assignment.

Gifted Education Program Students participating in the gifted program will spend one day per week in the gifted class. The work in the gifted class should replace the regular classroom work and the student should not be expected to make up the missed assignments with the following exceptions: 1. The student will be responsible for learning new material that was presented to the class during

his/her absence. This can be accomplished through teacher explanation, student explanation, or short study assignment. The student should not be required to complete all written assignments connected with the new work that has been missed, but should be given an opportunity to demonstrate his/her understanding of the concepts involved through oral discussion or partial written assignments.

2. The student will be responsible for completing long-term assignments such as research projects or book reports that may fall due on the day the student attends his/her gifted class. It will be the responsibility of the student to arrange for a time to present his/her work either before or shortly after the assignment is due.

3. The student will be required to make up all tests, which are given in the student’s absence, unless the classroom teacher excuses the student from the test.

Every effort should be made to allow the student to make up his/her work during class time as opposed to recess or lunch. “Pupils of advanced ability who have mastered the work should be excused from routine homework and should be encouraged to spend their time on original and creative expression and/or research.”

INCLEMENT WEATHER On days when the schools are closed or delayed due to ice, snow or other emergencies, please follow these guidelines:

1. Listen to a local radio station for announcements or call the Education Connection at 643-4444. 2. Any closing or delay will be announced as Kettering City Schools. Don’t confuse this with other

Kettering private or parochial school announcements. On days when the schools are on delay, childcare is available for parents at the cost of $5.00/hour. Childcare services begin at 7:00 AM. LEAVING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY When it is necessary to take your child out of school during the day for any reason, please do the following:

A. Send a note to the teacher stating the reason and the time to leave. B. When you arrive to pick up your child, please come in to the office and sign your child out. C. In order to avoid missing instructional time, we will not call your child to the office until you arrive.

A child will be released only to the guardians unless the school has been notified by the guardians that they have granted permission for someone else to pick up the child.

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LOST AND FOUND The school lost and found should be checked periodically by parents and students for any missing items. Please contact the school office personnel for lost glasses, jewelry, keys or wallets. PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION Parents are urged to contact the school whenever the need arises. Teachers may be contacted by note, telephone, or e-mail. Each teacher in the district has an e-mail address in the following format firstname.lastname@ketteringschools.org. If you call during the school day, the office will notify the teacher to return your call. If you wish to have a conference with your child’s teacher, please call ahead to make an appointment. This will allow the teacher to prepare for the conference, make the conference more productive and does not impact instructional time. PERSONAL PROPERTY Students are not permitted to bring any personal items (cd/cassette headphones, ipods, games, toys, etc.) to school. Please do not allow your child to bring valuables to school unless necessary for classroom work and requested by the classroom teacher. If it is necessary to bring any personal property, please write your name on the item. REQUESTING TEACHERS The office cannot accept requests from parents for specific teachers. Every attempt is made to balance classrooms by ability, gender, and behavior. Honoring requests from parents would make balancing classrooms impossible. RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER HOURS We understand that students may occasionally need to return to school after hours to retrieve needed textbooks and other materials. In these situations, an adult should accompany the student to the office and request assistance. SAFETY PATROL AND WALKERS Safety patrol is composed of 5th and/or 4th graders who provide a valuable service to our students and parents. These students are trained and supervised by the City of Kettering Safety Officers and the school’s Safety Patrol Advisor. The safety patrol needs the cooperation of students and parents in order to provide a safe environment to and from school each day. Your help in stressing the need for your child to cooperate with the patrol is extremely important and greatly appreciated. Students should report straight to school in the morning and straight home at dismissal. Parents who have concerns or issues with Safety Patrol students should contact the office. SAFETY RULES – Cafeteria

All students will eat lunch in the cafeteria and are expected to conduct themselves in a quiet, mannerly fashion. Students will learn and practice proper table manners as a part of his/her education. The following rules will help provide a clean, quiet, atmosphere for students to eat lunch.

1. Enter and leave the cafeteria in a quiet orderly manner. 2. Use proper table manners at all times. 3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. 4. Sit in designated area and remain seated until dismissed. 5. Students will raise their hand if they have forgotten something or need help. 6. Use inside voices to talk quietly to your neighbor. 7. Clean your area before leaving. 8. Follow directions of aides and teachers at all times.

Occasionally parents may wish to eat lunch with their children. Please make arrangements ahead of time so the cafeteria can be prepared and sign in at the office when you arrive. We discourage bringing in fast food. Soft drinks (pop) are not a part of a healthy lunch and should not be sent to school.

Playground/Outside Recess

Rules on the playground are for the safety of all students. Behavior expectations at recess are very similar to behavior expectations in the classroom.

1. Follow directions of aides/teachers at all times. 2. Do not pick up or throw rocks, mulch, dirt, snowballs, or sticks. 3. No bullying, name calling, or foul language.

