KCCS Parent Handbook 2021

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King Center Charter School
2020-2021 Parent Handbook
156 Newburgh Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14211 Phone (716) 891- 7912 Fax (716) 895-2058 www.kccs.org

Please note that during the COVID-19 pandemic some policies/procedures in this
handbook will be superseded by those policies outlined in the school's Reopening
Plan as mandated by the New York State Department of Health/CDC and the State's
Education Department. Please visit our website at www.kccs.org to view current
Reopening Plans and Policies.

Table of Contents

Information:
Mission, Board of Directors, Board Meetings Faculty & Staff List Attendance Policy Uniform Policy Morning Meeting, Restorative Justice, Liveschool, Classroom Visits Civility, Grievance Procedures, FERPA Transportation, Dismissal, Pick-ups Breakfast/Lunch, Detention, Emergencies Cell Phones, Money, Field Trips, Search & Seizure Snow Days, 504, PTO, Book Club 7/8 Lockers Promotion Requirements DASA Policy Student Discipline Policy/Bus Suspension School-Parent Compact Technology Acceptable Use Policy Student Social & Emotional Health Policy Working Papers Health Office Policies & Immunization Requirements

Page Number:
3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16-21 22-23 24-30 31-34 35 36-44

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Mission Statement
The KCCS partners with parents and the community to emphasize postsecondary preparation and planning for all of its students beginning at the earliest ages. The school seeks to create a caring, student-centered culture of high expectations for personal and academic excellence and accountability supported by evidence-based curriculum taught and supported by a deeply committed and highly qualified staff.

Michelle A. Martin W. Scott Saperston Carl Morgan Constance Moss, PhD Nyandusi Nyachae Steven Biltekoff Michael P. McMahon Donell Gibson Maura Devlin Toddie Rogers

Board of Directors
Co-President Co-President Treasurer Secretary Member Member Member Member Member Parent Representative

Ex-officio Members

Tamaira Coleman Antoinette Rhodes Barbara Lindaman

Executive Director School Principal Director of Finance & Operations

Board Meetings

KCCS Board meetings are held monthly. Meeting notices are posted approximately one week before the meeting dates. Please check our website for the most current information on board meeting times and
dates. All meetings are open to the public.

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Faculty and Staff List

KCCS Administration/Leadership Team

Executive Director Tamaira Coleman Technology Coord. Fernand Joseph

School Principal

Antoinette Rhodes Building Superv Steve Scordato

Assistant Principal Melissa Rivera

Accountant

Carol Eschner

Dir. of Instruction & Omarlla Roulhac Director of

Brittany McGrady

Curriculum

Guidance

Dean of Students

Joellen Thurman School Counselor Diara Wilson

Director of Finance Barbara Lindaman Parent Liaison

Debbie Smith

and Operations

Asst. Director of

Chris Ciechoski

Executive

Marcella Overton

Instruction/Math

Administrative

Coordinator

Assistant

Kindergarten A Kindergarten B Kindergarten C First Grade A First Grade B First Grade C Second Grade A Second Grade B Second Grade C Third Grade ELA Third Grade Math Fourth Grade ELA Fourth Grade Math Fifth Grade ELA Fifth Grade Math Sixth Grade ELA Sixth Grade Math 7th Grade Math 7th Grade ELA 7th Grade Science 7th Grade SS. 8th Grade Math 8th Grade ELA
8th Grade Science
8th Grade SS.
Support Staff

