Student Handbook

Woodland Elementary School

2023-2024

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Woodland Elementary School. It is our pleasure to work with you during this school year. One of our goals is to see that parents and guardians of students, like the students themselves, feel at home at Woodland.

As the year progresses and you become more informed or more puzzled, we encourage you to call the school and talk with those who might be of help. If you have a specific question or problem that relates to your child, please contact the teacher before contacting the administration.

Again, we are pleased to have you as partners in this educational year. We invite your participation in the exciting experiences and challenges of your child’s learning and growing. We sincerely hope that in working together, we can provide the positive educational environment your child needs in becoming a well-rounded individual.

Lee Sweet, Principal

George Berkesch, Asst. Principal

Woodland Elementary School

Telephone: (765) 269-8220

Attendance Line: (765) 269-8275

Fax: (765) 772-1624

Property of:

Address:

Phone #:

In case of emergency, please notify:

Name: Phone #:

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Students are not allowed in the building until 9:30 a.m. The buses unload at 9:30 a.m., and a student is considered tardy if he/she is not in his/her classroom by 9:50 a.m. unless getting breakfast in the cafeteria. Please do not or drop off students early, as there is no supervision prior to 9:30 a.m. Car riders must be dropped off in the back. If you arrive after the car rider line is complete, please walk your student into the building. Please use the car rider line and car rider procedures when dropping off students in the morning. It is for the safety all students and staff to follow these procedures.

At the end of the day, buses will load at 4:10pm. Here Comes the Bus will help you know when students will be delivered home. Car riders will be picked up at the back of the building using our car rider procedures. If you are picking up your student, you must use the car rider line. Car riders will not be permitted to be picked up at the front of the office. The car rider line will begin at 3:55 and go until 4:10. If you arrive after the car rider line is complete, please park your car in the front and walk in the front doors to pick up your child.

All transportation changes must be made prior to 2:00pm. This allows us to safely get each student in the correct place at

dismissal.

SIGN-IN/SIGN-OUT REGISTER

To better account for student attendance and to increase security for students, a sign-in/sign-out system will be used. Any time parents, relatives, or guardians of students bring the child(ren) or needed items to school after the morning tardy bell or pick up students prior to the official dismissal; they must sign the “Sign-In/Sign-Out Register” in the school office.

BUILDING SECURITY

Visitors to the school during school hours will notice a large metal box near the handicapped door button. On this box, visitors should press the button to signal the secretaries in the office that someone is requesting entrance to the school, state your name and who you are picking up, dropping off or whatever your business may be at the school. The secretaries will unlock the front door closest to the signal & speaker box. Visitors should enter the school and sign in at the office window. Once they have completed their business, we ask that you sign out before leaving. Please do not offer other visitors access to the building by holding doors open for them.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

It is the policy of the Tippecanoe School Corporation that all students enrolled in its schools shall be in attendance every day that the schools are open for student attendance during each regular school term, unless absent in accordance with Indiana Code. A call to the school office is expected between 8:55-9:25 a.m. on the day an absence occurs.

The process of education requires continuity of instruction, classroom participation, learning experiences, and study in order for a student to attain his/her maximum educational potential. The interactions of pupils under the tutelage of a competent teacher are vital to this purpose. Accordingly, it is incumbent upon the Tippecanoe School Corporation to encourage attendance by every student.

To the extent that provisions of this policy should be in conflict with laws, regulations, or rules applicable to any student who is a "handicapped child" as defined by Indiana Code, such laws, regulations, or rules shall be controlling.

A. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are to notify the school authorities as early as possible on the day of the student's absence. In instances where the student and parent(s) are aware the student will be missing school for a pre-planned event, written notification should be made to the principal prior to the date of the absence. The reason for any student absence must be provided by the parent/guardian in writing, via phone call, or by voice mail prior to the beginning of the next school day.

B. In order to qualify for grade promotion or course credit, a student must:

1. meet all academic requirements;

2. be present in class ninety percent (90%) of the class enrollment days. (For a high school student, personal illness without a medical excuse or unexcused absences should not exceed nine (9) days per semester.)