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4. Cooperate – games and equipment are open to all students who wish to play. 5. Contact sports are not permitted. 6. Games involving balls should be played in designated areas only. 7. Line up quickly and quietly when the whistle is blown.

Inside Recess

Rules for inside recess are for the safety of all students. Behavior expectations during inside recess are very similar to behavior expectations in the classroom.

1. Leave cafeteria in a quiet orderly fashion and remain quiet in the halls. 2. Follow directions of aides/teachers at all times. 3. Choose a game and play quietly using inside voices. 4. Do not run in the classroom. 5. Do not throw objects of any kind in the classroom. 6. Share games and include others. 7. Do not leave the classroom without permission from the aides/teachers.

SCHOOL FEES The Kettering Board of Education sets a school fee for all students to help offset a portion of the costs for consumable items used by the student (workbooks, papers, etc.). School fees for this year are: Kindergarten Students $20.00 Grade 1 – 5 Students $30.00 Payment of the school fee is expected within the first two weeks of enrollment. Please make checks out to the KETTERING CITY SCHOOLS. If you qualify for free or reduced priced meals, you may be eligible to apply for a waiver of school fees. You must complete a Fee Waiver Application form in the school office to receive the waiver. If you have any questions, please contact the school office. Note: Progress Reports will not be released at the end of the school year to those students with outstanding school fees. STUDENT CONDUCT CODE Reasonable and necessary order in the educational institution itself is essential to the fostering and maintaining of educational opportunity. A student may forfeit the right to educational opportunities by conduct, which substantially disrupts the educational process or deprives others of their rights. Students are subject to school disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and expulsion, for all actions that affect the good order, efficiency, morale, management and welfare of the school. Primary emphasis will be directed to activities taking place on school premises, at any school activity, function or event, during any school transportation (in a school vehicle or in any mode of transportation arranged by the school), and near school premises before, during or after any school-related activity. In addition, students are subject to discipline for misconduct that occurs off of property owned or controlled by the School District if it is connected to activities or incidents that have occurred on school property. Thus, any student misconduct, which directly affects the school, regardless of place or time, will be subject to disciplinary control by the school. Similarly, a student may be disciplined for any misconduct which is directed at a School District official or employee, or the property of a School District official or employee, regardless of where the misconduct occurs. A violation of these rules, regulations, policies, statutes, or ordinances, including the rules listed below, may result in disciplinary action. Due process procedures, as mandated by law and approved by the Board of Education, will be followed. The following school district rules are in effect: Rule 1. Truancy: Unexcused failure to attend class or school may result in suspension or expulsion. Rule 2. Behavioral Problems:

A. No student shall by use of violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance or by any other conduct, cause any significant disruption or obstruction of any mission, process or function of the school.

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B. No student shall fail to comply with directions of teachers, student teachers, substitute teachers, teacher’s aides, principals or other authorized school personnel during any period of time when subject to the authority of school personnel.

C. No student shall use profane, vulgar, coarse, abusive or other improper language or gestures. D. Board of Education policies, including but not limited to:

1. Circulation of Literature: Circulation by or to students of literature for or against any candidate or cause is prohibited in the school or on school premises with the exception of literature pertaining to Kettering City School District levies and bond issues.

2. Fund Drives: There shall be no fundraising drives for students other than those that have been approved by the principal and student activities coordinator.

3. Lunch period (Secondary): Secondary school lunch periods are closed. Students requesting to leave the school premises during lunch hour must submit a written request by a parent. Permission, when granted, will be in effect for not more than one week at a time.

4. Secret Societies: Secret societies, sororities and fraternities are forbidden. 5. Anti-hazing: No student shall commit any act or coerce another, including the victim, to do

any act of initiation into any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person.

6. Technology Acceptable Use Policy: No student shall abuse the computer equipment, programs, services or conditions or use as outlined in the Acceptable Use Policy of the Kettering School District.

Rule 3. Fighting/Violence: No student shall cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or behave in such a manner that their conduct is likely to result in physical harm to themselves or another.

Rule 4. Vandalism: No student shall cause or attempt to cause damage of school or private property. Rule 5. Theft: No student shall cause or attempt to cause theft of school or private property. Rule 6. Use/Possession of a Gun: No student shall possess, use, threaten the use of or exhibit a gun. A

“firearm” includes any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer.

Rule 7. Use/Possession of a Weapon other than a Gun or Explosive: No student shall possess, use, threaten the use of or exhibit any object that can reasonably be considered a dangerous weapon. A “knife” includes any cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade fastened to a handle.

Rule 8. Use/Possession of any Explosive, Incendiary or Poison Gas: No student shall possess, use, threaten the use of or exhibit any object that can reasonably be considered but not limited to any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas, bomb, grenade, or rocket having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine or device similar to any of the devices described above.

Rule 9. Use/Possession of Tobacco: No student shall use or possess tobacco in any form, including but not limited to: cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff and any other tobacco in or about a school building, on school grounds, or school buses, or at any activity supervised by the school district.

