Student Handbook

Mission: Each student is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success as a

The Columbus City School D istr ict does not d iscr iminate based on race, co lor , re l ig ion, sex, nat ional or ig in , d isabi l i ty or age

with regard to admiss ion, access , t reatment or employment. This pol icy is appl icable in a l l d is tr ict programs and act iv i t ies.

Indianola Informal K-8Kathryn Moser

PrincipalJanaia Lee

Assistant Principal

251 E Weber RoadColumbus, Ohio 43202

Ph. 614-365-5579Fax 614-8324

SCHOOL HANDBOOKFor

STUDENTS AND PARENTS

DISTRICT GOALS FOR COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOLSGOAL 1 (Quality Instruction)

All teachers will deliver high quality instruction to increase academic achievement for all students.

GOAL 2 (Committed Leadership)District leaders will create and maintain policies and practices that support increased

academic achievement and efficient business operations.GOAL 3 (Opportunity to Learn)

All students will be given equitable opportunities for learning.GOAL 4 (Student Motivation)

All students will be motivated to give their best effort.GOAL 5 (Efficient, Equitable Operations)

The district will operate more efficiently and equitably.GOAL 6 (Parent/Community Involvement)

The district will engage parents and community organizations to support student success.

Dear Parents and Students:Welcome to Indianola Informal K-8 School! This handbook was designed with you in mind. I hope you read the information and save it for future reference. Should you have any questions which are not answered, please call the office at 365-5579. We look forward to sharing the new school year with you.Sincerely,


with regard to admiss ion, access , t reatment or employment. This pol icy is appl icable in a l l d is tr ict programs and act iv i t ies .

Kathryn Moser, Principal Janaia Lee, Assistant Principal

MISSION OF THE COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOLS

Each student is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success as a citizen in a global community.

INDIANOLA MISSION STATEMENTWe, the members of the Indianola Informal School community, believe that all children can achieve academic success. We believe that children enter school as active learners eager to continue the learning process by working with staff, other children, parents and volunteers. To this end, we will provide opportunities where children learn by doing and by interacting with their environment. We will provide strong positive guidance so that children can take responsibility for their own learning. We will provide opportunities for children to express their knowledge and talents through visual arts, music, dance and drama. We will provide an environment, which encourages mutual respect and cultural understanding. We believe that children learn best from people who are lifelong learners. Therefore, we will continue providing opportunities for children and adults to learn simultaneously.

INDIANOLA INFORMAL SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY



The philosophy of the informal classroom is built primarily and fundamentally on a firm knowledge of child developments and the best we know about how children learn. The informal classroom is structured to meet each individual child's needs (cognitive, physical, emotional and social) at each successive stage of development. The informal philosophy recognizes the unique growth of each child and provides a personalized as well as individualized experience for the child. At the same time, it recognizes the stages of intellectual growth that all children go through and provides the materials, activities and experiences needed for children at various levels.The informal classroom provides a fully-integrated curriculum in which there is a free flow between the subject areas, thereby reflecting the reality of the interrelatedness of all human knowledge. The creative arts hold a special place in the informal curriculum. Children turn naturally to the arts because they feel freedom to explore, experience and express their innermost feelings. As a result, they strengthen their ability to imagine, observe, make decisions, and assume responsibility and to solve problems. The informal learning environment provides opportunities for exploration, manipulation and first-hand experience. It emphasizes problem solving, student autonomy and independent thinking by providing alternatives and real, practical experiences as well as adult guidance and social interaction. The atmosphere is warm and accepting, aesthetically pleasing, and stimulating. Informal learning builds on the child's own interests and abilities while teaching the academic content standards.



