Grandfather AcademyStudent/Parent/Guardian Handbook

2016-2017

Grandfather Academy, Inc.A North Carolina Public Charter School64 Grandfather Home Drive PO Box 98

Banner Elk, NC 28604School Office Phone: 828-897-4581

Fax: 828-898-3849

Grandfather Academy

Homes For Children Board of Directors

Bill Wasulko – Chair Ron Turner, Jr. – Vice-ChairKimberly Lawrence – Treasurer Brenda White-Wright – SecretaryChris Jones Constantine KuttehHeather Norris Otis Wilson

Academy Advisory Council

Mary Jo Brubaker, ChairKatherine Gatewood

John MerrittSusan Staton

AdministrationMichelle Griffin, Principal

Wendy Turbyfill, Data Manager

FacultyVacant Social Studies

Teacher

Karen Magner Science Teacher

Phillip Harris English Teacher

Austin Thurber Math Teacher

Luke Saunders Exceptional Children Teacher

Shanon Alberts-Myers Director of Day Treatment

Greg Dobbins Day Treatment Case Manager

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Welcome to Grandfather Academy

The mission of Grandfather Academy is to provide special educational opportunities for students who have been estranged by emotional, sexual, or other abuse.

The education program provides an emotionally-supportive environment that allows children to experience academic success. Successful blending of treatment and education allows students the opportunity to succeed in academics and every area of their lives. Grandfather Academy provides multiple opportunities for each student to experience belonging, generosity, mastery and independence.

Educational Focus

Grandfather Academy has been established to meet the educational needs of two groups of children: those who have been placed at the Grandfather Home for Children Campus of Children’s Hope Alliance and children from the local area who need this specialized education. The children at Grandfather Home have become estranged from their families by emotional, sexual, or physical abuse. Grandfather Academy students are grouped with the same peers in their treatment group. The Academy focuses not only on helping students make satisfactory educational progress but will also help them become prepared to function in a traditional public school.

Instructional Program

The school calendar of Grandfather Academy includes extra days beyond what is required by state guidelines. The instructional program is designed to facilitate learning for each individual student ranging from K-12. Teachers use various curriculum designs and methods to best accomplish the learning needs of the individuals. Ages and levels of academic achievement will vary in each classroom. Students with special needs will be referred for an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) or 504 Plan to define his/her academic needs. From this plan, the teacher, in concert with therapeutic staff, will work to nurture and stimulate the child’s interest in learning. The use of current educational materials including technology and enhancement experiences within the North Carolina Standard Course of Study are part of the model of learning at Grandfather Academy.

Admission Policies & Procedures

-The school will not discriminate against any student on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, or disability.

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-The school will admit students in the local LEA who have needs that can be met and provided by the Academy.

-A screening process will be in effect to insure that applicants to the Academy have an assessed need for special services and therapeutic program that are an integrated part of the daily classroom activities.

-If more students apply and qualify for the program than the school can accommodate, a fair and equitable system of selection will be implemented.

-When possible, preference will be given to children who are in out-of-home placements.

-Overflow applicants will be selected on the basis of need, and then by lottery.

Placement Testing

Grandfather Academy uses various research-based assessments to determine the best educational plan for each student.

Transportation

It is the parents’ or caregivers’ responsibility to have the students at school by 8:30 am and to pick the students up by 3:00 pm each school day.

ACADEMICS

Classroom Procedures

Though each teacher may provide the students with additional classroom responsibilities, there are certain expectations in each classroom:

1. Students should be on time and fully prepared for class.

2. Proper respect should be shown to other students and adults.

3. Listen without speaking when another person is speaking. Never belittle another

student for an opinion, question, or answer.

4. Refer to all adults with the proper title: Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss/Dr.

5. Show proper respect for all property. Whether it is a student’s personal property

or the school’s property, proper respect should be paid to everything that does not

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belong to you. Show proper respect for the facilities. Never write on desks, tables,

walls, etc.

6. Do not adjust thermostats, windows, blinds, etc. without being directed by a teacher.

7. No food or drink is allowed in the classroom except for the authorized lunch times.

DAILY SCHEDULE

School Hours

School Office 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Classes 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Grandfather Academy students may arrive between 8:25 a.m. 8:30 a.m. and are to go directly to their classroom. No Grandfather Academy student is allowed on campus earlier than 8:25 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. unless supervised by an adult.