Rule 10. Use/Possession of Alcohol: No student shall possess, use, transmit, sell or attempt to sell, or be under the influence of alcohol. No student shall come to school, remain at school, or attend any school sponsored activity with the smell of alcohol on his/her breath/clothing or showing signs of consumption, regardless of when or where the alcohol was consumed.

Rule 11. Use/Possession of other Drugs: No student shall possess, (including, but not limited to possession in purse, wallet, locker, desk, automobile on school property, etc.) use, transmit, sell or attempt to sell, have the distinct odor of, or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, controlled

substance, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, anabolic steroid, mind altering substance of any kind or intoxicant of any kind. No student shall come to school, remain at school, or attend any school sponsored activity with the smell of such chemicals or substances on his/her breath/clothing or showing signs of consumption regardless of when or where the chemical or substance was consumed/used. Use of a drug authorized by a medical prescription from a registered physician shall not be considered a violation of this rule if Student Services Policy 11.12 Procedure for Taking Medication in School form is properly followed. No student shall use, possess or transport paraphernalia that is commonly associated with or construed to be used for any of the above-mentioned chemicals or substances.

No student shall make, sell, offer to sell, or possess counterfeit drugs or controlled substances. Rule 12. Sale/Distribution of Weapons: No student shall be involved in the sale or distribution of any

weapon as listed in rules 6, 7, and 8 of this policy.

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Rule 13. Sale/Distribution of Alcohol and/or other Drugs: No student shall be involved in the sale or distribution of alcohol or other drugs as listed in rule 10 and 11 of this policy.

Rule 14. False Alarm/Bomb Threats: No student shall cause or attempt to disrupt or obstruct any mission, process or function of the school by means of false alarms or bomb threats.

Rule 16. Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment by a student toward another student includes any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal or physical, and is prohibited.

Rule 17. Nondiscrimination/Harassment The board will not tolerate discriminatory practices, and views harassment as a form of prohibited discrimination. Harassment is defined as intimidation by threats or actual physical violence, the creation by whatever means, of a climate of hostility or intimidation, or the use of language, conduct or symbols in such a manner as to be commonly understood to convey hatred, contempt or prejudice or to have the effect of insulting, intimidating or stigmatizing an individual or group of individuals.

STUDENT HEALTH The purpose of the Kettering City Schools health services is two-fold. First, to assist parents, students and staff with the prevention of illness and injury. Second, to assist students with health care needs and health emergencies. In order to assure the success of these services we request your cooperation in the following areas: Immunizations: Parents/Guardians must provide a copy of the student’s immunization record to the school

before the first day of school. A list of required immunizations is listed below. Contact your school nurse with any questions.

IMMUNIZATIONS REQUIRED FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

PLEASE NOTE: Ohio law requires immunizations to be on file in the school office by the first day of school.

DIPTHERIA/TETANUS/PERTUSSIS (DTP, DTaP, DT, Td) A minimum of four (4) doses are required. If the

fourth dose was administered before the fourth birthday, a fifth dose is required. POLIOMYELITIS (OPV, IPV) Grades 3-5 A minimum of three (3) doses of OPV individually or IPV individually are required. If the third dose

was administered before the fourth birthday, a fourth dose is required. If any combination of IPV or OPV were received, a fourth dose of either vaccine is required.

Kdg-2 Four (4) doses of any combination of IPV or OPV are required. The final does must be administered on or after the fourth birthday regardless of the number of previous doses.

MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA (MMR) Two (2) doses of MMR are required. The first dose must be administered on or after the first birthday. A minimum of 28 days are required between the first and second dose.

HEPATITIS B VACCINE Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B are required. VARICELLA (CHICKEN POX) Grades 3-5 One (1) does of varicella vaccine must be administered on or after the first birthday. Kdg-2 Two (2) doses of varicella vaccine must be administered prior to school entry. TUBERCULOSIS TEST All foreign exchange students and resident aliens must present proof of a negative

Mantoux II tuberculosis skin test or negative chest x-ray before entering school.

Medications: All medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, require a medication form signed by a licensed healthcare provider and parent/guardian be on file in the school office before the medication may be administered. All medications must be provided to the school in the original labeled container and the label must match the medication order on file. A copy of the medication form is provided in the back of this District-Wide information handbook and is available online at the Kettering City Schools website (www.ketteringschools.org ) under Student Services/Health Services.

Screenings: Screenings are performed at regular intervals for the purpose of early identification of health

problems. The screenings include vision, hearing and dental, and may include height, weight, body mass index and blood pressure. Your prompt response to any communication regarding these screenings is in your student’s best interest. If at any time you think your student is having difficulty in any of these areas, contact the school nurse for assistance.

