Odyssey Charter School, K-12, was recently accredited for a six year term by the
Northwest Association .... What steps will you take if your computer goes down?
Have a ...... All cars should enter the school from the entrance on Jones Blvd.
Odyssey Charter School 2251 S. Jones Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89146 (702)257-0578
Dear Students and Parents, Whether it’s “Welcome Aboard” or “Welcome Back” enrolling your child in Odyssey Charter School demonstrates support of school choice in the State of Nevada. On behalf of the Odyssey K-12 administration, faculty, board of directors, and community, we thank you for your support and wish you a wonderful year ahead. Odyssey Charter School, K-12, was recently accredited for a six year term by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. This is the second six year term for which our school has been approved. Odyssey Charter School’s K-8 and High School programs were recognized by the Department of Education as ‘Nevada Highlighted Schools’ for 2011. We anticipate 2013-2014 will be our best academic year thus far! It is an honor, and pleasure, to continue serving the Odyssey community of parents and students. With a strong teaching staff, a committed administrative team, our unique model combining distance education with the critical “face to face” component, and the dedication of our parent population as active participants in the educational process we proudly begin our 14th year as a leader of the charter school movement in Nevada.
Julie Charles, Ed.D Principal
Mr. Gerry Born Assistant Principal
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Odyssey Charter School Student – Parent Handbook 2013-2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS
School Motto, Mission, Core Values, Goals and Statement of Beliefs School Calendar The Role of the Parent in the Odyssey Program Secrets of Success K-7 and 8th Grade Academics Learning Environment and Daily Schedule Recommended Weekly Time Allocation Chart Grading Promotion Requirements Testing Counseling Department Student Intervention and Required Parent Conference (RPC) Meetings Successful Strategies for Effective Communication Code of Honor Acceptable Use Policy Grades K-6 (only) Curriculum and Learning Objectives Teacher Visit Information Group Class Support Labs Logs th 7 - 8th Grade (only) Curriculum and Learning Objectives Onsite Class Schedule Changes Instructional Lab Attendance Attendance Policy/Cancellation Procedures Tardy Policy Error-in-Day Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Regarding Attendance Truancy Policy Student Related Policies School Dress Code General Information Discipline Standard of Conduct Rights and Responsibilities Asbestos Management Plan Nevada Revised Statutes
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School Motto, Mission, Core Values, Goals and Statement of Beliefs Motto: The Odyssey Begins with You!
Mission: At Odyssey Charter School we believe that all students are unique and by utilizing sound instructional practices students can achieve academic success.
Core Values:
Commitment – We recognize that our obligations go beyond our professional responsibilities and are committed daily to the success of our students and school. Respect – We acknowledge and value the unique qualities and experiences of our students, staff, and families. Flexibility - We will continually seek multiple opportunities and approaches to ensure our student’s individual success. Optimism – We are committed to a positive belief in our students which maximizes support for all individuals within our learning community.
Goals:
Provide each student with a quality education Develop and operate programs that maximize parent involvement in each child’s education Employ modern technologies, alternative approaches and alternative settings to deliver the highest quality education possible
Statement of Beliefs:
All students can learn Learning is continuous and has no bounds Learning is a journey rather than a destination Parents are an integral part of the educational process Parents, children and school staff share the responsibility of education High expectations result in high academic achievement Parents, students and the school share responsibility for developing character, ethics and manners School helps to prepare individuals to positively contribute to a changing society Individuals are accountable for their actions, therefore, each individual will accept responsibility for logical consequences regarding his/her behavior Students’ educational needs are the priority of the school and families Education is a cooperative partnership between the school, families, and community members
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2013 – 2014 Calendar
26-AUG-13.……..…………………...…………………………….….First Day of School 2-SEP-13 ............…………….....……………………………….Labor Day (No School) 24-OCT-13……...…………………....……………………………….End of Quarter One 25-OCT-13……......…………………………….….Nevada Day Observed (No School) 11-NOV-13 .……...……….....….………………………….…Veterans Day (No School) 28-29-NOV-13 .…….......………………….Thanksgiving and Family Day (No School) 23-DEC – 5 JAN 14….…………..……………………………Winter Break (No School) 6-JAN-14 ..…………………………..………………………………….Classes Resume 17-JAN-14 .……..……………………………..End of Quarter Two and First Semester 20-JAN-14.….…..……………………………..Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No School) 17-FEB-14..……………….........…………………………..President’s Day (No School) 21-MAR-14....……………………………………………………….End of Quarter Three 14 – 18 APR 14..……………..……………………………….Spring Break (No School) 21-APR -13...………………………….…………………………………Classes Resume 26-MAY-14………………………………………..Memorial Day Observed (No School) 4-JUN-14…………………………..………………………………….End of Quarter Four 4-JUN-14…………………….………………………………….End of Second Semester 4-JUN-14……………………………………………………………….Last Day of School
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The Role of the Parent in the Odyssey Program The purpose of this handbook is to inform, guide, and direct your efforts in the awesome responsibility of educating your child this year. You will be working with licensed teachers to facilitate your child’s education. You will learn new concepts and gain interesting facts and knowledge. Perhaps you will understand old concepts in a new and fascinating way. These are some of the benefits, outside of personal goals of the OCS program. Odyssey is a unique program that affords you the opportunity to create a partnership with professional licensed teachers who will assist you weekly in the education of your child. Your role as facilitator of your child’s instruction is a key component in this partnership and there is nothing that can take its place. So that these experiences are successful for you and your child, we recommend that you strive throughout the year to attain the following skills:
Understand your computer. What steps will you take if your computer goes down? Have a plan in place.
Explore the world of the Internet to find helpful and fascinating websites that will support your child’s lessons.
Be able to print out necessary materials. (If you do not have a printer, you may print out materials at your local library for a small fee.)
Regularly utilize the library and other community resources.
Actively utilize Odyssey resources with participation in Parents as Teachers classes (one time per month minimum requirement).
Strongly encourage your student to attend weekly lab and tutoring sessions on campus (grade levels and schedules TBA).
Build relationships with your teachers. Share ideas openly, discuss difficulties, and use all of the tools made available to you.
Always praise and encourage your child. It goes a long way!
Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Everybody does. Education is not a destination, it is a journey!
Enjoy the journey!
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Secrets of Success – Grades K-6 Tips for Parents and Guardians Create an organized working space for your child Provide a desk, bookshelf, supplies, bulletin board Keep paperwork in 3-ring binders Keep binder in the same place each day. Separate by subject areas or dates Grade work before the teacher arrives Write down questions or concerns during the week and keep them handy in a binder Record any extra academic activities for teacher approval Let the teacher know your child’s interests or special projects they enjoy Logs Have the logs completed Double-check your math when adding up time Be sure to sign the logs Working with your children Provide supervision during learning time Monitor and provide help for your child. Even middle school students need supervision and assistance. If an adult is not home part of the day, have the child read silently, do journal entries, art, music or health, but leave the “meaty stuff” or areas you know your child is struggling in, for a time when an adult is there to offer guidance and assistance. Remember the importance of modeling good study habits and daily reading Post minimum required minutes near your child’s work space Monitor time spent on subject areas. Remember a limited amount of time may be logged for PE, art and music, depending on grade level Organize your child’s time so that assignments are completed on teacher directed due dates Make enrichment activities a required part of your day Participate in PAT (Parent as Teacher) classes to further your knowledge in teaching your child (one time per month minimum requirement). However, come as often as you like! Set up a PIN at the library so that books can be easily renewed online Have the student attend study sessions or labs on a regular basis Teacher Visit Teachers are required to spend a minimum of 60 minutes per child at each weekly visit. Consider this appointment with the teacher to be very important. This appointment should only be cancelled in cases of emergency Be ready for the week’s work (three-ring binder) as well as list of questions for review Have the daily minutes completely and accurately entered in True North Logic Provide a clean, well-lit table for the student and teacher during the visit Put pets in another room. Turn off the TV and radio. Use the telephone answering machine Allow your child to eat before or after the visit, not during the visit Do not have your child’s friend over during the visit In case of emergency or student sickness only, please contact the teacher or call the office to cancel the visit. Contacting the Teacher Teachers check their email daily and will respond in a timely manner Teachers may also be contacted through the school office Teachers will contact families a second time during the instructional week, either before or after a visit. Please understand your teacher’s schedule may be very tight, therefore, we ask families to provide your teacher 24 hours notice in the event of a cancellation. If you must cancel the day of a visit, be sure to contact the school office as soon as possible. (702) 257-0578.