READING PROGRAM

Indianola participates in the district reading initiative called LACES (Literacy Across Columbus Elementary Schools). We modify the LACES program to include strategies from the Literacy Collaborative. The Literacy Collaborative is a comprehensive school reform program designed to improve the reading, writing and language skills of elementary age children. The framework for Literacy Collaborative was developed through surveying the research and descriptive literature, examining research on language as well as literacy learning. The framework includes the following components:

• Reading Aloud to Children• Shared Reading• Guided Reading• Independent Reading• Shared Writing• Interactive Writing• Guided Writing and Writers' Workshop• Independent Writing

Indianola’s reading program provides an instructional framework in which students acquire literacy skills through authentic reading and writing experiences.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Students have the right to an education. Students also have certain responsibilities, both as citizens and as members of the school community. These responsibilities must be met at all school functions whether the student is in the school building or traveling to or from school via transportation provided by the school system. In order to guarantee student and parent rights, each person will assume responsibility for his or her own behavior, and refrain from infringing upon the rights of others. All students are expected to:

• be active participants in the learning process. Students should attend school regularly and be on time;• not bring materials or objects prohibited by law or school policy to school or school activities-a student may be searched if there is just cause to believe that they have an illegal item or any item which may cause harm to the student or to others;



• have respect for themselves and conduct themselves in ways that will bring respect to their families, their school and their community;• have respect for the authority school personnel are given by law to ensure that learning proceeds in an orderly, safe environment;• have respect for adults, peers and the rights and personal property of others;• dress appropriately for school. The school will regulate dress and grooming in the interest of health, safety and effective instruction. Improper dress will be judged on an individual basis according to the district dress code;• obey school rules and learn the consequences of their actions.

ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

On April 7, 1998, the Board of Education adopted a policy that in accordance with federal and state laws and district policy, the Columbus Public School district will not tolerate harassment against any staff member or student on the basis of sex, race, national origin, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation. Harassment shall be defined as slurs, jokes, intimidation, or any verbal or physical attack directed at an individual's sex, race, national origin, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation.

STUDENT DISCIPLINEThe Indianola Informal learning community is a respectful environment. To that end, the following are expectations of student behavior:

1. Respect for self - students should demonstrate self respect by their behavior, the way work is completed and the way in which they speak.

2. Respect for others - students should demonstrate respect to adults and to each other by the way they talk and by being cooperative in their interactions with others.

3. Respect for property - Students should take reasonable care when using property, should ask permission when using others' property and return property to its rightful place.

4. Respect for the educational process - Each child has the right to obtain an education without interference from others. At Indianola, everyone is committed to achieving this goal.

Types of Infractions:1. Self (e.g. harmful behavior, fighting, truancy, use of threatening language or

profanity, cheating.)2. Peers (e.g. threats to others, disruption of the learning environment, coercion,

verbal or physical assaults to others.)The Columbus City School D istr ict does not d iscr iminate based on race, co lor , re l ig ion, sex, nat ional or ig in ,

d isabi l i ty or agewith regard to admiss ion, access , t reatment or employment. This pol icy is appl icable in a l l d is tr ict

programs and act iv i t ies .

3. Adults (e.g. disrespect, insubordination, verbal or physical assaults.)4. Property (e.g. theft, breakage, arson)

Consequences:The following may be remedies for student behaviors:

1. Verbal Reprimand2. Development of a student behavior plan3. Conference with parents, child and teacher4. P.E.A.K. assignment5. Loss of privileges such as recess6. School suspension7. Expulsion

Working together as a team (principal, parent, teacher and child), behavior issues will be handled according to the following:

1. Age of the child2. Mitigating circumstances3. Previous behavior4. Attitude

THE DAILY SCHEDULE

The school day begins at 9:00 a.m. and finishes at 3: 30 p.m. Children are asked to arrive between 8:45 and 9:00 a.m. Lunch/recess occurs between 11:30 and 1:15 p.m.

LATCHKEYIndianola hosts a latchkey program which provides before and after school care for children in kindergarten through fifth grades. Latchkey operates from 7:00 am until 8:45 a.m. and re-opens from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Certified teachers provide creative instructional and engaging activities for the children. Please call the Latchkey office at 365-5891 if you have questions about latchkey.

FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

Indianola has both a breakfast and hot lunch program. Children may qualify for a free or reduced-price meal. Applications for free and reduced price meals are available at school. Completed applications are approved by the principal. Prices for meals are:

• Full-price Lunch: $2.00 K-5, $2.25 6-8• Reduced Price Lunch: $.40• Milk: $.50



You are encouraged to pay at the beginning of each week. Kitchen telephone number is: 365-6580

All CCS students are eligible to take advantage of the FREE breakfast program*Parents/Guardians, due to increase of student allergies in CCS no foods or snacks are to be taken to classrooms without clearance through school nurse or principal. Also please advise your child not to share his/her pack lunches with other students. Thanks.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

The Board of Education has established the following policy: Schools shall keep record of every excused and unexcused absence of each student. Schools shall notify parents and guardians of the expectation that the parent or guardian will report the student's absence to the school before 9:30 a.m. for each day the child is absent. In the event that such a report is not made, school officials shall notify the parent or guardian about the absence. If no report of absence and no written excuse is received, the absence shall be deemed unexcused. Chronic and habitual truancy may result in court intervention. Additionally, a student who has unexcused absenteeism in excess of 10% of the required attendance days may fail a course or grade.The following excuses shall be accepted for student absence:1. Personal illness or quarantine.2. Illness or death of an immediate household member.3. Emergencies or any other occurrences or situations which, in the judgment of

individual principals, may necessitate absence from school as a last resort.4. Religious Holiday.5. Superintendent's designation.At Indianola Informal, a note is required about the time a child has been absent from school. The note should contain the date and reason of the absence, and the parent's signature. If your child is to stay at home for any reason, we ask that you notify the office before 9:30 a.m. You may notify our Attendance Secretary Denise Holland of student absences by e-mail: [email protected]. Please include the student’s full name and room number. E-mail counts as BOTH the notification and the written excuse. You may also notify the office by calling 365-5579, in which case the student needs a note when returning to school. Should it be necessary for you to remove your child from school during the day, the child must be signed out at the office. Children will only be released to their parents, guardians or those persons specified on the emergency card.



EMERGENCY INFORMATION

At the beginning of each year, parents are asked to provide emergency telephone numbers to be called in case a child should be sick or injured and no parent can be contacted. Please update this information if it should change during the year. Please also feel free to supply cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses as well. Should anyone who is not specified on the emergency card pick up your child, you must notify the office. Children will only be released to those stated on the emergency card. The office reserves the right to request photo identification.

FIRE, TORNADO AND SAFE SCHOOL DRILLSFire, tornado and safe school drills are conducted on a regular basis. Since safety is the primary concern, children must pay strict attention to the instructions and follow directions exactly. Safe school drills are conducted to prepare children in the event an intruder would enter the building.

EMERGENCY CLOSINGIt may become necessary, under extreme circumstances, to close school early because of weather, power failure or other conditions. In such an event, it would be impossible to notify parents in advance. For this reason, parents are asked to establish emergency procedures for their children to follow should school close early and there would be no one at home. In the event it becomes advisable to close school, announcements of closings will be released to the news media by 6:30 a.m. of that day. Otherwise, parents should use their own judgment. In the event of an actual emergency, parents must report to the office in order to pick up their children. Children will not be released to anyone other than a parent or emergency contact specified on your child's emergency card.

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

Teachers send class newsletters home to communicate specific academic instruction in the classroom.

Monthly newsletters will inform you of school activities and opportunities volunteer for upcoming events. Please register to receive newsletters on the Indianola website: http://indianolakids.org



http://indianolakids.org/

Conferences to discuss/review student progress are held in November and February of the academic year. Progress reports are sent home four times year. Interim reports are sent home to communicate student performance.

Parents are encouraged at any time to call or to schedule an appointment withthe teacher to discuss concerns.

SCHOOL VISITATION

Parents are welcome to visit classes and observe our school's instructional program. Wednesdays have been set aside as school visitation days. We do ask our visitors to refrain from taking attention away from the classroom activities. The teacher will be happy to schedule a conference to answer any questions. ALL visitors and volunteers should stop at the office to receive a visitor or volunteer badge to signal that you have checked in at the office. Failure to wear one of these badges may result in a request from an employee for you to report to the office. Thank you for respecting this request.