Chronic Health Issues: At the start of each school year, please provide the school nurse with updated

information and orders for care from a licensed health care provider for any chronic illness or disease diagnosis pertaining to your student. This includes asthma, diabetes, seizure disorder, etc. Any medical

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procedure, for example tube-feeding, that we need to perform for your student requires a signed order from a licensed health care provider (physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner).

Illness: To help prevent the spread of contagious illness, we request your cooperation in keeping an ill

student at home until he/she is free of the following symptoms for 24 hours: FEVER ABOVE 100 DEGREES ORALLY, VOMITING, DIARRHEA, UNDIAGNOSED RASH, CONJUNCTIVITIS (PINK EYE). These guidelines are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Head Lice: If your student has head lice he/she will be permitted to return to school following treatment.

Parents/guardians must accompany their student to the school office to be checked before the student can return to class. Students will be rechecked for the presence of lice 7 days after the initial treatment. We acknowledge that head lice removal is a tedious and demanding process and will work with you to help take care of this problem.

In General: Because healthy children do learn better, it is best if your student comes to school well rested

and having had breakfast. Elementary students participate in outside recess and all students should come to school dressed appropriately for the weather. Hats, gloves/mittens, boots and warm coats are essential during the winter months.

Schools do NOT have a nurse in the building full time, but they can always be reached by telephoning the school office. Please do not hesitate to contact your school nurse for assistance. TELEPHONE & ADDRESS CHANGES It is extremely important to inform the office of address and telephone number changes, not only parents’ home and work, but also persons you list to contact in case of an emergency. TEST SCHEDULE

October 7, 2014 & April 20-May 1, 2015

February 16-March 20, 2015 March 2-13, 2015 April 13-May 15, 2015 May 4-15, 2015 TBA TBA

Grade 3 OAA Reading Achievement Test PARCC- Performance Based Assessments Grade 5 ODE Science End of Year Assessments Grade 4 ODE Social Studies Grade 2 Terra Nova and In View Grade 5 In View

Information will be sent home at least 1 week before each test to share specific testing dates.

USE OF SCHOOL PHONE Student’s use of the school phone will be restricted to school business only and will be teacher directed. Students are not allowed to use the phone to make personal plans for after school. Students should be encouraged to plan and to accept responsibility for their assignments before coming to school. There will be occasions when it will be necessary for a child or school personnel to contact parents during the work day. If this will cause a problem for you at your place of employment, please advise the school as soon as possible and provide alternative arrangements. VACATIONS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR Please notify us if you are planning to take a vacation of one week or longer during the school year, and please also stop by the office to fill out the "Classroom Absence for Vacation" form. The following is our district policy dealing with making up work following vacations during the school year. One week absence: the teacher will cooperate with parents who would like their children to complete appropriate assignments during or after the absence. Two to four week absence: no teacher responsibility. We suggest that, upon return to school, private tutoring services be used to help bring the student's skills up to classroom level.

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More than four weeks absence: the student should be withdrawn from school. VISITORS & CLASSROOM VISITATIONS We welcome and encourage visits to school by parents, other adult residents of the community and interested educators. In order for the educational program to continue undisturbed when visitors are present and to prevent the intrusion of disruptive persons into the schools, it is necessary to establish visitor controls. Please be reminded that ALL visitors, including parents, entering the school building throughout the course of the school day must, by law (Ohio Revised Code 3313.20 and 2917.211) sign in and be issued a visitor’s pass in the main office before proceeding elsewhere in the building. This regulation exists for the protection and safety of each and every child attending school. Parents wishing to speak to a classroom teacher before, during, or after school are asked to come directly to the office so that arrangements can be made for communication with the teacher. Parents will be permitted to visit classrooms only after a visitor’s pass has been issued from the office. Interruption of the instructional program by drop-in visitors will not be allowed. When bringing items to school for your child, please bring them to the school office labeled with the child’s name and the teacher’s name. School personnel will make sure your child receives the item(s). WITHDRAWING STUDENTS / WITHHOLDING GRADES AND CREDITS If you are moving and will be withdrawing your child from school, please come to the office a few days prior to the student's last day to complete the withdrawal form. Per Ohio Revised Code, schools may withhold grades and credits for non-payment of fines, fees, or tuition but will forward other records to the new school to verify attendance, class placement, medical history, special education records, and other information other than grades and credits. KETTERING SCHOOL BOARD POLICY NOTICES Policy 2260: Nondiscrimination and Access to Equal Educational Opportunity This ensures that our Board policy on nondiscrimination is implemented properly and is in compliance with federal and state laws. Part of the policy states: “The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs, activities, or employment.” The person designated to handle inquiries regarding the district’s policy on nondiscrimination is:

Director of Business Services 499-1418 Policy 2330: Homework The Kettering Board of Education recognizes the educational value and importance of homework for students. We believe that meaningful home study is a necessary part of each student’s educational program and that it should be related to the educational philosophy and goals of the school District. Homework should be a purposeful extension of the school day which provides the student with additional opportunities for the development and reinforcement of the District’s instructional objectives. The assignment of homework should be regular and reasonable and is encouraged when it contributes to the child’s education through:

• individual work • responsibility • completion of projects • establishment of good study habits.

