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ENROLLMENT POLICY
For currently enrolled families wishing to re-enroll their child in the Academy for Early Learning, Private Chartered School, they must make their intent known by June 1st of the coming year. As vacancies occur in currently enrolled classes, those vacancies will be filled using a lottery system.
Mid-year school vacancies may occur during the school year, that vacancy may or may not be filled at the school's discretion. If the Academy for Early Learning, Private Chartered School chooses to fill the vacancy and has more applicants in the enrollemnt pool than spaces available, they shall fill those spaces using the preferences established in the most recent lottery period.
SCHOOL VISITATION
As a Chartered school, we know many are interested in seeing our school in action, and we love to share what we’re doing! Parents of AEL are invited to visit class at any time, although we recommend communication with the classroom teachers in advance. They can then make arrangements for you to participate, if that’s your preference, or let you know if there is a conflict with Specials, etc. Regularly scheduled school tours are available for prospective parents, students and visitors. These tours include an orientation to The Academy for Early Learning, Private Chartered School’s mission/vision statement, Reggio Emilia academic program, discipline and dress code policies, and parental involvement. A staff member will be available at that time to answer questions and provide a tour of the facilities. This system has worked well to provide access to the interested public as well as minimize distractions in the classroom.
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Parents MUST be sure children are supervised by a teacher from 8:00 to 8:15. Students dropped off earlier than 8:00 a.m. will need to be dropped off in the SACC program. Students dropped off later than 8:15 will need to be walked to class by the parent.
During dismissal, parents MUST use extreme caution. The parking lot is not exclusive to our school. Please supervise your child while walking him/her through the parking lot to their vehicle. It is critical to the safety of all students that everyone uses this system.
ATTENDANCE
Classes begin promptly at 8:15 a.m. Regular attendance is important to ensure achievement in school. The Academy for Early Learning seeks to encourage a daily attendance rate that enhances rather than distracts from the academic program. Excessive absences and tardies by a few individuals can impede the learning program for others.
Absences - If your child is absent because of illness or an appointment for which we have not been notified previously, please call to make us aware of the situation before 8:15 a.m. It is critical to student safety that we know where they are at all times. Please call every day your child is away from school. If a student is not reported absent by parents, the school will place a call to confirm the absence.
Excused Absences - Excused absences are those resulting from temporary or extended illness, injury, or physical, mental, or emotional disability; family emergencies; absences excused by the Head of Schools through prior requests of parents or guardians; and absences which occur when a student is in custody of a court or law enforcement authority. Students returning to school after extended absences due to illness must be accompanied by a doctor’s note.
Unexcused Absences - Unexcused absences are those with or without prior knowledge and approval of the parents but for reasons not acceptable to the Head of Schools. Unexcused absences include those resulting from suspensions and expulsions.
Extended Absences - Extended absences due to family excursions, etc., should be discussed with your child’s teacher well in advance. Make-up work and alternative assignments, and the schedule for their completion, can then be devised to minimize negative effects on academic learning.
Extended absences should be communicated to the Head of School’s office in writing a minimum of one week prior to the absence.
Late Arrival (Tardy) - Tardiness is a failure to appear on time and is considered a form of absence. Repeated tardiness will be reported to the Head of Schools. Excused tardies are for those unforeseen circumstances such as poor weather and road conditions that inhibit a child’s arrival on time. Unexcused tardies are those circumstances that are not due to poor weather and road conditions or family emergencies.
Early Dismissal - Parents arriving at school prior to dismissal should WAIT in the corridor upstairs until 3:15 p.m. Last minute directions and a review of the day’s assignments are often given during the classroom’s preparation for dismissal. If you must pick up your child before the 3:15 p.m. dismissal time, you are required to sign him/her out.
SCHOOL CLOSURE PROCEDURES
While emergency closings occur infrequently, we are prepared for any time when building systems malfunction making the building unfit, or when weather makes it necessary to send children home. During severe weather, please keep your radio or TV on for announcements
regarding emergency school closings or delayed openings. The first broadcast is usually made at 6 a.m. and periodically thereafter until 9 a.m. (WKKJ begin broadcasts as soon as they have received information.) Please do listen for these announcements, as our phone lines will be "jammed" during inclement weather. We have two alternatives for "bad weather" days. The options are:
1. School will be canceled for the day with notification on radio or TV stations.
2. A delayed start will be announced on radio and TV stations beginning with the 6 a.m. news. The dismissal time will be at 3:15 p.m. as usual.
LUNCH
Students may bring a lunch from home, or a hot lunch will be provided to them FREE OF CHARGE.
Lunch room discipline rules:
1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Sit at your assigned classroom table and eat QUIETLY for at least 15 minutes.
3. Use indoor voices.
4. The class is allowed to leave when the table, benches, and floor are clean and students are CALLED TO LINE-UP.
DRESS CODE
When the school was first formed, it was decided a Dress Code would help establish a desirable learning environment. Research had indicated an affordable uniform dress code minimizes peer pressure, improves the appearance of the student body, and reinforces an academic atmosphere. Written notification (and/or phone calls) of dress code violations will be sent home with
elementary students, to be signed by parents and returned. We appreciate your effort to assure your children dress appropriately, as this system can only work with complete support by parents and consistent enforcement by AEL.