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Secrets of Success – Grades 7 and 8 Tips for Parents and Guardians Create an organized work space for your child Provide a desk, bookshelf, supplies, bulletin board Keep paperwork in 3-ring binder Keep binder in the same place each day Separate by subject areas or dates Maintain the agenda book for due dates, meetings, and scheduled days for attending support lab. Before class Write down questions or concerns during the week and keep them handy in a binder Review completed weekly assignments before each weekly school visit takes place Working with your children Monitor and provide help for your child. Even middle school students need supervision and assistance If an adult is not home part of the day, have the child read silently, do journal entries, art, music or health, but leave the “meaty stuff” or areas you know your child is struggling in, for a time when an adult is there to offer guidance and assistance. Monitor grades and assignments in moodle several times each week. Provide transportation and encourage attendance at support labs Post minimum required minutes near your child’s work space Monitor time spent on subject areas Reminder – A limited amount of time may be logged for PE, art, music, depending on grade level Organize your child’s time so that assignments are completed on teacher directed due dates Set time to take your child to the library Participate in PAT (Parent as Teacher) classes to further your knowledge in teaching your child Set up a PIN at the library so that books can be easily renewed online Have the student attend support labs and study sessions on a regular basis Class Visit Attendance at this weekly session is imperative since there is one day per week of required faceto-face attendance Have the daily minutes completely and accurately entered in True North Logic Contacting the teacher Teachers check their email daily and will respond in a timely manner Teachers may also be contacted through the school office
Please understand your teacher’s schedule may be very tight, therefore, we ask for families to provide your teacher 24 hours notice in the event of a cancellation. If you must cancel the day of the visit, be sure to contact the school office as soon as possible (702) 257-0578. To reschedule your student’s day that week OCS will make every attempt to meet your make-up day request however, we cannot admit students who arrive without prior scheduling through the front office.
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Academics
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Learning Environment The study area must be a positive, quiet, uncluttered work place that is conducive to learning. Following is a list of recommendations which will help facilitate the appropriate atmosphere.
Specific location with appropriate lighting
Working computer with printer access
Internet access – we recommend high speed internet access
E-mail – This should be checked daily (many accounts are free)
Tools (paper, pencils, pens, ruler, calculator, etc.)
Safety and security for the student, parent, and teacher
Daily Schedules Research proves that students achieve higher performance when in a structured, daily routine. Odyssey offers immense flexibility which allows for you to adapt a schedule that best suits your family and lifestyle. You should commit to blocks of time on a daily basis so that the schedule becomes second nature. This will ensure that your child will understand and expect school time. Odyssey offers for purchase a school planner. This is a spiral-bound resource notebook containing: a calendar, school tips for studying and organization, important phone numbers, and other information regarding school policy. Planners are available in our front office for $5.00. Odyssey endorses the student daily planner as a tool to plan, schedule, and monitor student instructional activity.
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Recommended Weekly Time Allocation
Grade
Required Minutes per Day
Required Minutes Per Week
Electives
K
120
600
Max. of 100 minutes per week
1 and 2
240
1200
Max. of 100 minutes per week.
3rd, 4th, and 5th
300
1500
Max. of 100 minutes per week
6th, 7th, 8th
330
1650
Max of 250 minutes per week
Grading Report cards are issued quarterly. Kindergarten students receive a grade of E, S, or N. (Excellent, Satisfactory or Needs Improvement). Primary and intermediate students in grades 1-5, receive a grade of A, B, C, D or F in major academic areas and E, S, or N in other subjects. Middle school students in grades 6-8 receive a grade of A, B, C, D, or F in all subject areas. Unsatisfactory notices are issued at mid-quarter if the student is at risk of failing individual classes (D or lower). If a teacher observes that a student’s grades have dropped significantly in a short period of time, a notice may also be issued at that time. 8th grade students may be required to attend an additional session of lab if the student is failing a core subject.
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Promotion Requirements In order for a student to be promoted to the 7th grade, he/she must complete one semester with a passing grade in Mathematics, one semester with a passing grade in English or Reading, and one semester with a passing grade in Science in the 6th grade. According to Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 389.445, and Clark County School District Policy and Regulation 5123 students must earn passing grades (A,B, C, or D) in the following areas during their 7th and/or 8th grade years to be promoted to 9th grade: A student in the 7th grade must complete one semester with a passing grade in Mathematics and one semester with a passing grade in English or Reading, one semester with a passing grade in Science, and one semester with a passing grade in Social Studies for promotion to 8th grade. A student in 8th grade must complete three semesters with a passing grade in Mathematics, three semesters with a passing grade in English or Reading, two semesters with a passing grade in Science and two semesters with a passing grade in Social Studies during the 7th and 8th grade years for promotion to high school. An 8th grade student who does not meet promotion requirements may be promoted to high school on academic probation provided the student meets the criteria for academic probation and with administrative approval. A parent or guardian may elect not to place his/her child on academic probation and to remain in Grade 8. Although a student may be promoted to high school on academic probation, summer school credit retrieval is recommended to improve academic skills and to prepare for success in high school. Successful completion of required summer school courses may remove a student from academic probation. An 8th grade student who has not met the promotion requirements may be promoted to the 9th grade on academic probation provided at least one of the following criteria has been met, and the school principal has given approval.
Criteria-Referenced Test (CRT) score meet or exceed standards in the area(s) of credit deficiency; or Credits have been earned in the core area(s): English or Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, however, the student is deficient in one semester of the five total credits required for promotion; A student reaches the age of sixteen before, on, or after the first day of school.
High school Academic Probation will consist of the appropriate remediation in the subject area(s) in which the student failed to pass in middle school. Remediation may include, but is not limited to a minimum of one semester of remedial instruction in the deficient subject area(s) during the 9th grade. The student must earn a passing grade in the remediation course(s) in order to be removed from academic probation. A student may be placed on academic probation for more than one semester. An 8th grade student not meeting criteria for promotion to 9th grade and not meeting the criteria for academic probation will be retained in the 8th grade for the following school year. A retained 8th grade student may not be promoted mid-year.
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Testing Because Odyssey Charter School is a public school, testing is a requirement for each student. Below, you will find brief explanations of the types of testing that may occur throughout the year. This list may not be inclusive.
State-mandated testing- This requires that, by law, students attend a testing facility for a specified period of time. You will be contacted several times prior to the testing and may be offered a choice of time and location. Confirmations will be sent. You will be responsible for your child’s transportation to and from the facility. This is not optional. All students must complete these tests. Because these tests are mandated by state law, parents or guardians must bring their child/children to the Odyssey charter School campus during their designated test time. (Please see enrollment contract for details). Benchmark Testing- These tests are conducted three times throughout the year to collect information concerning the student’s strengths and weaknesses. These exams are necessary for fine tuning the instruction and curriculum content at the school. This is not optional. These tests are also used to measure student growth within a period. Curriculum Tests/Quizzes- This type of testing takes place throughout the year, during or after a unit of study in any of the core subjects. They may be teacher or computer-generated.
In order to facilitate greater success in testing situations, all teachers will employ Study Island as a source of practice. It is strongly recommended that you become familiar with this site. It has a parent section which will allow you to become an active participant in learning about the testing techniques needed to be a successful test-taker.
Counseling Department The guidance function is delivered through four services: Placement: Students are required to take courses to meet promotion requirements. Placement involves assistance to each individual in selecting appropriate curriculum. Individual Analysis: The individual analysis service aims to enhance understanding of the individual and to improve the quality of decisions made by parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, and the learners themselves. Information Dissemination: The Counseling Department is open to anyone in the Odyssey community who desires information concerning education. Counseling Service: Counseling is designed to help each individual set goals and establish an education plan. This will be achieved through an awareness of each individual’s strengths, weaknesses, knowledge, skills, feelings, and values. In addition, counseling service provides consultations with parents, teachers, and administrators.
Student Intervention and Required Parent Conference (RPC) Meetings The decision to enroll your child in a charter school requires commitment and support from all stakeholders. Odyssey Charter Schools is committed to providing families with the supports that are necessary to help students succeed in our program. Our research has shown that students in our program excel when several things are in place, including regular visits and attendance, frequent communication with instructors, participating in mandatory classes and voluntary programs (PAT), and adherence to school procedures and policies. Student or family intervention meetings are one of the ways we assess what kind of support is needed when students may not appear to be succeeding. Should you receive a letter during the school year requiring your attendance at an Academic RPC meeting, or any other Required Parent Conference (RPC) please contact the office to schedule your appointment immediately.
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Successful Strategies for Effective Communication Resolving Differences So Everyone Wins Communication plays a critical role in education, especially in a school environment where email and the telephone are used more frequently than face to face meetings. The success of our program is often attributed to effective communication between the teacher, the students and the parents. Those who have been most successful in our school point to several strategies that worked for them. With the additional help of our counselor we are able to offer the following list of guidelines for making your year a year in which EVERYONE WINS! 1. Accept and respect that individual opinions may differ. Don't try to force compliance. Work to develop common agreement. 2. Communicate your feelings assertively, not aggressively. Try to express them without blaming others. 3. Focus on the issue, not your position about the issue. 4. Give others an opportunity to express themselves without jumping to conclusions or making assumptions about what they are feeling or thinking. 5. Review the situation as one where no one has to win and no one has to lose. Work toward a solution where both parties can have some of their needs met. 6. Listen without interrupting; ask for feedback if needed to assure a clear understanding of the issue. 7. Thank the person for listening to you. 8. Stay in the present. 9. Take time to cool off should you find yourself becoming angry or annoyed; send the email or make the phone call once you have regained control. 10. Work through the problem rather than attacking the person. It is best to start with a compliment. Remember the goal is that all parties want what is best for the child!
