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Calvin A. Hunsinger's

2010-2011 Handbook!

Where Kids always come first! p.1

Table of Contents

Table of Content p.2 1: Cover Page 2: Table of Contents 3-4: Overview 5: General Information 6: Policy on Cell Phones/Electronics 7: School Meals 8: How parents can help 9-10: Annual notice of rights (student records) 11: Parent conferences & Reintegration 12-13: Calendar

Overview

Overview p.3-4 All of the students attending Calvin Hunsinger have been identified as requiring exceptional student education services in the program for Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (EBD). Our program serves students at the elementary, middle and high school levels in kindergarten through grade twelve and extended transition through age 22. Students come to Calvin Hunsinger from northern Pinellas County. Currently 12 buses transport our students daily. Our students reside in a geographic area of approximately 200 square miles and come to us from 50 feeder schools. Facility Features Our school has three separate wings with each wing housing a particular student population i.e. elementary, middle or high. A behavior specialist and assistant are located on each wing. Each classroom has a teacher and teacher assistant. There is a vocational area which houses Industrial Arts, and our community garden. Calvin Hunsinger also has a multipurpose room for PE plus outdoor fields and courts. Music and Art have their own labs. In addition, we have a site based nurse, school resource officer, four social workers, a media specialist, psychologist, technology technician and two varying exceptionalities specialists. Calvin Hunsinger is networked and students and staff have access to the internet as well as the local area network. Each classroom has a teacher and student workstations. We also have two mobile computer labs which have 20 laptops that can access the internet using wireless access. Student Population Our students have a wide variety of abilities, needs and behavioral problems. Approximately 75% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch. 55%percent are minorities. Many students come to us achieving below grade level in reading, writing and mathematics. A variety of factors may affect their achievement levels and some of these same factors also influence the rates at which our students enter and withdraw, thereby creating a highly mobile student population. Many students are also involved with the juvenile justice system. Attendance Our attendance school-wide is around 85%. FCAT and Alternate Assessments Calvin Hunsinger's educators follow the Sunshine State Standards and administer the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Exceptional student education centers and alternative schools are not included in the A+ Accountability Plan. All of our students have disabilities with the primary disability being EBD, emotionally behaviorally disabled. Those students unable to be assessed using the FCAT are given alternate assessments. The Florida Alternate Assessments are given only to students who meet specific criteria. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) Team must also convene to determine if the student meets the criteria for Special Diploma and/or the Florida Alternate Assessment. However, with new standard diploma requirements many lower functioning students are required to participate in FCAT assessment. Special Programs Several unique programs have been developed to serve the needs of our special population. Students needing non-traditional academic programming can participate in Community Based Instruction (CBI), Project Ride - a hands on work experience program. There are also two Read 180 labs – one for students in middle school and the other for high school students. Elementary has Tune-in-to-Reading, a computer based reading program. Students at Hunsinger also follow the district guidelines for reintegration to transition students from the center setting back to general education environments. Our Reintegration Specialist arranges initial visits to the reintegration school and coordinates transportation, scheduling, parent contacts and other special needs. After a period of successful reintegration, the IEP team may determine that support from the center is no longer required for the student. Community Partners Calvin Hunsinger has had long standing relationships with the St. Petersburg Breakfast Optimist Club, Clearwater Civitan Club, and have recently affiliated with the Dunedin Kiwanis for their brining up grades program. These community partners have sponsored us through donations for our reading program, assisted us with our technology needs and provided us with monthly awards and certificates for Student-of-the-Month activities.