GRADING SYSTEM

Grading Scale

Grandfather Academy uses a numerical grading scale. The numerical grading system can be translated into letter grades and grade point average calculations as follows:

A: 90-100 = 4.0

B: 80-89 = 3.0

C: 70-79 = 2.0

D: 60-69 = 1.0

F : <59-59 = 05

Online classes are graded on a Pass/Fail basis. (P/F)

TEXTBOOKS

All textbooks are property of the Academy. Students will be required to pay for any damage to the textbooks due to abuse or misuse.

HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS

Holidays and special celebrations are under the control of the school. Check with the Director for guidelines. The School Calendar is posted on the school’s website at www.childrenshopealliance.org/grandfather-academy.

PARENT-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

All parents and legal guardians will receive reports approximately every ten weeks. Grandfather Academy is open to any questions or concerns. Please feel welcome to call at 828-897-4581.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

If a problem or misunderstanding arises, we have found this is frequently the result of a lack of communication between those involved. Grandfather Academy encourages parents/guardians to feel free to question our reasons or gain as much information regarding the situation of concern as possible. Therefore, our school’s policy in dealing with these situations is:

1. All questions, problems, or complaints should first be brought to the attention of the teacher.

2. If the situation is not resolved or clarified at this point, then please contact the Lead Academic Coordinator or the Director of Educational Services.

It is through a cooperative effort between home and school and the teamwork involved therein that we can implement an open line of communication. This will give us the greatest opportunity in achieving our school’s goal of developing each student’s behavior, virtue, and knowledge to his/her potential.

VISITORS ON CAMPUS

Visiting parents/guardians are always welcome on our campus. It is the responsibility of every student to treat these visitors with courtesy and respect. For the protection of

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all of our students, Grandfather Academy visitors must register in the Grandfather Home For Children Administration Office and wear a visitor’s pass.

ATTENDANCE

Tardies

Any student entering the classroom after the designated start time will be counted as tardy. The student should go directly to class and parents/guardians need to sign their child in at the Grandfather Academy Office. Tardiness can be disruptive to the class. A pattern of tardiness may lead to disciplinary action.

Early Dismissals

All non-residential students must have a note from his/her parents/guardians. The note is to be taken to the Grandfather Academy Office to obtain permission. No student is to leave school early before signing out with the Grandfather Academy Office.

Excused Absences

Absences from school will be excused for:

1. Illness

2. Emergency family matter

3. Death in the family

4. Dental or medical appointment

5. Court appearance

6. Religious Observance

7. Funeral

8. Graduation or wedding of family member

9. Home visits for residential students7

If the student is ill, the parent must call the Grandfather Academy office, by 8 am on the morning of the absence (828-897-4581). The day the student returns to school, one of the parents must send a note with the student that will be turned in to the Grandfather Academy Lead Academic Coordinator to confirm the period of absence. All notes must be received within 3 days in order for the absence to be excused.

Unexcused Absences

Absences for any reason other than those listed in the “Excused Absences” section of this handbook are considered unexcused.

Physical Education Excuses

Students who are not able to participate in physical education because of a minor disability should bring in a written excuse from the parent/guardian. A doctor’s excuse is needed for anything longer than three days. Students excused from P.E. will remain with their class but will not participate.

Campus Boundaries

Other than leaving for approved reasons, all students must remain within the campus boundaries during the school day. During the school day students may not go into the wooded areas, the Grandfather Home residential buildings or construction sites, Lees McRae’s athletic fields or construction sites.

ACCEPTABLE USE AGREEMENT

Computers

The classrooms contain computers for student use. Before using the computers, students must sign the Acceptable Use Agreement. Violating the Acceptable Use Agreement may result in a student not being allowed access to the computers as well as further disciplinary action. Under the Agreement, students are called to do their part to uphold all laws concerning intellectual property and copyright and recognize that:

Computer software is copyright protected. This means students cannot make a copy of software they did not pay for and use as if they did. This is the same as stealing and would be an honor offense.

1. Tampering with another student’s work is prohibited.

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2. Passwords must be protected with the highest degree of responsibility ensuring rights of privacy and security. Students will be expected to inform the Lead Academic Coordinator, or a teacher of any privacy or security problems they see.

3. Students can expect only limited privacy in the content of their personal files. All files stored on any Grandfather Academy computer are subject to inspection and/or deletion.