For additional suggestions or further resources please contact the school counselor.
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Code of Honor Nevada Department of Education There is a clear expectation that all students will perform academic tasks with honor and integrity, with the support of parents, staff, faculty, administration, and the community. The learning process requires students to think, process, organize, and create their own ideas. Throughout this process, students gain knowledge, self-respect, and ownership in the work that they do. These qualities provide a solid foundation for life skills, impacting people positively throughout their lives. Cheating and plagiarism violate the fundamental learning process and compromise personal integrity and one’s honor. Students demonstrate academic honesty and integrity by not cheating, plagiarizing or using information unethically in any way. What is cheating? Cheating or academic dishonesty can take many forms, but always involves the improper taking of information from and/or giving of information to another student, individual, or other source. Examples of cheating can include, but are not limited to:
Taking or copying answers on an examination or any other assignment from another student or other source Giving Answers on an examination or any other assignment to another student Copying assignments that are turned in as original work Collaborating on exams, assignments, papers and/or projects without specific teacher permission Allowing others to do the research or writing for an assigned paper Using unauthorized electronic devices Falsifying data or lab results, changing grades manually or electronically
What is plagiarism? Plagiarism is a common form of cheating or academic dishonesty in the school setting. It is representing another person’s works or ideas as your own without giving credit to the proper source. Examples of plagiarism can include, but are not limited to:
Submitting someone else’s work, such as published sources in part or whole, as your own without giving credit to the source Turning in purchased papers or papers from the internet written by someone else Representing another person’s artistic or scholarly work such as musical compositions, computer programs, photographs, drawings, or paintings as your own Helping others plagiarize by giving them your work
All stakeholders have a responsibility in maintaining academic honesty. Educators must provide the tools and teach the concepts that afford students the knowledge to understand the characteristics of cheating and plagiarism. Parents must support their students in making good decisions relative to completing coursework assignments and taking exams. Students must produce work that is theirs alone, recognizing the importance of thinking for themselves and learning independently, when that is the nature of the assignment. Adhering to the Code of Honor for the purposes of academic honesty promotes an essential skill that goes beyond the school environment. Honesty and integrity are useful and valuable traits impacting one’s life. Questions or concerns regarding the consequences associated with a violation of the Code of Honor may be directed towards your child’s school administration and/or the school district.
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Acceptable Use Policy Odyssey Charter School is a community of educators, students, and their families committed to individual achievement through innovative instruction and guidance, both direct and on-line. Prior to receiving access to Odyssey Charter School’s network resources, students, parents, and educators must read the Acceptable Use Policy and submit a completed Network Access Form to the appropriate administrator or designee. ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP) The purpose of Odyssey Charter School’s (OCS) Acceptable Use Policy is to be certain that the school’s staff, students and families have appropriate and productive communications with electronic communities around the world. This policy includes all email and Internet services and all Internet service providers such as AOL, EarthLink, etc, when used in association with OCS. The electronic resources provided by OCS can only be used to promote the purpose, mission, and goals of the school. These resources are provided to facilitate access to information and resources, promote educational excellence, and enhance communication between OCS and the community. The internet is a network connecting thousands of computers throughout the world. The internet can bring a wealth of educational material to the user, but may also contain material that is objectionable. OCS filters web sites believed to be inappropriate for students. However, OCS cannot and does not represent that inappropriate or objectionable material can be completely filtered. Parent(s) and or guardian(s) must consider this limitation when allowing their children access to the internet either at school or at home. TERMS AND CONDITIONS A. Access to District Network and Resources 1. Staff, students, and members of the community may be given access to the OCS computer network. This access, including account and password, must not be shared, assigned, or transferred to another individual. 2. Access to OCS’ computer network resources may be suspended or terminated if terms and conditions of the AUP are violated. Prior to a termination of access to OCS’ computer network resources, the user will be informed of the suspected violation and given an opportunity to present an explanation. The user may request a review hearing with the Executive Director within seven (7) days of notification if the user feels that such action is unjust. After the review, access may be terminated if the Executive Director denies the appeal. 3. Upon entrance to OCS, a student must complete a Network Access Form that is signed by the legal parent and/or guardian before access is granted to OCS’s computer network resources. Student signature is mandatory for grades 6 through 8 only B. System Security 1. Computer users may not run applications or files that create a security risk to OCS’ computer network resources. If users identify a security problem, they must notify appropriate administrators immediately. 2. Any user reasonably deemed to be a security risk, or discovered to have a proven history of problems with other computer networks, may be denied access to OCS’ computer network resources. 3. Users should immediately notify a teacher or school administrator if they believe that someone has obtained unauthorized access to their private account. C. Respecting Resource Limits 1. Staff, students, and community members will not use the school’s technology services to post chain letters or engage in spamming. Spamming is sending messages to a large number of people, or sending a large number of messages to a single person, with the intent of annoying users or to interrupt the system.
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D. Illegal Activities 1. OCS cooperates fully with local, state or federal officials in any investigation related to illegal activities. 2. It is prohibited to utilize OCS’ technology services to sell or purchase goods and services without prior approval of the appropriate administrator. 3. Attempting to gain unauthorized access to OCS’ network resources or go beyond authorized access is prohibited. This includes attempting to log in through another person’s account or accessing another person’s files. 4. Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges to OCS’ computer network resources and may result in suspension from school. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data or equipment on any computer network. 5. It is prohibited to use OCS’ computer network resources with the intent of denying others access to the system. 6. Advertising will be permitted on OCS’ computer network resources only with the prior approval of the appropriate administrator. E. Intellectual Property (Copyright) 1. No copyrighted material is to be placed on OCS’ computer network resources without written permission from the copyright owner. 2. All users of OCS’ network resources must agree not to submit, publish, or display any type of material that violates this AUP. F. Language 1. Polite and appropriate language is expected at all times. Abusive messages are prohibited. 2. Harassment is prohibited. Harassment is conduct which is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it adversely affects, or has the purpose, or logical consequences, of interfering with a user’s educational program, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Behavior that continues after an individual is informed of its offensiveness may constitute evidence of intent to harass. If told by a person to stop sending messages, the sender must stop. G. Liability 1. OCS does not warrant the functions or services performed by OCS’ computer network resources. Resources are provided on an “as is, as available” basis. 2. Opinions, advice, services, and all other information supplied by third parties are for informational purposes only. It is not guaranteed to be correct. Users are urged to seek professional advice for specific individual situations. 3. Any software available from OCS’ network resources is not guaranteed as to suitability, legality, or performance by OCS. 4. Staff, students, and community members agree to indemnify and hold harmless OCS for any liability arising out of any violation of the AUP. H. Electronic Mail and Real-Time Conferencing 1. It is not the intention of the system administrators to inspect or disclose the contents of electronic mail or computer files sent by one user to another, without consent from either party, unless required to do so by OCS, local, state, or federal officials. Electronic mail is not private. As with written communications, users should recognize there is no expectation of privacy for electronic mail. 2. Users are expected to remove email messages in a timely manner. 3. All users must promptly report inappropriate messages received to a teacher, supervisor, or the system administrators. 4. Students should not reveal personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, passwords, or financial information to others. If student work is identified, only the first name, grade, and school should be listed. Private information may not be posted about another person. 5. A cancelled account will not retain electronic mail. 6. The system administrators reserve the right to terminate access to OCS’ computer network resources if this AUP is violated while using real time chat features, including video conferencing.
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The Following Section Applies To Grades K-6 Only Curriculum and Learning Objectives Teacher Visit Information Group Class Support Labs Student Weekly Log
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K-6 Curriculum and Learning Objectives Odyssey Charter School employs a blended learning model combining distance education with face to face instruction. Our program affords you the opportunity to facilitate your child’s education by partnering with a professional teacher, outside of the regular school setting. Our curriculum delivery is via the computer and the Internet. Although your teacher may use many sites for lessons, Compass Learning (www.compasslearning.com), is the major curriculum source that has been adopted by Odyssey. Think of it as a series of online textbooks, in all the major academic subjects, PreK-8. There are also lessons in health, art, and music. The school also uses Study Island, Reading A to Z/ABC Teach, Brain Pop, and EdHelper. These are not the only sites your child will use during the course of the year, but they do carry the bulk of the information. Your teacher will use age-appropriate sites and write the lessons on the logs depending upon the needs of your child. You will be provided with usernames and passwords and may write them on the Information Sheet provided in your student’s orientation folder. Every child will be required to read each day. The amount of time for each child will be determined by your teacher, and will be dependent upon grade level and ability. With this, your teacher will assign book reports accordingly. In addition, each child must complete daily writing assignments. Specifics will be discussed each week during visits. Odyssey endorses a program which focuses on the five steps of the writing process. Because we are a public school, we are required to follow the Nevada State Standards and learning objectives for all grade levels. The objectives are lists of those skills that must be introduced, practiced, or mastered in each grade. You will be given these guidelines (Curriculum Overview) at the beginning of the year, and it is important that you regularly review them and become familiar with them so as to gain a clear understanding of what skills your child will need to complete within the year. Teachers will refer to the Common Core State Standards when creating lesson plans.
