|
|
|
|
2008-2009 School Year Calendar
School Policies:School DayThe school day for students begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 2:15 p.m. The line-up bell is rung at 8:20 a.m. Students enter the building at 8:25 a.m. Classes start promptly at 8:30 a.m. Students should present a note from parents explaining all cases of tardiness. Students should not be on school property before 8:00 a.m. or after 2:45 p.m. unless they are supervised by their parents or participating in a supervised school activity.
Promotion InformationAccording to the promotion policy (07-0926-PO1), students in grades 3, 6 & 8 are placed in one of six categories based on their results on the district wide assessment for reading and math, followed by a review of academic performance, and attendance. Students who do not achieve promotion criteria may be required to attend summer support programs. A review of these guidelines are available on CPS' website http://policy.cps.k12.il.us/documents/605.2.pdf HomeworkStudies indicate that students who spend more time on homework do better in school. They also score higher on standardized tests. While the schools are responsible for educating children, they cannot do it alone. Parents must work together with teachers to help children achieve their full potential. That is why parental involvement is at the heart of our homework policy. Parents must help their children succeed in school by becoming involved in their study habits. The following are daily suggested time allocations for teacher-directed homework assignments by grade level: Kindergarten 15 minutes per day Grades 1, 2, 3 30 minutes per day Grades 4, 5, 6 45 minutes per day Grades 7, 8 90 minutes per day Additionally, the following parental activities should be included in planning and structuring time for homework: Kindergarten 15 minutes per day of parent reading to their child and other activities designed to reinforce teacher-assigned homework Grades 1, 2, 3 30 minutes of parent reading, writing, and listening activities Grades 4, 5, 6 120 minutes per week of parent involvement in home based activities which could include visits to museums, libraries, etc., and in assisting with long-term assignments such as book reports, creative writing, etc. Grades 7, 8 120 minutes per week of parent involvement in home-based activities which could include research papers, projects, and creative writing activities Student Code of ConductAppropriate behavior is necessary in order for instruction to take place. Every student received a copy of the Student Code of Conduct. The Student Code of Conduct of the Chicago Public Schools describes inappropriate behavior, prescribes equal disciplinary actions for misconduct, and suggests specific actions for remediating prohibited behavior. Please read over the code with your child. Make sure that your child understands his/her responsibilities and the actions that will be taken when rules are not followed. AttendanceWe expect every Chicago Academy student to attend school daily. Successful learning is directly related to coming to school every day. Teaching and learning are part of the same process and absence means that your child is removed from teaching. The basic responsibility for the regular attendance of the student lies with the student and the parent. We urge parents to cooperate in order to ensure the academic success of our children. Children must be sent to school every day and on time. The State Compulsory Attendance Law specifically states that the parent is obligated to see that the child is in school. Reporting AbsencesAll absences must be reported by a parent or guardian before school to the school office at 534-3885. An answering machine is available after-hours. A student who has been absent must bring a note signed by a parent or guardian upon return. The note must include the date, the cause of absence, a signature, and a phone number where the parent or guardian can be reached if more information is needed by school personnel.
Arrival and DismissalSchool begins each day at 8:30 A.M. and ends at 2:15 P.M. It is necessary that students arrive and leave on time. Students should be in their room line by 8:20 a.m. The passing bell rings at 8:25 a.m. and classes start promptly at 8:30 a.m. The Chicago Academy is a closed campus. Children do not leave the premises for any reason once they arrive. This is for the safety and well-being of our children. Late ArrivalThe responsibility for prompt arrival to school belongs to the parent. Late arrivals will report to the security desk (first floor center hallway) for a tardy slip. Tardy arrivals to school will be also be recorded by the teacher and will appear on the student’s report card and student records. Class tardiness may be considered in a student’s grade, and excessive tardiness may require referral to the appropriate administrator, as well as disciplinary action. Students with 3 or more tardies will not be eligible for perfect attendance incentives such as certificates, ribbons, banners, and the 1st semester ice cream social.