The following activities are considered ACCEPTABLE USE of access to computers and resources external to Grandfather’s via the Internet: Computers and resources external to Grandfather’s via the Internet are available for limited educational purposes. The term “educational purpose” includes classroom work, assignments, career development, and self-directed learning in keeping with the mission and purpose of Grandfather Academy.

Given the nearly impossible task of listing all the uses in which a student might engage, Grandfather reserves the right to determine if the school’s spirit and purpose has been violated. The use of the network/Internet is a privilege, not a right. The following activities are considered UNACCEPTABLE and may result in the loss and cancellation of those privileges.

1. Loading any software or files (whether from the Internet, CDROM, disk or other device) on to a school computer without permission.

2. Publicly posting personal contact information about one’s self or others to social media sites, bulletin boards, news groups, discussion groups, chat rooms, e-mail listing, or other similar places. Personal contact information means a student’s name, address, telephone, school address, etc.

3. Gaining access to any external computer resources by posting fictitious personal information.

4. Attempting to gain access to any computer system by using “hacking,” “spoofing,” or other illegal methods or gaining unauthorized access to any data or area of the computer system or sharing one’s own password or passwords that belong to others. (For example, logging onto the computer using someone else’s password or gaining access to data for which he/she is not authorized.

5. Using the school’s computers or other technologies for financial or commercial gain. This means students will not offer, provide, or purchase products or services through Grandfather Academy’s Internet access.

6. Purposely damaging any data or changing the configuration of any school computer or other device.

7. Adding, deleting, or modifying any item on any computer at Grandfather Academy.

8. Purposely damaging the school’s equipment including the uploading or creating of computer viruses.

9. Interfering with the school’s network system performance or gaining access to computers or files for which a student is not authorized.

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10. Harassing, insulting, or abusing other users.11. Using obscene or offensive language or messages. 12. Sending or receiving obscene or offensive images or text. 13. Transmitting unlawful information. 14. Transmitting information to others using “spamming” or other bulk delivery

techniques. 15. Using the school’s networks to transmit or receive messages or images that

are inconsistent with the school’s educational goals or objectives or guidelines for student conduct.

16. Subscribing to list servers or other message distribution systems. 17. Violating state and/or federal laws including copyright, computer fraud and

abuse, obscenity, and protection of intellectual property. 18. Using the Internet to enter chat rooms. 19. Playing or downloading games unrelated to educational purposes.

iPad Policy

All students have access to an iPad while at Grandfather Academy that is used for enhancement of classroom instruction. Students may only go to sites and apps that are designated by the teacher. Abuse of the iPad or going on inappropriate sites may result in the loss of iPad privileges.

Electronic Devices

Students should not bring electronic items such as electronic games, MP3 players, cell phones, etc. to school. These items are an unnecessary distraction to the academic and social atmosphere at school. Important messages will be delivered to students via the front office. Any student having any of these items during the school day will have them confiscated indefinitely and possibly face further disciplinary action. With prior approval, students may bring academic electronic devices such as calculators, dictionaries, translators, laptop computers, etc. which are necessary for their classes.

BULLYING & HARASSMENT

Harassment Policy10

Sexual harassment of students by other students or by employees of Grandfather Academy violates federal law, and will not be tolerated. Sexual harassment includes making unwelcome sexual advances, engaging in improper physical contact, making improper sexual comments, or otherwise creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. Any student who becomes a victim of sexual harassment should immediately report the incident to an administrator and their parents or guardians. School authorities will investigate all such reports immediately. Civil authorities will handle criminal charges. Anyone found to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion for students or termination for employees.

All such reports will be handled discretely to maintain confidentiality in order to protect the student making the report. However, it should be understood that the school is required by law to report any incidents of child abuse to the appropriate state agencies.

If a student has concerns about the nature of any conduct or physical contact by an adult employee of Grandfather, by a fellow student, or by a member of the public, the student is encouraged to report this conduct to an administrator as well as discuss the concern with his or her parents or guardian. Grandfather Academy will not tolerate harassment of students or employees based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age or disability. The following are examples of inappropriate behavior: Obscene or suggestive remarks or jokes, verbal abuse, insults; Display of explicit, offensive or demeaning materials; Physical or verbal hazing; threats; comments which are demeaning with respect to race, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or class.

Bullying Policy

Grandfather Academy will not tolerate bullying of students or staff of any type. The consequences of bullying are outlined within the policy on page 11.

