Parent Handbook 2017-2018

Center for Creative Learning

Parent Handbook

Table of Contents

Letter from the Director Page 3 Center for Creative Learning Staff Page 4-5 Definition, Mission, Vision, Philosophy Page 6-7 Curriculum and Assessment at the Center Page 8 CCL Core Skills Page 9 CCL Curriculum Model Page 10 CCL Content Areas Page 11 Specialized Center Programs Page 12 Communication with Parents Page 13-14 Center Day “Best Practice” Guidelines Page 15 CCL Calendar Page 16-17 Arrival & Dismissal Procedures Page 18-19 Drop-Off & Pick-Up Diagrams Page 20-21 Adventure Club Page 22 Policies & Procedures Page 23-26

-Attendance/Absences, Student Expectations, Discipline, Field Trips -Bringing Food, Lunch, Snacks, Medication -Medication -Recess, Student Emergency Information

Frequently Asked Questions Page 27-29

August 1, 2017

Dear Center for Creative Learning Parents:

We are excited about the wonderful year of learning ahead and the opportunity to work with your child. We hope

you had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to days at the CCL! Our mission is to provide outstanding

gifted education services for our students. Our teachers are looking forward to providing stimulating and challenging

learning opportunities tailored to meet the needs of gifted learners.

We hope that the information provided in this handbook will answer many of the questions you may have about the

operations and procedures at the CCL. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We look forward to a great school year and appreciate the opportunity to partner with you and your child.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joan Oakley Dennis Rhodes

Director of Gifted Education Assistant Principal

Learning and Support Services

Rockwood Gifted Program 265 Old State Road

Ellisville, MO 63021-5912

(636) 891-6550

(636) 891-8884 Fax

oakleyjoan@rsdmo.org

Dr. Joan Oakley Director of Gifted Education

Center for Creative Learning Staff

Director Dr. Joan Oakley oakleyjoan@rsdmo.org

Assistant Principal Dennis Rhodes rhodesdennis@rsdmo.org

Director’s Secretary Sherry Fritts frittssherry@rsdmo.org

CCL Secretary Bobbie Masters mastersbobbie@rsdmo.org

CCL Secretary Kathy Bumeter bumeterkathryn@rsdmo.org

CCL Secretary Toni Thiemann thiemanntoni@rsdmo.org

CCL Secretary Donna Mantle mantledonna@rsdmo.org

Registrar Sandy Usselman

usselmansandy@rsdmo.org

Computer Specialist Mike Piotraschke piotraschkemike@rsdmo.org

Psychometrists Dr. Diana Iborg Sonia Shelton

iborgdiana@rsdmo.org sheltonsonia@rsdmo.org

Kindergarten Lisa Ciszewski Laura Edwards

Sue Lesser

ciszewskilisa@rsdmo.org edwardslaura@rsdmo.org lessersuzanne@rsdmo.org

First Grade Carol McClintock Lisa Moll

Katy Davis

mcclintockcarol@rsdmo.org molllisa@rsdmo.org daviskatherine@rsdmo.org

Second Grade Christina Berwin Stacy Steketee Michelle Stellhorn

berwinchristina@rsdmo.org steketeestacy@rsdmo.org stellhornmichelle@rsdmo.org

Third Grade Aron Blanke

Anne Cunningham Janel Hubbard Judi Willenbrink

blankearon@rsdmo.org cunninghamanne@rsdmo.org hubbardjanel@rsdmo.org willenbrinkjudith@rsdmo.org

Fourth Grade Angelete Smith Emily Inman Katy Schubert Jennifer Uding Lauren Wilhelm

deasonangelete@rsdmo.org inmanemily@rsdmo.org schubertkaty@rsdmo.org udingjennifer@rsdmo.org wilhelmlauren@rsdmo.org

Fifth Grade Debbie Albert Kathy Nuetzel Janice Wenger

albertdeborah@rsdmo.org nuetzelkathy@rsdmo.org wengerjanice@rsdmo.org

Site Visit Teacher Karen Giesler gieslerkaren@rsdmo.org

Kinections Teachers Kellie Beckering Susan Richmond

beckeringkellie@rsdmo.org richmondsusan@rsdmo.org

Art Teachers

Lynn Blosser Bernie de la Fuente

blosserlynn@rsdmo.org delafuentebernadette@rsdmo.org

Counselors Nancy Bonn-Winkler Jody Patschorke

bonn-winklernancy@rsdmo.org patschorkejoanne@rsdmo.org

Classroom Assistants Nila Gupta

Amy Ferguson

Darla Gruchot

Kim Selness

guptanilanjana@rsdmo.org fergusonamy@rsdmo.org gruchotdarla@rsdmo.org selnesskim@rsdmo.org