KCCS Faculty and Staff

Nathalie Kushman Exceptional Ed Coord. Amanda Read

Ebone Hennings

Exed Teacher

Tara Lombardo

Courtney Marshall Exed Teacher

Brittney Seymour

Jill Marinaro

Exed Teacher

Emily Doyle

Katie Greene

Speech Teacher

Katie Kozlowski

Meaghan Hayes

Intervention Teacher Jamie Groff

Amanda Dixon

Intervention Teacher Amy Littlefield

Mary Pat Moley

Reading Intervention Tracy Vitale

Fawn Barlow

Reading Intervention Melissa Misnik

Math Intervention

Antuana Fulgham

Alayla Henry

Math Intervention

Amber Trombitas

Stephanie Schultz Math Intervention

Jacquelene Brown

Ashley Martin

ENL Teacher

Carolyn Muscarella

Jessica Reasinger Asst. Dean of Students Brandon Thurman

Kelsey Young

Athletic Director

Jesse Gordon

Katie Pryor

Physical Education Tawan Slaughter

Nicole Banks

Physical Education Michael LaScala

Steven Sturm

Art Teacher

Kristen Noltee

Toccaira Bunton

Music Teacher

Christina Faraci

Alicia Anson

Library

Angelica Tennant

Daniel Hammonds Technology

Iisha Jackson

Jeff Reinhardt

School Nurse

Lorraine Marshall

Van Brown

Building Substitutes Dallas Gary

Ashlee Jones

Rebekah Rodriguez

Ryan Keem

Custodians

Craig Oliver

Jonathan Guzman

Andrena Adams

Tsitsi Mulligan

Instructional Coaches Jessica Schaefer

Racheal Trebes

Latrina Spain, Michelle Sedia, Sierra Radford, Charlene Zmuda, Amber

Wagstaff, Gabby Burke, Marshawn Goodrum

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Attendance
Regular Academic Schedule: K ­ 8th - 8:00am to 3:15pm Dismissal (pick-ups) begins at 3:15pm. Morning drop off begins at 7:55am.
A student will be counted as late if he or she arrives after 8:15am. All late students must first check in at the front desk of the school.
All students are expected to attend school every day unless a written note legally excuses them from a legal guardian or a doctor. See below for a list of reasons for an excused absence. Unexcused absences should never occur at KCCS. For the sake of safety, the school will follow up with the family and, if necessary, with the appropriate authorities if a child is absent and a legal guardian has not contacted the school to excuse him or her.
After 5 unexcused absences, parents will receive a letter and a phone call. After 8 unexcused absences, you will be required to attend a conference with the KCCS leadership team. After 10 unexcused absences, the family can be reported to Child Protective Services for educational neglect. After 20 consecutive absences, you may forfeit your student's registration at the school. Written notification will be sent to the home indicating that your child is not considered enrolled. Your child may also be retained in his or her current grade if a persistent record of non-attendance continues even if the absences are excused.
Excused Absences: · Student Illness (Throwing Up/Fever over 100/Quarantine per doctor's orders) · Student Hospitalization · Death in the family · Religious observance · Required court appearance of the child · Suspension
Tardiness: A persistent pattern of lateness hinders your child's performance in school and is a major distraction for the teacher and students who are punctual.
· Tardiness is defined as arriving to school after 8:15am. · If a student is later than 8:15, the student must be signed-in by parents at
the front desk (late students are not allowed to be dropped off at the front door). · Excessive tardiness will result in a required conference, possible after-school make up sessions, and/or grade level retention. Middle school students must arrive to each class on time.
Early Dismissal: If a child needs to be taken out of school before the end of the day dismissal:
· When you pick up your child, please come to the office to sign the student out. · Please send in a note if you plan to pick your child up early from school. · Please do not go to the child's classroom to get your child.
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Uniform Policy
KCCS is a uniform school. Students who are in uniform daily tend to be more focused on learning and achievement. The uniform for the upcoming school year is as follows:
Tops: Green KCCS embroidered polo shirt with logo (not plain green polos). All shirts must be tucked into pants at all times. KCCS t-shirts/sweatshirts may be worn on Fridays only.
Bottoms: Khaki or Black dress pants (khaki/black denim pants/leggings are not permitted) Khaki or Black capris/skirts/shorts are permitted when the weather is warm, however, they must go to the knee. Belts should be worn.
Sweaters: Plain cardigan style sweaters are permitted during the cold weather seasons. Sweaters can be black, white, or gray. Sweaters cannot have hoods attached. Students must continue to wear their school polo underneath their sweaters. Outerwear and zip-ups are not permitted.
Long-sleeved shirts: Long-sleeved shirts/turtlenecks are permitted during cold weather seasons, however, they must be worn underneath the school polo. Shirts must be free of design and can be black, white, or gray only.
Tights/Knee Highs: Must be black, white, or gray with no designs or patterns.
Shoes: Students will be required to wear all black dress shoes or all black sneakers/boots as a part of the regular school uniform. Shoes cannot have ANY other colors, prints, designs, patterns, lights etc. Shoes cannot be backless. Slippers, heels, and flip-flops are not permitted. Sneakers are required for all physical education classes.
Jewelry/Accessories: Jewelry can be worn, but must be appropriate and not distracting to the students or others. Post earrings are permitted, but not dangling/hoops. We are not responsible for lost/stolen jewelry. Students cannot carry brushes with them to classes. Girls can carry purses only when necessary and have received a pass from the office. Flowered headbands and bandanas are not permitted.
Jeans: Students can wear plain blue or black jeans on Fridays only!! Jeans cannot be ripped or have designs on them. If students choose not to wear jeans on Fridays, they must wear khaki/black pants. Sweatpants/joggers, leggings, camouflage, or colored denim is not permitted.
KCCS strictly enforces its uniform policy. Students who come to school out of uniform will not be permitted to go to class until they are brought proper uniform attire. If you are unable to follow the uniform policy, please contact the Leadership Team to arrange an appointment. We will make every effort to assist you in obtaining proper uniforms. The Leadership Team reserves the right to make all final decisions when enforcing uniform compliance.
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Morning Meeting
Morning Meeting is held for all grades from 8:15 am to 8:30 am. This is an important part of the educational programming for KCCS students where we affirm the values of the school each day and reinforce and add to each child's background knowledge. In addition, it is the time when we share news about the school and celebrate individual and group accomplishments. Please make sure that your child arrives at school in plenty of time to attend Morning Meeting. All parents, family members and caretakers are welcome to attend Morning Meeting. We ask that all of those who attend Morning Meeting, including faculty members, model respectful and engaged behavior for the students.
Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice (RJ) is a powerful approach to discipline that focuses on repairing harm through inclusive processes that engage all stakeholders. Implemented well, Restorative Justice shifts the focus of discipline from punishment to learning and from the individual to the community. The intent is to build a community that is built around shared values where participation in the community is a requirement, not an option. Modeling community values and holding each other accountable for actions teaches students to own their own behavior and see its impact on others. KCCS will be practicing RJ weekly in whole group classroom sessions and in small group conflict resolution sessions. Tuesday-Thursday RJ circles will replace morning meeting traditions.
Behavior Management ­ Liveschool
Students in grades 1-8 will be using Liveschool as our behavior management tool. Students will earn/loose points according to their actions in and out of the classroom. Students will collect their points and will be able to spend them on various rewards. Students will bring home a "paycheck" which serves as a behavioral progress report. Parent signatures are required so students are permitted to deposit that week's points into their account. Parents can view their child's progress by viewing their points on the computer or downloading the free Liveschool Parent App.
Visiting Classrooms
Parents may visit their child's classroom, but we ask that the parent call the teacher in advance to arrange for a visit. We welcome parent participation, observation and teamwork, but we also want to manage the focus of the classroom in order to limit disruptions. If you would like to visit your child's classroom and you have not already arranged for a time with your child's teacher, please stop first at the front desk and a call will be made to the classroom. When visiting the school you must always stop at the front desk to sign in.
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Civility Expectation for All Members of the KCCS Community
Perhaps the most important way children learn is by watching and listening to the adults in their lives. Since KCCS seeks to prepare its students for success in life, we expect all teachers, administrators, parents and caretakers to treat each other and the students with professional courtesy and respect at all times and in all settings. The adults in the KCCS community should always approach each other with the understanding that everyone wants what is best for the children. Offensive language and personal insults should never be part of our conversations. In addition, we ask that everyone engage each other with a polite, respectful, trusting manner, and seek mutual understanding and consensus, especially when we do not understand a decision. The civility expectation covers all forms of conversation, that is, in person, by email, via text, and in other forms of social media.
