Forest Area School District
Elementary Handbook
PRINCIPAL/TEACHER AUTHORITY
Every teacher and principal in the public school shall have the right to exercise the same authority as to conduct and behavior over the pupils attending his/her school, during the time they are in attendance, including the time required in going to and from their homes, as the parents, guardians, or persons in parental relations to such pupils may exercise over them.
PARENT CONFERENCES
Parents/guardians are urged to contact the school about any questions regarding their child’s school work. Appointments for conferences with teachers, counselors, or principals may be made by calling the school office.
PARENTAL/STUDENT COMPLAINT
The Board of School Directors expects interested parents with legitimate complaints to observe the following procedure:
- Register the complaint with the principal of the building where the problem originates. Transportation problems should be brought to the attention of the principal of the building attended by the student. If a satisfactory action does not result from this communication, a meeting with the teacher or driver involved is to be held.
- When a meeting with the teacher or driver is not feasible, the bus contractor will notify the principal or driver of the nature of the complaint and the name of the complainant.
- The principal, after reviewing the facts, will render a judgment and notify complainant.
- If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome at this level, he/she should appeal to the office of the Superintendent.
- If, after a review and a judgment by the Superintendent, the complainant seeks further redress, the complaint must be stated in writing and presented to the school board through the Superintendent’s office.
- The Board of School Directors, after reviewing the written complaint, a written report from the principal of the building involved and a written report from the superintendent, will give thoughtful attention to the entire problem at the next regularly scheduled board meeting and render a final decision.
BULLETINS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Student announcements for the day will be made up in one of several ways ~ over the public address system during homeroom, on the message board in the Cafeteria (WF) or outside the Gym (EF), via e-mail, or on the typed announcement sheet distributed. There will not be afternoon announcements unless approved by the administration.
EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS
An educational field trip is considered an excused absence only with permission. To obtain permission, the parents will fill out the “Request for Educational Field Trip” form provided by the office, stating the date of the trip, the destination, the reason for the trip, and the educational objective of the trip.
FIELD TRIPS
Excursions to places of historic interest and various types of field trips form a very effective means of teaching and may be profitable supplements to the work of the classroom. The first objective of any field trip is the educational value to the students. Approval of all trips must be given by the school administrator. When transportation of pupils is necessary, arrangements for buses will be made and the use of private cars will be discouraged, except under special circumstances.
The following provisions are suggested as a basis for all trips:
- A plan and request should be submitted far enough in advance so that approval may be secured and the necessary arrangements made.
- Information concerning the activity should be distributed or discussed prior to the visitation.
- The teacher will notify students that it will be necessary for them to arrange for a way home in case the trip concludes after the closing of school.
- There shall be a minimum of one teacher with each bus load of students.
- Parental permission must be secured before students are taken on a trip. A form may be obtained from the office.
- The conduct of all students on these trips must be exemplary, and it is the responsibility of the teacher in charge to insure that no question can be raised concerning the conduct of students from our school.
- A review of the trip and re-association to the topic under discussion should be conducted.
FIRE DRILLS
When a bell is sounded for a fire drill, pupils will leave the room promptly, quietly, and in an orderly manner. There shall be NO RUSHING. Teachers will accompany their groups. Double lines will be used in all cases in leaving and returning to the building. Students will assemble outside school, in designated areas, in single file with the teacher at the head with grade book. Roll will be taken. The sounding of a bell signal shortly after the pupils are out of the building will direct their return. Two students in each class will see that the windows and doors are closed immediately after the fire bell sounds.
GUIDANCE PROGRAM
The purpose of the Guidance Department is to assist students with their social, educational and vocational development. Students have, in addition to their classroom teachers, counselors who they may see for counseling and assistance. Students may make an appointment to see the counselor during study hall or they may “drop in” to see the counselor after obtaining permission from their classroom teacher. When counselors are not in their offices, students may leave a note for the counselor.
HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION
Whenever a student experiences a disability or an extended illness, a parent may request homebound instruction through the building principal. Homebound instruction is a medical recommendation determined by a licensed physician or psychiatrist. Homebound instruction will consist of a maximum of five (5) hours per week.
In order for the school district to obtain approval from the state for homebound instruction, certain information must be submitted relative to each individual case. Homebound request forms are available in the Principal’s office.
In cases where children have physical disabilities, the following information is necessary from a medical doctor.
- A specific diagnosis of the physical disability.