Nurse Barb Allhoff allhoffbarb@rsdmo.org

Cafeteria Manager Cafeteria Assistant

Lori Ruder Angie Hallemann

ruderlori@rsdmo.org hallemannangela@rsdmo.org

Custodians Rey Fabros

Andrew Metropoulos fabrosreynaldo@rsdmo.org

metropoulosandrew@rsdmo.org

ROCKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT DEFINITION, MISSION, VISION, PHILOSOPHY OF GIFTED EDUCATION

Definition

Rockwood defines gifted individuals as those who demonstrate high intellectual ability,

possess exceptional potential in one or more domains, exhibit talent in creative and

critical thinking, and often experience asynchronous development. These individuals

also possess unique social, emotional, and learning needs and require differentiated

educational services beyond those provided in the regular classroom setting.

State Law in Missouri, Section 162.675. RSMo, defines gifted children as "those children

who exhibit precocious development of mental capacity and learning potential as

determined by competent professional evaluation to the extent that continued

educational growth and stimulation could best be served by an academic environment

beyond that offered through a standard grade level curriculum."

Section 162.720, RSMo, states that school districts may establish programs for gifted

children "where a sufficient number of children are determined to be gifted and their

development requires programs or services beyond the level of those ordinarily provided

in regular public school programs . . ." and states that the State Board of Education

"shall determine standards for such programs. Approval of such programs shall be made

by the State Department of Education based upon project applications submitted each

year." Mission Statement

We will do whatever it takes to ensure all students realize their potential.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to be an exemplary gifted program, to advocate for, inspire, and meet the

needs of all students in the Rockwood Gifted Program.

Philosophy

• Gifted students possess exceptional potential that may be evidenced in one or

more domains. Domains may include intellectual, emotional, physical, visual

arts, performing arts, and/or creative and critical thinking.

• Gifted students exist in all age, cultural/ethnic, and socio-economic groups, may

be twice exceptional, and often experience asynchronous development.

• Gifted students have unique learning and social emotional needs and require

specialized, rigorous, differentiated educational experiences.

• To realize their potential, gifted students need support from their parents,

classroom teachers, school counselors, gifted education teachers, gifted

counselors, and administrators working in collaboration. Gifted students

benefit from interaction with similarly gifted peers and mentors throughout

their school careers.

Rockwood Gifted

CCL Core

Students are assessed using the CCL Core Skills. 4: Innovatively exceeds the standard 3: Meets the standard 2: Approaching the standard

K 1 2 3 4 5

Info

ion

oss

in

By th

e en

d of

his

gr

ade

leve

l a

stud

nan

Organize

spoken, or

information apply it to

problems complete

Use observation, and technology organize and

to solve problems

complete

Use technology

research skills examine media, texts,

events to organize,

information to

problems or

Use technology,

resources to gather select choose

strategies, and the most

information independent

collaborative

Use multiple resources,

technology to organize, interpret,

apply the convincing evidence multi-step problems

Demonstrate literacy to interpret evaluate complex build connections previous make inferences,

effectively information in

K 1 2 3 4 5

Criti

cal T

hin

inBy

the

end

of h

is

grad

e le

vel a

st

uden

t a

Connect facts explain problems,

Weigh information, questions,

conclusions, decisions, and

reasoning to sense of ideas

Reason logically analyze

problems, or use evidence to how conclusions

Evaluate content concepts, quantitatively

represent thinking multiple

Assess evidence from

facts, and to develop

represent and conclusions on authentic tasks

Synthesize about beliefs, or theories to ideas and points of view;

defend a position complex issues solutions to

before seen”