Early DismissalIf a student feels ill and requires early dismissal from school he/she will be sent to the main office, where the office personnel will call the student’s parent or guardian and inform them of their child’s condition. If an emergency arises, parents or legal guardians will be notified by telephone. As mandated by the Chicago Public School Board of Trustees, early dismissals can only be issued for illness. A parent or legal guardian is required to pick up their sick child from school. Children will not be released to relatives, friends or neighbors. Reminder: All medical and dental appointments should be scheduled after school hours. Emergency InformationDue to the seriousness of emergencies which sometimes occur, it is imperative that the school has correct emergency information on file for each student. This information includes: · a correct home telephone number and address · the work telephone number of the parent · the telephone number of a relative or neighbor who lives within the school's attendance area · the name of the family doctor Parents are required to complete emergency information forms each school year and to keep the information current. Our primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of our students while they are at school. Medical InformationAll student medical information is confidential. Medical records must be on file at school in order to ensure our children's well-being. Special chronic conditions are noted by the school nurse who informs the classroom teacher. If a child becomes ill, the school should be notified promptly. Parents are responsible for informing the teacher or nurse of any allergies that a child has. This will ensure that proper treatment is provided for a child in case of an emergency. If your child has a serious medical condition speak with your child’s teacher and make sure he/she is aware of it. The school nurse is here on Mondays. Parents may call and schedule an appointment to come in and discuss their children’s medical needs with the nurse by calling the main office. Only those medications which are absolutely necessary for the critical health and well‑being of a student and to maintain the student, as determined by a doctor, in school shall be administered during school hours. If at any time it becomes necessary for your child to take medication at school, there are certain procedures that must be followed. The following is a brief explanation of the Board of Education's revised policy. This policy is designed to reduce the number of medications given in school, and at the same time, assure safe and therapeutic administration for those students who require them. If you would like a more detailed copy, please see the school nurse or principal. 1. Two forms must be filled out, one by the doctor and one by the parent. These forms state that the student, under supervision, can self‑medicate. This is necessary because there is not a nurse in the building on a daily basis to administer medication. 2. These forms will be given to the school nurse. If necessary, the nurse will confer with the doctor and/or parent to determine if the time of administration can be adjusted so that it doesn't have to be given during school hours. 3. If the student must take medication in school it will be brought to school in the labeled prescription bottle. This must be brought to the school by the parent, not the student. 4. The medication will be kept in a locked drawer or cabinet, as designated by the principal. The student will take the medication at the appropriate time under the supervision of the principal's designee. 5. The doctor's and parent’s request forms must be renewed whenever there is a change in the medication or on a yearly basis. 6. Medication will not be administered if the required forms are not supplied, if the parent refuses the school access to the doctor or medical records, or if the nurse and the student's doctor agree it is not medically necessary. 7. Medication may not be administered if the student continually refuses to accept medication, the parents fail to provide medication in the appropriately labeled container or refuse to deliver the medication to school, or there is an adverse reaction to the medication.
VaccinationsVaccinations are required for all students who are entering the Chicago Public Schools for the first time. Other students are scheduled as follows:
Please follow the Illinois Board of Health procedures. * All kindergarten, second, and sixth grade students are required to have a dental examination. Student DressThe Chicago Academy does not have an official school uniform. We do, however, have a dress code. Our dress code prohibits wearing the following.
Finally, all clothing should be appropriate. Students who come to school inappropriately dressed will be sent to the main office. A parent will be contacted and asked to bring proper clothing or take the student home. If a parent cannot be reached the student will be given a warning letter stating this is a first offense. The second offense will result in an automatic suspension. The final judgment as to the appropriateness of dress and appearance rests with the principal. Nutrition ProgramEligible students may participate in a federally funded breakfast and lunch program. Students may be eligible to receive free or reduced meals. Parents must apply at the beginning of the school year. It is very important that every student returns a completed lunch form as soon as possible. We realize that proper nourishment is vital to the physical and mental development of our children. If a child is not eligible to receive free or reduced lunch, he/she may bring their own lunch or may purchase a lunch for $1.60. We encourage parents to use their discretion and good sense in preparing a healthy well-balanced meal. Candy and soda are not part of a well-balanced meal and are not permitted. Breakfast will be served from 8:00-8:15AM daily. Lunch is served for K-8th grade classrooms between 10:50 a.m. and 11:50 p.m. Lunch costs are as follows: Breakfast-Full- $1.60, Reduced- $0.40 Parent ConferencesParents are encouraged to schedule a conference with their child’s teacher whenever they have questions or concerns about their child’s progress. A conference request may be made by sending a note or email to the teacher. Teachers will respond to the request and a mutually agreeable conference time will be arranged. Generally, parents should make a request at least one day in advance of a desired conference time. Parents are asked not to try to speak with their child’s teacher during school hours (8:15 – 2:15). Parents coming to school for a parent-teacher conference must report to the school office before proceeding to the teacher’s room.
Parental ConsentStudent participation on field trips is reliant upon parental consent. Parents are required to sign a consent form, which releases the school from liability in case of an accident during a field trip. The school is acting in good faith and the safety and well-being of our students is our primary concern. Disruptive students will not be permitted to accompany their classes on field trips. Parents are also asked to sign the Media Consent Form. This form allows students to have their pictures displayed in the school newsletters, and some of their work published on the school’s Internet site: www.chicagoacademy.org. Your anticipated cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Download a Student Media Consent Form in English here. To find a Media Consent forms in other languages visit this link. | ||||||||||||||||
