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Parent/Student Handbook 2008 - 2009
Table of Contents
Contact Information
Main Office: (814) 861-7980 - Tammy Benz
Business Office: (814) 689-2477 - Kosta Dussias
ECO Office: (814) 689-1143 - Pat Hunt
Classrooms:
*Please call the main office first at (814) 861-7980. We have a new phone system and teachers will soon have voice mailboxes. If your phone call is not answered within 4 rings, you will automatically go to the voicemail system. At this time you can leave a message in the general voice mailbox. In the near future, you will be able to leave a message in the classroom's voice mailbox.
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CLC School Calendar 2008 - 2009
**coming soon
Please note: CLC will follow the State College Area School District for cancellations, delays and early dismissals.
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The CLC Mission & Philosophy
The mission of Centre Learning Community Charter School (CLC) is to create a nurturing, project-based, technology-enhanced learning environment in which the students share the responsibility for acquiring skills, knowledge, and attributes that lead to life-long learning and fulfilling lives.
At the CLC, we believe that students learn best when they ...
· are actively engaged
· share the responsibility for learning
· feel both safe and challenged
· are allowed time, are given reasons to learn, and are taught to think deeply
· use powerful, computer-based "thinking tools"
· work in collaboration with other students and adults
· compete with themselves rather than with other students
· form strong relationships with good role models
· are encouraged to be creative
· are supported by parents and/or other adult advocates who have a sincere interest in their progress
· solve complex, real-world problems
· engage in a series of activities prescribed to meet individual needs
· are involved in multi-year relationships with their teachers
· encounter the need for integrated knowledge and skills, rather than fragmented "subject areas"
· have access to a variety of computer-based technologies at home and at school
· develop important attributes including self-discipline, confidence, and awareness
· know what is expected
· perform because of an intrinsic desire to do so, not to avoid punishment or to gain rewards
As a result of this philosophy, the CLC engages students using real tools to solve real problems. Working together and independently, students will develop a comprehensive set of skills, knowledge and attributes defined by the CLC.
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Attendance
The education of your student and your student's well being are of paramount importance to all at CLC. Due to the nature of the CLC instructional program it is difficult for students to "make up" the interactions and activities that are a key component of our curriculum. Further, the compulsory attendance laws of Pennsylvania require that all students attend school until the age of 17. Therefore, the CLC faculty encourages you to make sure that your student is in school every day unless illness or some other acceptable reason makes it impossible for your student to attend.
If your student must be absent, please call the CLC office (861-7980) that morning and then, when your student returns to school provide a written excuse listing the dates of and the reason for the absence and include your signature. If your student has not brought in an excuse within 3 days of return to school, the absence will be classified as unexcused and therefore, unlawful.
Excused Absences:
· Illness of the student (specify reason) (obtain doctor excuse if doctor visit is made for the illness)
· Medical or dental appointment (obtain excuse from medical/dental office)
· Quarantine
· Death in the family
· Religious observance or instruction
· Parental request within the policy (i.e., educational trip)
· Suspension
· Early Dismissals and Late Arrivals (for one of above listed reasons)
Unexcused Absences:
· Absences for personal reasons
· Hair appointment
· Babysitting
· Gainful employment
· Fishing or hunting
· Missing the school bus
· Shopping
· Trips NOT approved in advanced
· Any absence not listed under "excused absences"
Early Dismissal and Late Arrivals:
If you need to pick your student up early from school, please inform your student's teacher ahead of time. You will also need to sign-out your student in the school office when you pick him/her up. In the case of late arrivals, the same procedure should be followed. Please call the school office (861-7980) before 8:45 am to inform us that your student will be arriving late and order lunch, if needed. If a student has not arrived at school by 9:00 am, the parent/guardian will be called to verify the absence. When your student arrives at school, you must come in to the school office and sign your student in. Students arriving late or leaving school early will need to make up missed schoolwork before being able to participate in recess, Specials, ESP, or other after school or evening activities.
Medical Appointments:
Please note that it is best for your student's education if routine medical/dental appointments can be scheduled after school. If this is not possible, please try to have your student attend school before the appointment and return to school as soon as possible after the appointment. While you are at the appointment, please ask the doctor/dentist for an excuse to give to the secretary upon return.
Educational Trips:
Approval of educational trips must be requested by parents/guardians ten days in advance. Educational Trip Forms are available in the office. Advance notice of educational trips must be requested by parents/guardians. Please contact the ECO for details regarding what type of trips are eligible and the process of applying for an educational trip.
Trips:
· ALL educational trips must be approved at least one week before the beginning of the trip. This is to allow adequate time for teachers to provide assignments. If a trip is not approved, the absences will be classified as unlawful.