THE PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION

Indianola is fortunate to have a very active parent association. The PTO raises money for school purchases and conducts meetings to provide opportunities to enhance the Indianola program. Your participation is encouraged at regularly scheduled meetings and PTO sponsored events.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteers are a vital component of the learning process at Indianola. Volunteers are visible in the classrooms, in the Garden and in the school's hallways. If you are able to volunteer, please talk to your child's teacher, contact the PTO, or call the school office. You may find it useful to review the Volunteer Handbook on the Indianola website: http://indianolakids.org



http://indianolakids.org/

SCHOOL BUS REGULATIONS

The bus driver is responsible for management and safety of pupils and is responsible for enforcing the rules. The disorderly pupil shall be reported to the principal. The principal will be responsible for notifying the parents that continued disorderly conduct will result in suspension from the bus.Bus rules include:

1. Remain in assigned seat; changing from seat to seat while the bus in motion is prohibited.

1. Pupil must ride the designated bus.2. A respectful level of conversation must be maintained. Excessive noise is prohibited.

3. At railroad crossings and other danger points, quiet must be maintained4. Pupils extending any part of his/her body through the window are prohibited.5. When exiting the bus, students must observe rules for crossing streets.6. Throwing objects or spitting from bus windows is prohibited.7. Children will refrain from eating, drinking, or littering on the bus.8. Pupils are to follow the instructions given by the bus driver at all times.9. Animals, pets or glass containers may not be transported on the bus11. Parents will assume responsibility for any damage or marking on the bus by

the student.12. Students will speak respectfully at all times; profanity is prohibited.13. Students should arrive on time at the designated stop; school buses cannot wait for tardy students.



SCHOOL NURSE, ILLNESS AND FIRST AID Duties include checking immunization records to be sure that all children are complying with state law. Children who become ill during the day may be excused to their parents or released to go to the home of a person the parent has designated to be the contact in their absence. Only the most elementary kinds of first-aid are administered by school personnel. In the event of any serious injury or illness, the parents and the emergency squad will be called.

MEDICATIONSStudents may be permitted to use prescribed medication only when the following has been received:1.A physician's verification of the necessity for the medication to be taken during

school hours, and identification of the medication, dosage, and the time interval it is to be taken.

2.A prescribed medication authorization form completed and signed by the parent or guardian

USE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOLStudents are not permitted to use drugs, alcohol or tobacco in any form in school buildings, on school grounds, or in school-controlled vehicles, with the exception of prescribed medication.

PERSONAL DRESSParents should insure that children are dressed appropriately for school. The school has the right to regulate dress and grooming in the interest of health, safety and effective instruction. Improper dress will be judged on an individual basis. Parents are asked to see that their children are dressed appropriately for weather conditions. Students will be outside for recess if the temperature is at 20 degrees Fahrenheit or above and weather conditions are favorable.

PERSONAL PROPERTY AT SCHOOLChildren should not bring toys, radios, calculators, skate boards or scooters to



school. Often, these items interrupt the learning process. If the items are lost, the school is not responsible for personal items brought from home. Exceptions are only in the case of a sharing activity or when the teacher gives specific approval to bring personal items to school. The possession and/or use by students of pagers, beepers, cellular phones, and other electronic communication devises for receiving and/or transmitting messages on any school properties/vehicles or while attending a school-sponsored activity on or off school property is prohibited. This also applies to "look-alike" devises such as toy guns or knives.

LOST AND FOUND

ALL ARTICLES WORN OR CARRIED BY A CHILD (COATS, HATS, MITTENS, SWEATERS, LUNCHBOXES, ETC.) SHOULD BE MARKED WITH THE CHILD'S NAME.There is no guarantee that items will be recovered when lost. A lost and found area is located by the lunchroom in the lower level of the building.



Documents

Student Handbook