C. The following are circumstances in which a student is not at school but will be counted as if s/he were present:

1. Exhibiting at the State Fair, if personal involvement is required for project exhibition

(requires verification by an adult 4-H leader). I.C. 20-33-2

2. Serving as a page in the State Legislature, when properly arranged in advance

(verification of attendance by State Legislature personnel is required). I.C. 20-33-2

3. Taking a driver's test if this cannot be scheduled after normal school hours or on

Saturday. I.C. 20-33-2

4. Educational/religious experience under supervision of parent(s)/guardian(s).

D. The following absences are not counted against the student when determining the attendance requirement beyond the maximum nine (9) days allowed and are to be exempt from attendance requirements.

1. Illness with physician verification.

2. Immediate family member funeral with verification. Immediate family is defined as a student's parent(s) or guardian(s), brother, sister, grandparents, spouse, children, corresponding step relatives or corresponding in-laws. 3. Judicial appointments with verification.

4. Out-of-school suspension.

E. Make Up Work

1. Excused absences - the student is responsible for making up work for all absences. Time allowed for completion of make up work is three (3) days. Administrative approval is required for any time extensions.

2. Out-of-school suspension - the student is responsible for contacting teachers to determine assignments. All work is to be done by the day the student returns to school.

F. Truancy is an unexcused absence. Although they are encouraged to complete work missed, students will not receive academic credit for daily work missed due to truancies.

G. The school may elect to seek additional verification of the reason for absences and/or to hear appeals for extenuating circumstances.

H. The student and the parent/guardian will be contacted each semester when the student has accumulated five (5) absences in a semester or the student's attendance pattern indicates a risk of not meeting the School Corporation's attendance requirement. This policy applies to all absences from school.

I. The TSC attendance guidelines will govern summer school attendance. High school students seeking course credit should not miss more than eight (8) of the eighty (80) instructional hours.

Indiana law mandates compulsory attendance as stated in Section 20-33-2 Indiana Code. Regular attendance is important to successful achievement in school. If your child is absent you are to notify the office by telephone or email before school or early in the school day. Written excuses are required when your child returns to school. If your child saw a dentist or doctor, be sure to send the physician’s excuse.

If a child is present for any part of a half-day they will not be counted as absent during that part. Please refer to the Tippecanoe School Corporation Attendance Policy (Board Policy 5200) for more details.

CELL PHONE POLICY

"Students are not permitted to use cell phones at school during school hours. If a cell phone is brought to school, it must be in the student’s bag and turned off. Any student in violation of this rule will have the phone confiscated and the student will be assigned a noon detention with consequences increasing for each additional violation. The first violation will result in the phone being held in the office until the end of the day. If any additional violations occur, the phone will only be returned to a student’s parent/guardian."

ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

For a student to legally enroll in Woodland Elementary School, his/her residence must be within the Woodland Elementary School attendance area. If you have a question relative to which school your children should attend, please contact the Tippecanoe School Corporation Transportation Department, phone 474-2481. Parents anticipating residing within the boundary limits of Tippecanoe School Corporation and Woodland Elementary School after school begins must contact the Woodland Elementary School office. Parents having questions concerning this issue may call the school.

Your child must be five years old on or before August 1st in order to enter kindergarten. To be considered for entry to kindergarten after the August 1st birthdate deadline, parents must contact, in writing, Dr. Scott Hanback, Superintendent, Tippecanoe School Corporation, 21 Elston Rd., Lafayette, IN 47909.

The hospital copy of the certificate of birth is not valid proof of age. The birth certificate for a person born in Lafayette, Indiana, may be obtained from the Tippecanoe County Health Dept., 629 N. Sixth Street, Lafayette, IN 47901. For a birth certificate for a child born in another Indiana city or town, mail to: State Board of Health, Vital Statistics Division, 1330 West Michigan Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Out-of-state birth certificates— call Tippecanoe County Health Department, 423-9221, for information.