Teacher Visits The mandatory weekly visit is ultimately the most important element in the Odyssey Program. During this hourly visit, the parent/student/teacher relationship is established and nurtured. This relationship will allow for the academic success of the student. The following thoroughly explains what is required to facilitate for a successful visit. Before the Visit
Parents and students should be home one half hour before and after the scheduled appointment time. (Please be aware that teachers are on the road and there is always the possibility of delay. There may also be times when your teacher might request to do the visit earlier due to the cancellation of other visits.) As previously stated, the learning environment is prepared Logs are printed, signed, and the daily minutes are all entered into True North Logic. Papers are corrected and graded as per individual teacher expectations. All materials are gathered and organized with assignments in correct subject areas in a notebook or binder Computer is up and on the Odyssey homepage Questions are prepared and checklists are complete Week’s lessons should be reviewed with student to prepare for discussion with teacher Student should be fully clothed and groomed Eating takes place before or after the visit Phone calls are answered by machines and checked later Televisions, video games, and radios are turned off Siblings are supervised and away from the work area Pets are away from the work area Please, no smoking during visits
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During Visit
Each child should have a 50-60 minute weekly visit by the general education teacher. It is very important that you be present throughout the entire visit unless your teacher specifies otherwise. It is at this time that you will learn what is required of your child for the week, understand difficult concepts, discuss questions, and learn about strategies that will be practiced throughout the year. It is highly recommended that you take clear and precise notes during each visit and maintain a notebook for your own use. Previous week’s lessons will be discussed New assignments will be explained Teacher will demonstrate/model strategic tutoring and/or concept instruction You and your teacher will define, describe, and discuss strategies Your teacher will ask for you to provide feedback You will be asked to model strategies for the teacher Some grades may be assigned during the visit, others will be posted before the next visit.
After the Visit
After the visit, the communication with your teacher does not end. The teacher will make a second contact with you. You and your child must express any difficulties or challenges during this contact. Please, do not wait until the next visit to do this. It is so important that your child continue with lessons each day so that growth and progress are unimpeded. In most situations, the difficulty can be easily remedied through additional communication. Your teacher can discuss the concept with you, or tell you where you might be able to get more information. Remember, your teacher is your best resource and he/she will be able to direct you. All lessons on the log must be completed. If there are technical difficulties with your personal computer, you must find an alternate source. (We recommend the library.) Your child’s work should be reviewed for understanding and completion. Continue practicing/modeling strategies. Minutes should be recorded daily. Please, do not wait for the end of the week to do this. It may cause confusion, but more importantly, it allows for the assurance that the day’s work has been completed.
Instructional Visitors Throughout the year instructional visitors, including school administrators, new teachers, and/or teaching trainers, may accompany your teacher at the visit. The observations are used as a tool to provide additional information to the school regarding best practices in a distance education program. School improvements provide your child with the best learning experiences and up to date practices. No additional preparation by the parent is needed. In most cases the teacher will inform families in advance. However, there may be times when advance notice is not possible.
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Group Class The group class is a state-mandated instructional period which takes place each month. Students, parents, and teachers meet together as a class with the exception of testing months, when parents are not permitted. You must attend with your child and provide your own transportation. Because this is considered necessary instructional time, absences should be limited to illnesses or family emergencies. Group classes vary. They might be field trips/activities or lessons in a classroom setting. You may be required to sign a permission slip for your child to participate in some of these classes. Your teacher will always provide you with the details well before the scheduled event. Individual teachers may assign related work to students who miss class. Absences from group class may affect report card grades. Take note that not every group class will be appropriate for siblings, and it will be up to the discretion of your teacher or stated in the information concerning school-wide group classes.
Support Labs The support labs offer additional on campus tutoring group lessons and study hall opportunities. The lab is staffed with licensed teachers and school aides. Support labs are scheduled by age groups, and are offered two times per week. Attendance is optional, however; the school may require students, at risk of failure, to attend. Lab attendance may not be substituted for a regular visit.
Logs The log is the legal document used by your teacher to record lessons, grades, and attendance. It requires signatures from both you and your teacher before being turned into the office each week.
You must log your child’s working time in each subject area on a daily basis. (Only the teacher may write in the Learning Objectives section.) Teacher visit time and group class time will be added into the minutes on the days in which they occur. They are incorporated into the weekly totals. Teachers will take the completed and signed log with them after each visit. They will leave a new log with each family.
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THE FOLLOWING SECTION APPLIES TO 7th and 8TH GRADE ONLY
Curriculum and Learning Objectives Onsite Class Schedule Changes Instructional Lab
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7th and 8th Grade Curriculum and Learning Objectives Odyssey Charter School employs a blended learning model, combining distance education with face to face instruction. Our program affords you the opportunity to facilitate your child’s education by partnering with professional teachers, outside of the regular school setting. Our curriculum delivery is via the computer, the Internet, and weekly onsite classroom participation. Your teachers may use many sites for lessons, including Compass Learning. Think of these as a series of online textbooks, in all the major academic subjects including lessons in health, art, music, and physical education. The school also uses Study Island, Aleks, Reading A to Z, Brain Pop, and EdHelper. These are not the only sites your child will use during the course of the year, but they do carry the bulk of the information. Your teachers will use age-appropriate sites depending upon the needs of your child. You will be provided with usernames and passwords and may write them on the Information Sheet located near the end of the handbook. Because we are a public school, we are required to follow the Nevada State Standards and learning objectives for all grade levels. The objectives are lists of those skills that must be introduced, practiced, or mastered in each grade. You will be given these guidelines (Curriculum Overview) at the beginning of the year, and it is important that you regularly review them and become familiar with them so as to gain a clear understanding of what skills your child will need to complete within the year. Your teachers will refer to these course syllabi when creating lesson plans.
Onsite Class The mandatory weekly onsite class is ultimately the most important element in the Odyssey program. During this block of time the student/teacher relationship is established and nurtured and this relationship will allow for the academic success of the student. The following explains what is required to facilitate a successful onsite class.
Before the Onsite Class
The daily minutes for the week are all entered into True North Logic. All materials are gathered and organized with assignments in correct subject areas in notebook or binder. Questions are prepared. Checklists are complete. Weekly lessons should be reviewed with student to prepare for discussion with teacher. All electronic work should be submitted prior to the student’s arrival on campus.
During the Onsite Class
It is very important that the student be present throughout the entire class. It is at this time that the student will learn what is required for the week, understand difficult concepts, discuss questions, and learn about strategies that will be practiced throughout the year. It is highly recommended that the student take clear and precise notes during each class and maintain a notebook for their use. Previous week’s lessons will be reviewed. Upcoming lessons will be discussed. Logs will be reviewed during each on campus visit. Class sessions run from 8:00 am-12:20 pm and 11:40 am -4:00.pm.
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After the Onsite Class
After the class, the communication with your teacher does not end. You and your child must communicate any difficulties or challenges via e-mail or phone. Please, do not wait until the next class to do this. It is so important that your child continue with lessons each day so that growth and progress are unimpeded. In most situations, the difficulty can be easily remedied through offsite communication. Your teachers can then discuss concerns, questions and help with concepts outside of class time. They can direct you to additional information to help you until the next time you attend class or lab. Odyssey teachers make regular calls to parents and students every day throughout the week. Remember, your teachers are your best resource and they will be able to direct you. Teachers will either post office hours making them available for personal one-on-one help or be available to assist students in small groups during a second or third visit to campus. All assignments must be completed. If there are technical difficulties with your personal computer, you must find an alternate source. (We recommend our school labs which are open Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm). Your child’s work should be reviewed for understanding and completion. Minutes should be recorded daily. Please do not wait for the end of the week to do this. It may cause confusion, but more importantly, it allows for the assurance that the day’s work has been completed.