Grievance Procedure
The grievance procedure is designed to enable individuals to voice their complaints regarding the operation of the KCCS. All complaints should initially be dealt with in a meeting between the individual lodging the complaint and the Principal to determine whether the complaint is formal or informal. A formal complaint is one that refers to violations of law or the KCCS charter. The Principal will provide the information needed to submit a formal complaint if the complaint is determined to be formal in nature. All other complaints are considered informal and will be addressed by the School Principal. If the informal complaint cannot be resolved in this manner, the Principal will instruct the complainant to submit a written statement of his/her grievance, with appropriate attached documents. The written statement and the attached documents presented by the complainant and a summary of the efforts to resolve the matter, provided by the Principal, will be presented to the Board of Trustees. After thorough review, the Board will resolve the matter.
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and/or Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, a form must be completed whenever a person other than a school official with a legitimate educational interest makes a request to review student records. Persons required to complete this form include parents of students enrolled in the school. Please note that unless otherwise provided by law, access to student education records will only be granted upon receipt of the written permission of a student's parent or legal guardian. To obtain a copy of the Request to Review Records form, please contact the main office. In addition, the school complies with the Parents Bill of Rights, which can be found
at https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/lea-officials.html.
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Transportation/Dismissal
The bus schedule for your child is sent to your home from First Student, the company hired by the Buffalo Board of Education, to provide the transportation of all public schools in Buffalo. Ms. Debbie Smith is our Coordinator of School Transportation and all concerns or requests are made to her. She will help make changes for you if you should move or have a change of childcare before or after school. However, you must keep in mind that it takes two weeks to get a requested change of transportation processed. (Wednesdays only) All changes in address require official proof of new residency. Students who will not be using transportation, but will be picked up by a parent/guardian must be picked up by 3:30pm.
Emergency changes may be requested for a particular day only if you contact Ms. Debbie Smith between the hours of 9am and 1pm. No changes can be accommodated after 1pm. Your child will be riding the bus they have been assigned unless Ms. Smith receives a phone call from a parent or other legally responsible adult prior to 1pm. Transportation messages may be left by following the phone directions on the KCCS message system and Ms. Smith will call you for clarification if needed when she checks the messages at 1pm. Children will not be permitted to call home to determine transportation. Once students are on the bus to go home, parents cannot remove them. If early pickup is needed in the case of a doctor's appointment, a note must be sent to school that morning. If we do not know in advance you will experience a delay.
All students are expected to follow the bus driver's directions and rules to ensure their safety on the bus. Please remind your child that riding the bus is a privilege and if he or she breaks the safety rules they will be suspended off the bus. KCCS will notify you of a bus suspension. If a child is suspended off of the bus, they are still required to come to school throughout the duration of the suspension.
Students that do not ride the bus home either because they are parent pickups or are involved in after school/Saturday programs must be picked up within a reasonable amount of time after completion of the program or run the risk of losing their spot in the program/club.
Late Pick-Ups
We need your help ensuring the safety of all students before and after school hours. Please be advised that KCCS begins at 8:00am and ends at 3:15pm. In an effort to improve school safety, we encourage you to drop off students no earlier than 7:55am and pick them up during dismissal between 3:15-3:30pm unless they are participating in an extracurricular activity. Please assist us in maximizing student safety by adhering to our drop off/pick up policy.
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Food
KCCS contracts with the Buffalo Public Schools for breakfast and lunch. The breakfast/lunch program is free only after you complete the annual lunch application. Students may bring their own lunch. Staff is not allowed to heat any lunches for students. Please note that students may either bring a full lunch or eat the school lunch. Students cannot bring additional items to supplement the school lunch (drink boxes, bags of chips, candy, etc.) All food must be kept in the cafeteria area at all times; removing food from the cafeteria can result in disciplinary action. Students may not bring sunflower seeds or gum to school or on the bus under any circumstance. Students are not permitted to have food or drinks in the classroom. Bringing these items may result in disciplinary actions.
If your child is not to eat any particular food, we must have a written request on file with the school nurse. If there is danger of an allergic reaction, please list the food and the reaction that is to be expected. Please provide direction if the reaction is observed by the teacher. If your child needs an EPI-Pen, you must complete the medical paperwork to ensure that we have an EPI-Pen available.
Classroom parties for birthdays or other celebrations are common. However, many students have allergies to a variety of ingredients contained in foods that may be brought in to share with others. For that reason, all snacks/food brought in by families must be store bought. Homemade treats will not be shared with other students.
Detention
As a disciplinary consequence, some students may be required to stay for after-school detention. A student may be referred for detention when he or she violates one of the conditions in the discipline policy or for failure to complete assignments. When a student is referred for detention, parents will be called to schedule a date in the upcoming week. Detention will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15. Students must be picked up from school promptly at 4:15pm. No transportation will be provided. Failure to serve a detention will result in an in-school suspension.
Emergencies
In the rare case of a large-scale emergency, parents will be notified in a timely manner. Temporary headquarters will be communicated to parents via text, or on the school's website (KCCS.org), and via the school's Facebook page.
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Cell Phones
Students should not bring cell phones or other electronic devices (iwatches, MP3 players, digital cameras) to school. However, we understand that many students have cell phones for home use and emergency situations. It is our policy that all cell phones be turned off as soon as students enter the building and given to the classroom teacher as soon as they enter their classroom/homeroom. Teachers will store phones in a secure cabinet and will return the phone to your child at the end of each day. Any cell phone that is not turned in to the teacher daily will be confiscated and parents will be required to pick up the phone. Students will be sent home with a note regarding the confiscation. Please note that KCCS is not responsible for lost/stolen cell phones or electronics if they are not turned in to the teacher.
Money
Students should not bring money to school unless it is needed for a school purpose. Field trip money, picture money, etc. should always be sent in an envelope and given to the teacher at the beginning of the day. Money may be stolen, lost, bargained or borrowed causing major distractions from learning and loss of trust. Students are not permitted to trade with or borrow items/money from other students.
Field Trips
Often KCCS students will be taken out of the building for community/academic experiences. Contained in your registration packet, you completed a field trip form permitting students to leave the building with KCCS staff. When field trips are planned, additional permission slips will go home informing you of the event. However, if the slip is not returned, KCCS reserves the right to take your child on the trip. Students are required to wear their regular uniforms on field trip days.
Search/Seizure
A student and/or their belongings may be searched by a school official if the official has a reasonable suspicion to believe that a search of that student will result in evidence that the student violated the law or a school rule. Items that are prohibited on school property, or which may be used to disrupt or interfere with the educational process may be removed from the student by school authorities.
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Snow Days
When Buffalo Public Schools have a snow day, KCCS will be closed as well. We may also close independently. School closings will be posted on local TV stations and on the school's website/Facebook pages. If a student is suspended during a snow day(s) the suspension will be extended that number of days.
Section 504
The Section 504 Program is to ensure that all students, regardless of their disabilities, develop to their full potential and become productive members of their community. The department's goal is to provide disabled students with the appropriate general education support to empower them to achieve excellence within their academic career. Parent collaboration, along with fulfilling the interventions laid out from our Student Support Team, will ensure these students reach their fullest potential.