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Grandfather AcademyPolicy Adopted 09/07/2012

PROHIBITION OF HARASSMENT AND BULLYING

Grandfather Academy acknowledges the dignity and worth of all students and employees and strives to create a safe, orderly, caring and inviting school environment to facilitate student learning and achievement. The Academy staff will not tolerate any form of harassment or bullying in any of its activities.

Students are prohibited from engaging in or encouraging any form of harassment including bullying against students, employees or any other individuals on school grounds or at school related functions. Harassment is unwanted, unwelcomed, and uninvited behavior that demeans, threatens or offends the victim and results in a hostile environment for the victim.

Harassment or bullying behavior is any pattern of gestures or written, electronic or verbal communications, or any physical act or any threatening communication that: 1. Places a student or school employee in actual and reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property; or 2. Creates or is certain to create a hostile environment by substantially interfering with or impairing a student’s educational performance, opportunities or benefits.

Consequences:

1. The first offense will result in an after school detention.2. The second offense will result in an after school detention, and a written incident report will become part

of the student’s permanent record. 3. The third offense will result in an after school detention. Also, a written incident report will become

part of the student’s permanent record. 4. The fourth offense, and every offense thereafter, will result in a meeting with the sheriff’s department

where criminal charges may be pressed. A written incident report will become part of the student’s permanent record.

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Day Treatment

Day Treatment is a program that provides educational and mental health services in a separate setting from traditional public school. It provides students with greater behavioral and therapeutic support by maintaining a balance between education and therapeutic issues. Our program uses a multimodal approach to address students' academic, behavioral and emotional needs. Teachers provide academic support and Day Treatment counselors provide group and individual interventions.

Any student with an emotional and/or behavioral disorder who has experienced difficulties in school, significant school disruptions (suspensions, expulsions, etc.) and/or lack of academic success may benefit from our program.

We can accept children who have an Axis I or II diagnosis other than a sole diagnosis of a developmental disability. Students receive instruction in a classroom with up to ten students. Academics are taught with a "hands-on" approach in a small group setting; individual assignments are tailored to meet the needs of each student. Individual and group interventions focus on improving social skills, problem solving, anger management, self-esteem, and other skills that may be revealed through each child's individual assessment.

The purpose of the program is to provide individualized academic instruction with individual and group therapeutic services, and family support. Our goal is to increase the student's learning, improve the student's behavior so that he/she can be returned to a less restrictive environment, improve the student's ability to manage their symptoms and increase coping skills, and to assist the family of the student by offering mental health support services.

School Treatment Interventions for Children with High Risk Behaviors

These are a set of freestanding treatment interventions that can be used by staff to manage difficult behaviors and/or pursue the treatment plan/person centered plan goals. These include psycho-educational interventions such as the Life Space interview, social skills training, personal care instruction, anticipatory guidance, conflict resolution, behavioral monitoring, activity therapy, behavioral contracting, behavioral management techniques, group problem solving, and therapeutic holds. Many of these are self-explanatory interventions that are commonly understood and accepted. These interventions were for mostly derived from guidelines and definitions of High Risk Intervention in treatment settings as specified by the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.

Life Space Interviewing is a staff intervention used frequently in the treatment programs at Grandfather Academy when the child is experiencing emotional pain and is likely to lead to acting out or when processing episodes of acting out behavior. The

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essential effort is to assist the child in exploring emotions, identifying how emotional stress builds, and recognizing the relationship between emotional pain and inappropriate conduct.

Discipline

To guarantee an appropriate social and educational environment, it is important for students to understand that acceptable standards of behavior will be expected at all times. Discipline will be administered when any individual’s actions interfere with the right of the teachers to teach and students to learn. Students are reminded that any faculty or staff member in the school has the right to confront individuals who are not maintaining the expected standards of behavior while on school property or at school activities.

Student Behavior

The following are some of the examples of student behaviors that violate school policy. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive.

The possession, transmission and/or use of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, knives, fireworks, firearms (which includes paintball guns) or any item used as a weapon

Insolence, disrespect, or insubordination The use of improper language Fighting will not be tolerated Leaving a classroom or school property without permission Threatening, intimidating or causing bodily harm to any person

Management of Escalating, Dangerous, and/or Out-of-Control Behaviors

For each child at Grandfather Academy, who has or may engage in out-of-control, dangerous, or grossly disruptive behavior, the service plan includes goals and strategies which address behavior management and crisis intervention. Behavior management strategies are intended, among other objectives, to prevent crisis activity. However, in the event that crisis behavior should occur, the crisis intervention policy outlines staff response guidelines.