K 1 2 3 4 5

Prob

lem

Sol

ving

the

end

of th

is

ad

leve

l a st

uden

t a

Select from

options and simple strategies

solutions tasks

Select problems stated parameters

choose appropriate

to develop solutions for tasks

Identify problems real-world contexts apply general to develop solutions

tasks and

Recognize and problems,

hypotheses, use explain

strategies to and explain solutions

authentic

Identify and issues related contextual formulate, apply

describe strategies to

defensible solutions non-routine

Identify core within topics, issues

situations. feedback to

specific strategies design, execute,

or justify feasible, and

K 1 2 3 4 5

Syst

ems

Thin

in

By th

e en

d of

this

ad

leve

l a st

uden

t a

Explain in

modality parts, ideas,

actions connected how

impact a

Identify and connections

parts, ideas, or and explain positive negative

which can result in

Identify and connections ideas, actions

decisions; explain term positive

negative which can result in

Analyze and parts of a are interdependent

propose ways to a system to enhance

outcome

Identify and patterns parts, ideas,

actions in a system evaluate personal global impact of

Analyze systems provide evidence

justify about short and term interactions

demonstrate transfer understanding

systems thinking other contexts

K 1 2 3 4 5

Com

mun

iio

n By

the

end

of th

is

adle

vel a

stud

ent

a

Engage

and share with

information present ideas messages in

Initiate and share ideas

others. messages existing convey

suited to a situation purpose,

communicate

Initiate share and accept

of others and questions to ideas. Use

modalities to and convey

ideas and messages a specific

Participate in a range conversations

collaborations, express and

on ideas. Plan present ideas

messages that suit specific purpose

engage the

Participate in a range conversations collaborations

diverse partners, on others’ ideas express ideas

and and

ideas or messages meet stated criteria

positively impact targeted

Integrate information evidence

organization, style media appropriate

task/audience communicate

defend a position, or

Rockwood Gifted Program Curriculum Model

Applies systems thinking

Incorporates authentic use of

technology Integrates multiple subject areas and

disciplines

Based on open-ended solutions

or paths

Real World Challenge

Involves community interactions

Relates to students' interests

Presented or shared with an

audience

Uses multiple resources

The Rockwood Gifted Program Curriculum Model focuses on student choice in developing a solution or product for real world problems. When researching and developing curriculum, teachers correlate unit goals to Rockwood School District and Missouri Learning Standards. Unit objectives, goals, daily assessments, project and product assessments and student portfolios relate to each other and to the standards.

CCL CONTENT AREAS

Kindergarten: Earthlinks

First Grade: Wild Science

Second Grade: Design Studio: Landscape Architecture

Design Studio: Robotics

Innovators and Inventors

Third Grade: Architecture

Lasers

Sound Studio

Deep Seacrets

Fourth Grade: Design Thinking Studio

Archaeology: Where the Past Meets the Future

SPARK!

Fifth Grade: Biotechnology

CCL Test Kitchen

Multimedia Productions

Art: Artistic Connections

Kinesthic Learning: Kinections

SPECIALIZED CCL PROGRAMS

Artistically Gifted Component

This component was created to meet the needs of artistically talented third, fourth, and fifth graders attending the center. This specialized component provides an intensive art experience within the studio climate of a semester long Kaleidoscope class. The curriculum is based on the fine art disciplines of drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking and integrates the four strands of Discipline Based Art Education (history, aesthetics, production and critique).

Counseling Services

The role of the counselors at the CCL is to respond to the unique needs of the gifted child. It is hoped that children will develop an appreciation of their talents, sensitivities and interests. Supporting the CCL’s children and their families is a daily goal and is done in a variety of ways. The counselors meet individually with students, counsel students in whole group settings, facilitates family counseling sessions, conducts Care Team meetings, provides academic support and guidance, advocates for at-risk children, and provides information on gifted related topics.

Art and Kinections

Specialized art and Kinections learning experiences are offered to connect curricular ideas across disciplines. The interdisciplinary approach broadens learning about the morning topic through art and movement. The experience enables students to practice critical thinking, creativity, problem solving and effective communication in multiple settings.

Kindergarten Component

A full-day kindergarten program is offered at the CCL during second semester of each school year. Kindergarten students identified as gifted during first semester attend the CCL with identified students in grades one through five. In the morning, kindergarteners participate in an environmental unit called “EarthLinks.” The unit is interdisciplinary in nature and focuses on how living things are linked to each other and the environment. In the afternoon, a Kaleidoscope class is offered. Students also receive art and physical education instruction and have the opportunity to participate in lessons with the program counselor.

COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS

Communication is one of the most important components in the continued success of our students, our teachers and our program. Face to face communication is often the most effective and beneficial means for sharing information. However, there are many other ways to communicate, and the Center staff attempts to maximize the options that are available. Below is a list and brief description of the approaches we use to keep parents and the community-at-large informed about the work that takes place at the Center.

Written and Electronic Communication

Rockwood Gifted Program Website includes up-to-date information about the CCL as well as the Middle School Program and the High School Program. Links to teacher websites can also be found there. The website is an important resource for parents and we ask that all parents check the website on a regular basis. Go to www.rsdmo.org/giftededucation

Grade Level Newsletters are emailed home once a month. The newsletters share recent learning activities and describe upcoming events. Teachers also update their websites with information about what is happening in their classrooms.

Minds in Motion is a student-produced yearbook. This yearbook is designed and produced by fourth and fifth grade students and will be digital this year.

Learning Logs are sent home on a regular basis by classroom teachers. The Learning Logs inform parents of what their child is learning each week and how he/she is doing. It also includes comments from the teacher. Some Learning Logs are hard copies carried home with your child and some Learning Logs are sent home electronically. Your child’s teacher will let you know how Learning Logs will be sent home.