Parent Teacher Organization
The KCCS PTO is committed to making the KCCS a better place for parents, teachers and students. The PTO will support activities that bring parents and students together on projects to provide enrichment opportunities for students. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Book Club
The Book Club is an exciting Saturday morning program aimed at cultivating an interest and love for reading. Each student will be matched up with a college volunteer and will read together selected literature from a new theme/genre each week. After a time of reading and book talk, the students will expand their creativity through an appropriate craft or extension activity that corresponds with the theme of the week. The book club provides a healthy and positive learning environment where students can build confidence in reading and have fun building relationships with those around them.
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7/8th Grade Lockers
Each 7th & 8th grade student will be given the use of a locker to store their possessions during the day. All possessions will be contained in their lockers throughout the day, safe guarded by a combination lock. Combination locks must be on lockers and locked when not in use.
The following rules will regulate locker use, please read carefully so that you will understand what is expected of you. 1) Students will be required to pay a $10 non-refundable fee each year that
covers the purchase of their KCCS planner and rental of the lock assigned to their locker. 2) Lockers are the property of the school and will be subject to random inspection by personnel at any time. 3) The school is not responsible for articles stolen from lockers, therefore they should NOT share their combination with others. 4) If your locker does not work properly, report it to your homeroom teacher. 5) No food is to be left in lockers overnight. 6) Students may visit their lockers at regular times throughout the day. Students will need a signed pass to visit their locker during any other time. 7) Kicking and slamming locker doors, or otherwise damaging your locker, is cause for disciplinary action. Students will be required to pay the cost of repairing the locker.
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KCCS Promotion Requirements
Grade K A student in grade K who meets academic guidelines will be promoted to the next grade upon successful requirements met on the Fountas and Pinnell (F & P) reading assessment. Students in grade K must be reading at a level B or higher, along with passing grades in the core subjects in order to be promoted to first grade.
Grade 1 A student in grade 1 who meets academic guidelines will be promoted to the next grade upon successful requirements met on the Fountas and Pinnell (F & P) reading assessment. Students in grade 1 must be reading at a level G or higher, along with passing grades in the core subjects in order to be promoted to grade 2.
Grades 2-6 Students in grades 2-5 will be promoted to the next grade upon the following conditions:
o Passing math with a 70% or higher o Passing reading comprehension with a 70% or higher o No more than 1 year behind in reading based on the Fountas and
Pinnell (F &P) assessment
Grades 7-8 Students in grades 6-8 will be promoted to the next grade upon the following conditions:
o Passing math with a 70% or higher o Passing reading comprehension with a 70% or higher o Passing social studies and science with a 70% or higher
**For Grades 7-8 ONLY: Summer school is required for 1-2 failing subjects, Failing 3+ subjects results in automatic retention.
***A student who has not met KCCS attendance requirements, as outlined in the parent handbook, may also be at risk for promotion to the next grade level.
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KCCS Dignity for All Students Act Policy
The King Center Charter School is committed to the safety and well-being of all of its students, staff, visitors and parents. Bullying, harassment, or intimidation of any kind is prohibited on or off school property, at any school sponsored activity, or on any kind of KCCS provided transportation. Everyone has a role in ensuring the prevention of any of these types of problems and in the creation of solutions if incidents were to occur. Stopbullying.gov defines bullying as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as those listed below: Physical: Incidents that involve hitting, kicking, punching, tripping, pushing, pinching, or damaging property. Verbal: Incidents that involve name-calling, insults, teasing/taunting, threats, intimidation, discriminatory remarks, offensive remarks or verbal abuse. Social/Emotional: Incidents that involve lying and spreading rumors, gossiping, humiliating, gestures, socially excluding someone or damaging someone's reputation. Cyberbullying: Incidents that involve digital means, social media, text messaging or other messaging, websites etc. that harass, intimidate, degrade, exclude or abuse others. Incident report forms will be available in administrative offices. Once submitted to a staff member, an investigation will ensue. Students and families are encouraged to report these incidents if they are suspected. Incident resolution may include parent conferences, mediations, referral to the counseling department, detention, in/out of school suspensions, or other consequences.
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KCCS Student Discipline Code
KCCS understands that ensuring good conduct is essential to improved student learning and achievement. All school staff are responsible to encourage good behavior and to correct unacceptable behavior by consistently enforcing this code. All students are required to follow the two KCCS rules at all times:
Follow Directions Use Caring Words & Actions
The following code of conduct applies to behaviors in all school settings, including working in class, participating in an audience, eating in the cafeteria, traveling on the bus, participating in field trips, using school technology, performing community service, congregating or playing on school grounds, and playing school sports.
Short-term suspension: A short-term suspension refers to an in-school removal or out-of-school removal of a student for disciplinary reasons for a period of five or fewer days. Students may also be removed from the school's transportation system for disciplinary infractions. A student who has committed any of the infractions listed below shall be subject minimally to a short-term suspension, unless the Principal, Assistant Principal and/or the Dean of Students determines that an exception should be made based on the individual circumstances of the incident and the student's disciplinary record. The Principal, Assistant Principal and/or the Dean of Students reserve the right to adjust the punishment for each infraction per his or her judgment.
Disciplinary Infractions: · Attempt to assault any student or staff member; · Engage in fighting or physical aggression; · Vandalize school property causing minor damage; · Endanger the physical safety of another KCCS community member by the use of
force, of threats, or force that reasonably places the victim in fear of imminent bodily injury; · Threatening/harass/intimidate/bully/discriminate students or staff verbally, in text, or cyber; Use of derogatory, racial, or ethnic slurs; · Engage in play-fighting; · Engage in conduct which disrupts school or classroom activity or endanger or threaten to endanger the health, safety, welfare, or morals of others; · Engage in insubordination/noncompliance; · Fails to complete assignments, carry out directions, or comply with disciplinary sanctions; · Cheat on quizzes, exams, or commit plagiary; · Use forged notes or excuses; · Steal, or attempt to steal, or possess property known by the student to be stolen; · Commit extortion; · Trespassing on school property;
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· Engage in gambling; · Flee school property without permission; intentionally skip classes; · Abuse school property or equipment; · Use obscene or abusive language or gestures; · Engage in acts of verbal or physical sexual harassment; · Make a false bomb threat or pull a false emergency alarm; · Possess weapons (toy or harmful); · Possess tobacco (legal, illegal, or electronic) or alcohol; · Possess matches/lighters; · Possess illegal drugs (prescription or other); · Possess inappropriate or offensive material (text, email, print, or other); · Possess cell phones/electronic items not being used for instructional purposes; · Wear inappropriate, insufficient, or disruptive clothing or attire, or violate the
student dress code; · Displays of inappropriate physical/sexual affection; · Misuse computer technology, including viewing or downloading inappropriate
material not germane to schoolwork. · Commit any other act which school officials reasonably conclude disrupts the
learning culture of the school; · Repeatedly commit minor behavioral infractions, which, in aggregate, may be
considered an infraction subject to formal disciplinary action.
Procedures and Due Process for Short Term Suspension: The Principal, Assistant Principal and/or the Dean of Students may impose a shortterm suspension, and shall follow due process procedures consistent with all Federal and State laws including the Commissioner of Education's Regulations. Before imposing a short-term suspension, or other, less serious discipline, the school shall provide notice to inform the student of the charges against him or her, and if the student denies the charges, the school shall provide an explanation of the evidence against the student. A chance to present the student's version of events shall also be provided.