The following information is required from all students who enroll in the Tippecanoe School Corporation for the first time: Form 1: Disease and Immunization Records – This form must be completed at the time of enrollment by the student’s parent or guardian and left with the school nurse. State law requires that a child be immunized against polio, rubella, rubeola, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and hepatitis B. Proof of such immunizations must be prepared by the child’s physician. Form 2: Physical and Dental Record – Your child’s family physician must complete that portion of the form relating to the physical condition of your child and return it to the school nurse prior to the beginning of school. If you are not in possession of the necessary information to complete the dental form, it may be completed and submitted to the school nurse directly after your child’s next visit to the dentist.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Each child, and parent, should know his/her bus number and driver’s name, both to and from school. If a student who usually rides the bus is to be picked up by a parent or other person, a note to the teacher is required. This child will then be dismissed at 4:10 p.m.

Students may only ride their own bus. They may not ride another students bus even with parent permission. Riding the bus is a privilege that can be taken away for inappropriate behavior. The school bus driver is in charge of all children riding on the bus. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure physical safety, and the driver should not be a “policeman” for discipline reasons.

VISTIORS, ADDITIONAL CONFERENCES, AND CLASSROOM GUESTS

Visitors and guests are welcome to be a part of the school day. Arrangements made with the teacher prior to your visit are appreciated. Kindergarten parents are urged to wait a few weeks before scheduling a visit to the classroom. We do ask and insist you have an approved background check on file and come to the school office to sign in and receive a visitor’s badge upon arrival for a visit to the classroom.

Parents are encouraged to visit school and discuss their children’s progress with teachers. A call to the school to arrange a conference would be expected so as to prevent any conflict in the teacher’s daily schedule. Teachers may also wish to schedule an additional conference with parents for the purpose of discussing particular aspects of their child’s education. These conferences may be at times other than the regularly scheduled conference days. Again, we ask that you report to the school office and receive a visitor’s badge before proceeding to the special conferences.

VOLUNTEER POLICY

8120 – VOLUNTEERS

The Board recognizes that certain programs and activities can be enhanced through the use of volunteers who have particular knowledge or skills that will be helpful to members of the staff responsible for the conduct of those programs and activities. The Superintendent, or designee, shall be responsible for recruiting community volunteers, reviewing their capabilities, and making appropriate placements. The Superintendent shall not be obligated to make use of volunteers whose abilities are not in accord with District needs.

Each volunteer who is in direct contact with students will be required to submit a Criminal History Record Check. The procedures shall ensure that information and records obtained from criminal history inquiries under this policy are confidential and shall not be released except as necessary to implement this policy or to defend a decision made pursuant to this policy.

The Superintendent, or designee, is to inform each volunteer that s/he:

A. shall agree to abide by all Board policies and District guidelines while on duty as a volunteer;

will be covered under the District’s liability policy but the District shall not provide any type of health B.

insurance to cover illness or accident incurred while serving as a volunteer, nor is the volunteer eligible for workers' compensation;

C. will be asked to sign a form releasing the District of any obligation should the volunteer become ill or receive an injury as a result of his/her volunteer services;

D. will be required to report any personal arrests on the filing of criminal charges while serving as a volunteer.

In an effort to continue our due diligence with regard to providing a safe environment for our students and staff, we require all volunteers having ongoing contact with children and/or supervising students (field trips, etc.) to have cleared an expanded criminal background check. These background checks are conducted through Background Investigation Bureau (BIB). The criminal background check will search national sex offender databases, court records, etc. The cost of the criminal history check is $17.95 (base cost) and is paid for by the volunteer through a link on our website: SecureVolunteer. Once approved, the volunteer will receive a TSC Volunteer identification card that will be valid for a period of three (3) years. If you volunteer in multiple buildings, you will only need to complete one background check.

Volunteer background checks may take several business days to process so it is important to plan ahead. We appreciate your understanding of this important safety guideline. Thank you for volunteering in the Tippecanoe School Corporation! We appreciate you and your service to our students and staff.

ILLNESS AND SCHOOL PARTICIPATION

Students are to participate in recess and physical education whether it is inside or outside. After an illness, a student may be excused from participating for two days with a note from a parent or guardian. A doctor’s excuse is needed for a child to be excused from recess or physical education for more than two days.