· A total of ten (10) days may be taken for educational trips in any academic year.
· Emergency situations will be handled on an individual basis.
Ten Days of Absence:
If your student has accumulated at least ten (10) days of absences, excluding doctor's excuses or approved educational trips, a letter will be sent home to alert you about the number of absences your student has accumulated. This letter will also let you know that after fifteen (15) days of absence, CLC will require a medical excuse for subsequent absences. Failure to provide a medical excuse would then constitute an unlawful absence.
Fifteen Days of Absence:
After at least fifteen (15) days of absence from school, excluding doctor's excuses and approved educational trips, in compliance with Pennsylvania State Regulations and CLC procedures, we will ask for a written medical excuse from a doctor for every absence. Failure to provide such an excuse will result in the absence being classified as unlawful.
Unlawful Absences:
First Offense
If your student has been absent three or more days (consecutive or non-consecutive) without a lawful excuse, a First Offense letter will be sent to you. It will state that if your student is again unlawfully absent, the school must declare subsequent absences illegal and file a complaint (Second Offense) with the district justice. The First Offense letter is regarded as a legal warning.
Second Offense
If your student unlawfully misses any part of or all of a school day following a period of three days from the date you received the First Offense Letter, the absence shall constitute a Second Offense. You will be notified of the filing of the Second Offense. The Second Offense is processed through the office of the District Justice. It is possible that the justice will levy a fine.
Subsequent Offenses
If any additional illegal absences occur, subsequent offenses will be filed through the District Justice's office. Any additional fines could be higher. Also, at this time, CLC would make a written referral to Centre County Children and Youth Services.
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Board of Trustees
The Board meets on a monthly basis. Parents/guardians play a crucial role on the Board. All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend Board Meetings. The Board encourages all parents/guardians to participate in volunteer activities at the school for a minimum of ten (10) hours per year.
CLC Board Meetings 2006 - 2007
Wednesday, September 20, 2006, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, December 13, 2006, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, January 17, 2007, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, February 21, 2007, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, March 21, 2007, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, April 18, 2007, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, June 20, 2007, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, August 15, 2007, 6:30 PM
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Bus Behavior
Transportation is provided to students from Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte Area, Penns Valley Area, and State College Area School Districts.
Transportation to and from school is considered by the districts and CLC to be a privilege that, when abused, will be revoked. Parents/guardians are then responsible for the transportation of pupils suspended from riding school buses. Safety violations and procedures of which all pupils, parents/guardians, bus operators and school officials should be aware of are listed below. This is a compilation of guidelines in place in the State College, Bald Eagle, and Bellefonte School Districts.
Minor Violations:
· Insubordination to bus driver
· Refusing to sit in an assigned seat
· Standing or changing seats while bus is in motion
· Discourteous to other children
· Crowding to the door before bus stops
Major Violations:
· Fighting on the bus
· Smoking or using tobacco in any form (permanent suspension)
· Damaging or destroying bus property
· Throwing any object
· Striking matches, cigarette lighters, lighting fireworks or other incendiary devices (permanent suspension)
· Offensive language and/or obscene gestures
· Controlled substance/alcohol possession or use (permanent suspension)
· Other offenses as defined by school or bus personnel
Discipline Procedure on Major Violations:
1. First Offense
Three (3) days suspension from daily school transportation, parent conference, and disciplinary action according to the CLC Student Conduct Code.
2. Second Offense
Ten (10) days suspension from daily school transportation, parent conference, and disciplinary action according to the CLC Student Conduct Code.
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Change of Address/Student Information
Please notify the School Secretary if you have a new address/phone number/e-mail address. The School Secretary will update the student database and "emergency" notebooks in the office and notify the CLC staff. This is important to ensure the continued health and safety of your student.
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Communication
Keeping in touch with you, the parents and guardians, is very important to us. We try to use as many avenues as possible in order that we may reach all parents/guardians.
Friday Folders:
On almost every Friday you can expect a folder to come home with your student. It will contain information such as newsletters, announcements, forms to sign and return, and assessments. Please ask your student for the Friday Folder each Friday, review the contents, sign any necessary papers, and then return the folder to school on Monday.
CLC Web Site:
The CLC web site is an important source of information, homework assignments, and announcements. Please get into the habit of checking our home page on a regular basis. (http://clccharter.org)
Email:
Email is a constant source of communication here at CLC. Make sure we have your email address in our records. This is an easy way for you to communicate with us and vise versa. Be sure to notify the school secretary if your email address changes during the school year.