Before imposing a short-term suspension, the Principal, Assistant Principal and/or the Dean of Students shall notify the parents or guardian in writing that the student may be suspended from school. Written notice shall be provided by personal delivery, express mail delivery, or equivalent means reasonably calculated to assure receipt of such notice within 24 hours of suspension at the last known address. Where possible, notification also shall be provided by telephone. Such notice shall provide a description of the incident(s) for which suspension is proposed and shall inform the parents or guardian of their right to request an immediate informal conference with the principal. Such notice and informal conference shall be in the dominant language of mode of communication used by the parent(s) or guardian.
The parent(s) or guardian of the student and the student shall have the opportunity to present the student's version of the incident and to ask questions of the Principal, Assistant Principal and/or the Dean of Students. Such notice and opportunity for an informal conference shall take place prior to the suspension of the student unless the
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student's presence in the school poses a continuing danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of disruption to the academic process, in which case the notice and opportunity for an informal conference shall take place as soon as possible after the suspension as is reasonably practicable.
The Principal, Assistant Principal and/or the Dean of Student's decision to impose a short-term suspension may be challenged by the parent(s) or guardian in accordance with the School's complaint process, which includes an appeal to the Board of Trustees in accordance with the School's Charter. The Board President will arbitrate this hearing.
Long-term suspension/expulsion: A long-term suspension refers to the removal of a student from school for disciplinary reasons for a period of more than five days. Expulsion refers to the permanent removal of a student from school for disciplinary reasons. A student who is determined to have committed any of the infractions listed below shall be subject minimally to a long-term suspension or expulsion, unless the Principal, Assistant Principal and/or the Dean of Students determines that an exception should be made based on the circumstance of the incident and the student's disciplinary record. Such a student may also be subject to any of the disciplinary measures outlined elsewhere in this document including a referral to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
Disciplinary Infractions: · Possess, use, attempt to use, or transfer of any firearm, knife, razor blade,
explosive, mace, tear gas, or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the student in school; · Commit, or attempt to commit arson on school property; · Assault any student or staff member; · Threats of violence, threaten to assault or intimidate any student or staff member in school or electronically; · Bullying; · Intentionally cause physical injury to another person, except when the student's actions are reasonably necessary to protect him or herself from injury; · Possess, sell, purchase, distribute, or use of any alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, imitation of controlled substances, marijuana, or any illegal substance on school property or at any school events; · Vandalize school property causing major damage; · Improper conduct that significantly disrupts or threatens to disrupt the education of other students; · Commit any act, which could constitute a crime or is a more egregious infraction described under "short-term suspension", which school officials reasonably conclude warrants a long-term suspension/expulsion. · A student who commits any of the acts previously described as causes for short term-suspension may, instead or in addition, be subject to a long-term suspension/expulsion at the school's discretion only if the student has committed the act at least three times in the academic year.
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Procedures and Due Process for Long Term Suspension: The Principal, Assistant Principal and/or the Dean of Students may also impose a long-term suspension. In extreme circumstances, the Principal may expel the student from school. Upon determining that a student's action warrants a possible long-term suspension, the Principal, Assistant Principal and/or the Dean of Students shall verbally inform the student that he or she is being suspended and is being considered for a long-term suspension (or expulsion) and state the reasons for such actions. The Principal, Assistant Principal and/or the Dean of Students shall immediately notify the student's parent(s) or guardian(s) in writing including a factual summary. Written notice shall be provided by personal delivery, express mail delivery, or equivalent means reasonably calculated to assure receipt of such notice within 24 hours of suspension at the last known address. Students who have received a long-term suspension will only be allowed to reenter the school after the parent or guardian, the student, and the school's leadership team have held a formal meeting and created a plan, which may include and require outside remediation, to insure that the student will become a safe and productive member of the KCCS community.
Where possible, notification also shall be provided by telephone if the school has been provided with a contact telephone number for the parent(s) or guardian. Such notice shall provide a description of the incident, or incidents, which resulted in the suspension and shall indicate that a formal meeting or impartial hearing will be required for the student to successfully reenter the school. The notification provided shall be in the dominant language used by the parent(s) or guardian. At the formal hearing, the student shall have the right to be represented by counsel, question witnesses, and present evidence.
The Principal's decision to impose a long-term suspension or expulsion may be challenged by the parent or guardian in accordance with KCCS's complaint process which includes an appeal to the Board of Trustees in accordance with the School's Charter. The Board President will arbitrate this hearing.
Firearms Violation: Federal and New York law require the expulsion from school for a period of not less than one year of a student who is determined to have brought a firearm to the school, or to have possessed a firearm at school, except that the Principal may modify such expulsion requirement for a student on a case-by-case basis, if such modification is in writing, in accordance with the Federal Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994 (as amended). "Weapon," as used in this law means a "firearm," as defined by 18 USC § 921, and includes firearms and explosives. See, New York Education Law §3214.
The Principal shall refer a student under the age of sixteen who has been determined to have brought a weapon or firearm to school to a presentment agency for a juvenile delinquency proceeding consistent with Article 3 of the Family Court Act except a student fourteen or fifteen years of age who qualifies for juvenile offender status under Criminal Procedure Law § 1.20(42). The Principal shall refer any pupil sixteen years of age or older or a student fourteen or fifteen years of age who qualifies for juvenile offender status under Criminal Procedure Law § 1.20(42), who has been
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determined to have brought a weapon or firearm to school to the appropriate law enforcement officials.
Provision of Instruction during removal: KCCS will ensure that alternative educational services are provided within 24 hours to a child of compulsory age who has been suspended (in or out of school), to help that child progress in the school's general curriculum. For a student who has been suspended, alternative instruction will be provided to the extent required by applicable law. For a student who has been expelled, alternative instruction will be provided in like manner as a suspended student until the student enrolls in another school thereafter or until the end of the school year.
Instruction for suspended students shall be sufficient to enable the student to make adequate academic progress, and shall provide them the opportunity to complete the assignments, learn the curriculum and participate in assessments. Instruction will take place in one of the following locations: the child's home, a contracted facility (e.g., in the school district of location), or a suspension room or other room at the school. During any removal for drug or weapon offenses, additional services shall include strategies designed to prevent such behavior from recurring. Instruction will be provided by one or more of the following individuals who shall be certified or qualified in accordance with § 2854(3)(a-1) of the Education Law and the federal No Child Left Behind Act: the student's teacher(s), aides or individuals within a contracted facility, and/or a tutor hired for this purpose.
Student Records: KCCS will maintain written records of all suspensions and expulsions including the name of the student, a description of the behavior engaged in, the disciplinary action taken, and a record of the number of days a student has been suspended or removed for disciplinary reasons.
Students with Disabilities: Please refer to the KCCS Special Education Policies and Procedures ­ Discipline Policy.
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Bus Suspension Policy
KCCS strives to provide safe and reliable transportation to all of its students. At times, students may receive a bus write up from the driver for various actions. Please note the following policy in terms of student consequences for transportation privileges.
· First Bus Write up - warning letter to the student/family that the behavior is inappropriate.
· Second Bus Write up - Student will be suspended off the bus for one day. School will contact parents about suspension.
· Third Bus Write up - Student will be suspended off the bus for two days. School will contact parents about suspension.
