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Center for Creative Learning
Parent Handbook
Table of Contents
Letter from the Director Page 3 Center for Creative Learning Staff Page 4-5 Definition, Mission, Vision, Philosophy Page 6-7 Curriculum and Assessment at the Center Page 8 CCL Core Skills Page 9 CCL Curriculum Model Page 10 CCL Content Areas Page 11 Specialized Center Programs Page 12 Communication with Parents Page 13-14 Center Day “Best Practice” Guidelines Page 15 CCL Calendar Page 16-17 Arrival & Dismissal Procedures Page 18-19 Drop-Off & Pick-Up Diagrams Page 20-21 Adventure Club Page 22 Policies & Procedures Page 23-26
-Attendance/Absences, Student Expectations, Discipline, Field Trips -Bringing Food, Lunch, Snacks, Medication -Medication -Recess, Student Emergency Information
Frequently Asked Questions Page 27-29
August 1, 2017
Dear Center for Creative Learning Parents:
We are excited about the wonderful year of learning ahead and the opportunity to work with your child. We hope
you had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to days at the CCL! Our mission is to provide outstanding
gifted education services for our students. Our teachers are looking forward to providing stimulating and challenging
learning opportunities tailored to meet the needs of gifted learners.
We hope that the information provided in this handbook will answer many of the questions you may have about the
operations and procedures at the CCL. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to a great school year and appreciate the opportunity to partner with you and your child.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joan Oakley Dennis Rhodes
Director of Gifted Education Assistant Principal
Learning and Support Services
Rockwood Gifted Program 265 Old State Road
Ellisville, MO 63021-5912
(636) 891-6550
(636) 891-8884 Fax
Dr. Joan Oakley Director of Gifted Education
Center for Creative Learning Staff
Director Dr. Joan Oakley [email protected]
Assistant Principal Dennis Rhodes [email protected]
Director’s Secretary Sherry Fritts [email protected]
CCL Secretary Bobbie Masters [email protected]
CCL Secretary Kathy Bumeter [email protected]
CCL Secretary Toni Thiemann [email protected]
CCL Secretary Donna Mantle [email protected]
Registrar Sandy Usselman
Computer Specialist Mike Piotraschke [email protected]
Psychometrists Dr. Diana Iborg Sonia Shelton
[email protected] [email protected]
Kindergarten Lisa Ciszewski Laura Edwards
Sue Lesser
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
First Grade Carol McClintock Lisa Moll
Katy Davis
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Second Grade Christina Berwin Stacy Steketee Michelle Stellhorn
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Third Grade Aron Blanke
Anne Cunningham Janel Hubbard Judi Willenbrink
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Fourth Grade Angelete Smith Emily Inman Katy Schubert Jennifer Uding Lauren Wilhelm
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Fifth Grade Debbie Albert Kathy Nuetzel Janice Wenger
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Site Visit Teacher Karen Giesler [email protected]
Kinections Teachers Kellie Beckering Susan Richmond
[email protected] [email protected]
Art Teachers
Lynn Blosser Bernie de la Fuente
[email protected] [email protected]
Counselors Nancy Bonn-Winkler Jody Patschorke
[email protected] [email protected]
Classroom Assistants Nila Gupta
Amy Ferguson
Darla Gruchot
Kim Selness
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Nurse Barb Allhoff [email protected]
Cafeteria Manager Cafeteria Assistant
Lori Ruder Angie Hallemann
[email protected] [email protected]
Custodians Rey Fabros
Andrew Metropoulos [email protected]
ROCKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT DEFINITION, MISSION, VISION, PHILOSOPHY OF GIFTED EDUCATION
Definition
Rockwood defines gifted individuals as those who demonstrate high intellectual ability,
possess exceptional potential in one or more domains, exhibit talent in creative and
critical thinking, and often experience asynchronous development. These individuals
also possess unique social, emotional, and learning needs and require differentiated
educational services beyond those provided in the regular classroom setting.
State Law in Missouri, Section 162.675. RSMo, defines gifted children as "those children
who exhibit precocious development of mental capacity and learning potential as
determined by competent professional evaluation to the extent that continued
educational growth and stimulation could best be served by an academic environment
beyond that offered through a standard grade level curriculum."
Section 162.720, RSMo, states that school districts may establish programs for gifted
children "where a sufficient number of children are determined to be gifted and their
development requires programs or services beyond the level of those ordinarily provided
in regular public school programs . . ." and states that the State Board of Education
"shall determine standards for such programs. Approval of such programs shall be made
by the State Department of Education based upon project applications submitted each
year." Mission Statement
We will do whatever it takes to ensure all students realize their potential.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to be an exemplary gifted program, to advocate for, inspire, and meet the
needs of all students in the Rockwood Gifted Program.