CCL Report Cards for morning units and Kaleidoscope units are posted to the Rockwood School District Parent Portal. In October and March parents can view first and third quarter Kaleidoscope report cards. In January and May parents can view semester morning unit and quarters two and four Kaleidoscope report cards. The report cards provide parents with information regarding how their child performed in their morning unit of study and their Kaleidoscope units.

Personal Notes and Telephone Calls are used by the teachers to share information with parents about their children and the progress they are making at the Center. This communication is as often initiated to share positive news and developments as it is to dialogue about concerns and strategies to enhance success.

School Messenger is a phone/email/text program used by the district to contact parents when necessary. School Messenger messages are sent when a bus is more than fifteen minutes late, when there is a snow day, or when important information needs to be shared. Sometimes a School Messenger message will be sent through just one media, other times a combination of media will be used.

Conferences and Meetings

Parent-Teacher Conferences are conducted in October and March. Conferences provide an opportunity for teachers and parents to discuss student strengths, areas for growth, and academic and personal goals.

Individual Conferences are conducted throughout the year as student issues/concerns arise. These conferences may be held at the Center or conducted over the phone.

PTO Meetings bring parents and the Center staff together in a collaborative effort to plan and implement programs and activities.

CCL Liaison Meetings provide an opportunity for parent building representatives to meet with the gifted program director to ask questions and discuss issues regarding the gifted program. The liaisons disseminate information from the meetings to the families in their respective schools.

Experience CCL Week & Project Nights are opportunities for parents and district staff to visit the CCL and participate in student learning. One event is held in November and one in April.

Grade Level and Class Demonstrations are opportunities for students to share their learning and projects with an audience. These presentations are scheduled both during the Center day and in the evening.

Parent Education Series are conducted by the Center staff to address the special needs of gifted students. Information about special topic presentations is posted on the CCL website. Reminders will be sent out via e-mail. Meetings are also held each January by the Academic Stretch staff to assist fifth grade students and their parents as they prepare to make the transition to middle school.

Gifted Education Best Practice Guidelines

When Students Attend the CCL

In order to address the needs of students involved in programming at the Center for Creative Learning, we ask that the following six guidelines be followed when planning educational programs at the elementary school level.

HOMESCHOOL CLASSROOM WORK

1. When new concepts are introduced on CCL days, teachers should provide direct

instruction to students on these concepts when they return to class. Students should not be responsible for obtaining this information on their own.

2. Students should only be required to complete work that is necessary to learn new

information or to understand complex concepts. Classroom work that is missed because of CCL participation should be compacted or waived.

3. Avoid, to the extent possible, administering tests on students’ CCL day. This guideline

refers to both district-sponsored tests as well as teacher-generated tests on major instructional units.

HOMESCHOOL HOMEWORK

4. Homework assignments resulting from both missed classroom work and regularly assigned

homework should be compacted so students who attend the CCL do not have more homework than other students in their class. If the amount of homework exceeds that of other students, students should be given a minimum of two days to complete the work assigned to them.

SPECIALTY CLASSES

5. Conflicts with specialty classes are inevitable. Attempts will be made to minimize

scheduling conflicts whenever possible. If a student’s strings class is scheduled on CCL days, an effort will be made to offer CCL students an alternative day of the week to attend strings instruction.

SPECIAL EVENTS

6. Avoid, to the extent possible, scheduling special events on students’ CCL day. Special

events include field trips, guest speakers, room parties, assemblies, special instructional films, performances, etc. If a conflict arises, the CCL should be notified and families should be given the option of having their children participate in the special event or attending the CCL.

9/14/2017

CALENDAR 2017-2018

Visit our website for more information: www.rsdmo.org/giftededucation

Month Date Event Time Location

August 10 Orientation for Parents of New Students in Grades 1-5 (Parents Only)

6:00-7:00p MPR

15 New and Returning Student Open House 4:00-6:00p Classrooms

16-17 CCL PD/Curriculum Days, Students Attend Home Schools

21 CCL Assist with Eclipse Day, Students Attend Home Schools

18,22-24 & 28

First Days for Students at CCL Classrooms

September 4 Labor Day, No School

27 CCL PD/Curriculum Day, Students Attend Home Schools

October 5, 6, 9-11

Last Days of 1st Quarter

12,13, 16-18

First Days of 2nd Quarter

24-26 Parent-Teacher Conferences, Students Attend Home Schools

TBA Classrooms

27 District Holiday, No School

November 7 CCL PD/Curriculum Day, Students Attend Home Schools

13-17 Experience CCL Week, Parents and District Staff Invited

9:30a-1:30p Classrooms

22-24 Thanksgiving Holiday, No School

December 15, 18-21

Last Days of 1st Semester

19 Orientation for Parents of New Students in Grades 1-5 (Parents Only)

6:00-7:00p MPR

21 Students Attend in the Morning Only; District-Wide Staff Development in the Afternoon

22-Jan 1

Winter Holidays (Jan. 2 District Teacher Work Day)