General Information

General Information p.5 School Hours – According to School Board Policy and Code of Student Conduct students should not be left at school more than 30 minutes before the start of the school day or more than 30 minutes after the school day. School hours are 7:05 to 1:20. We cannot provide adequate supervision when students arrive more than 30 minutes before the start of the school day and remain more than 30 minutes after the school day. Because of the seriousness of this matter, we are asking for your help in ensuring that your child is not dropped off prior to 6:35 a.m. and that your child is picked up prior to 1:50 p.m. School Dress Code – Your child should dress neatly and appropriately for school since it is a place to work and learn. The dress requirements for Pinellas County School students are listed in the Code of Conduct. However, the following reminders are noteworthy: • Safe and appropriate footwear must be worn. • All shirts and blouses must cover midriff, back, sides and all undergarments including bra straps at all times. All shirts, tops, and dresses shall have sleeves and cover the shoulders. • No clothes or tattoos that show profanity, violence, sexually suggestive phrases or pictures. • Shorts, skirts, divided skirts, dresses, and culottes are allowed. They must be hemmed and be mid-thigh length or longer. • Clothing must be appropriate size, with the waist of the garment worn at the student’s waist. • No sunglasses can be worn inside unless the parent provides a doctor’s note. • No hats or bandanas unless approved. • Hairstyles and colors, & other fashions or styles that are disruptive to the school environment or education process are prohibited. Transportation – Your child’s safety is a priority. If you have a problem with your child’s bus route or if you have moved and need to change your child’s bus route, please contact Dona Lewis, Data Management Technician at 469-4260. Questions concerning a late bus should be directed to Pinellas County Schools Transportation Department at 587-2020. Problems pertaining to behavior on the bus are addressed by our behavior specialist and/or assistant principal. Homework – Teachers at Calvin Hunsinger are expected to assign homework a minimum of four days per week. Please contact your child’s teacher if you do not receive a copy of the homework policy. Backpacks & Bookbags – Backpacks or bookbags are not permitted on the school bus or at school. (Please see section on Safety and Security.) Store Bought Food Items – Many parents offer to bring baked goods and other treats to school for birthdays and special occasions. Please be aware that only store bought items are permitted per School Board policy. We appreciate your understanding.

Polcy on Cell Phones/Electronics

Policy for Cell Phones and other Electronic Items p.6 Electronic items include, but are not limited to CD players, cell phones, MP3 players, cameras, radios, pagers, televisions, tape recorders and tape players, camcorders, etc. Elementary students are not allowed to have these items at school under any circumstances. If middle and high school students attending Calvin Hunsinger School are in possession of any of these electronic items, they are to be kept turned off and out of sight on school grounds. School staff is not responsible if these items are lost, stolen, or broken. If a student uses an electronic item on school grounds without the permission of an administrator or causes a disruption with the item in any other manner, he/she will receive a warning for the first offense. If the student continues to cause a disruption, the item(s) will be given to the behavior specialist or administrator and returned to the student at the end of the day. For any additional offenses, the parent/guardian will be contacted to pick up the item(s). If you as a parent need to contact your child during the school day, we ask that you call our main office at 469-4260. Please do not call or text message your child on their cell phone while he or she is at school. This has occurred several times at school during the past year. It is very disruptive to the learning environment for all of our students. We appreciate your cooperation.

School Meals (2010-2011)

p.7 The Pinellas County School District participates in the National School Lunch/School Breakfast Program. Nutritious meals are served every school day. All meals served must meet patterns established by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. A meal application must be submitted each year for every child in the family. Applications are available throughout the school year from your school. Questions regarding free and reduced-priced meals should be directed to the food service department at (727) 547-7151. Breakfast and lunch monies can be prepaid and put into your child’s account in the cafeteria. Checks are accepted and should be made out to Calvin Hunsinger Food Service. The money remains in the student account and may be used for any meal during the year. Your child’s account can be replenished at any time to avoid a negative balance. If you have any additional questions about the menu or food service in general, please ask the cafeteria manager who is always willing to answer questions about our meal program. The prices for school breakfast and lunch are listed below: Lunch Breakfast Elementary Paid $1.75 $1.00 Reduced .40 .30 Secondary Paid $2.00 $1.25 Reduced .40 .30 Adult $2.75 $1.75 • All student breakfasts include 2 Grain/Breads or 2 Meat/Meat alternate or 1 Grain/Bread & 1 Meat/Meat alternate, 1 Fruit and 1 Milk. • All Student lunches include 1 Meat/Meat alternate, 2 Fruits or 2 Vegetables or 1 Fruit & 1 Vegetable, 1 Grain/Bread & 1 Milk. (On Tuesday and Thursday a grain based dessert is included. • All adult lunches include an entrée, 2 fruits or 2 Vegetables or 1 Fruit and 1 Vegetable, bread with butter, coffee or tea.