The behavior management plan specifies the interventions that will be routinely used to manage disruptive, dangerous, or aggressive behavior. The plan identifies a set of individualized interventions, arranged in hierarchical order from the least to the most intrusive and intensive, and targeted toward a specific behavior or set of behaviors. This represents a guide to treatment providers in determining what interventions to use. This plan is not rigidly prescriptive: each circumstance is unique and treatment staff is responsible for determining the most appropriate level of intervention at any given time.

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The crisis intervention policy addresses a number of factors, including:

Circumstances which are likely to trigger a critical incident. Behaviors in which the child is likely to engage. This assists in defining when

behaviors should be regarded as in the crisis range. Specific interventions which have proven to be the most effective in de-escalating

crisis or near crisis behavior. Special or extraordinary procedures which should be undertaken in the event of a

crisis.

The integrated crisis management effort at Grandfather Academy is managed under the umbrella of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), a program developed by Cornell University. The TCI program provides structured strategies for verbally de-escalating crisis or potentially critical incidents. In the event that a therapeutic hold is required, this program carefully outlines techniques and procedures that should be followed in order to ensure safety and effectiveness, as well as to ensure a therapeutic opportunity.

Formation of a “Corrective Relationship” Between Students and Adult Staff

Grandfather Academy has found that children who have been seriously abused typically lack trust in adult caretakers and harbor deep shame and confusion. We believe the quality of the relationships established at Grandfather Academy, both in peer groups and with adult staff, have the potential to restore and build trust and self -acceptance. The dynamics of the peer group process have been discussed above. We place a strong emphasis on accepting children, even when they are “at their worst.” We understand that a child in the midst of acting out is expecting, consciously or otherwise, to be rejected or re-abused. We believe that this expectation paradoxically drives the out-of-control behavior, but just as clearly conveys understanding and acceptance of the emotions and needs that underlie the actions.

The approach is manifested in a variety of different ways. With children of all ages, there is a conscious and sustained effort to maintain positive, supportive, and accepting relationships. Children are encouraged to disclose and discuss with peers and staff their most painful experiences. Children are assisted in understanding that they were not responsible for their abuse and in developing socially appropriate strategies to ensure that they will not be abused again. Staff are particularly alert to this therapeutic responsibility when the behavior of children “pulls for” anger or rejection. In effect, we understand most of the children in our care to be operating from a post-traumatic world view; that the adult world is neither safe nor accepting and they expect to be hurt and rejected when expressing their deepest pain and turmoil. We understand that it is our therapeutic responsibility not to reinforce this understanding or expectation in any manner. By providing support and acceptance to children when they express their greatest distress, we challenge their trauma-based beliefs and expectations, providing them an opportunity to form different, more trusting approaches to others.

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Dress Code

Appearance is important to everyone. A neat and clean appearance results from standards established in the home and at school. The following rules have been established for the Grandfather Academy students.

Students must wear Grandfather Academy uniform polo shirts or hoodies each day.

All shirts must be properly tucked in or fall below the waistline and buttoned. All clothing must adequately cover the body. Shoes should be worn at all times. Pants must be worn at waist level. Belts should be worn at all times unless restricted by staff. No attire with gang affiliation, tobacco, alcohol, or other inappropriate substances

or words shall be worn. Sweatpants are not allowed. No dangly or distracting earrings may be worn. Hair must be neat and clean.

If a student fails to wear proper clothing, parents/guardians will be notified and will be required to bring appropriate attire or the student will be sent home/to the cottage.

Emergency Situations

In the event of an emergency during the office hours of 8 am and 4 pm contact the school office by calling 828-897-4581.

Emergency Drills

Fire, disaster and lockdown drills will be conducted periodically throughout the year. Students should remain calm and orderly and follow directions from faculty members.

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Severe Weather and School Closings

Grandfather Academy generally uses Avery County Schools inclement weather decisions to make determinations about operations. Since many of the students are residents of Grandfather Home, school is only cancelled when weather is too extreme for students to be outside or for staff and faculty to safely come to work. The following are general guidelines for inclement weather:

Grandfather Academy will operate on the regular schedule when Avery County Schools are on a one-hour delay.

Grandfather Academy will operate on a one-hour delay when Avery County Schools are operating on a two-hour delay.