9/14/2017

Month Date Event Time Location

January 2 District Teacher Work Day, No School

3-5, 8,9

CCL Resumes – 3rd Quarter New Students

11 Kindergarten Open House 6:30- 7:30p

MPR

12 Students Attend in the Morning Only; District-Wide Staff Development in the Afternoon

15 MLK, Jr.’s Birthday, No School

16-19, 22

Kindergarten Classes Begin at IC

22-26 Informal classroom pictures for Kindergarten and Grades 1-5

Daily Classrooms

February 8 CCL PD/Curriculum Day, Students Attend Home Schools

16 Students attend in the Morning Only; District-Wide Staff Development in the Afternoon

19 President’s Day, No School

27,28, Mar 1, 2 & 5

Last Days of 3rd Quarter

March 6-8 Parent-Teacher Conferences, Students Attend Home Schools

TBA Classrooms

9, 12-16

Spring Recess, No School

19-23 First Days of 4th Quarter

30 District Spring Holiday, No School

April 3 CCL PD/Curriculum Day, Students Attend Home Schools

16-20 Experience CCL Week, Parents and District Staff Invited

9:30a-1:30p Classrooms

May 14-18 5th Grade Send-Off Picnic TBA Classrooms

14-18 Last Days of 2nd Semester

21-24 CCL PD/Curriculum Days, Students Attend Home Schools

24 Last Day for Rockwood Students

25 District Teacher Work Day, No School

June 4-8 11-15

“CCLebrate Summer” CCL Summer Program

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

Arrival Procedures:

• Your child rides his/her regular bus to the home school. • Upon arrival at the home school, the CCL students board the CCL bus to be

transported to the CCL. • Parents may drop their children directly off at the CCL Campus in the

mornings. • Students should arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before the start of the

school day. With the front door locking systems, the doors will only be unlocked for 15 minutes before school begins.

• When students arrive, they should go directly to their classrooms. If a student arrives before a teacher is on duty, they must wait in the entryway by the main office until a teacher arrives.

Dismissal Procedures:

• Based on parent’s instructions, students may be bused directly back to their homes, back to their home schools, back to home school for Adventure Club, or they may be picked up at the CCL.

• We do not offer an inside pick-up option due to the large size of our student body and congestion in our parking lot. Inside pick-up is only an option if parents have an appointment in the building or students need to leave early on a particular day because of an appointment.

o If you need to pick up your child in the last half hour, please park at Bethesda and walk over to CCL to sign out your child. If you arrive during our dismissal time, we will ask you to wait to sign-out your child until after dismissal is over. Our dismissal procedures begin 10 minutes before the end of the school day

• If you plan to pick up your child every week at the CCL, your child will be dismissed as a “Parent Pick -Up.” A “Parent Pick-up” is any student who walks home from the Center or who rides home in a car.

• If you plan to change your student’s dismissal for the day, please bring or send a note to CCL on the day of the change.

o This note may be given to your child’s teacher who will, in turn, bring the note to the main office. You may also email the CCL secretaries with a change for the day.

• When picking up your child as a “Parent Pick-up,” please become part of the pick-up “loop.”

o The loop forms along the north covered sidewalk and will require the person who is picking up to drive on the “wrong side” side of the parking lot, and go around the parking circle the “wrong way.”

o We will have your child walk out at dismissal time, and a teacher will assist your child into your car.

o Please display an 8 ½” by 11” card with your child’s last name on it in the front window of the car, as it is a great help.

In the event of a transportation problem during CCL school hours, please call the front office at 636-891-6550. In the event of a transportation concern after CCL offices close (4:30 p.m.), please call the district Transportation Department at 636-733-8500.

Inclement Weather Policy:

• If your child is in attendance at the CCL when the District cancels school due to inclement weather, your child will be transported back to his/her home school to ride their regular bus home.

o Please note that CCL is the first school dismissed, so the CCL bus can arrive at the home schools before the home schools are ready to dismiss their students. (If your child attends a private school or is home-schooled, we will notify you immediately so that you can pick up your child.)

****Please note that there is a great deal of traffic coming into and leaving the CCL parking lots at pick-up time. ***** IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, PLEASE ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO RIDE THE BUS BACK TO THEIR HOME SCHOOL.

Center for Creative Learning - Drop off Procedure

EXIT ONLY Drop Off

State Road

CCL

Main Office Entrance

Campus

CCL Entrance "Parent Drop-Off" Procedure: Enter the CCL through the “Entrance,” marked with green entrance signs. Go around the west side of the building, following the signs to CCL Main Office. Drop students off at the main office entrance (no earlier than 15 minutes prior to start time) and proceed to the curricular turn around at the east end of the building. Exit the campus via the CCL “Exit Only” marked with red exit signs. If a school bus is unloading, please follow school bus rules. Please refrain from passing cars and busses in the drop-off zone.