MEDICAL/ HEALTH SERVICES

Immunizations:

According to Indiana Code 20-8.1-7-10.1 (c) (1), when a student enrolls for the first time in a school corporation, a statement of the student’s immunizations which shows that the student has received at least the minimum number of immunizations for the student’s age will be supplied to the school by a parent or guardian. A student may not be permitted to attend school beyond the first day of school unless the school has authorized a twenty day waiver. Upon completion of the twenty days, the student will be excluded from the school if the immunizations remain incomplete.

Student Medications:

1. All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication must be FDA approved and will be kept in the school office, unless a student has authorized permission to possess and self-administer the medication according to IC 20.8.1-5.1-7.5. 2. Written instructions from the parent/guardian are required for all prescription and OTC medication. The instructions must include name of medication, reason for medication, amount to administer, and time to be given. (OTC medication must be in age-appropriate dosages as per product label.)

3. Prescription and OTC medication must be in the original container affixed with a current pharmacy or package label. 4. Medication ordered three times a day or less should be given before and after school or at bedtime. Prescription medication with a specific time listed that is during school hours will be given as directed.

5. As directed in IC 20-8.1-7-22, no medication of any type may be sent to or from school with a student in grades K-8. Medication must be picked up in the school office and will be released only to the student’s parent or an individual who is at least 18 years old with written designation from the parent. All medication must be brought in by the parent or guardian of the student, along with form required for a child to take medicine at school. (see the back of this handbook)

Injury:

The corporation physician provides standing orders for health care for TSC students. The following medications and supplies are being used as first aid measures within TSC schools: contact lens solution, eye irritations, topical antiseptics, topical analgesics, throat lozenges, band aids, bandages, elastic wraps, heating pads, and ice packs. Diphenhydramine (an oral antihistamine) may be used for severe allergic reactions. It is the parent’s or guardian’s responsibility to notify the school if he/she prefers that these products not be used when treating his/her child.

Illness:

Students with vomiting, diarrhea, undiagnosed skin rashes, eye infections, or fever over 100o should not attend school. Students should not return to school until at least 24 hours with no vomiting or diarrhea without the use of medication, and/or they are fever free for 24 hours. Students being treated with antibiotic medications should receive the medication for 24 hours before returning to school. Students will be sent home from school with temperatures over 100o, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, eye infections, or other symptoms of illness.

Health Screenings:

Head lice Students found to have live head lice will be sent home. A parent or designee must accompany the child to the school office for confirmation of treatment and removal of all lice from the student’s hair before readmission to school. Vision screening is done with all students in grades K, 1, 3, 5, and 8.

Hearing screenings are completed with grades 1, 4, 7, and 10.

Postural or Scoliosis screenings are conducted with students in grades 7 and 9.

Parents or guardians will be notified by a referral letter if a concern is identified during the screening process. Referrals are based upon Indiana state referral recommendation. Further medical evaluation should be obtained. Questions regarding these procedures should be directed to your child’s school nurse.

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS

In the event that school must be closed due to inclement weather, announcements will be made through TSC2Go and other local media outlets. Your child should know where he/she is to go when an early emergency school closing occurs.

SCHOOL CANCELLATION

When school is cancelled due to inclement weather, announcements will be made on local radio stations and the WLFI-TV 18 television station around 6:00 a.m. These stations also announce when buses run late or when school begins late.

Woodland Elementary School is a part of Tippecanoe School Corporation. TSC has implemented its own method of communicating announcements such as weather delays through the TSC2Go App, Facebook, and the TSC Webpage. Parents are urged to register at the beginning of each school year, as well as throughout the year. Registration instructions can be found on the webpage for TSC and for each school and also, in the school office. This will be the main method of communication of information of this type and other important school updates.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Fifteen minute conferences are scheduled twice a year. Fall conferences are after the end of the first grading period. Conferences during second semester will be held in mid-February. Prior to the fall conference, students will bring home a form which allows parents to state a general time preference. Every effort is made to honor the parents’ preferences and also to schedule consecutive conference times for parents with more than one child. The mid-February conferences will be assigned at the corresponding time scheduled in October.