Making Up A Class Session A class session may be made up for emergencies only. To reserve a spot in another session during the same week, families must follow the procedures outlined below. The front office is the only place to reserve e a space in another class. Parents must phone the office with a student absence and request another session n day and time during the same week. Parents must go through the process of speaking directly with front office staff before bringing a student to campus for a make-up session. If the session you are requesting is already full, the office will let you know of an alternate session the student may attend. Calls must be made 24 hours in advance of the session that is requested. Occasionally a request in the morning for a same day afternoon session may be allowed if space is available. Students are permitted no more than 3 make-up sessions per semester. DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILD TO CAMPUS IF YOUR MAKE-UP DAY HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE FRONT OFFICE. Students arriving on campus without reserving a make-up session may be sent home or to lab. Time in lab does not constitute a make-up class.
Schedule Changes Students are scheduled based on their parent request days. Once these requests have been made, we will honor them to the extent possible. Changes will not be made in these selections after this process is finalized. In the case of exceptional circumstances, the student and his/her parent will need to meet with the guidance counselor to discuss the required change.
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Instructional Lab The instructional support lab offers additional on-campus time and study hall opportunities. The lab is staffed with licensed teachers. Support labs are scheduled Monday through Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and Fridays 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Attendance is optional, however; the school may require students, who are at risk of failure, to attend a lab in addition to their regular class session. In cases where students are required to attend lab an RPC meeting will be held to determine goals for the additional time.
Students must sign in and out with the front office (students who attend on their day of class must go from class to the front office to sign in before attending lab) Students may not reenter lab once they have signed out and are considered off campus at the time of sign out Students may attend lab on their scheduled day before class begins or after class concludes (not to exceed six hours on campus) Students may attend lab for a maximum of four hours on days when they are not scheduled for class Students may be asked to leave lab if time and teacher resources are not utilized appropriately Students may bring healthy snacks and water any time on campus. (Due to allergies, foods with nuts are not permitted in the classrooms). Odyssey does not have food to provide to students. Lab attendance may not be a substitute for regular class session attendance Odyssey K-8 maintains a “closed campus” policy. Students are permitted to leave campus only at designated dismissal times.
Students combining lab with their regular class session are not permitted to leave campus in between the two sessions. Please be advised that the noon dismissal hour is the busiest time on our campus. Drivers must be patient and adhere to the 5 mile per hour speed limit. Parents are encouraged to pick up students from lab during “off-peak” time.
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ATTENDANCE POLICY/ CANCELLATION PROCEDURES
School Attendance (NRS - 392.040) Unless otherwise provided by law, each parent or guardian having control or charge of any child between the ages of 7 and 18 shall send the child to school during all the time the school is in session.
All students enrolled at Odyssey Charter School (OCS) are subject to all state attendance laws as well as policies and procedures set by OCS.
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Attendance Policy/Cancellation Procedures (K-7) Since there is one day per week of required face-to-face Attendance, it is imperative that all efforts are made to attend during this weekly session. Each weekly visit constitutes 5 days worth of attendance and your student is considered present for the week. Subsequently, each time your student is absent he/she earns 5 days worth of absences and is considered absent for the week. Both students and parents must understand the link between good attendance and academic success. Here are some guidelines and definitions to help you understand OCS’s attendance policies/procedures and state attendance mandates. For grades seen in the home (K-6): Your student must meet with their teacher once per week for a face-to-face visit. Unless an emergency situation arises, visits should be completed each week at the regularly scheduled time. Please schedule doctor or dental appointments during non-visit times. If you must cancel, notify your teacher immediately or in advance when possible. You will be provided the e-mail address and/or the phone number of your teacher. Please cancel if there is any illness in your home that would ordinarily keep your child from school. If a visit is missed, YOU MUST EMAIL THE SCHOOL OFFICE WITHIN 3 DAYS OF THE ABSENCE. (Instructions are located in the box at the bottom of the page). Additionally, when a visit is missed, you and your child must make contact with the teacher during the same week. You and your teacher will devise a plan of action so that your child’s path of learning continues unhindered. For grades seen on campus (7th and 8th grades): Your student must attend class on their assigned day once per week. Please schedule doctor or dental appointments during non-visit times. If a visit is missed, YOU MUST EMAIL THE SCHOOL OFFICE WITHIN 3 DAYS OF THE ABSENCE. (instructions are located in the box at the bottom of the page). Additionally, when a student is absent on their class day, the student must make contact with their homeroom teacher during the same week.
IMPORTANT! Written notification must be received by the office and a courtesy copy emailed to your teacher within 3 days of the absence. (Example- If your student is scheduled to meet with their teacher on Monday and the visit is missed, notification must be received by Thursday at 4:00 pm). The note must include the first and last name of the student, grade, and date of absence, and reason for absence. The notification can be brought to the office in person, faxed (259-7793), emailed (
[email protected]), or sent via US mail (2251 S. Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146). Absences that are not approved or verified with a written note within three days will be considered an unapproved absence. This means the student is truant from school.
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Approved Absences – the only absences considered approved are: 1. The student is physically or mentally unable to attend school, or the absence is related to the student’s disability and the course work has been completed. 2. The principal or principal’s designee has given approval for an unavoidable absence due to an emergency. 3. The student is absent due to a required court appearance or a religious holiday. 4. The absence has been arranged pursuant to the request of a parent or legal guardian prior to the absence and does not exceed the allowable ten (10) arranged days per school year All unapproved absences will result in truancy. (See steps below for truancy). When a student has reached 4 unapproved absences they are declared a habitual truant. All habitual truants must adhere to the plan developed at the Attendance Intervention Team meeting. Students may be absent 2 times per semester, or 10 days. (OCS is a program of distance education. Therefore, 1 day equals 5). OCS has the right to withdraw any student that has excessive or inconsistent attendance. Tardy Policy Students are expected to arrive on time and remain on campus during their class session. Students who arrive late must report to the front office to receive a pass to class. It is understood there may be circumstances that may occasionally prevent a student from arriving on time. However, chronic tardiness will not be accepted. First Tardy – Student will be given a verbal warning. A late pass will be issued and the student will be sent to class. Tardy slip will be mailed to the home to alert parent that the student was tardy. Second Tardy – RPC/tardy slip will be mailed to the home. Parent will be required to attend a phone RPC with the school counselor Third Tardy – RPC/Tardy Slip will be mailed to the home. Parent will be required to attend a formal RPC on campus with a school administrator. Error-In-Day It is understood that circumstances occasionally prevent a student from attending school on their scheduled day. In these situations, parents may call in an absence and follow the procedures requesting a make-up day during the same week. Students arriving on campus for an unscheduled session will receive an “error-in-day” slip and may be required to attend lab or be sent home. Students who habitually receive “error-in-day” slips will be required to attend an RPC meeting with their parents and administration. Leaving School Early Students who become ill at school will be sent to the school nurse. The parent/guardian will be contacted if the student cannot return to class. For the protection of each student, adults must show identification and sign the student out. That adult’s name must be on the student’s school record or the student will not be released. Prearranged Absences There are times when it is necessary and important for students to have a prearranged absence. Parents should realize that being absent from school hinders a student’s academic progress and are asked to keep these absences to a minimum. Parents/guardians must submit a written request to the school in advance of the absence. Forms are available in the school office. The first two (2) onsite classes of a prearranged absence are approved as long as the class work during that time is made up. Any prearranged absence longer than two (2) onsite classes shall have the first two (2) approved and the remaining days marked unapproved. Make-up Work for Absences Students are to initiate contact with their teachers via email, telephone, or in person during regular school hours within three days after an absence. Students will be able to make up all work missed. If the absence was approved, full credit will be granted for all make-up work. If the absence was unapproved, teacher may grant only partial credit for make-up work. All make-up work must be completed and turned in by the student’s next scheduled face to face class. Make-up work must be submitted in addition to the current week assignments. Students who are out of school due to a Required Parent Conference or Out-of-School Suspension are expected to make up work missed to receive credit. The student’s absence is approved.
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Nevada Revised Statutes Regarding Attendance School Attendance (392.040) Unless otherwise provided by law, each parent or guardian having control or charge of any child between the ages of 7 and 18 shall send the child to school during all the time the school is in session. Denial of Credit (392.122) This statute provided that corrective steps and or sanctions be applied when a student does not attend school.
Elementary students who exceed twenty (20) unapproved absences during the school year may be retained in the current grade. Secondary students who exceed ten (10) unapproved absences in any course during the semester shall receive a failing grade and will not earn semester credit for that course. If extenuating circumstances exist, an appeal of this regulation can be made by the parent to the principal.
Student Absences and Truancy (392.130)
Excused/approved Absence – If an emergency exists or if the pupil is physically or mentally unable to attend school, the parent or legal guardian of the person having control or charge of the pupil shall notify the office of the absence within 3 days.
Unexcused/Unapproved Absences – Absence that has not been approved shall be deemed an unapproved absence. In the case of an unapproved absence a notice of truancy will mailed to the parent, legal guardian or other person having control or change of the child.