The completion of homework assignments should be recorded by the instructor and included in the evaluation of the student’s progress. Policy 2416: Student Privacy and Parental Access to Information The Board of Education respects the privacy rights of parents and their children. No student shall be required, as a part of the school program or the district’s curriculum, without prior written consent of the

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student (if an adult) or his/her parents, to submit to or participate in any survey, analysis, or evaluation that reveals certain personal information concerning:

• political affiliations or beliefs of the student or his/her parents • illegal, anti-social, or self-incriminating behavior • critical appraisals of individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships • legally recognized privileged and analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and

ministers • religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or his/her parents • income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for

receiving financial assistance under such a program) Policy 5516: Student Hazing Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with and disruptive to the educational process and prohibited at any time in school facilities, on school property, and/or off school property if the misconduct is connected to activities or incidents that have occurred on school property. No administrator, faculty member or other Board of Education employee shall encourage, permit, authorize, condone, or tolerate any hazing activities. No student shall plan, encourage, or engage in any hazing. Policy 5517: Anti-Harassment Prohibited behaviors include:

• conduct constituting sexual harassment • conduct constituting harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, or disability

The following positions serve as the “Anti-Harassment Complaint Coordinators” for the school district:

Director of Student Services - 499-1433 Director of Human Resources - 499-1426

Policy 5517.01: Bullying and Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior: Aggressive behavior toward a student, whether by other students, staff or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes physical, verbal, psychological and cyber bullying abuse and violence within a dating relationship. The Board will not tolerate any gestures, comments, threats, or actions which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm or personal degradation. This policy applies to all activities in the District and all school-sponsored activities that occur off school property. Complaints should be reported to the unit principal (secondary), or principal (elementary). Policy 5610, 5610.01: Removal, Suspension, Expulsion, and Permanent Exclusion of Students The Board of Education recognizes that exclusion from the educational program of the schools, whether by emergency removal, out-of-school suspension, expulsion, or permanent exclusion, is the most severe sanction that can be imposed on a student, and one that cannot be imposed without due process. At the same time, the Board retains zero tolerance of violent, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior by its students. No student is to be removed, suspended out of school, expelled, and/or permanently excluded unless his/her behavior represents misconduct as specified in the Student Code of Conduct/Student Discipline Code approved by the Board. Policy 5610.04: Suspension of Bus/Transportation Privileges Students on a bus or other authorized Board of Education vehicle are under the authority of and directly responsible to the bus/vehicle driver. The driver has the authority to enforce the established regulations for bus/vehicle conduct. Disorderly conduct or refusal to submit to the authority of the driver will be sufficient reason for refusing transportation service to any student. Before a suspension from bus/vehicle riding privileges is imposed, the Superintendent or other designated personnel will provide the student with notice of an intended suspension and an opportunity to appear before the Superintendent or other designated personnel. Disciplinary suspension periods will be commensurate with the infraction(s) committed, as determined by the Superintendent or other designated personnel. Policy 5610.05: Prohibition from Extracurricular Activities Students may be suspended or prohibited from participating in extracurricular activities as a result of misconduct.

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Policy 5611: Due Process Rights The Board of Education recognizes that students waive certain constitutional rights regarding their education. Accordingly, the Board has established procedures for the removal of students from school when necessary via suspension, expulsion, or permanent exclusion. Policy 5771: Search and Seizure Guidelines shall be used when school administrators have reason to suspect that an illegal or dangerous substance or object or stolen property may be in the possession of a student. All lockers and other storage areas provided for student use remain the property of the district. These lockers and storage areas are subject to inspection, access for maintenance, and search pursuant to these guidelines. A student using a locker or storage area has, by statute, no expectation of privacy in that locker or storage area or the contents contained inside. Policy 5772: Weapons The Board prohibits students, staff, and visitors from possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon in any setting under the control and supervision of the Board for the purpose of school activities approved and authorized by the Board including, but not limited to, property leased, owned, or contracted by the Board, a school-sponsored event, or in a Board-owned vehicle. The term “weapon” means any object which, in the manner in which it is used, is intended to be used, or is represented, is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm or property damage, as well as endangering the health and safety of people. Weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, guns of any type, including air and gas powered guns (whether loaded or not), knives, razors, clubs, electric weapons, metallic knuckles, martial arts weapons, ammunition, and explosives. Policy 5780: Student Rights The Board of Education recognizes that students possess not only the right to an education but many of the rights of citizenship as well. In providing students the opportunity for an education to which they are entitled, the Board shall attempt to offer nurture, counsel, and custodial care appropriate to their age and maturity. The Board recognizes that no student may be deprived of the basic right to equal access to the educational program or to the constitutional right to due process and free expression as appropriate for the school environment. Policy 7434: Use of Tobacco on School Premises The Board of Education is committed to providing students, staff, and visitors with an indoor tobacco-free environment. The negative health effects of tobacco use for both users and nonusers, particularly in connection with second hand smoke, are well established. Further, providing an indoor tobacco-free environment is consistent with the role-modeling responsibilities of teachers and staff to our students. For purposes of this policy, "use of tobacco" shall mean all uses of tobacco, including cigars, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, or any other matter or substances that contain tobacco, in addition to papers used to roll cigarettes. In order to protect students and staff who choose not to use tobacco from an environment noxious to them, the Board prohibits the use of tobacco within any indoor facility owned or leased or contracted for by the Board, and used to provide education or library services to children. Such prohibition also applies to school grounds, Board-owned and/or operated vehicles used to transport students, all other Board-owned and/or operated vehicles, and/or any school-related event. Policy 7540: Student Network and Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Students are encouraged to use the Board’s computers, Network, and Internet connection for educational purposes. Use of the Network is a privilege, not a right. When using the Network, students must conduct themselves in a responsible, efficient, ethical, and legal manner. Conditions of use:

A. Students are responsible for their behavior and communication on the Network. B. Students may only access the Network by using their assigned Network account. C. Students may not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, data or

passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the network. D. Students may not use the Network to engage in “hacking” or other illegal activities.

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E. Transmission of any material in violation of any State or Federal law or regulation, or Board policy is prohibited.

F. Any use of the Network for commercial purposes, advertising, or political lobbying is prohibited. G. Use of the Network to engage in cyber bullying is prohibited. H. Students are expected to abide by the following generally-accepted rules of Network etiquette:

a. Be polite; do not get abusive in your messages. b. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.

Illegal activities are strictly forbidden. c. Do not use the Network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the Network by other

users. Policy 8330: Student Records In order to provide appropriate educational services and programming, the Board of Education must collect, retain, and use information about individual students. Simultaneously, the Board recognizes the need to safeguard students' privacy and restrict access to students' personally identifiable information. Student "personally identifiable information" includes, but is not limited to: the student's name; the name of the student's parent or other family members; the address of the student or student's family; a personal identifier, such as the student's social security number, student number, or biometric record; other indirect identifiers, such as the student's date of birth, place of birth, and mother's maiden name; other information that, alone or in combination, is linked or linkable to a specific student that would allow a reasonable person in the school community, who does not have personal knowledge of the relevant circumstances, to identify the student with reasonable certainty; or information requested by a person who the District reasonably believes knows the identity of the student to whom the education record relates. The Board is responsible for the records of all students who attend or have attended schools in this District. Only records mandated by the State or Federal government and/or necessary and relevant to the function of the School District or specifically permitted by this Board will be compiled by District employees. In all cases, permitted, narrative information in student records shall be objectively-based on the personal observation or knowledge of the originator. Student records shall be available only to students and their parents, eligible students, designated school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the information or to other individuals or organizations as permitted by law. The term "parents" includes legal guardians or other persons standing in loco parentis (such as a grandparent or stepparent with whom the child lives, or a person who is legally responsible for the welfare of the child). The term "eligible student" refers to a student who is eighteen (18) years of age or older or a student of any age who is enrolled in a postsecondary institution. Both parents shall have equal access to student records unless stipulated otherwise by court order or law. In the case of eligible students, parents may be allowed access to the records without the student's consent, providing the student is considered a dependent under section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code. A school official is a person employed by the Board as an administrator, supervisor, teacher/instructor (including substitutes), or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the Board; a person or company with whom the Board has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, or medical consultant); a contractor, consultant, volunteer or other party to whom the Board has outsourced a service otherwise performed by Board employees (e.g. a therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his/her tasks (including volunteers). "Legitimate educational interest" is defined as a "direct or delegated responsibility for helping the student achieve one (1) or more of the educational goals of the District" or if the record is necessary in order for the school official to perform an administrative, supervisory, or instructional task or to perform a service or benefit for the student or the student's family. The Board directs that reasonable and appropriate methods (including but not limited to physical and/or technological access controls) are utilized to control access to student records and to make certain that school officials obtain access to only those education records in which they have legitimate educational interest.