Telephone:
Feel free to call our staff to discuss issues, ask questions, and/or to schedule appointments, etc. From time to time, our staff will call you as well.
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Counseling Services/Referral
CLC has a part-time counselor on staff. While the counselor's time is scheduled for certain students, the counselor will schedule time to meet with other students, as well. Leave a note, call or email your concerns to the counselor or your student's team teacher.
If you have a concern about your student's academic progress, you may request to have your student referred for testing for special education services.
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Curriculum
Projects:
Each team usually covers 3 - 4 multi-disciplinary projects over the course of the school year. These projects are planned by the lead/co-lead teachers and are designed to challenge students as they develop important knowledge, skills and attributes.
Specials:
The CLC Specials Program consists of three 11-week blocks, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:35 to 2:40 PM. During Specials students choose from a variety of one or two-hour Arts, Physical Education, and other offerings, following the guidelines listed below:
All students will take at least one Physical Education class during each of the three Specials blocks throughout the school year, unless an alternative physical education plan is provided. (Contact Specials Program Coordinator for details on Physical Education Independent Study Contracts.)
All students will take at least three hours of Arts Classes during the school year.
An assembly in which the next block's course offerings are presented precedes each Specials Block and student work is showcased. The first assembly this year will feature a video of some of last year’s classes and brief presentations by specials teachers, designed to help students choose their classes. Parents are always welcome to attend the assemblies.
Students are expected to follow the same Student Conduct Code during specials that they observe during the rest of the school day. Initial violations will result in a warning to the student and a clarification of the rules. The team teachers will deal with any subsequent violations on an individual basis, and may result in the filing of an incident report, notification of parents, a parent-teacher-student conference, and the possible removal of the student from the class.
Any questions about the Special Program should be addressed to the Specials Coordinator.
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Discipline
Each student and parent/guardian is to sign the Student Conduct Code at the beginning of each school year. A copy of the Conduct Code is included in the “Back To School” packet.
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Early Dismissals, Closings, & Delays
CLC follows the decisions of the State College Area School District for cancellations, delays and early dismissals with the exception of instances where State College district remains open while Bellefonte, Bald Eagle, and Penns Valley school district are closed (CLC will also close in that instance). Bellefonte, Bald Eagle and Penns Valley student transportation is dictated by the individual district's decision to close or start late/dismiss early. If Bald Eagle has a 2-hour delay, but State College is on time, the Bald Eagle student bus will run on the Bald Eagle schedule, two hours late. If Penns Valley is open, but State College is closed, CLC will be closed. The Alert Now system will be used to contact parents of any delays, cancellations, or early dismissals.
A plan to dismiss school early would be announced on local radio stations and on TV Channel 4. We would appreciate your cooperation with taking a moment to think about your family's after school situation. Please complete the Early Dismissal Plan Form included in the "back to school packet" and return it to the office as soon as possible. If you have any questions, call the office (861-7980). We are sorry that requesting your child to call home in the event of early dismissals can not be part of your early dismissal plan. Telephone lines need to be kept open for transportation communication and in case of emergency situations. Again, please listen to local radio stations and/or TV Channel 4 for weather updates. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we head into the winter months! In the event of an early dismissal, the ESP program is CANCELLED.
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Extended School Program (ESP) Basics
CLC offers a free after-school program that runs from 3:00 - 5:30 pm each day. ESP is designed to provide a safe nurturing environment in which students can continue with their schoolwork, participate in special activities and "clubs", and maintain and strengthen relationships with fellow CLC students. The after-school staff offers structured activities that include a quiet homework room, sports and games, arts and crafts, occasional field trips and workshops, drama, and a variety of for-fee programs. A yearly snacks/activities donation ($40. single/ $60. family) is requested to offset materials. Scholarships are available for those students with a demonstrated need (for-fee programs/activity fee). Students need to be signed out daily by a parent/guardian or other pre-approved person. Pick-up after 5:30 pm could result in a late pick-up fee being charged to the family ($24 per hour) and/or suspension of ESP privileges.
ESP Attendance
In order to be able to fully participate in the ESP, students need to arrive at school on time. Students arriving late will need to make up missed schoolwork before being able to participate in other ESP activities.
Steps to ESP Signing Up / Picking Up:
Students must sign up for ESP by lunchtime and parents/guardians must sign out students from ESP daily. The steps below serve as a guideline to the sign in/out process.
· Students' sign up for an initial after-school activity during morning team meetings.
· All students must sign up for ESP by 2:30 pm. Students who do not sign up by this time will be required to go to the quiet room without their computer for their afterschool time.