Definition of Habitual Truant (392.140) Any child who has been declared truant three or more times within one school year must be declared a habitual truant. Report of Habitual Truants (392.144) If a pupil is a habitual truant, the principal of the school shall report the pupil to the Educational Services for investigation and issuance of a citation. Failure to Comply by Parent or Guardian (392.210) Any parent or guardian or other person who has control or charge of any child and to whom notice has been of the child’s truancy as provided in NRS 392.130 and 392.140, and who fails to prevent the child’s subsequent truancy within that school year, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
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Truancy Policy Truancy #1 o A phone call is made to the home. This is to alert the parent that the child was absent from school. o First truancy letter mailed to the home. Parents still have the right to send written communication to the school within three days. If written notification is sent to the office and received within 3 days parents can disregard the letter. o K-6 parents must also courtesy copy the written communication to their teacher. Truancy #2 o A phone call is made to the home. This is to alert the parent that the child was absent from school. o Second truancy letter mailed to the home. Parents still have the right to send written communication to the school within three days. If written notification is sent to the office and received within 3 days parents can disregard the letter. o K-6 parents must also courtesy copy the written communication to their teacher. o Phone call from the school counselor to the parent/guardian. Truancy #3 o A phone call is made to the home. This is to alert the parent that the child was absent from school. o Third truancy mailed to the home with notification of RPC. Parent/guardian will be required to call the school office to schedule a mandatory meeting with the Attendance Team (AT). Student cannot return to the classroom until this has been completed. o A specific plan will be developed for the student with the parent and members of the Attendance Team to prevent further abseentism. o Possible suspension of student school accounts may result until the AT process has been completed. Truancy #4 (Habitual Truant) o As defined in the Nevada Revised Statutes the student is deemed a habitual truant. o A phone call is made to the home. This is to alert the parent that the child was absent from school. o A truancy letter is mailed to the home. o Habitual truants may be withdrawn or reported for educational neglect.
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STUDENT RELATED POLICIES AND INFORMATION
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Visitors: All visitors who enter the school building must check in at the K-8 school office/main entrance to receive visitor’s badge. Each visitor must present a Picture ID (Drivers License or State ID) that will be scanned prior to the issuance of the visitor badge. Students are not allowed to bring visitors to onsite classes (visiting relatives, friends from other schools, etc.). Parking and Traffic Flow (flier in student folder): The Odyssey Charter School Buildings house the Odyssey High School as well as the Kindergarten through Eighth Grade offices and classrooms. Students in the high school as well as seventh and eighth graders come to the school for instruction. Students in all grades come to campus to participate in additional instruction opportunities. The amount of students and families coming to campus each day has significantly increased. Follow all procedures for traffic flow and parking to assist with student safety and smooth drop off and pick up of students:
All cars should enter the school from the entrance on Jones Blvd. On a scheduled school day, seventh and eighth grade students should be dropped off in front of building 2 with the passenger side door facing the front doors of the building and cars should continue past building 2 to exit on Sahara Ave. High School will exit on Jones Blvd. Students attending lab only should be dropped off at the main building K-8 office and parents should continue past building 2 and onto Sahara Ave.
Student Dress Code: Good personal appearance is conducive to a positive learning atmosphere. It is each student’s responsibility to come to school clean and properly dressed. Apparel must meet with health and safety codes, be in good repair, and be considered appropriate for the educational process. Any questions concerning appropriateness of dress will be handled on an individual basis. The following provides a general guideline for appropriate student dress: Shirts must cover the student’s shoulders as well as meet the top of the student’s bottom garment (pants, shorts, skirts).
Shirts must cover the student’s front and back. Shirts with shoulder straps must be as wide as three fingers.
Shoes with soles must be worn at all times. Open-toed footwear is discouraged due to safety concern.
The following provides a general guideline for inappropriate student dress:
Clothing that carries derogatory connotations and is obscene or suggestive is prohibited, as is clothing which advertises alcohol or tobacco products.
Clothing that is unnecessarily distracting to the learning environment. (Examples: Cut-up jeans, low cut shirts, mesh shirts with no undergarments. “half shirts”, tank tops, hats on in the building, “overly short” shorts or under garments worn as outer garments).
Phone Messages: Please do not call the office to leave a messages for students. This may involve a possible violation of the Family Rights Privacy Act. In emergencies, please come to the school office and provide identification. Medication at School: If your child requires medication during their weekly in-school class session, please contact the school nurse for necessary procedures. Student Telephones: A student telephone is located inside the school office. Cell phones: Cell phones will be turned off and put away during classes. If a cell phone is activated either by an incoming or outgoing call or is visible during class, the cell phone will be confiscated by the teacher. The cell phone will be given to an administrator. The cell phone will only be returned to the student before they leave campus. Money and Valuables: Please do not bring large amounts of money to school. All valuable articles should be in possession of the owner at all times. The school cannot accept responsibility for stolen money or other articles.
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Lost and Found: The lost and found department is located in the main office. If you have any lost articles or lose anything, check with the receptionist. Student Activities/Policies: The school follows certain policies concerning student activities. These policies are: Dances and other activities will be supervised by Odyssey Charter School staff members. Once students enter the activity, they are not able to leave until the event commences. If student leaves the school activity they are not allowed to return. No sibling or non-enrolled students will be allowed at school sponsored activities. Pupil Information/Change of Address: If your last name, street address, or telephone number changes at any time during the school year, please notify the office immediately. It is very important to keep records up to date and also to be able to contact a parent or guardian in the case of an emergency. The student information change form is available in the K-8 office or with your teacher. Lottery – After initial enrollment we utilize a lottery system to select student to fill vacancies. Withdrawals and Transfers: When a student is moving or transferring to another school, the parent/guardian must complete a Pupil Release and Transfer form. The forms are located in the front office and must be completed prior to the student transferring to another school or state. According to the Nevada Revised Statutes, students 7 to 17 must be enrolled in school. Odyssey will give each student up to ten days to re-enroll. If a student has not re-enrolled within ten days Odyssey may report the student as truant. Immunization of Students: Up-to-date medical information is required. You must have records indicating that your child has had, or has started the following series of immunizations (NRS 392.435). Students cannot attend school if this requirement is not met.
Four DPT shots Three polio shots (doses) Two MMR shots For 7th grade entry: TDAP (Bordetella Pertussis). One (1) dose, required if at least five years have elapsed since the last injection of diphtheria/tetanus/whopping cough injection. Students new to Nevada schools, whether entering school for the first time, or transferring from another state, are also required to have the following series of immunizations (NRS 392.435). Two Hepatitis A shots The Hepatitis B shots Two chickenpox (Varicella): second shot is required if the first shot was given after the age of 13. If the child has had chicken pox, Varicella is not required. Immunization exemptions: Medical and religious exemptions are accepted. Medical exemptions require a letter from a licensed health care provider. For religious exemption, the parent/guardian must write a letter stating the religious objection. Forms for both instances are located in the front office. Posters and Announcements: Any posters or announcements to be displayed on the Odyssey Charter School campus must be approved by an administrator. Fire Drills/Shelter-in-Place Drills: The signal for a fire drill is the sounding of a shrill fire horn. Your cooperation is needed in order to clear the building as efficiently and safely as possible. Use the exit, posted on the emergency exit map in the classroom, plus carefully follow teacher instructions. Students are to remain outside the building until a signal is given. For shelter in place drills, follow your teacher’s instructions.
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Discipline Police Visitation/Use by School: It is the philosophy and belief of the administration at Odyssey Charter School that the responsibility for dealing with student discipline violation rests with the school. Thus, every effort will be made to deal with issues in-house, according to the policies and procedures established by the school. However, the police will be called to initiate arrest and prosecution proceedings when violations of state laws or municipal ordinances occur, when students or parents refuse to work within the established policies of the school, or when security of persons or property appears to be in jeopardy. Profanity: Profanity is not an acceptable manner of expressing oneself at Odyssey Charter School. Insubordination: Failure to respond appropriately to any reasonable request by a staff member will result in disciplinary action. Use or Possession of Tobacco: Any student smoking or in possession of tobacco products on school property during school hours or at any school activity shall be subject to the following: First Offense: Second Offence: Third Offense: Fourth Offense:
Warning Contact parent Contact parent and set parent conference prior to student’s return Expulsion
Drugs, Alcohol, and Behavioral Incidences at School or School Activities: Students are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful possession, selling, or dispersing of a controlled substance or alcoholic beverage on school property or at a school sponsored event. Students are also prohibited from being on school property or at a school sponsored event in an intoxicated state or under the influence of any mindaltering substance. Violators will be suspended from school. Parents and proper authorities, including police or parole officer, will be notified. A parent/student/administrator conference will be held to determine further course of action. Students possessing, consuming, or selling imitation or look-alike substances will be subject to the same. Conduct that Constitutes Grounds for Short-or Long-Term Suspension, Expulsion, or Reassignment: School officials have the authority to discipline students by exclusion, suspension, or expulsion. In addition, in the case of a clear and present danger to the student or to other students, emergency procedures may be followed. For the purpose of this section, the terms shall have the following meanings: Emergency Exclusion: Short Term Suspension: Long Term Suspension: Limited Expulsion: Expulsion:
Immediate exclusion if the student presents a clear threat to self or others. Up to and including five school days. More than five school days, but less than 20 school days. Removal of student from classes for a period of more than 20 days. Removal of the student from school with the loss of credits.