- A statement to the effect that while the child is not physically able to attend he/she is able to receive one hour per day of homebound instruction.
- The approximate length of time (in months/days) the child should be confined to his/her residence. The requests for homebound instruction on the basis of emotional, nervous, or mental disorders will be accepted only when the statement supporting the request is issued by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. All requests for homebound instruction will be reviewed by the building principal and those meeting the above criteria will be forwarded to the superintendent for approval
LOST AND FOUND
A lost and found department is operated by the high school office. Pupils losing or finding any articles should report these to the office. A list of these articles will be placed periodically in the bulletin. All unclaimed articles are returned to the finder.
MAKE-UP WORK
It is the responsibility of the student who has had an excused absence to meet with his/her instructors on the first class day they return to arrange for make-up work. The teacher will determine the length of time for work to be made up, but no longer than five (5) days, except in the case of a long-term absence.
PARENT EMERGENCY CARDS
All students must have a parent or guardian emergency card on file in the office. Emergency cards must be returned within 3 days of the start of school.
REQUEST FOR LEAVING SCHOOL
No student will leave the building, except as part of class instruction, without the expressed permission of the school principal or his/her representative. If a pupil becomes ill during school hours, he/she must obtain permission from the teacher in charge of the class to go to the school nurse. In the event of the nurse’s absence, the student shall report to the office.
IF THE NURSE IS NOT AVAILABLE, THE STUDENT SHALL NOT CALL HOME OR LEAVE THE SCHOOL WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE PRINCIPAL OR HIS DESIGNEE.
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM APPLICATIONS
A free or reduced price lunch program is available to those who qualify. The two main factors determining eligibility are family size and income. If you need help and wish to apply for free lunches, see the school principal.
CHILD STUDY TEAM
Students who are experiencing academic or behavioral difficulties can be referred to the child study team. The child study team consists of school psychologist, the special education coordinator, guidance counselor, the child’s teacher and parent. The child study team discusses individual cases and develops interventions to make children successful. If you would like more information on this process, talk to your building principal.
STUDENT INSURANCE
The Forest Area School District should annually make the necessary arrangements with a reliable insurance firm to make available to the parents the opportunity to purchase insurance. The insurance premiums shall be paid by the parents. All students participating in extra-curricular athletics must have school insurance or proof of private insurance, both of which are the responsibilities of the parents.
The school district does not carry any medical insurance for athletic or other student injuries.
TESTING PROGRAM
Forest Area School’s testing program includes achievement tests that are given during the school year. A listing of various tests utilized is sent home with every student.
VISITORS
Adult visitors to the school from the community are always welcome, but the administration requires that all visitors obtain a visitor’s pass from the main office. Passes are only issued to those who are visiting specifically to contribute to the academic program or extracurricular program. All visitors must report to the office. For reasons of safety and the smooth operation of the school, those not obtaining a pass, those who are on school grounds without permission, and those who have been denied permission to be on school grounds will be considered to be trespassing. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
At least one day before bringing a visitor to Forest Area Schools, you must inquire at the office to see that the visitation would be permitted. If permitted, the visitor will be given a special pass from the office. Visitors of school age should reside at least 30 miles from the school district.
WITHDRAWAL/TRANSFER FROM SCHOOL
A student must go through a check-out procedure which can be initiated in the main office. All books must be returned and any fees or fines must be paid or the student’s transcript will not be sent to the new school. A record is kept in the student’s permanent record and is removed only after payment. The transcript is the official document which indicates credits earned in any school and is the tool used to transfer such credit. It is also used to prove that the student graduated or was in attendance in a particular school for a given period of time.
TUITION AND AFFIDAVITS
Pupils may be accepted in Forest Area Schools on a tuition basis. Although accepting tuition students is generally to be discouraged, each request will be considered on an individual basis by the Superintendent and the Board of School Directors. In the event of approval, tuition must be paid monthly and in advance. The rate of tuition shall be computed via the procedure mandated by the State Department of Public Education.
A child shall be considered a resident of the school district in which his/her parents/guardians reside. Any student not having at least one parent/guardian residing in the Forest Area School District and who is requesting permission to attend school here shall be admitted only through tuition payments, court placement, or due to exceptional circumstances which must be presented in writing to the Superintendent of Schools. In all cases an affidavit of residence and name and address of the person responsible shall be furnished and processed as provided by the School Code.
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