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The Board authorizes the administration to: A. forward student records, including disciplinary records with respect to suspensions and expulsions, upon request to a private or public school or school district in which a student of this District is enrolled, seeks or intends to enroll, or is instructed to enroll, on a full-time or part-time basis, upon condition that: 1. a reasonable attempt is made to notify the student's parent or eligible student of the transfer (unless the disclosure is initiated by the parent or eligible student; or the Board's annual notification - Form 8330 F9 - includes a notice that the Board will forward education records to other agencies or institutions that have requested the records and in which the student seeks or intends to enroll or is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student's enrollment or transfer); 2. the parent or eligible student, upon request, receives a copy of the record; and 3. the parent or eligible student, upon request, has an opportunity for a hearing to challenge the content of the record; B. provide "personally-identifiable" information to appropriate parties, including parents of an eligible students, whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals, if there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals, considering the totality of the circumstances; C. report a crime committed by a child with a disability to appropriate authorities and to transmit copies of the student's special education and disciplinary records to the authorities for their consideration; D. release de-identified records and information in accordance with Federal regulations; E. disclose personally identifiable information from education records, without consent, to organizations conducting studies "for, or on behalf of" the District for purposes of developing, validating or administering predictive tests, administering student aid programs, or improving instruction. Information disclosed under this exception must be protected so that students and parents cannot be personally identified by anyone other than representative of the organization conducting the study, and must be destroyed when no longer needed for the study. In order to release information under this provision, the District will enter into a written agreement with the recipient organization that specifies the purpose of the study. (See Form 8330 F14.) While the disclosure of personally identifiable information without consent is allowed under this exception, it is recommended that whenever possible the administration either release de-identified information or remove the students' names and social security identification numbers to reduce the risk of unauthorized disclosure of personally identifiable information; F. request each person or party requesting access to a student's record to abide by Federal regulations and State laws concerning the disclosure of information. The District will comply with a legitimate request for access to a student's records within a reasonable period of time but not more than forty-five (45) days after receiving the request or within such shorter period as may be applicable to students with disabilities. Upon the request of the viewer, a record shall be reproduced, unless said record is copyrighted, or otherwise restricted, and the viewer may be charged a fee equivalent to the cost of handling and reproduction. Based upon reasonable requests, viewers of education records will receive explanation and interpretation of the records. The District shall maintain a record of each request for access and each disclosure of personally identifiable information. Such disclosure records will indicate the student, person viewing the record, their legitimate interest in the information, information disclosed, date of disclosure, and date parental/eligible student consent was obtained (if required). Only "directory information" regarding a student shall be released to any person or party, other than the student or his/her parent, without the written consent of the parent; or, if the student is an eligible student, without the written consent of the student, except to those persons or parties stipulated by the District's policy and administrative guidelines and/or those in the law. DIRECTORY INFORMATION Each year the District will provide public notice to students and their parents of its intent to make available, upon request, certain information known as "directory information". The Board designates as student "directory information": a student's name; address; telephone number; date and place of birth; photograph; major field of study; participation in officially-recognized activities and sports; height and weight, if a member of an athletic team; dates of attendance; date of graduation; or awards received. Directory information shall not be provided to any organization for profit-making purposes. Parents and eligible students may refuse to allow the District to disclose any or all of such "directory information" upon written notification to the District within five (5) days after receipt of the District's public notice.

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In accordance with Federal and State law, the District shall release the names, addresses, and telephone listings of secondary students to a recruiting officer for any branch of the United States Armed Forces or an institution of higher education who requests such information. A secondary school student or parent of the student may request in writing that the student's name, address, and telephone listing not be released without prior consent of the parent(s)/eligible student. The recruiting officer is to sign a form indicating that "any information received by the recruiting officer shall be used solely for the purpose of informing students about military service and shall not be released to any person other than individuals within the recruiting services of the Armed Forces". The Superintendent is authorized to charge mailing fees for providing this information to a recruiting officer. Whenever consent of the parent(s)/eligible student is required for the inspection and/or release of a student's health or education records or for the release of "directory information", either parent may provide such consent unless agreed to otherwise in writing by both parents or specifically stated by court order. If the student is under the guardianship of an institution, the Superintendent shall appoint a person who has no conflicting interest to provide such written consent. The District may disclose "directory information" on former students without student or parental consent, unless the parent or eligible student previously submitted a request that such information not be disclosed without their prior written consent. The Board will not permit the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the purpose of marketing or for selling that information (or otherwise providing that information to others for that purpose). INSPECTION OF INFORMATION COLLECTION INSTRUMENT The parent of a student or an eligible student has the right to inspect upon request any instrument used in the collection of personal information before the instrument is administered or distributed to a student. Personal information for this section is defined as individually identifiable information including a student or parent's first and last name, a home or other physical address (including street name and the name of the city or town), a telephone number, or a Social Security identification number. In order to review the instrument, the parent or eligible student must submit a written request to the building principal at least five (5) business days before the scheduled date of the activity. The instrument will be provided to the parent or eligible student within five (5) business days of the principal receiving the request. The Superintendent shall directly notify the parent(s) of a student and eligible students, at least annually at the beginning of the school year, of the specific or approximate dates during the school year when such activities are scheduled or expected to be scheduled. This section does not apply to the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating, or providing educational products or services for, or to, students or educational institutions, such as the following: A. college or other postsecondary education recruitment, or military recruitment B. book clubs, magazine, and programs providing access to low-cost literary products C. curriculum and instructional materials used by elementary and secondary schools D. tests and assessments used by elementary and secondary schools to provide cognitive, evaluative, diagnostic, clinical, aptitude, or achievement information about students (or to generate other statistically useful data for the purpose of securing such tests and assessments) and the subsequent analysis and public release of the aggregate data from such tests and assessments E. the sale by students of products or services to raise funds for school-related or education-related activities F. student recognition programs The Superintendent is directed to prepare administrative guidelines so that students and parents are adequately informed each year regarding their rights to: A. inspect and review the student's education records; B. request amendments if the parent believes the record is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the student's privacy rights; C. consent to disclosures of personally-identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to those disclosures allowed by the law; D. challenge District noncompliance with a parent's request to amend the records through a hearing;