· Fourth Bus Write up - Student will be suspended off the bus for three days. School will contact parents about suspension.
· Fifth Bus Write up - Student will be suspended off the bus for four days. School will contact parents about suspension and parents will be required to come in for a conference.
· Sixth Bus Write up-Student will be suspended off the bus for five days. School will contact parents about suspension.
· Seventh Bus Write up-Student will be suspended off the bus for six days. School will contact parents about suspension.
· Eighth Bus Write up- Student will be suspended off the bus for seven days. School will contact parents about suspension.
· Ninth Bus Write up- Student will be suspended off the bus for eight days. School will contact parents about suspension.
· Ten Bus Write up- Student will be expelled from transportation. Parents will be required to come in for a formal meeting.
Fighting, Violence and other unsafe actions may cause immediate suspension or more severe consequences.
Students are required to come to school on any day they are suspended from the bus.
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School-Parent Compact
The school and the parents of the students participating in activities, services, and programs funded by Title I, Part A for No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, agree that this compact outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and the students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership that will help children achieve the high standards of the Common Core Curriculum. This schoolparent compact is in effect during the school year 2020-2021. School Responsibilities: KCCS will:
1. Provide high quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables the participating children to meet the student academic achievement standards as follows: · Use the Common Core Curriculum; · Hire only highly qualified teachers; · Provide on-going professional development; and · Use assessment data to direct instruction.
2. Hold parent-teacher conferences at least three times a year, during which this compact will be discussed as it relates to the individual child's achievement. The 20-minute conferences will be scheduled in December, March, and June.
3. Provide parents with frequent reports on their child's progress. Teachers will send home reports of student grades on a bi-weekly basis.
4. Provide parents reasonable access to staff. Teachers will make themselves available to meet with parents when requested. We require 24-hour notice to arrange a meeting.
5. Provide parents opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child's class, and to observe classroom activities as follows: · Parents sign-up with the teacher; · Parents must sign-up at least one day prior to volunteering;
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Parent Responsibilities: We, as parents, will support our child's learning in the following ways:
1. Reading and following the policies enclosed in this handbook; 2. Monitoring attendance; 3. Adhering to the uniform policy; 4. Making sure that homework is completed; 5. Checking backpacks daily; 6. Volunteering in my child's classroom; 7. Participating in parent-teacher conferences; 8. Using civil & respectful tones when interacting with children and adults. 9. Not using corporal punishment on campus.
Student Responsibilities: We, as students, will share the responsibility to improve our academic achievement and achieve the Common Core Curriculum's high standards.
1. Do my homework every day and ask for help when I need to; 2. Read at least 30 minutes every day outside of school time; 3. Give my parents all notices and information received by me from my school
every day.
Parent Participation: Active Partners Our Goal is that ALL Parents will become active partners in their child's educational program. We have three measures to determine if we are moving toward achieving our goal.
Measure 1: Eighty percent of parents will help their child earn a homework grade of satisfactory or outstanding by seeing that they complete all homework assignments.
Measure 2: Ninety percent of parents will participate in each of the school's three parent/teacher conferences.
Conference Dates: December 11th, March 19th, June 23rd-24th Measure 3: Twenty percent of parents will participate as volunteers in the classroom.
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Technology Acceptable Use Policy
Purpose: · This policy provides the procedures, rules, guidelines and codes of conduct for the use of the technology and information networks at King Center Charter School, herein known as KCCS. Use of such technology is a necessary, innate element of the KCCS educational mission, but technology is provided to staff and students as a privilege, not a right. KCCS seeks to protect, encourage and enhance the legitimate uses of technology by placing fair limitations on such use and sanctions for those who abuse the privilege. The reduction of computer abuse provides adequate resources for users with legitimate needs.
Summary: · Public technology that includes but is not limited to computers, wireless & LAN access, electronic mail, Internet access, Telephone/Voice Mail systems, printing devices and all other forms of instructional, networking and communication tools are provided as a service by KCCS to students. Use of these technologies is a privilege, not a right. Students are expected to observe the following:
· All users are required to be good technology citizens by refraining from activities that annoy others, disrupt the educational experiences of their peers, or can be considered as illegal, immoral and/or unprofessional conduct.
· The student is ultimately responsible for his/her actions in accessing technology at KCCS. Failure to comply with the guidelines of technology use (as stated either in this document or in the KCCS Student Policy Manual) may result in the loss of access privileges and/or appropriate disciplinary action. Severe violations may result in civil or criminal action under the New York State Penal, and or Federal Law.
Guidelines: 1. Access to computers, computer system, information networks, and to the information technology environment within the KCCS system is a privilege and must be treated as such by all students.
2. The KCCS system will be used solely for the purpose of research, education, and school-related business and operations.
3. Any system which requires password access or for which KCCS requires an account, such as the Internet, shall only be used by the authorized user. Account owners are ultimately responsible for all activity under their account and shall abide by this Policy.
4. The technological resources of KCCS are limited. All users must respect the shared use of KCCS resources. The school reserves the right to limit use of
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such resources if there are insufficient funds, accounts, storage, memory, or for other reasons deemed necessary by the system operators, or if an individual user is determined to be acting in an irresponsible or unlawful manner.
5. All communications and information accessible and accessed via the KCCS system is and shall remain the property of the King Center Charter School.
6. Student use shall be supervised and monitored by system operators and authorized staff. Student use must be related to the school curriculum.
7. Any defects or knowledge of suspected abuse in KCCS systems, networks, security, hardware or software shall be reported to the system operators.
Unacceptable Use: · The King Center Charter School has the right to take disciplinary action, remove computer and networking privileges, or take legal action or report to proper authorities, any activity characterized as unethical, unacceptable, or unlawful. Unacceptable use activities constitute, but are not limited to, any activity through which any user:
1. Violates such matters as institutional or third-party copyright, license agreements or other contracts. The unauthorized use of and/or copying of software is illegal.
2. Interferes with or disrupts other network users, services, or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not limited to, distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer viruses or worms, distributing quantities of information that overwhelm the system (chain letters, network games, etc.) and/or using the network to make unauthorized entry into any other resource accessible via the network.
3. Attempts to disable, bypass or otherwise circumvent the KCCS content filter that has been installed in accordance with the federal Children's Internet Protection Act. This includes but is not limited to the use of proxy servers.
4. Seeks to gain or gains unauthorized access to information resources, obtains copies of, or modifies files or other data, or gains and communicates passwords belonging to other users.
5. Uses or knowingly allows another to use any computer, computer network, computer system, program, or software to devise or execute a scheme to defraud or to obtain money, property, services, or other things of value by false pretenses, promises, or representations.
6. Destroys, alters, dismantles, disfigures, prevents rightful access to, or otherwise interferes with the integrity of computer-based information resources, whether on stand-alone or networked computers.
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7. Invades the privacy of individuals or entities.
8. Uses the network for commercial or political activity or personal or private gain.
9. Installs unauthorized software or material for use on KCCS computers. This includes, but is not limited to, downloading music, pictures, images, games, and videos from either the Internet or via portable drives.
10. Uses the network to access inappropriate materials.
11. Uses the KCCS system to compromise its integrity (hacking software) or accesses, modifies, obtains copies of or alters restricted or confidential records or files.