Old

Center for Creative Learning - Pick up Procedure

“Parent Pick-up” procedure: Cars enter the parking lot, pass the buses, turn right and drive down the left side (“wrong side”) of the parking lot. Cars then go around the circle and line up along the sidewalk canopy. Children are placed in a car by a teacher. As the front cars exit, remaining cars pull up to the

teacher directing traffic. Stay in your car and in the line until you are directed to exit. Display card will be provided for the front window of your car.

EXIT ONLY Pick up

State Road

Main Office Entrance

CCL Campus

CCL Entrance

Old

Visit us at www.prcommunityed.org/adventureclubor call 636-891-6675 for more information

Adventure Club is here for you!

Adventure Club Direct Numbers:

Of ering quality school-age care for 30 years!

Attention CCL Parents:

Babler 636-733-1190 Ballwin 636-891-6590 Blevins 636-733-3190 Bowles 636-891-6790 Chesterfield 636-891-6515 Ellisville 636-891-6615 Eureka 636-733-3165

Fairway 636-733-4190 Geggie 636-733-3215 Green Pines 636-733-4165 Kehrs Mill 636-891-6065 Kellison 636-891-6715 Pond 636-733-3240 Ridge Meadows 636-891-6665

Stanton 636-891-6765 Uthof Valley 636-891-6740 Westridge 636-891-6165 Wild Horse 636-891-6090 Woerther 636-891-6190

Need Regular Care? Are you regularly unavailable to pick up your child after CCL drops them of at their elementary school? Adventure Club ofers a once a week rate which includes a snack, programmed activities and services for you until 6 p.m. Visit www.prcommunityed.org/adventureclub for the one day per week After Care rate and registration information or call us at 636-891-6675.

Unexpectedly Delayed? Do you occasionally face unexpected delays in picking up your child after CCL? Just call the Adventure Club direct line (listed below) for your school, and the Adventure Club staf will check your child into the program until you arrive. If Adventure Club does not receive a call and a ride is not on-site when the bus arrives, your child may check him or herself into Adventure Club. A $10 fee is assessed for the first 1–10 minutes, with additional minutes charged at a $2 per minute rate. All children will receive an orientation at the beginning of the school year so they know where Adventure Club is located.

Policies and Procedures at the CCL

Attendance/Absences If your child will be absent on his/her CCL attendance day, please call the CCL office, (636) 891-6550. The CCL does not receive information from your child’s elementary school regarding your child’s absence. If you do not contact the CCL, someone will try to contact you to verify the absence. If any absence is not verified by a parent, the absence is recorded as unexcused. If a child is absent from the CCL three days in any given quarter without a documented explanation, parents will be called to discuss the child’s interest in continuing at the CCL. If a decision is made to withdraw from the CCL, the student cannot return to the CCL until the following school year.

Student Expectations at the CCL Appropriate student behavior is essential to an environment conducive to learning. Learning appropriate behavior assists the students in developing self-discipline, independence, and character. These expectations guide our learning and interactions with one another.

• We are kind. • We are respectful. • We are responsible. • We are safe. • We are here to learn.

Discipline

Discipline policies are important for the maintenance of an atmosphere where orderly learning is possible and encouraged. Specifically, the “Rockwood School District Guidelines in the Policies and Procedures Pertaining to Elementary Students Attending Rockwood Public Schools” will be followed at the Center. If a student’s behavior becomes a disruptive factor, the teacher in charge will handle it until such time that he or she feels the disruption cannot be resolved. At such time, an administrator will be consulted.

Food Brought from Home to Share at the CCL Due to the increasing number of allergies and other health issues, we ask that students not bring food to school to share with other students. This request includes sharing snacks, sharing lunch items, and bringing birthday and holiday treats.

Under some circumstances, a teacher will use food to enhance student learning of a topic. When this happens, the classroom teacher will contact all parents ahead of time, via e-mail or a notice, to let them know what type of food is being served. If a student has a food allergy that is documented on our health forms, the teacher will also call the student’s family.

Lunch Students have the options of bringing or buying their lunch at the Center. The Center follows the same menu as Rockwood’s elementary schools. A copy of the menu will be available on the Rockwood website. If your child wants to buy lunch at the Center, they need to pay for it through the Rockwood www.myschoolbucks.com account, or send a check or cash to CCL to the cafeteria manager. If your child attends a private school or is home- schooled and you wish to have your child buy lunch at the Center, you can pay for lunch through the Rockwood www.myschoolbucks.com account. Parents are welcome to join their child for lunch on special occasions. We ask that you call ahead so we can be sure there are enough chairs set up. We ask that you limit lunch visits to no more than three a year.