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E. file a complaint with the United States Department of Education; F. obtain a copy of the District's policy and administrative guidelines on student records. The Superintendent shall also develop procedural guidelines for: A. the proper storage and retention of records including a list of the type and location of records; B. informing District employees of the Federal and State laws concerning student records. The District is authorized to use the microfilm process or electromagnetic processes of reproduction for the recording, filing, maintaining, and preserving of records. No liability shall attach to any member, officer, or employee of this District as a consequence of permitting access or furnishing student records in accordance with this policy and regulations. R.C. 9.01, 149.41, 149.43, 1347 et seq., 3113.33, 3319.321 34 C.F.R. Part 99 20 U.S.C., Section 1232 f through 1232i (FERPA) 26 U.S.C. 152 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq., Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 20 U.S.C. 7165(b) 20 U.S.C. 7908 Policy 9130A: Procedures for the Inspection of Instructional Materials This policy governs cases in which a member of the public requests to inspect instructional materials. The person making the request will complete form 9130F3 and submit this to the school principal. Once this form has been submitted, the principal will contact the person making the request within 5 school days to schedule an appointment for the person to review and inspect the materials indicated on the form. Following the inspection, if the person wishes to file a complaint about the materials, he or she shall follow the complaint procedures in Policies 9130 and AG 9130. Policy 9150: School Visitors The Board of Education welcomes and encourages visits to school by parents, other adult residents of the community and interested educators. But in order for the educational program to continue undisturbed when visitors are present and to prevent the intrusion of disruptive persons into the schools, it is necessary to invoke visitor controls. The Superintendent or principal has the authority to prohibit the entry of any person to a school of this District or to expel any person when there is reason to believe the presence of such person would be detrimental to the good order of the school. If such an individual refuses to leave the school grounds or creates a disturbance, the principal is authorized to request from the local law enforcement agency whatever assistance is required to remove the individual. The Superintendent shall promulgate such administrative guidelines as are necessary for the protection of students and employees of the District from disruption to the educational program or the efficient conduct of their assigned tasks. Rules regarding entry of persons other than students, staff, and faculty upon school grounds or premises shall be posted conspicuously at or near the entrance to such grounds or premises if there are no formal entrances, and at the main entrance to each school building. In addition, the rules shall be posted in a central location in each school and made available to students, upon request. Individual Board members who are interested in visiting schools or classrooms on an unofficial basis shall make the appropriate arrangements with the principal. The Board member shall be visiting as an interested individual in a similar capacity to any parent or citizen of the community. These visits should not be considered to be inspections nor as supervisory in nature. If, during a visit to a school or program, a Board member observes a situation or condition which causes concern, the Board member should discuss the situation first with the principal/Superintendent as soon as convenient or appropriate. Such a report or discussion shall not be considered an official one from the School Board.

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If the Board member believes the situation or condition is deemed serious enough, the Board member may wish to also inform the Superintendent. R.C. 3313.20 Policy 9150.01: Entry Upon School Premises R.C. 2917.211: "No person shall trespass, loiter, or remain in the building or upon the grounds of any school in violation of the rules and regulations of the Board of Education or other authority of the school district in which such school is located. Whoever violates this section shall be fined not more than ten dollars or imprisoned not more than ten (10) days, or both. No persons shall trespass, loiter, or remain in the building or upon the grounds of any school in violation of the rules and regulations of the Kettering Board. A. All persons, except those hereinafter defined, upon entering any building of the Kettering Board during the regular school day; i.e., 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., must report to the office of the building principal. Students and members of the faculty of the building, or persons who have been authorized by the Superintendent and/or building principal to enter any such building for professional or business purposes, or persons who are attending a regularly scheduled meeting or conference authorized by the principal are exempt from this provision.

B. After 4:30 p.m. only employees who are working at their regularly assigned duties and persons who are attending regularly scheduled school activities or other events for which formal Board permits have been issued, or who have been granted permission by the Superintendent of schools or the building principal, are authorized to be on school property.

In accordance with the provisions of R.C. 3313.20, a copy of this regulation shall be posted at or near the entrance to grounds or premises owned by the Board and at the main entrance to each school building. Kettering City School District Bylaws & Policies For more information regarding these Board of Education policies, please contact:

Director of Business Services 499-1418

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