12. Submits, publishes, or displays any defamatory, inaccurate, racially offensive, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, or threatening materials or messages either public or private.
13. Uses KCCS systems for illegal, harassing, vandalizing, inappropriate, or obscene purposes, or in support of such activities is prohibited. Illegal activities are defined as a violation of local, state, and/or federal laws. Cyberbullying and harassment are slurs, comments, jokes, innuendos, unwelcome comments, cartoons, pranks, and/or other verbal conduct relating to an individual which: (a) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or school performance; (b) interferes with school operations; (c) has the purpose or effect to cause undue emotional stress or fear in an individual.
14. Vandalism is defined as any attempt to harm or destroy the operating system, application software, or data. Inappropriate use shall be defined as a violation of the purpose and goal of the network. Obscene activities shall be defined as a violation of generally accepted social standards in the community for use of a publicly owned and operated communication device.
15. Violates the KCCS Acceptable Use Policy.
KCCS Rights and Responsibility: 1. Monitor all activity on the KCCS system.
2. Determine whether specific uses of the network are consistent with this Acceptable Use Policy.
3. Remove a user's access to the network at any time it is determined that the user is engaged in unauthorized activity or violating this Acceptable Use Policy.
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4. Respect the privacy of individual user electronic data. The King Center Charter School will secure the consent of users before accessing their data, unless required to do so by law or policies of KCCS.
5. Take prudent steps to develop, implement, and maintain security procedures to ensure the integrity of individual and KCCS files. However, information any computer system cannot be guaranteed to be inaccessible by other users.
6. Attempt to provide error-free and dependable access to technology resources associated with the KCCS system. However, KCCS cannot be held liable for any information that may be lost, damaged, or unavailable due to technical or other difficulties.
7. Ensure that all student users complete and sign an agreement to abide by the King Center Charter School acceptable use policy and administrative regulation. All such agreements will be maintained on file in the school office.
Violations/Consequences: · Students who violate this Policy will be subject to revocation of KCCS system access up to and including permanent loss of privileges, and discipline up to and including expulsion.
· Violations of law will be reported to law enforcement officials.
· Disciplinary action may be appealed by parents and/or students in accordance with existing KCCS procedures for suspension or revocation of student privileges.
· Unacceptable use of the KCCS computer systems include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Altering any computer configuration including screensavers, desktop settings, network settings, passwords, etc. 2. Installing or downloading any executable files from the Internet or portable drives. 3. Using chat rooms or social web sites except for teacher-directed educational purposes. 4. Installing or using instant messenger programs. 5. Downloading MP3s or other music files. 6. Accessing online radio stations and television programs. 7. Writing, downloading, or printing files or messages that contain inappropriate language. 8. Accessing or transmitting pornographic or other inappropriate material. 9. Violating the rights to privacy of students and employees of KCCS. 10. Reposting personal communications without the author's prior consent. 11. Copying commercial software in violation of copyright law.
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12. Attempting to hack, crack, or otherwise degrade or breach the security of the KCCS network, other networks, or individual computers.
13. Attempting to bypass the KCCS content filter, including the use of proxy servers.
14. Developing or passing on programs that damage a computer system or network, such as viruses.
15. Plagiarism. 16. Modifying or copying files of other users without their consent. 17. Giving out personal information such as address and phone numbers over
the Internet without staff permission. 18. Accessing or transmitting material which promotes violence or advocates
the destruction of property including information concerning the manufacture of destructive devices (explosives, bombs, fireworks, incendiary devices, etc.) 19. Accessing or transmitting material which advocates or promotes violence or hatred against particular individuals or groups of individuals. 20. Accessing or transmitting material which advocates or promotes the use, purchase, or sale of illegal drugs. 21. Conducting or participating in any illegal activity. 22. Any act that is determined as Cyber-bullying, harassment, or a violation of good Digital Citizenship. 23. Any inappropriate use as determined by the Principal, Director of Educational Technology and/or building administrators.
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Student Social and Emotional Health Policy
Introduction: · Since children's social and emotional development is essential to school readiness and academic success, the KCCS will incorporate social and emotional development into the KCCS educational program. The goals for addressing these student developmental needs through an educational program are to:
· Enhance student school readiness, academic success and use of good citizenship skills;
· Foster a safe, supportive learning environment where students feel respected and valued;
· Teach social and emotional skills to all students; and · Promote student social and emotional well-being by partnering with
families and communities.
Programming: · In order to promote the social and emotional development of all students, KCCS will pursue program development in the following areas:
· Classroom and School-Wide Programming: Implement evidence-based, age and culturally appropriate classroom instruction and school-wide strategies that teach social and emotional skills, promote optimal mental health, and prevent risk behaviors for all students.
· Staff Development and Training: Provide staff development to all school personnel, including administrative, academic, and support staff in ageappropriate social, emotional, and academic learning and ways to promote it in the classroom.
· Parent and Family Involvement: Provide parents and families with learning opportunities and conferences related to the importance of their children's optimal social and emotional development, and ways to enhance it.
· Community Partnerships: Establish partnerships with diverse community agencies and organizations to assure a coordinated approach to addressing children's mental health and social and emotional development.
· Early Identification and Intervention: Utilize existing protocols to screen, assess and provide early intervention for students who have significant risk factors for social, emotional, or mental health problems that impact learning through our school counseling and special education offices.
· Assessment and Intervention: Build and strengthen referral and follow-up mechanisms for providing effective clinical services for children with social, emotional, and mental health issues that impact learning through
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student and family support services, school- based Intervention, and school and community linked services and supports.
Services: · Support services provided by the school nurse or the school counselors will be available for students with social and emotional difficulties that impact learning. Also, linkages and referrals will be available with collaborative partners when more extensive services are needed.
Protocols: · KCCS will modify its existing protocols for responding to children with social, emotional, or mental health problems that impact learning for consistency with state requirements.
Mandated Reporting: · Who are mandated reporters? o School officials, including (but not limited to): o school teacher o school counselor o school social worker o school nurse o school administrator or other school personnel required to hold a teaching or administrative license or certificate
· When Are We Mandated to Report? o Mandated reporters are required to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment when they are presented with a reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment in a situation where a child, parent, or other person legally responsible for the child is before the mandated reporter when the mandated reporter is acting in his or her official or professional capacity. "Other person legally responsible" refers to a guardian, caretaker, or other person 18 years of age or older who is responsible for the care of the child.
· Reasonable Cause to Suspect o Reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment means that, based on your rational observations, professional training and experience, you have a suspicion that the parent or other person legally responsible for a child is responsible for harming that child or placing that child in imminent danger of harm. Your suspicion can be as simple as distrusting an explanation for an injury.
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· What Is Abuse and Maltreatment? o Abuse encompasses the most serious injuries and/or risk of serious injuries to children by their caregivers. An abused child is one whose parent or other person legally responsible for his or her care inflicts serious physical injury upon the child, creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury, or commits a sex offense against the child. Abuse also includes situations where a parent or other person legally responsible knowingly allows someone else to inflict such harm on a child.