Philosophy
• Gifted students possess exceptional potential that may be evidenced in one or
more domains. Domains may include intellectual, emotional, physical, visual
arts, performing arts, and/or creative and critical thinking.
• Gifted students exist in all age, cultural/ethnic, and socio-economic groups, may
be twice exceptional, and often experience asynchronous development.
• Gifted students have unique learning and social emotional needs and require
specialized, rigorous, differentiated educational experiences.
• To realize their potential, gifted students need support from their parents,
classroom teachers, school counselors, gifted education teachers, gifted
counselors, and administrators working in collaboration. Gifted students
benefit from interaction with similarly gifted peers and mentors throughout
their school careers.
Rockwood Gifted
CCL Core
Students are assessed using the CCL Core Skills. 4: Innovatively exceeds the standard 3: Meets the standard 2: Approaching the standard
K 1 2 3 4 5
Info
ion
oss
in
By th
e en
d of
his
gr
ade
leve
l a
stud
nan
Organize
spoken, or
information apply it to
problems complete
Use observation, and technology organize and
to solve problems
complete
Use technology
research skills examine media, texts,
events to organize,
information to
problems or
Use technology,
resources to gather select choose
strategies, and the most
information independent
collaborative
Use multiple resources,
technology to organize, interpret,
apply the convincing evidence multi-step problems
Demonstrate literacy to interpret evaluate complex build connections previous make inferences,
effectively information in
K 1 2 3 4 5
Criti
cal T
hin
inBy
the
end
of h
is
grad
e le
vel a
st
uden
t a
Connect facts explain problems,
Weigh information, questions,
conclusions, decisions, and
reasoning to sense of ideas
Reason logically analyze
problems, or use evidence to how conclusions
Evaluate content concepts, quantitatively
represent thinking multiple
Assess evidence from
facts, and to develop
represent and conclusions on authentic tasks
Synthesize about beliefs, or theories to ideas and points of view;
defend a position complex issues solutions to
before seen”
K 1 2 3 4 5
Prob
lem
Sol
ving
the
end
of th
is
ad
leve
l a st
uden
t a
Select from
options and simple strategies
solutions tasks
Select problems stated parameters
choose appropriate
to develop solutions for tasks
Identify problems real-world contexts apply general to develop solutions
tasks and
Recognize and problems,
hypotheses, use explain
strategies to and explain solutions
authentic
Identify and issues related contextual formulate, apply
describe strategies to
defensible solutions non-routine
Identify core within topics, issues
situations. feedback to
specific strategies design, execute,
or justify feasible, and
K 1 2 3 4 5
Syst
ems
Thin
in
By th
e en
d of
this
ad
leve
l a st
uden
t a
Explain in
modality parts, ideas,
actions connected how
impact a
Identify and connections
parts, ideas, or and explain positive negative
which can result in
Identify and connections ideas, actions
decisions; explain term positive
negative which can result in
Analyze and parts of a are interdependent
propose ways to a system to enhance
outcome
Identify and patterns parts, ideas,
actions in a system evaluate personal global impact of
Analyze systems provide evidence
justify about short and term interactions
demonstrate transfer understanding
systems thinking other contexts
K 1 2 3 4 5
Com
mun
iio
n By
the
end
of th
is
adle
vel a
stud
ent
a
Engage
and share with
information present ideas messages in
Initiate and share ideas
others. messages existing convey
suited to a situation purpose,
communicate
Initiate share and accept
of others and questions to ideas. Use
modalities to and convey
ideas and messages a specific
Participate in a range conversations
collaborations, express and
on ideas. Plan present ideas
messages that suit specific purpose
engage the
Participate in a range conversations collaborations
diverse partners, on others’ ideas express ideas
and and
ideas or messages meet stated criteria
positively impact targeted
Integrate information evidence
organization, style media appropriate
task/audience communicate
defend a position, or
Rockwood Gifted Program Curriculum Model
Applies systems thinking
Incorporates authentic use of
technology Integrates multiple subject areas and
disciplines
Based on open-ended solutions
or paths
Real World Challenge
Involves community interactions
Relates to students' interests
Presented or shared with an
audience
Uses multiple resources
The Rockwood Gifted Program Curriculum Model focuses on student choice in developing a solution or product for real world problems. When researching and developing curriculum, teachers correlate unit goals to Rockwood School District and Missouri Learning Standards. Unit objectives, goals, daily assessments, project and product assessments and student portfolios relate to each other and to the standards.