· Prior to the start of after-school, student names are posted to the after-school board (by activity) located in the foyer.
· Upon arrival, parents/guardians check the foyer board to determine their student's location/activity.
· Parents/guardians should check in with the supervising staff at the student's activity location and then sign out their student, including the time, in the activity book kept in each area.
· As they leave the building, students remove their nametag from the foyer board and place it under the appropriate team.
Please note that anyone picking up a student other than the student's parent/guardian must have a written note, be listed as approved for pick-up by the parent/guardian on the student's office forms, or the parent/guardian would need to send an email or place a phone call to the ESP Coordinator giving permission for their child to travel. - PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE OFFICE WITH THIS INFORMATION -
AFTER 3:00 pm please call:
ESP Program Coordinator: (814) 933-2642
Code of Conduct:
Students are expected to follow the same Student Conduct Code that they follow during the regular school day. Initial violations result in a warning to the student and a clarification of the rules. The team teachers will deal with any subsequent violations on an individual basis and may result in the filing of an incident report, notification of parents/guardians, a student-teacher-parent/guardian meeting, and the possible removal of the student from ESP.
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Health and Safety
Health Screenings:
Health screenings are scheduled for CLC students each year (see calendar for date). A school nurse contracted from State College Area School district performs the screenings. Following are the requirements for each grade level:
5th Grade: Height, Weight, Vision
6th Grade: Height, Weight, Vision, and Scoliosis Screening*
*(Checking their back for curvature of the spine.) Scoliosis screening is required for those students who do not have a 6th grade physical exam on record.
All 6th grade students are required to have a physical exam during the school year. Please schedule an exam with your family physician for your 6th grader. If your doctor does not have a school physical form, please let us know and we will provide one for you. If you have any questions, call the office (861-7980).
7th Grade: Height, Weight, Vision, Hearing, Scoliosis Screening and Dental Exam
8th Grade: Height, Weight, and Vision
Medications:
If a student must take medications, we encourage that they be given at home rather than at school. Any student that needs to take medications during the school day, either on a regular or temporary basis, must bring these medications (in the original pharmacy container) to the school office for storage during the day. All medications, both prescription and nonprescription, must be administered in the office by CLC staff. The school must have permission, in writing, in order to administer medications of any kind. (Medication Form is included in the "back to school" packet.) Parents should note on the Emergency Form any medications that your student will be taking. Please remind your student that medications (prescription or nonprescription) may not be carried during the school day, but must be stored in the office.
NOTE: Exception to this would be an inhaler for asthma or an epipen. If your student must carry either of these, we must have a note from your physician.
First Aid:
There are first-aid kits located in each of the classrooms and in the office. Staff will administer minor first-aid treatment when necessary, based on parent/guardian permission given through the Emergency Form.
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Library
There is a two week limit on how long a student may borrow a book from the CLC library. Please be sure that books are returned to the CLC library if your student is no longer using them at home. Students who fail to return books may lose library privileges and/or be charged for missing materials.
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Lockers
Each student is assigned a locker on the first day of school. If a student brings in a lock, he/she must give the teacher a second key/combination. Please note: lockers are the property of the school and may be searched at any time.
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Lost and Found
Please stop by and check the CLC "lost and found" periodically. It is located in the foyer. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity throughout the year.
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Lunch
Although many CLC students carry their lunch, students can also order school lunches through the State College Area School District lunch program. This program is available to all students without regard to the school district in which they reside. In mid-August, CLC will mail home menus, lunch ticket order forms, and applications for the Free/Reduced lunch program to all CLC students. The Free/Reduced lunch application form can be completed and returned at any point during the school year.
During the school year, students sign-up to order school lunches before 8:45 am in their home team (lunch / and or milk selection). The lunches are ordered from the SCASD and delivered to CLC before noon. If your student will be late to school due to medical appointments, illness, etc., please call the school office before 8:45 am, if a school lunch will be needed that day.
Meal/milk tickets can be reordered at school. Students may bring the order form and checks made payable to: SCASD - Food Services to the office. If cash is used with the order forms, the food service department requires exact change. The order forms and checks/cash are sent through "inter-office mail" to the food services department. The lunch/milk tickets are then returned to CLC the next school day. New monthly school lunch menus will be sent home in Friday Folders.
For students who carry their lunch: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, put your name on the bag, thermos, lunch box, water bottle, etc. You would be amazed how easy it is to get them mixed up.
We encourage students to bring healthy and nutritious snacks and lunches!