Dressing for the weather - “The weather outside is frightful”… It’s best to assume we’ll have an outside lunch recess every day, throughout all seasons. Please be sure your child has a warm hat and coat, gloves and boots. We need to have a note from home if your child is recovering from a bronchial/asthmatic condition that warrants staying inside.
General Guidelines for ALL students - Following are the approved clothing items, all items must be correct colors (PLEASE SEE COLOR SWATCHES FOR MATCH):
Pants: khakis, navy straight-legged twill or thin-wale corduroy, no more than four pockets, off ground but to the ankle in length. Cargo pants are fine provided they are from "French Toast".
Shorts: navy twill or thin-wale corduroy, no more than 4 pockets. No shorter than 4” above knee; no longer than 2” below knee. No cargo shorts.
Shirts: navy, white, hunter green, red or light blue turtleneck, long-or short-sleeved polo, or oxford cloth without emblems.
Sweatshirt: navy with AEL logo, to be worn over approved shirt
Sweaters: navy, white, red, yellow or hunter green cardigan, v-neck or vest of flat-knit weave, no patterns or emblems. Waist length.
Shoes: Black, brown, white, navy solid or close-to solid colors in athletic or leather style, matching shoes & laces. No cowboy boots, open-toed or open-heeled shoes. Platform shoes not allowed. 1/2” soles and 1” heels maximum.
Belt: black, brown, navy, or khaki leather or fabric belts with plain buckles. Not required, but if worn, belt-ends no longer than 6” and tucked in.
Hats: no hat of any kind may be worn inside the building
GIRLS (All plaid items are Lloyd plaid only):
Skirt: Hunter or classic navy
Jumper: Plaid or navy twill
Skort: Plaid or navy twill
Length: All of above may be no shorter than 3” above the knee
Blouse: white long or short sleeve, peter pan or straight collar, no lace or decoration.
Tights: Navy or white plain or cable-knit tights. No nylon stockings.
DISCIPLINE CODE
Behavior Expectations - Academy for Early Learning students are expected to be well behaved at all times, respecting themselves, others and property. Our philosophy toward discipline is that discipline policies and procedures should provide guidance and direction toward acceptable behavior, with the goal being to develop a child’s self-discipline.
The Academy for Early Learning staff has developed rules for student behavior within the school, at recess, and when out in the community. The methods we use in enforcing the rules involve professional judgment. Such judgment should be:
- Consistent from day to day and student to student;
- Balanced against the severity of the misconduct;
- Appropriate to the student’s nature and prior behavior;
- Fair to the student, parent and others; and,
- Effective.
In order to develop an environment conducive to learning, the Head of Schools will confer with the teaching staff to develop and/or review rules of conduct to be employed in the school and corrective actions and sanctions that may be used in the event of rule infractions. The Head of Schools will contact the parents of students by phone should they be involved in a rule infraction. A Discipline Referral Form is also used for communication between home and school for major infractions. The parents will receive a copy of this form and a copy will be kept in the student’s file in the office. If a student continually tests the school rules, an individualized improvement plan will be developed and implemented with the assistance of the student’s parent.
Academy for Early Learning Discipline Policy - The following general rules apply to all students:
School Rules
1. Follow directions when they are given.
2. Show respect for yourself and others, their property and feelings.
3. Disruptive behavior is not tolerated anywhere on school property.
4. Follow lunchroom, playground, and classroom rules.
5. Walk quietly in the halls.
Consequences for Minor/Major Infractions:
Minor infractions require direct communication to the student. A second infraction will result in the loss of a recess or time alone from classmates, or natural consequences that are the result of the student’s own actions. A third infraction will result in a parent phone conversation and/or conference.
Minor Infractions are, but not limited to: yelling (in classroom), slamming, kicking, or throwing personal or school property (without intent to injure another); disregarding the dress code; disobeying general classroom rules; disobeying cafeteria or playground rules; teasing, littering, sarcasm toward others.
Consequences: Natural consequences that are the result of the student’s own actions; apologies, verbal or written; relinquishing privileges, such as recess time; activity restriction; trash pickup or other assistance to school staff. First major infraction will result in a parent conference to discuss possible suspension and other solutions.
Major infractions are, but not limited to: Hitting, pushing, shoving, kicking, biting, or otherwise physically assaulting another student; destroying school property; leaving the school premises without permission; defiance to an adult; verbal harassment of others; use of foul or profane language.
Consequences: Depending upon the circumstances and the age of the child, a form is sent home to be signed and returned; parents are contacted; a conference may be scheduled, during which appropriate follow-up actions are discussed.
Classroom Rules: Each teacher is required to have a set of classroom rules in addition to the general school rules. Classroom rules will further define acceptable behavior of students. Parents will be informed of classroom rules through classroom newsletters, scheduled
parent teacher conferences, and phone conferencing. |
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Policies & Procedures