Information can be found at http://www.rsdmo.org/childnutrition/Pages/default.aspx. Please do not send soda as a snack or lunch drink.

Snacks Your child’s day at the Center will be very intense. Lunch on the Center day is approximately one-half hour later than your child’s lunchtime at his/her home school. Therefore, children have the OPTION of bringing a healthy morning snack. Students in grades K, 1, and 2, have the OPTION of two snacks a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Milk and a variety of juices are available. Please note that the snack drink fee will be deducted from his/her www.myschoolbucks.com account.

Field Trips An important educational aid is the field trip. Teachers are encouraged to take a field trip if a field trip would be beneficial in introducing or following up on a given unit of study. It is not compulsory that teachers take a field trip, and students should not feel they have been deprived if one is not taken.

Student Emergency Information

The CCL uses the district student database, Infinite Campus, to access student emergency information. This is the same emergency information parents provide to their child’s home school. If there is any change in the emergency information listed in Infinite Campus, please contact your child’s home school. It is important to report any change of email addresses, telephone numbers, address, or place of employment.

Medication

If your child needs to take medication at school, including over-the-counter medications, here are some important rules and policies to follow:

Medications must be brought to school by the parent or another responsible adult in the original container. The transportation of medication to school or from school by students is prohibited with the exception provided for self-administration of emergency medication by waiver. This applies to both prescription and over-the-counter medication.

1. All medication is to be taken to the nurse's office for secured, locked storage. 2. Prescription medications must be in a prescription-labeled container; the label

stating the child's name, current date, name of medication and directions for administration.

3. Over-the-counter medications must be in their original containers. 4. Cough drops contain an “active ingredient” thus are considered an over the counter

medication and will need parent permission and physician orders. 5. Parent permission forms must accompany any kind of medication. Physician

requests also must accompany over-the-counter medications and any prescription medication to be given differently than stated in the label directions.

Download the request form for medication to be given at school. 6. If your child has asthma and you and your child's physician believes it is necessary

for your child to carry a "rescue" inhaler, as opposed to keeping it in the nurse's office, please contact your school nurse. Click here for the authorization form that is needed along with the form available in #5.

7. In grades nine through 12 only, students may carry over-the-counter medications and self-administer these medications, if: the medications are in their original containers; and the authorization form is filled out on file with the nurse office.

8. Students cannot carry medications on the bus. Parents should bring in any medications they want their child to take during the school day. Medications need to have a doctor’s note, labeled bottle, and specific directions.

For over-the-counter medications: 1. Non-prescription medication (OTC’s) may be dispensed for a specific condition by

the nurse upon written request of the physician. This request will be in the form of a dated note to the school acknowledging parent/guardian approval, time of dosage, name of medicine, purpose of medicine, and the termination date for administering the medication. A parent/guardian will provide a written request that Rockwood School District complies with the authorized prescriber (physician) request to administer medication.

2. OTC’s must be brought to school in their original container and kept in the health room in the possession of the nurse.

3. The student will assume the responsibility for requesting the medication each day at the proper time. 4. The school nurse serves as a consultant and resource to classroom

teachers regarding health education, drug education, and family life programs.

If you have questions, please contact your school nurse or Amy Wehr, Supervisor, Wellness and Health Services at 636-733-2008.

Recess

At the CCL, a twenty minute recess is combined with lunch. Some students have recess then lunch and some students have lunch then recess. For specific times, see the CCL daily schedules. All children will go outside for recess. If a child needs to stay inside for recess due to a medical condition or allergies, parents should send a doctor’s note to the CCL nurse. Children remaining inside for recess will stay in the office area. Playground Recess: The following rules apply to all students during playground recess

1. Recess will be held on the blacktop area and the field next to the patio. 2. When the weather does not permit outside recess, an e-mail will be

sent to classroom teachers. 3. When the field play areas are wet, an e-mail will be sent to classroom

teachers indicating where students should play. 4. Carefully descend from playground equipment. 5. Personal athletic equipment should be left at home. 6. Play with balls away from the building. 7. Students who display inappropriate behavior will be asked to stand against

the wall for the remainder of recess. 8. Students should go to the bathroom before recess. However, in case of

emergency, students may ask the recess personnel to use the bathroom. 9. When the whistle blows to indicate the end of recess, students stop

playing, place the equipment in the proper places, and line up in their designated lines.

10. Students are to enter the building quietly, accompanied by their teacher, and proceed to their classrooms.

Indoor Recess: The following rules apply to all students during indoor recess

1. Indoor voices are appropriate. 2. Using the Internet during indoor recess must be supervised by a classroom teacher. 3. Students need to remain in their designated room. 4. Students should log off of computers, push in used chairs, and return

classroom games to storage areas at the end of indoor recess.