Parent Pick-up
If you plan to pick-up your child at any time, during or after school, he/she needs to be signed out. During the school day (8:15 - 2:55),
students need to be signed out in the office. At dismissal time (2:55 - 3:05), students need to be signed out in their classroom. After school (3:05 - 5:30), students need to be signed out with an ESP staff person in their assigned area. Students can only be signed out by a parent/guardian or other authorized adult. These procedures are in place for the safety of our students. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
School Day
CLC teachers will be in the building between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. The front door will be unlocked and students may arrive after 7:30 am. There will be a staff member available to attend to students who arrive between 7:30 and 8:00 am. School starts at 8:15 am and ends at 2:55 pm. Staff supervises dismissal to busses. All students are to be on their busses by 3:00 pm. The school office is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
A typical daily schedule is as follows:
7:30 am - School building opens
8:15 am - School day begins with team meeting
8:30 - 9:30 am - Math classes
9:30 - 10:00 am - Silent reading
10:00 - 12:00 noon - Project time
12:00 - 1:00 pm – M,W,F - Lunch - Recess
12:35 – 2:35 pm – T,TH - Specials
1:00 pm - 2:50 pm – M,W,F - Team time: (writing, language arts, current events, independent projects)
2:55 pm - Dismissal of bus students
3:00 pm - Dismissal / Start of Extended School Program (ESP)
5:30 pm - End of Extended School Program (ESP)
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Suspension and Expulsion Policy
A student may be suspended or expelled in accordance with our Student Conduct Code. We hope that the size of our school and the relationships that develop between educators, staff, and students; and between educators, staff and parents/guardians will make suspension and expulsion unnecessary. However, we refuse to let recurring inappropriate behavior by a few students inhibit the progress of many.
Extreme student behavior problems, including Level IV violations of the Student Conduct Code, may result in review, decision, and action by the Staff/Board of Trustees. This action may include suspension, expulsion, or legal action.
The teachers have the power to recommend expulsion of a student, but the Board of Trustees must review this decision.
Policies related to student use of alcohol, drugs, and weapons violations must comply with state regulations.
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Technology Support
If you have technical problems with your child’s computer, please follow these steps to help determine that your computer needs to be repaired and is covered under our warranty.
CLC computers are covered under warranty for HARDWARE RELATED PROBLEMS ONLY. CLC has purchased a general maintenance agreement for all computers and the school will be responsible for any cost associated with repairs and maintenance, unless there is evidence of misuse or abuse of the equipment.
If you have any problems with your computer, try restarting it. If that does not solve the problem, have your child report the problem to his/her team teacher.
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Testing
CLC administers the state PSSA exam, which includes reading and math in grades 5, 6, 7, & 8; and writing in grade 5 and 8. CLC may also administer local assessments, such as the Terra Nova. The ECO will share testing results/data with staff and parents/guardians in writing. Staff members are responsible for working with the special education teacher to ensure that students with special needs receive testing accommodations.
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Transportation
Each school district is responsible for transporting students from the home district to and from CLC. There is no "late activities" bus for the CLC Extended School Program (ESP).
Due to insurance liability, each school district is permitted to transport only that district's resident children. If your student is going home with another student who resides in a different school district, you must make alternative transportation arrangements. For instance, a State College Area School District student CANNOT ride a Bellefonte Area School District bus.
In State College, CLC students ride their neighborhood bus to the High School. Then all CLC students ride a shuttle bus to CLC. They arrive at CLC at approximately 8:00 am. If a CLC student lives within 1 mile of the school, he/she does not receive transportation.
In Bellefonte, CLC students ride busses to the High School and are transferred to a shuttle bus that brings them to CLC. Bald Eagle contracts bussing with Eagle Valley Bus Company and will arrange transportation for students residing in the Bald Eagle Area School District. Penns Valley School District also contracts bussing with a carrier for the transportation of CLC students. Penns Valley will arrange transportation and contact CLC students with details.
All busses usually arrive at CLC between 8:00 and 8:15 am. In the afternoon, students are dismissed to go to their busses at 2:55 pm.
Visitors
In order to ensure the safety of our students, we ask that visitors sign in and out at the front office with the school secretary.
Adult visitors to the school are welcome; advance notice is appreciated. If you wish to conference with a staff member, please schedule an appointment. All children who are not CLC students or alumni must be supervised by their parent/guardian at all times.
CLC alumni are welcome, and should contact the school to schedule a visit.
Prospective students are welcome to visit CLC. Parents need to schedule visits in advance with the office.
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Volunteers
Parents and guardians are encouraged to volunteer at CLC. A volunteer form is sent out at the beginning of each school year. Volunteers are to sign in/out with the school secretary in the office. Parents who are interested can also volunteer their time through the Friends of CLC.