HOMEWORK POLICY

The following is the Homework Policy adopted by Woodland Elementary School complying with a Department of Education requirement. Homework assigned to students will follow this policy.

1. Homework is a form of independent practice which is to be given after successful guided practice occurs in the classroom.

2. The amount or volume of homework should be planned so as to be compatible with the ability of the student. 3. All students should be given credit and/or recognized for completing assigned homework.

Responsibilities:

Students: Be attentive to instruction and seek help, if needed, during the classroom-guided practice so as to understand

the homework assignment.

Parents: Provide a positive environment for “studying”; assist their child, when needed; notify their child’s teacher when questions arise.

Teacher: Use the homework policy as a guide. Communicate clearly the details of the homework assignment. Provide prompt feedback.

Principal: Facilitate communication among parents, teachers, and students relative to homework and the homework policy.

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism, as defined by the Random House Dictionary, is "to steal (the language, ideas, or thoughts) from (another) representing them as one's own original work." Intentional or not, when a student fails to acknowledge the source of words and ideas that are not his or her own, the result is plagiarism, that is, theft. It is also cheating. Plagiarism is not tolerated in the Tippecanoe School Corporation. Thus, the penalties for plagiarism are both disciplinary and academic and they progress in severity.

There are several kinds of plagiarism:

Copying word for word or incompletely paraphrasing a phrase, sentence, group of phrases, group of sentences, or whole paragraphs from another source without crediting that source. This kind of plagiarism can be quantified as the copying, at a minimum, of six words or more in a row, including a, an, and the, from another source without citing the source.

1. Giving a speech or submitting a paper, poster, project, or any other assignment that has been written completely or partially by someone else.

2. Cutting and pasting material found on the Internet or in other electronic databases

3. into one's own paper, speech, poster, project, or other assignment without

crediting the source.

4. Downloading entire texts and presenting them as one's own work.

5. Presenting ideas from another source as one's own original thoughts. These can

be ideas taken from textual sources or from speeches, lectures, television

programs, or other forms of oral language.

6. Improperly citing sources with the intent of misleading the reader (e.g., making

up citations) as to the source of the information presented.

A student who is unsure of how to cite (credit) the source of material he or she has copied has the responsibility to check with a teacher and/or consult Writer's Inc. or the MLA Handbook.

Penalties – Elementary School

While no official penalties exist for plagiarism offenses, it is expected that classroom teachers would use such occasions as educational opportunities for all students. Time should be devoted to discussion and explanation of plagiarism.

REPORT CARDS

The Tippecanoe School Corporation “Report of Student Progress” is conveyed to parents four times: each following the end of a nine-week grading period. The final “Report of Student Progress” will be sent home with the students on the last day of school.

ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL (GRADES 3/4/5)

A student qualifies for honor roll if he/she attains no less than a B- in all of the following subjects: Reading, English, Spelling, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, and Health.

PROMOTION/RETENTION

The awarding of grades and making decisions relative to promotion or retention are the sole responsibility of teachers and the building principal. Parents are to be kept informed of their child’s progress through report cards, personal contacts, letters, and parent-teacher conferences.

PAC – PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

A parent-teacher organization will be a contributing part of Woodland Elementary School community. Initially, it was known as the PTA, Parent-Teacher Association, which collected dues and was affiliated with the National PTA. Preferring to keep monies collected “at home” rather than sending a portion to them the National PTA, the local PTA chose to be known as the PAC, Parent Advisory Committee.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE

The Student Activities Committee (SAC) is composed of two elected students from each classroom in grades four and five. SAC does organize special dress/hat days for a dollar and the profits from SAC dollar days goes into student activities.

TELEPHONE CALLING

1. Teachers and students are not to be called from class unless an emergency exists.

2. Voice mail messages may be left for teachers and staff members.

3. Students are not allowed to use the school phones unless an emergency exists and they have permission from the supervising adult.

4. Urgent messages for students will be delivered to classrooms.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are an integral part of the school’s learning program. They provide each student with experiences which cannot be incorporated into the regular school setting. Field trips take advantage of other learning resources in our community.