Frequently Asked Questions by Parents of New CCL Students

1. When will my child begin attending the Center?

New students begin attending the Center at the start of each new CCL semester.

2. How will my child get to and from the Center?

Arrival: Children may either go to his/her home school where s/he will ride the bus from the home school to the Center, or parents may drive their child to the Center.

Dismissal: Parents select whether their child should ride the bus or be picked up at the CCL. If the child rides the bus, parents may select to have their child dropped off at the home school or ride the bus all the way home. A CCL staff member walks all bus students to their buses and makes sure each child gets on the correct bus. If a parent chooses to pick up his/her child, parents wait in the car pool line. A CCL staff member walks each child to his/her car.

3. What if my child arrives late or I need to pick him/her up early?

When a child arrives late, the parent comes into the office with the child and signs the child in. If a child needs to leave early, the parent should send a note or call the office in the morning. When you arrive to pick up your child, come into the office and sign the child out. However, once the dismissal process has begun, children will not be called to the office for pick up. Parents who want their child to leave early should come to the office before the end of Kaleidoscope classes. Kaleidoscope classes end 10 minutes before scheduled dismissal. When a child is picked up during the last half hour, parents should park at Bethesda and walk to the CCL.

4. What supplies does my child need?

A supply list is provided on our website at www.rsdmo.org/giftededucation. Click on “registration” and go to the supply lists. Parents may either purchase supplies or buy a supply packet from the PTO. Supplies are stored in each classroom and used when needed. Information about buying supplies through the PTO is included in the PTO handbook.

5. What is the Artistically Gifted Component and how does my child qualify for the

Artistically Gifted Component? The Artistically Gifted Component was created to meet the needs of artistically talented third, fourth and fifth graders attending the Center. This specialized component provides an intensive art experience within a studio climate. Potential students for the program are screened and identified using multiple criteria and a weighted matrix form.

6. How is my child assigned to a morning unit?

CCL staff members work together to place children in morning units. During the placement process, staff members try to place at least two children of the same sex from the same school in each morning unit classroom. The two children may not be from the same home school classroom, but they will be from the same elementary school. If a child has a specific passion area that relates to a morning unit, parents may submit the CCL Student Placement form to the Administrative Intern. The form is shared with all families in April/May. This information will be added to the child’s placement file and will be used as another piece of information when placing the children.

7. How and when does my child select Kaleidoscope classes?

Children in grades two through five select their Kaleidoscope classes on their first attendance day of each quarter. Children select classes by rank-ordering their choices. Each quarter, the registration order begins with a different letter of the alphabet. By rotating where in the alphabet registration begins, every student has the opportunity to be at the beginning of the registration order some time during the school year.

8. Can I send food birthday treats?

Because of allergies, we ask that students not bring food snacks for special occasions to share with the class nor share their snacks during snack time.

9. Why types of snacks should I send with my child?

Due to CCL’s late start and later lunch time, children are asked to bring healthy snacks for designated snack times. Children in kindergarten and grades one and two have two snacks a day. Children in grades three, four, and five have one morning snack. We ask that parents send healthy and nutritious snacks for their children.

10. Will there be homework from the Center?

No, homework is not assigned at the CCL. However, children will ask if they can work on a project at home. Teachers allow children to do this, but also remind them that there is no need to work on a project at home as time is provided at the CCL to complete tasks. If a child gets behind due to absences, the teacher may call to talk with parents about how to help the child catch up.

11. If I need to pay with a check for PTO items, to whom do I make out the

check? What happens if the check is returned?

Checks should be made out to CCL PTO. Checks are welcome throughout the district. We recognize that a parent may inadvertently overdraw a checking account and a check may be returned by your bank. In order to recover these funds in a private and professional manner, the district has contracted with CHECKredi, LLC, a company based in Lexington, Kentucky for collection of returned checks. CHECKredi will contact you by mail and by telephone in order to make arrangements to cover the amount of the check.

12. What do I do if my child says s/he doesn’t like the CCL or wants to quit?

Often, when a child wants to quit or says s/he doesn’t like the CCL it is more about the rigor of his/her classes. Gifted children are often the first ones with answers in their elementary school classroom, but at the CCL, many students quickly share correct answers. This can be frightening and when the children share their feelings it comes out as, “I am bored,” “I don’t like the topic,” “I don’t like the teacher.” Talk it over with your child and if you need help call the classroom teacher and discuss your concerns. The CCL Counselor can also help. If a child does decide to withdraw, s/he cannot reenter until the following school year.

13. Who do I talk to if I have questions?

Any staff member will be happy to either answer your question or direct you to someone who can answer it. If you have questions call 636-891-6550.