How parents can help

• How Parents Can Help: p.8 • School staff and parents must work together in order to maximize a student’s success at school. We are committed to working with and supporting families and we need parents to work with and support us. Active communication between families and school staff is essential for success. • • Attendance – Attendance is one of the indicators that predict how well a child does at school and in life. Make sure your child arrives at school on time every day. • • Academic Conferences – Get to know your child’s teacher and school by attending conferences. The more you know how your child is doing the better prepared you’ll be to help your child. The more we know what’s going on in your child’s life the better prepared we’ll be to help your child. Don’t wait till the end of the year! • • Individual Educational Plan (IEP) – You will receive written notification of your child’s IEP two weeks prior to the meeting. Two notifications are required and the second notification can be written or by telephone. Please inform us if you are unable to attend. The IEP contains goals and objectives (academic & behavioral) that are of the utmost importance to you and your child. • • Read-at-Home – Encourage your child to read at home. Students are rewarded for time spent reading at home. Materials can be checked out in the Media Center. • • Surveys – Please help us if you are asked to participate in a phone or written survey. Your feedback will help us determine if we are a safe school, if we are providing an environment that encourages and supports your child, and if your child is making progress academically. • • FCAT Testing – Be aware of testing dates. Make sure your child is well rested the night before and is on time for school. For FCAT practice experience, check out fcatexplorer.com.

Annual notice of rights regarding student records

p.9-10 ANNUAL NOTICE ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS CONCERNING STUDENT RECORDS Dear Parent and Student: State and federal law gives parents (and students over 18 years of age) certain rights concerning the student’s school records. These rights are listed below. 1. You have a right to look at your school records. To look at your records you should give the principal a written request listing the records that you want to see. The principal must allow you to see the records within 30 days from receiving your request. 2. You have a right to request changes in your school records if you believe the records are inaccurate, misleading, or that they violate your privacy rights. If you want to change your records you should tell the principal in writing what you want changed and why you think it ought to be changed. If the principal agrees with you, your records will be changed. If the principal disagrees with you, you may request a hearing. 3. You have the right to let other people see your school records; however, the law allows some people to see your records without your consent. For example, a school district employee or adult volunteer may see your records if they need information in the records to do their job as an employee or volunteer. 4. You have a right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if you believe the school has violated any of your rights with respect to school records. If you have a complaint, sent it in writing to: Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20202-4605 Some of the information in your school records is not confidential and may be released without your consent. This information is known as “directory information.” Directory information includes the following: • full legal name • the image or likeness in pictures, videotape, film, or other medium • dates of attendance • major field of study • participation in officially recognized sports and activities • height and weight of athletic team members • degrees and awards received • most recent previous educational institution attended • subsequent educational institution attended • academic work intended for publication or display If you do not want directory information released, you must tell the principal in writing what types of directory information you do not want released. That written notice to the principal must be received no later than September 15 of each year or within 30 days of receiving this annual notice. Military recruiters and institutions of higher education are entitled under federal law to a list of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of high school students unless you object to such release. If you notify your principal in writing at any time that you do not wish your child’s name, address, and telephone number released without your written consent, we will honor that request. Both parents have a right to see the school records of their child unless there is a certified copy of a court order on file at the school that specifically denies the right to access to school records. Copies of school records are available for a minimal copying charge. If you have any questions about these rights, please contact your school office. Please see your Code of Student Conduct for the Annual Notice of School Board Policy Required by the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment and the Notification of Availability of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) School Public Accountability Report.

Parent Conferences & Reintegration

Scheduling a Parent Conference p.11 The staff’s desire is to work with parents to better serve all students. Occasionally, a question or problem will arise that requires a parent-teacher conference. In order for us to reserve sufficient time to adequately answer your questions and address your concerns, we ask that you please call the school to schedule an appointment for this conference. We also ask that you be on time for conferences. When it is necessary for you to meet with us at an unscheduled time, please be patient while we serve our students’ needs first. We will be happy to meet with you as soon as we are able. Due to our commitment to best meet student needs, it is not always possible for us to leave our classrooms for unscheduled meetings. We know that as a concerned parent you want your child to receive the best possible education and attention from the staff. We share your concern and look forward to working with you in the coming year. Reintegration The Staffing Team recommends students that have met 12 weeks of reintergration criteria to the VE/Reintegration Specialist. Students then begin six weeks of orientation that include discussion of new school’s criteria, classes, hours of operation, etc. Students also go on a field trip to the reintegration school. The student then begins full-time reintegration at the beginning of the next grading period. Consideration for reintegration will be based on the following criteria: 1. Passing grades and excellent attendance. 2. Demonstration of appropriate peer and adult interactions. 3. Demonstration of appropriate problem-solving techniques.

Student (2010-2011) calendar

Calvin A. Hunsinger School p.12-13 Student Calendar * Will be updated shortly *