All field trips will be announced ahead of time. Each student may bring home a permission slip to be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to his/her teacher before the trip. Permission for field trips is a part of the online registration process, so a piece of paper requiring your signature may not be necessary if you completed that portion of registration. Parent volunteers may be needed for field trips. Volunteers are required to complete a Background Check form prior to attending school trips. Please see page 4 for questions on the process.

LUNCH

A nutritious breakfast and hot lunch are offered daily for students in grades K-5. Soda pop, candy, and fast food items are not to be consumed in the school cafeteria. No fast food or food from a restaurant will be allowed.

Parents are not allowed to eat in the lunchroom with their child. If you want to eat lunch with your child, you must sign them out, leave the building, and then return and sign them back into school.

BREAKFAST/LUNCH/TEXTBOOK ASSISTANCE

Money for breakfast and lunch can be paid on a student’s account at any time. If your child is in grades K-5, money should be placed in a sealed envelope with the child’s name and teacher’s name written clearly on the outside. The envelope will be collected during morning classroom procedure. Student accounts must be kept current.

Application forms requesting free/reduced lunch and breakfast meals are available online. Parents may also pay money to student lunch accounts through TSC website.

TEXTBOOK FEES

Textbooks and workbooks are rented. Students are responsible for care of the books assigned to them. Loss or damage of these books will result in responsibility of full payment of replacement cost to the school. Applications for book rental assistance and meal assistance are part of the online registration materials and should be completed at the time of enrollment.

DRESS CODE

Students should use good judgment in attire and grooming – simplicity, safety, neatness, and appropriateness. Students wearing clothing, sporting a hairstyle or accessories that cause a disruption to the instructional process as determined by the teacher and/or principal will be asked to change or conceal the item in question.

During cold weather, students should be dressed warmly enough to be comfortable when recess is outside. Students are expected to go outside for recess unless it is raining or bitterly cold. With warmer weather comes the desire to wear summer play clothes, which may include shorts. Muscle/tank shirts, tube tops, spandex shorts, and/or bare midriffs are prohibited. Dresses, shorts, and miniskirts must be a moderate length. Flip-flop type shoes are not appropriate for school due to safety concerns on the playground.

LOST AND FOUND

Jackets, hats, mittens, etc., are often turned into the school office when found. Too often these items are not claimed. Parents are welcome to check the “Lost and Found” to claim misplaced items. Labeling easily lost items with the child’s name is highly encouraged. Unclaimed items will be donated periodically to Goodwill.

PICTURES

Every fall there is an opportunity for each student to have his/her picture taken. Students wishing to order pictures prepay for the desired pictures. A school yearbook will be available for purchase during the second semester. Spring pictures (when offered) will be available for preview prior to purchasing.

EQUIPMENT

Items brought from home are the owner’s responsibility and will remain in the classroom. Students must have prior approval from the classroom teachers before bringing items from home. The school cannot be held responsible for loss, theft, or breakage. Careful consideration needs to be taken before sending valuable merchandise to school.

RECYCLING

The Tippecanoe School Corporation believes good stewardship of our natural resources and our environment is an essential part of students’ civic responsibility. The school corporation is committed to establishing an education environment for students that models active participation and teaches responsible waste reduction and recycling. The corporation’s recycling efforts will be coordinated by the Director of Buildings and Grounds.

FIRE, TORNADO, AND SECURITY DRILLS

Fire, tornado, and security drills will be held periodically in order to familiarize each student with a safe and efficient exit

or place of security. Every student must cooperate fully in order to ensure the safety of all students. Fire drills occur once a month. Tornado and security drills occur twice per semester.

MEDIA CENTER (LIBRARY)

Classes are scheduled into the media center for one-half hour sessions per week. During this class time, library skills, audio visual equipment operation and care, computer operation, literature appreciation, storytelling, and enrichment are areas of instruction.

Books are checked out as follows: Kindergarten-one book per visit during the second semester; Grade 1-one book per visit; Grade 2- two books per visit; Grade 3- three books per visit; Grade 4- four books per visit; Grade 5- five books per visit. When books become overdue, no additional books may be checked out until the overdue books have been returned. No audio visual

software or equipment is checked out by students. When books are lost or damaged, the replacement value is asked of the student. Because of the length of winter vacation, books are called in for grades 1 through 3. Kindergarten and Grade 1 do not check out books over spring break.