The following conduct constitutes grounds for any of the above:
Use of violence, force, coercion, threat, intimidation, or similar conduct that constitutes interference with school purposes. Willful damage to private or school property, stealing of substantial value, or repeated damage or theft of small value. Causing or attempting to cause physical injury to a school employee or student. Threatening or intimidating a student with the intent of obtaining money or other valuables from the student. Possession, handling, or transmitting any object or materials generally considered a weapon. Unlawful possession, selling, dispensing, or use of a controlled substance or alcoholic beverage. Engaging in any other activity that constitutes a danger to other students or interferes with school purposes. Repeated violations of any established school rule.
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Bullying and Cyber-bullying: Bullying is defined as “a willful act or course of conduct on the part of one or more pupils which is not authorized by law and which exposes a pupil repeatedly and over time to one or more negative actions which is highly offensive to a reasonable person and is intended to cause and actually causes the pupil to suffer harm or serious emotional distress. Cyber-bullying is bullying through the use of electronic communication. Bullying can take many forms, such as hitting, verbal harassment, spreading false rumors, not letting someone be part of the group, eye rolls, rude comments and sending nasty messages on a cell phone, internet or website. OCS is committed to providing all students and employees with a safe and respectful learning environment in which persons of different beliefs, characteristics, and backgrounds can realize their full academic and personal potential. This type behavior may result in suspension/expulsion. See our website for additional information. Fighting: Physical or verbal fights are prohibited on school property or at school sponsored events. A student shall not threaten, cause or attempt to cause physical injury to any student or to a school employee. The school insists that students seek the assistance of teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve conflicts. Students who engage in fighting will be suspended from school and a parent/student/administrator conference will be held prior to the student’s return to school. Multiple instances of fighting will result in expulsion.
Standard of Conduct Discipline should never be confused with punishment. The goal of discipline is a self-disciplined individual with a mature attitude and socially acceptable standard of conduct. Discipline policies within Odyssey Charter School shall be enforced by the general guidelines describing clearly the various administrative actions which will be taken for violations of the law and standard of school behavior. The maximum administrative actions are expulsion and exclusion. The list of minimum actions does not imply or require that a step-by-step progression of increasing severity be employed by the administration in dealing with a violation. However, there shall be a logical relationship between the severity of the offense and the administrative action. The format for this section lists only the mandatory minimum discipline action for each violation that may occur during the school day: ASSAULT: Assault is a violent act causing bodily harm or intentional inflicting of or attempting to inflict bodily harm upon another. MINIMUM ACTION: Mandatory, immediate notification of police, notification of parent; suspension; in-school monitoring upon return. POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS WEAPON: Dangerous weapon means any firearm, whether loaded or not, or any weapon capable of causing great bodily harm. MINIMUM ACTION: Expulsion, immediate notification of police; notification of parents FIGHTING: Mutual combat in which both parties have contributed to the situation by verbal and/or physical action. MINIMUM ACTION: Suspension of both parties; parents notification, conference upon return. HARASSMENT: Participating in, or conspiring with others to engage in harassing acts that injure, degrade, or disgrace other individuals. MINIMUM ACTION: Students conference
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INTERFERENCE/OBSTRUCTION: Any action taken to attempt to prevent a staff member from exercising his/her lawfully assigned duties. MINIMUM ACTION: Suspension, notification of parents; conference upon return. SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. MINIMUM: Suspension; parent notification; conference upon return. VERBAL ABUSE: Disrespectful language and/or threatening language. MINIMUM ACTION: Suspension; notification of parents; conference upon return. FALSE FIRE ALARMS: The giving of a false alarm of fire or the tampering or interference with any fire alarm system. MINIMUM ACTION: Mandatory notification of fire and police department; notification of parent; suspension; parent conference upon return. THEFT: The unauthorized taking of property of another. MINIMUM ACTION: Suspension; notification of parents; possible notification of police; restitution; parent conference upon return. ROBBERY/EXTORTION: The obtaining of property from another when his/her consent was induced by a use of force. MINIMUM ACTION: Notification of police; notification of parent; suspension; parent conference upon return. WILLFUL DAMAGE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY: Willful cutting, defacing or otherwise injuring in any way any property, real or personal, belonging to the school. MINIMUM ACTION: Suspension; parent conference upon return; restitution of damages. WILLFUL DISOBEDIENCE: Refusal to follow school rules and regulations. MINIMUM ACTION: Student conference and/or suspension. DEFIANCE OF AUTHORITY: Refusal to follow a legal direction/order given by a staff member. MINIMUM ACTION: Suspension; parent conference upon return. DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR: Action that interferes with teachers’ being able to teach and students’ being able to learn. MINIMUM ACTION: Student conference; notification of parent. RECORD AND IDENTIFICATION FALSIFICATION: Falsification of signatures or data and/or the refusal, when requested to do so by a staff member, to give proper identification or the giving of false identification. MINIMUM ACTION: Suspension; parent conference upon return. TRUANCY: Truancy is defined in our attendance policy. MINIMUM ACTION: Parent notification; student conference. CHRONIC TRUANCY: Chronic truancy is defined in our attendance policy. MINIMUM ACTION: Report student to the local enforcement agency for legal action under the NRS 392-142.
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CHRONIC AND UNAPPROVED TARDINESS: Chronic tardiness is defined in our attendance policy. MINIMUM ACTION: Possible loss of credit; parent conference. IMPROPER STUDENT ATTIRE: Manner of dress or personal grooming that causes interference in the education of self and fellow classmates. MINIMUM ACTION: Student conference, correction of violation GAMBLING: The play of a game of chance for stakes. MIMIMUM ACTION: Student conference, notification of parents. DISORDERLY CONDUCT: Engaging in offensive, obscene, or abusive language or boisterous and noisy conduct intending to arouse alarm, anger, or resentment of others. MINIMUM ACTION: Suspension, notification of parent, parent conference prior to return. SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: Sale or distribution of a controlled substance or substances, represented to be controlled substances on school premises or at school-sponsored activities. MINIMUM ACTION: Mandatory, immediate notification to police; expulsion DANGEROUS/CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: Possession, use, or being under the influence of controlled substances on school premises or at school-sponsored activities. MINIMUM ACTION: Suspension, Mandatory, immediate notification to the police, expulsion. ALCOHOL: Possession, sale, distribution, use, or being under the influence of alcohol on school premises or at school-sponsored activities. MINIMUM ACTION: Suspension, notification of parent, parent conference prior to return. TOBACCO: Possession or use of any tobacco product on school premises or at schoolsponsored activities. MINIMUM ACTION: Student conference, notification of parent
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Rights and Responsibilities Statement of Rights and Responsibilities Odyssey Schools recognize the following: The primary intent of society in establishing the public schools is to provide an opportunity for learning; The students have full rights of citizenship as delineated in the United States Constitution and its amendments; Citizenship rights must not be abridged, obstructed, or in other ways altered except in accordance with due process of law; and Education is one of these citizenship rights. The liberty of the individual must be thus far limited: the student must not infringe upon the rights of others to an education.
Definitions of Rights and Responsibilities Students at Odyssey Charter School have the basic constitutional rights guaranteed to all citizens. In exercising these rights, students have a responsibility to respect the fundamental rights of all citizens. One purpose of schools is to encourage the responsible use of these rights and develop good citizenship within the framework of an educational society. The school is a community and the rules of a school are the laws of that community. To enjoy the right of citizenship in the school, students must also accept the responsibilities of citizenship. This handbook presents the rights and responsibilities of the students in the Odyssey Charter School. It has been written by the school administration and approved by the board of directors. Right to Freedom from Discrimination Based on Race, Creed, National Origin, Sex, or Physical Handicap It is the policy of Odyssey Charter School to comply with the constitutional right that no person shall be denied the benefits of an educational program on the basis of race, creed, national origin, sex, or physical handicap.
If you have complaints in this regard, you are asked to notify Tim Lorenz, Superintendent of Schools, Odyssey Charter School
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Asbestos Management Plan
In order to comply with the USEPA Asbestos Containing Materials in Schools Regulations, Odyssey Charter Schools has prepared an Asbestos Management Plan. This written document is available for review in the school’s administrative office during normal business hours. At this time, no asbestos containing building materials have been identified at our facility and no asbestos response actions have been conducted or are anticipated in the near future. The Asbestos Management Plan document sets forth a set of policies and procedures that are designed to minimize the potential for exposure to building occupants should any asbestos containing materials be identified within the facility at some future date. Questions about this notice should be directed to Michelle Battle 702-257-0578.