o Maltreatment (including neglect) means that a child's physical, mental or emotional condition has been impaired, or placed in imminent danger of impairment, by the failure of the child's parent or other person legally responsible to exercise a minimum degree of care by:
o failing to provide sufficient food, clothing, shelter, education; or o failing to provide proper supervision, guardianship, or medical care
(refers to all medical issues, including dental, optometric, or surgical care); or o inflicting excessive corporal punishment, abandoning the child, or misusing alcohol or other drugs to the extent that the child was placed in imminent danger. o Poverty or other financial inability to provide the above is not maltreatment. o Note: The definitions of abuse and maltreatment are different for children in residential facilities operated or licensed by the state.
How Do We Recognize Child Abuse and Maltreatment? · The list that follows contains some common indicators of abuse or maltreatment. This list is not all-inclusive, and some abused or maltreated children may not show any of these symptoms.
· Indicators of Physical Abuse Can Include: o Injuries to the eyes or both sides of the head or body (accidental injuries typically only affect one side of the body); o Frequent injuries of any kind (bruises, cuts, and/or burns), especially if the child is unable to provide an adequate explanation of the cause. These may appear in distinctive patterns such as grab marks, human bite marks, cigarette burns, or impressions of other instruments; o Destructive, aggressive, or disruptive behavior; o Passive, withdrawn, or emotionless behavior; o Fear of going home or fear of parent(s).
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· Indicators of Sexual Abuse Can Include: o Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases; o Injury to genital area; o Difficulty and/or pain when sitting or walking; o Sexually suggestive, inappropriate, or promiscuous behavior or verbalization; o Expressing age-inappropriate knowledge of sexual relations; o Sexual victimization of other children.
· Indicators of Maltreatment Can Include: o Obvious malnourishment, listlessness, or fatigue; o Stealing or begging for food; o Lack of personal care--poor personal hygiene, torn and/or dirty clothes; o Untreated need for glasses, dental care, or other medical attention; o Frequent absence from or tardiness to school; o Child inappropriately left unattended or without supervision.
· Where Do We Call to Make a Report? o As soon as you suspect abuse or maltreatment, we must report our concerns by telephone to the New York Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). The SCR is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to receive your call. The timeliness of our call is vital to the timeliness of intervention by the local department of social services' Child Protective Services (CPS) unit. We are not required to notify the parents or other persons legally responsible either before or after our call to the SCR.
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Working Papers
Who is eligible? · Students who are 14 and 15 years old and plan to work at permitted occupations during school vacations and/or after school hours. (Please see website to obtain more information regarding what may or may not be valid occupations for youth.) https://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/workprot/wphmpg .shtm · Students must have a passing average of 65 or higher in all common core subjects. · Students must have attendance that is in good standing. Students who have 10 or more unexcused absences will not be eligible until they complete two weeks of school without any unexcused absences. Please see Attendance Requirements for what is considered as excusable.
How to obtain your working paper? · Please see the School Counselor or the Director of Student Support for a Working Paper Application. · Parent/Guardian is to complete the application in its entirety and attach a copy of the student's most recent physical along with a copy of the student's birth certificate (if not already on file in the Main Office). · Applications will be processed biweekly and given to the student once created.
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Health Office Policy and Procedures
It is our goal to maintain a healthy environment for all students and staff by minimizing health risks. Health plays a role in educational achievement.
Healthier students are better learners.
Documentation for absences due to illness or injury: · A parent/guardian note is necessary to excuse any absences. · Along with a doctor's diagnosis, some illnesses (ex. fever, flu, vomiting, diarrhea, pinkeye, strep throat) will require 24 hours of homecare, monitoring and/or medication before the student can return to school. · Absences related to illnesses after 2 days (this includes the day you pick up your child from the Health Office) require a doctor's note to be excused and return to school. · Injuries (that impair a student functioning or ability) require a doctor's assessment and note stating the student can return to school on the FIRST day a student returns. · Students are not allowed to wear any type of injury gear (ace wraps or bandages, slings, splints, soft boots, crutches etc.) in school without a doctor's note. · At the discretion of the nurse, you (parent/guardian) may be asked to obtain and provide documentation for any questionable illness or injury.
Emergency Care: · Students who are injured in school will receive first aide when appropriate. If the injury is serious or requires medical attention, the parent will be notified. The parent is expected to provide transportation for the student if further medical care is necessary. Depending on the injury and parent availability, emergency services and an ambulance may be necessary. · Injuries that occur at home or other than school property will not be treated by the school nurse. · Wound care and treatments (followed after an injury) are not allowed to be done by the school nurse. Parents must obtain medical supplies from their provider and do treatments before or after school.
Illness Screening: · If a student becomes ill at school, the nurse will assess the student. · If the illness is minor, the issue will be addressed, and the student will return to class. · If the student is too ill to remain in school, the nurse will contact the parent/guardian or emergency contact list in the order that is given to the school. · Please be aware a parents repeated refusal or inability to pick up or delegate someone to pick up an injured or ill student and provide access to medical care is considered medical neglect and may be reportable to CPS.
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Medication: · Documentation ­ a physician's order and parental permission are both required in order for a student to take medication (prescribed or over-thecounter) throughout the school day. An adult must bring the medication (in the original prescription container) along with the documentation to the school nurse. Obtain the consent form, "Parent's and Prescriber's Authorization for Administration of Medication in School" from the nurse (your doctor may provide a similar form but the parent must still sign off).
Self-Medication: · The nurse will evaluate a child's ability to self-medicate. We must have specific orders from the physician that gives permission to allow the student to self-medicate. The role of the KCCS staff is to remove the medication from a locked cabinet and minimally assist and monitor the child taking the medication. The child should state their name, the name of the medication and the reason he/she is taking the medication. The staff member will relock the medication and document the time and date the child self-medicated. The nurse can be notified if there are any concerns. · Alternative Medication Dispensing: The parent or a designated family member may come to school to dispense medication in the absence of proper documentation. The nurse will not be responsible for the dosing or monitoring of medication given in this situation.
Physicals: · KCCS requires a current physical/immunization for all new students accepted for enrollment to the school and any school sports. Any allergies or illnesses should be documented on the physical to ensure appropriate support in school. · NYSED requires a physical exam for new entrants and students in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, & 11 annually for sports, or as required by the Committee on Special Education (CSE). · The doctor's office can fax us all information at 716-895-2058.
Immunizations: · New York State Public Health Law, Section 2164 requires that the parent provide the school with documentation of immunization or the student will not be permitted to attend school. Also, this documentation must be updated per student age and grade level (per NYSDOH guidelines). As of June 13, 2019 new State Legislation states, religious exemptions from immunizations is no longer accepted in public, private or parochial schools. · The doctor's office can fax an updated copy to the school at 716-895-2058 or the parent can hand us one. The nurse will be monitoring student files throughout the year to ensure compliance. If a student is out of compliance (no documentation or missing immunizations), the parent will be notified by phone and mail to the information on file. The student must receive
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necessary missing immunizations or provide medical documentations that he/she is in the process (by medical appointment) of obtaining immunizations within 14 days, no exceptions. Counseling and Referrals: · Students can be provided with health information both individually and in groups. Students with specific health issues, physical or emotional needs are free to consult with the school nurse. The nurse works closely with school counselors. Students will be referred to appropriate staff or agencies if the nurse is unable to meet the needs of the student.
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