Woodland Elementary School patrons may check out books for a period of one week. Currently adopted curriculum teacher editions may be reviewed at Woodland School any time during the regular school day. Audio visual software and equipment may be reviewed at Woodland School any time during the regular school day. Many of student books/textbooks are available online.

GREATER LAFAYETTE AREA SPECIAL SERVICES (GLASS)

Greater Lafayette Area Special Services (GLASS) conducts a yearly search for all children with disabilities from birth through age twenty-one. The purpose of the search is to ensure that every child with a disability, who resides within Tippecanoe County, is receiving the special education and related services that are his/her right under state and federal law. If you are aware of any child suspected of having a disability, regardless of the severity, please contact the GLASS office (765-771-6006) or your school principal for information regarding referral procedures.

GLASS is a cooperative effort sponsored by Lafayette School Corporation, Tippecanoe School Corporation, and West Lafayette Community School Corporation. The GLASS office is at 2300 Cason Street, Lafayette, IN 47904.

ELL (ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS)

Students with limited English proficiency are tutored several times a week by specially trained tutors. This program is under the supervision of Mrs. Carrie Painter, Community Liaison for Tippecanoe School Corporation. Her office is at Burnett Creek Elementary School and you may reach her at (765)269-8080. Hilda Lopez is the bi-lingual ELL liason at Woodland and may be reached at (765) 269-8220.

LIFESKILLS

Integrity: To act according to what is right and wrong.

Initiative: To do something because it needs to be done.

Flexibility: The ability to alter plans when necessary.

Perseverance: To continue in spite of difficulties.

Organization: To plan, arrange, and implement in an orderly way.

Sense of Humor: To laugh and be playful without hurting others.

Effort: To do your best.

Common Sense: To think it through.

Problem Solving: To seek solutions in difficult situations.

Responsibility: To be accountable for your actions.

Respect: regard highly; think much of.

Friendship: To make and keep a friend through mutual trust and caring.

Curiosity: To investigate and seek understanding.

Cooperation: To work together toward a common goal or purpose.

Caring: To feel and show concern.

Resourcefulness: To respond to challenges in creative ways.

HONESTY

In support of Tippecanoe School Corporation’s mission of maintaining the highest professional standards, honesty will be expected at all levels. Cheating is unacceptable. Individuals violating this corporation policy will be disciplined per our school discipline plan.

RELEASE OF INFORMATION

Certain information, including the student’s name, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, awards received, and other similar information may be released without parental consent unless the parents notify the school district that they do not want certain designated information released without prior consent. This is also a required field in online registration where you can approve or deny consent.

AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW ON MISSING CHILDREN

The burdens placed on school by SEA 416 are (generally):

1. Schools must require a student who initially enrolls in the school corporation in any grade to provide the name and address of the school the student last attended, if any, and a certified copy of the student’s birth certificate or other reliable proof of the student’s date of birth. The statute does not require school to keep the proof of age. Schools can, therefore, return it after someone on behalf of the school is satisfied that it is a reliable proof of age.

2. If the birth certificate or other proof of the student’s date of birth is not provided to the school within 30 days of the student’s enrollment, or if it appears inaccurate or fraudulent, the school must notify the Indiana Clearinghouse for Information on Missing Children, 1-800-831-9853.

STUDENT SAFETY

A student will not be subject to seclusion or restraint unless the student's behavior poses an imminent risk of injury to the student or others. However, significant violations of the law, including assaults on students and staff, will be reported to the police. As soon as possible after any use of seclusion or restraint, the student's parent or guardian will be informed and provided with a detailed account of the incident, including the circumstances that led to the use of seclusion or restraint.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

Tippecanoe School Corporation prohibits sexual harassment of and by students and employees. A copy of the specific policy language (policy 3362 or 4352) is available in each school office.