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Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Appendix NRS 388.122 “Bullying” defined. “Bullying” means a willful act which is written, verbal or physical, or a course of conduct on the part of one or more persons which is not authorized by law and which exposes a person one time or repeatedly and over time to one or more negative actions which is highly offensive to a reasonable person and: 1. Is intended to cause or actually causes the person to suffer harm or serious emotional distress; 2. Places the person in reasonable fear of harm or serious emotional distress; or 3. Creates an environment which is hostile to a pupil by interfering with the education of the pupil. NRS 388.123 “Cyber-bullying” defined. “Cyber-bullying” means bullying through the use of electronic communication. The term includes the use of electronic communication to transmit or distribute a sexual image of a minor. As used in this section, “sexual image” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 200.737. NRS 392.040 Attendance required for child between 7 and 18 years of age; minimum age required for kindergarten and first grade; waiver from attendance available for child 6 years of age; developmental screening test required to determine placement of certain children. Except as otherwise provided by law, each parent, custodial parent, guardian or other person in the State of Nevada having control or charge of any child between the ages of 7 and 18 years shall send the child to a public school during all the time the public school is in session in the school district in which the child resides unless the child has graduated from high school. NRS 392.122 Minimum attendance requirements; school district authorized to exempt medical absences from requirements; notice and opportunity for parent to review absences before credit or promotion is denied; information to parents concerning duty to comply. 1. The board of trustees of each school district shall prescribe a minimum number of days that a pupil who is subject to compulsory attendance and enrolled in a school in the district must be in attendance for the pupil to obtain credit or to be promoted to the next higher grade. The board of trustees of a school district may adopt a policy prescribing a minimum number of days that a pupil who is enrolled in kindergarten or first grade in the school district must be in attendance for the pupil to obtain credit or to be promoted to the next higher grade. 2. For the purposes of this section, the days on which a pupil is not in attendance because the pupil is absent for up to 10 days within 1 school year with the approval of the teacher or principal of the school pursuant to NRS 392.130, must be credited towards the required days of attendance if the pupil has completed course-work requirements. If the board of trustees of a school district has adopted a policy pursuant to subsection 5, the 10-day limitation on absences does not apply to absences that are excused pursuant to that policy. 3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, before a pupil is denied credit or promotion to the next higher grade for failure to comply with the attendance requirements prescribed pursuant to subsection 1, the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled or his designee shall provide written notice of the intended denial to the parent or legal guardian of the pupil. The notice must include a statement indicating that the pupil and his parent or legal guardian may request a review of the absences of the pupil and a statement of the procedure for requesting such a review. Upon the request for a review by the pupil and his parent or legal guardian, the principal or his designee shall review the reason for each absence of the pupil upon which the intended denial of credit or promotion is based. After the review, the principal or his designee shall credit towards the required days of attendance each day of absence for which: (a) There is evidence or a written affirmation by the parent or legal guardian of the pupil that the pupil was physically or mentally unable to attend school on the day of the absence; and (b) The pupil has completed course-work requirements.
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NRS 392.130 Conditions under which pupil deemed truant; approval required for absence; notice of unapproved absence to parent; applicability. 1. Within the meaning of this chapter, a pupil shall be deemed a truant who is absent from school without the written approval of his teacher or the principal of the school, unless the pupil is physically or mentally unable to attend school. The teacher or principal shall give his written approval for a pupil to be absent if an emergency exists or upon the request of a parent or legal guardian of the pupil. Before a pupil may attend or otherwise participate in school activities outside the classroom during regular classroom hours, he must receive the approval of the teacher or principal. 2. An unapproved absence for at least one period, or the equivalent of one period for the school, of a school day may be deemed truancy for the purposes of this section. 3. If a pupil is physically or mentally unable to attend school, the parent or legal guardian or other person having control or charge of the pupil shall notify the teacher or principal of the school orally or in writing, in accordance with the policy established by the board of trustees of the school district, within 3 days after the pupil returns to school. 4. An absence which has not been approved pursuant to subsection 1 or 3 shall be deemed an unapproved absence. In the event of an unapproved absence, the teacher, attendance officer or other school official shall deliver or cause to be delivered a written notice of truancy to the parent, legal guardian or other person having control or charge of the child. The written notice must be delivered to the parent, legal guardian or other person who has control of the child. The written notice must inform the parents or legal guardian of such absences in a form specified by the Department. 5. The provisions of this section apply to all pupils who are required to attend school pursuant to NRS 392.040. 6. As used in this section, “physically or mentally unable to attend” does not include a physical or mental condition for which a pupil is excused pursuant to NRS 392.050. NRS 392.140 Conditions under which pupil declared habitual truant; applicability. 1. Any child who has been declared truant three or more times within one school year must be declared a habitual truant. 2. Any child who has once been declared a habitual truant and who in an immediately succeeding year is absent from school without the written: (a) Approval of his teacher or the principal of the school pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 392.130; or (b) Notice of his parent or legal guardian or other person who has control or charge over the pupil pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS 392.130, may again be declared a habitual truant. 3.The provisions of this section apply to all pupils who are required to attend school pursuant to NRS 392.040. NRS 392.144 Duties of school if pupil is truant; reporting of habitual truant to law enforcement or referral to advisory board. 1. If a pupil has one or more unapproved absences from school, the school in which the pupil is enrolled shall take reasonable actions designed, as applicable, to encourage, enable or convince the pupil to attend school. 2. If a pupil is a habitual truant pursuant to NRS 392.140, the principal of the school shall: (a) Report the pupil to a school police officer or to the local law enforcement agency for investigation and issuance of a citation, if warranted, in accordance with NRS 392.149; or (b) If the parent or legal guardian of a pupil has signed a written consent pursuant to subsection 4, submit a written referral of the pupil to the advisory board to review school attendance in the county in accordance with NRS 392.146. 3. The board of trustees of each school district shall adopt criteria to determine whether the principal of a school shall report a pupil to a school police officer or law enforcement agency pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 2 or refer a pupil to an advisory board to review school attendance pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 2. 4. If the principal of a school makes an initial determination to submit a written referral of a pupil to the advisory board to review school attendance, the principal shall notify the parent or legal guardian of the pupil and request the parent or legal guardian to sign a written consent that authorizes the school and, if
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applicable, the school district to release the records of the pupil to the advisory board to the extent that such release is necessary for the advisory board to carry out its duties pursuant to NRS 392.146 and 392.147. The written consent must comply with the applicable requirements of 20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b) and 34 C.F.R. Part 99. If the parent or legal guardian refuses to sign the consent, the principal shall report the pupil to a school police officer or to a local law enforcement agency pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 2. NRS 392.210 Penalty for failure of parent, guardian or custodian of child to prevent subsequent truancy; limitation for providers of foster care. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a parent, guardian or other person who has control or charge of any child and to whom notice has been given of the child’s truancy as provided in NRS 392.130 and 392.140, and who fails to prevent the child’s subsequent truancy within that school year, is guilty of a misdemeanor. 2. A person who is licensed pursuant to NRS 424.030 to conduct a family foster home, a specialized foster home or a group foster home is liable pursuant to subsection 1 for a child in his or her foster care only if the person has received notice of the truancy of the child as provided in NRS 392.130 and 392.140, and negligently fails to prevent the subsequent truancy of the child within that school year. NRS 392.215 False statement concerning age or attendance; false birth certificate or record of attendance; refusal to furnish documents; penalty. Any parent, guardian or other person who, with intent to deceive under NRS 392.040 to 392.110, inclusive, or 392.130 to 392.165, inclusive: a. Makes a false statement concerning the age or attendance at school; b. Presents a false birth certificate or record of attendance at school; or c. Refuses to furnish a suitable identifying document, record of attendance at school or proof of change of name, upon request by a local law enforcement agency conducting an investigation in response to notification pursuant to subsection 4 of NRS 392.165, of a child under 18 years of age who is under his or her control or charge, is guilty of a misdemeanor. NRS 392.220 Penalty for abetting truancy; unlawful employment of child absent from school; visitation of place of employment by school officer or attendance clerk to verify compliance. 1. Any person, including, without limitation, a parent or legal guardian of a child, who knowingly induces or attempts to induce any child to be absent from school unlawfully, including, without limitation, requiring the child to provide care for a sibling while school is in session, or who knowingly employs or harbors, while school is in session, any child absent unlawfully from school, is guilty of a misdemeanor. 2. The attendance officer for the school district, an attendance clerk or any other school officer is empowered to visit any place or establishment where minor children are employed to ascertain whether the provisions of this title of NRS are complied with fully, and may demand from all employers of such children a list of children employed, with their names and ages.
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