Grandfather Academy will operate on a two-hour delay when Avery County Schools are closed for the day.

Student Medical Emergencies

If a student becomes seriously ill or is seriously injured while under Grandfather Academy’s supervision, the school will first attempt to contact the student’s parent/guardian. If the parent or guardian cannot be reached, the school will next attempt to contact the student’s physician and follow his or her instructions. If the student’s physician cannot be reached, the school will use their discretion in contacting a properly licensed and practicing physician and follow his or her instructions. If, in the opinion of the physician, the student needs medical or surgical services which require consent before being supplied, and the parents cannot be reached, a Grandfather Academy administrator is authorized, appointed and empowered to furnish on the parent’s behalf such written or oral authorization as may be required for treatment.

Health and Medical Procedures/Annual Physical and Immunization

All new students enrolled at Grandfather Academy are required to have a physical exam, which has been obtained within 12 months prior to the beginning of the school year. Although Grandfather Academy does not require an annual medical examination by a physician for the remainder of the students, the school strongly recommends that such an examination be given every one to two years to every child to insure adequate medical attention to the physical growth and development which changes rapidly among the age groups served by Grandfather Academy. All students are also required to have a completed and up-to-date North Carolina Certificate of Immunization and an emergency contact form on file with the school prior to the first day of school. These forms must be updated each year.

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Blood-Borne Pathogens

Students should be aware of the danger of pathogens carried in blood and should make every effort to avoid contact with another person’s blood. Students must immediately report any incident of blood or other potentially infectious materials to a faculty member.

First Aid

All injuries should immediately be reported to a faculty member, or an administrator. Students should be aware of the blood borne pathogens policy at all times in the administration of first aid. If someone is bleeding, allow the person to wash the wound by him or herself unless the wound threatens life or limb. If someone is severely injured, students should try to keep the person calm and get help as soon as possible by finding a teacher or administrator. If no teachers or administrators are present, call 911 immediately.

HIV Policy

Grandfather Academy is aware of the importance and immediacy of the public health crisis regarding the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The school considers the AIDS virus a serious infectious disease and will act in accord with federal, state, and local laws regarding this subject matter. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination based upon a disability, which the Supreme Court recently interpreted to include HIV. Grandfather Academy will not exclude students from school based on their being HIV-infected, and the school will not require the screening of students for the presence of HIV antibodies. If the health of an HIV-infected person deteriorates, any decision regarding his or her attendance or educational program will be based on competent medical advice and will balance the rights of the infected student with the legitimate interest of the school in protecting the health and safety of the remaining students and employees, and other appropriate factors. The school will make every effort to ensure the privacy of each HIV-infected person, keep records confidential, and keep the number of persons aware of the condition to a minimum. Grandfather Academy recognizes that students suffering from HIV should be dealt with in a fair and equitable manner. The school also expects that any student who is HIV-infected shall act responsibly in dealings with students, school employees, and the general public.

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Student Illness

If your child is not feeling well in the morning, please do not send him/her to school. Do not return him/her to school after an illness until he/she is free of fever, diarrhea, and vomiting for 24 hours. All communicable diseases, including head lice, should be reported to the school nurse. Do not send your child to school with a rash or anything you suspect may be contagious. A nurse is available for students who become ill or are injured at school. The student is responsible to make the teacher aware that he/she is sick or injured.

Medication

If it becomes necessary for your child to take prescription medicine during school hours, a special medication need plan will be documented. All medication must be in the original prescription bottle with the student’s name, name of medicine, amount to be given and duration. Signed permission from the parent/guardian and a licensed physician must be obtained before any prescribed medication can be given at school.

Transportation of Ill Students

It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to provide transportation for a sick child. In an emergency where there is a life-threatening situation or accidental injury, 911 will be called to assess the situation and transport if needed.

Child Abuse and Neglect/Reporting Responsibility – Abuse

In accord with state law and school policy, school staff is obligated under penalty of fine and jail term to report the reasonable suspicion of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or child neglect. In this very serious and legally narrow area, the school will not contact parents in advance of making a report to authorities, which would be the procedure followed in most other legal matters. The clear intent of the law, based on the seriousness of the crimes listed above, is to mandate that a report of reasonable suspicion of abuse be made. School staff will make such reports in the best interest of the affected child and do not, once reasonable suspicion is established, have any legal alternative except to make a report to the proper authorities for their investigation and review.

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