EXCUSED ABSENCES

1. Personal illness, injury, or doctor appointments that cannot be scheduled after school hours.
2. Illness in the immediate family, which requires the student's presence.
3. Death in the family.
4. As arranged with the teacher.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

Any absences for reasons other than those listed above will be considered unexcused. Grades will be dropped one letter grade on any work missed when absence is unexcused.

PROCEDURE FOR ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL

The reason for an absence should be communicated to the teacher either by written and signed note, by phone conversation, or by personal contact from the parent before 8:30 AM.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Parents should try to schedule all medical, or other, appointments for after school hours. However, if it is necessary for a child to be taken from school before dismissal, a request should be communicated to the teacher either by written and signed note, by phone conversation, or by personal contact from the parent before 8:30 AM. No students will have permission to leave unless accompanied by their parent or authorized person.

TARDINESS

It is important that students always be on time to school and class. By being prompt, the student is demonstrating self-discipline and responsibility. Students who are not in their seats at 8:30 AM are late. Three unexcused tardies within a nine week grading period will be treated as an unexcused absence.

BEFORE SCHOOL

Students are not permitted in the classroom (without prior permission) before 8:15 AM. Please plan your delivery for 8:15 AM or after.

AFTER SCHOOL

1. Students will not leave the classroom for their ride without the permission of the teacher.
2. Students need to be picked up no later than 3:45 PM Monday - Thursday, and 2:15 PM on Friday.

STUDENT CONDUCT

1. No fighting, rough play, pushing, tackling or jumping on others
2. Students are not to bring radios, music players, toys, matches, electronic games, card games or any distracting items.
3. No game playing on the computer.
4. No Internet access without teacher approval and supervision.
5. Swearing, slang, disrespectful comments or injurious name-calling will not be permitted.
6. Tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs are not allowed.
7. Movies, videos and TV programs will not be discussed except when the teacher is leading the discussion.
8. No rude, crude or vulgar practices, materials or language will be permitted.
9. Students are not to bring any weapons (guns, knives, explosives) to school. Law enforcement agencies will be notified for this violation.
10. Chewing gum and between-meal snacking are not acceptable.
11. Any willful damaging or defacing of school property must be paid for by the student.
12. Respect is to be shown to teachers, other adults, classmates and visitors at all times.
13. Students are not to leave the school property during the school day unless accompanied by the teacher or given special permission.

Violation of any of the above may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension and/or dismissal.

DRESS CODE

The dress code covers all school activities, be they inside or outside of regular school hours.

GENERAL

All clothing should be in good repair. (Ex.: No missing buttons; no broken zippers; no noticeable tears.)

Wearing of jewelry such as bracelets, rings, necklaces, and other ornaments is not allowed.

No makeup, or colored fingernail polish is to be used.

Tattoos are not permitted. Any student who already has a tattoo will keep it covered at all times.

Shirts should be striped, patterned, or solid material only.

Shoes

1. Must be worn at all times
2. Socks or hosiery are required
3. No flip-flops
4. No heels higher than 1 ½ inches
5. Athletic shoes must be available for outdoor activities

BOYS

Hair

1. Must be clean and neatly combed.
2. Length to be above collar, mid-ear, and above eyebrows.
3. Not to be dyed, bleached, streaked or in any way changed from natural hair color.

Pants

1. Pants must be properly fitting (not too tight) and in good repair (no rips, holes in knees, frayed pant legs, or bleached out).
2. Pants that are designed to be worn with belts must be worn with belts or suspenders.
3. No overalls or shorts.

Shirts

1. No t-shirts designed for underwear
2. All shirts will be worn tucked in

GIRLS

Hair

1. No hair in eyes.
2. Hair must be clean and neatly combed.
3. Haircut must be in keeping with feminine appearance.
4. Hair is not to be dyed, bleached, streaked or in any way changed from natural hair color.

Dresses/Skirts

1. No sleeveless dresses.
2. Must have modest neckline.
3. All dresses and skirts are to be below the knees, and full enough to be modest and cover the knees when sitting.
4. Any slits are to be below the knee when sitting.
5. No clingy, tight-fitting (full enough to allow a complete stride when walking), sheer, or see-through dresses.

Blouses/Shirts/Sweaters

1. Not to be sleeveless.
2. Long shirt-tail hems must be tucked in.
3. No T-shirts designed for underwear.
4. Any shirts/sweaters worn with skirts must be long enough to cover the waist area when bending or stretching.

Pants

Slacks are permitted only when worn under a dress or skirt. Exception: pants worn with a long shirt that goes down to the fingertips or culottes that are full and no shorter than the bottom of the knees may be worn for hikes and outdoor activities, at the approval of the teacher.

SCHOOL ROUTINE

Lunches

Students must bring their own lunches to school. Wholesome lunches with little sugar are encouraged. Lunches should not include unclean meats or caffeinated drinks. Microwaves and a refrigerator are available. Hot lunches will occasionally be available.

Change of Address or Phone Number

Please notify the school if you change your address, phone number or work location. It is important that the school have the correct home and office telephone numbers of both parents, and other emergency numbers (cell phone, etc.) if available.

Communicable Diseases

Please telephone the school immediately if your child is diagnosed as having a contagious disease. We would appreciate your cooperation in this matter. No students will be allowed to stay at school if they develop a fever during the school day. The student will be separated from the other students until the parent/guardian can be contacted to pick up their child.

Emergency School Closing

Occasionally, emergency conditions make it necessary to close school. In most cases, this will be due to heavy snowfall, which makes the roads impassable or unsafe. In case of emergency closing, you will be contacted by phone no later than 7:30 AM. The decision to close the school will rest with the teacher. School closings will be reported to WYTI - AM 1570.

Field Trips

At the beginning of the school year a field trip permission slip will be signed by the parent/guardian. No student will be permitted to go on a trip without this permission slip being on file at the school. Notes giving details of an upcoming field trip will be sent home several days prior to the event. The school dress code will be followed on field trips.

Physical Examinations

All new students must have a physical exam on record by the first day of school. Physicals must be updated every two years.

Medications

Parents are asked to consider the potential danger of having students bring medication to school. The school recognizes that medications are justified in chronic health conditions and short-term acute health conditions, but no medication will be administered without the written permission of a parent. Students will not be allowed to exchange medications with other students.

Visitors

Parents are always welcome to visit the school. Parents who plan to visit the classroom should inform the teacher of their intentions by a note or telephone call prior to the visit. It should be noted that visitors are encouraged to adhere to the dress code. Any non-parent guest must be approved by the parent and teacher prior to the visit.

Student Insurance

Students' accident insurance will be covered in the registration fee.

Student Injury

The staff of RMSDACS will attempt to exercise reasonable judgment for the care of the students in the case of physical injury. Every effort will be made to contact parents/guardians in the event of an emergency or serious illness. In those cases where an injury appears to be serious, we retain the right to seek professional help, including ambulance, doctor, and emergency room service. Parents will be responsible to pay for the services obtained in the child's behalf, except those coming under the accident insurance policy.

Telephone Calls and Messages

Student use of telephone will be limited to necessary or emergency calls only. An answering machine is in operation at the school in order to receive messages when no one is available and to screen calls during the school day. Messages are listened to by the teacher at appropriate breaks and calls are returned at the first available convenience (after school in most cases). Students are not allowed to use cell phones during the school day. Any cell phones brought to school will be kept by the teacher during school hours.

We appreciate the confidence shown in placing your children under our guidance. Let's pray for each other that this school year will be truly effective for eternity.