BULLYING

The School Board and Woodland is committed to providing a safe, positive, productive, and nurturing educational environment for all of its students. The Board encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations between members of the school community. Bullying behavior toward a student, whether by other students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes physical, verbal, and psychological abuse as provided herein. The Board will not tolerate any gestures, comments, threats, or actions which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm or personal degradation. Engaging in "cyberbullying" which is bullying that occurs through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or cellular telephone or other wireless or cellular communications device also is prohibited. This policy applies when a student is on school grounds immediately before or during school hours, immediately after school hours, or at any other time when the school is being used by a school group; off school grounds at a school activity, function, or event; traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event; or, using property or equipment provided by the school. Additionally, this policy applies regardless of the physical location when:

1. the individual committing the bullying behavior and any of the intended targets of the bullying behavior are students attending a school within the School Corporation; and

2. the bullying behavior results in a substantial interference with school discipline or an unreasonable threat to the rights of others to a safe and peaceful learning environment.

Bullying as defined in State law means overt, unwanted, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications or images transmitted in any manner (including digitally or electronically), physical acts committed, aggression, or any other behaviors committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the other student and create for the targeted student an objectively hostile school environment that:

1. places the targeted student in reasonable fear of harm to the targeted student's person or property; 2. has a substantially detrimental effect on the targeted student's physical or mental health;

3. has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student's academic performance; or

4. has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, and privileges provided by the school.

This type of behavior is a form of harassment, although it need not be based on any of the legally protected characteristics, such as sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, or disability. It includes, but is not limited to, such behaviors as stalking, intimidation, menacing behavior, coercion, name-calling, taunting, making threats, and hazing. It also includes the use of digital or electronic communications to engage in such behaviors.

However, Indiana law exempts the following from the definition of "bullying":

1. Participating in a religious event.

2. Acting in an emergency involving the protection of a person or property from an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or substantial danger.

3. Participating in an activity consisting of the exercise of a student's rights protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Article I, Section 31 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana, or both.

4. Participating in an activity conducted by a nonprofit or governmental entity that provides recreation, education, training, or other care under the supervision of one or more adults.

5. Participating in an activity undertaken at the prior written direction of the student's parent.

6. Engaging in interstate or international travel from a location outside Indiana to another location outside Indiana.

Any student who believes s/he has been or is currently the victim of bullying should immediately report the situation to the building principal or assistant principal, or the Superintendent. The student also may report concerns to a teacher or counselor who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate administrator or Board official. This report may be made anonymously. Complaints against the building principal should be filed with the Superintendent. Complaints against the Superintendent should be filed with the Board President. A parent may file a complaint on behalf of a student in the same manner.

Every student is encouraged, and every staff member is required, to report any situation that they believe to be bullying behavior directed toward a student. Reports may be made to those identified above. Staff members who fail to report bullying or who fail to conduct an investigation when assigned that duty are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.

All complaints about bullying behavior that may violate this policy shall be promptly investigated.

If the investigation finds an instance of bullying behavior has occurred, it will result in prompt and appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion for students, discharge for employees, exclusion for parents, guests, volunteers, and contractors, and removal from any official position and/or a request to resign for Board members. Bullying acts may be reported to law enforcement officials.

The complainant shall be notified of the findings of the investigation and as appropriate, any remedial action that has been taken to the extent disclosure is permitted by law.

Retaliation against any person who reports is thought to have reported, files a complaint, or otherwise participates in an investigation or inquiry concerning allegations of bullying is prohibited and will not be tolerated. Such retaliation shall be considered a serious violation of Board policy and independent of whether a complaint is substantiated. Suspected retaliation should be reported in the same manner as bullying. Making intentionally false reports about bullying for the purpose of getting someone in trouble is similarly prohibited and will not be tolerated. Retaliation and making intentionally false reports may result in disciplinary action as indicated above.

For a definition of and instances that could possibly be construed as hazing, consult Policy 5516.

The Corporation shall maintain a link on its internet website to the internet website resource page maintained by the Indiana Department of Education that provides parents and school officials with resources or best practices regarding the prevention and reporting of bullying and cyberbullying.

To the extent appropriate and/or legally permitted, confidentiality will be maintained during the investigation process. However, a proper investigation will, in some circumstances, require the disclosure of names and allegations.