CCL CONTENT AREAS
Kindergarten: Earthlinks
First Grade: Wild Science
Second Grade: Design Studio: Landscape Architecture
Design Studio: Robotics
Innovators and Inventors
Third Grade: Architecture
Lasers
Sound Studio
Deep Seacrets
Fourth Grade: Design Thinking Studio
Archaeology: Where the Past Meets the Future
SPARK!
Fifth Grade: Biotechnology
CCL Test Kitchen
Multimedia Productions
Art: Artistic Connections
Kinesthic Learning: Kinections
SPECIALIZED CCL PROGRAMS
Artistically Gifted Component
This component was created to meet the needs of artistically talented third, fourth, and fifth graders attending the center. This specialized component provides an intensive art experience within the studio climate of a semester long Kaleidoscope class. The curriculum is based on the fine art disciplines of drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking and integrates the four strands of Discipline Based Art Education (history, aesthetics, production and critique).
Counseling Services
The role of the counselors at the CCL is to respond to the unique needs of the gifted child. It is hoped that children will develop an appreciation of their talents, sensitivities and interests. Supporting the CCL’s children and their families is a daily goal and is done in a variety of ways. The counselors meet individually with students, counsel students in whole group settings, facilitates family counseling sessions, conducts Care Team meetings, provides academic support and guidance, advocates for at-risk children, and provides information on gifted related topics.
Art and Kinections
Specialized art and Kinections learning experiences are offered to connect curricular ideas across disciplines. The interdisciplinary approach broadens learning about the morning topic through art and movement. The experience enables students to practice critical thinking, creativity, problem solving and effective communication in multiple settings.
Kindergarten Component
A full-day kindergarten program is offered at the CCL during second semester of each school year. Kindergarten students identified as gifted during first semester attend the CCL with identified students in grades one through five. In the morning, kindergarteners participate in an environmental unit called “EarthLinks.” The unit is interdisciplinary in nature and focuses on how living things are linked to each other and the environment. In the afternoon, a Kaleidoscope class is offered. Students also receive art and physical education instruction and have the opportunity to participate in lessons with the program counselor.
COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS
Communication is one of the most important components in the continued success of our students, our teachers and our program. Face to face communication is often the most effective and beneficial means for sharing information. However, there are many other ways to communicate, and the Center staff attempts to maximize the options that are available. Below is a list and brief description of the approaches we use to keep parents and the community-at-large informed about the work that takes place at the Center.
Written and Electronic Communication
Rockwood Gifted Program Website includes up-to-date information about the CCL as well as the Middle School Program and the High School Program. Links to teacher websites can also be found there. The website is an important resource for parents and we ask that all parents check the website on a regular basis. Go to www.rsdmo.org/giftededucation
Grade Level Newsletters are emailed home once a month. The newsletters share recent learning activities and describe upcoming events. Teachers also update their websites with information about what is happening in their classrooms.
Minds in Motion is a student-produced yearbook. This yearbook is designed and produced by fourth and fifth grade students and will be digital this year.
Learning Logs are sent home on a regular basis by classroom teachers. The Learning Logs inform parents of what their child is learning each week and how he/she is doing. It also includes comments from the teacher. Some Learning Logs are hard copies carried home with your child and some Learning Logs are sent home electronically. Your child’s teacher will let you know how Learning Logs will be sent home.
CCL Report Cards for morning units and Kaleidoscope units are posted to the Rockwood School District Parent Portal. In October and March parents can view first and third quarter Kaleidoscope report cards. In January and May parents can view semester morning unit and quarters two and four Kaleidoscope report cards. The report cards provide parents with information regarding how their child performed in their morning unit of study and their Kaleidoscope units.
Personal Notes and Telephone Calls are used by the teachers to share information with parents about their children and the progress they are making at the Center. This communication is as often initiated to share positive news and developments as it is to dialogue about concerns and strategies to enhance success.
School Messenger is a phone/email/text program used by the district to contact parents when necessary. School Messenger messages are sent when a bus is more than fifteen minutes late, when there is a snow day, or when important information needs to be shared. Sometimes a School Messenger message will be sent through just one media, other times a combination of media will be used.
Conferences and Meetings
Parent-Teacher Conferences are conducted in October and March. Conferences provide an opportunity for teachers and parents to discuss student strengths, areas for growth, and academic and personal goals.
Individual Conferences are conducted throughout the year as student issues/concerns arise. These conferences may be held at the Center or conducted over the phone.
PTO Meetings bring parents and the Center staff together in a collaborative effort to plan and implement programs and activities.
CCL Liaison Meetings provide an opportunity for parent building representatives to meet with the gifted program director to ask questions and discuss issues regarding the gifted program. The liaisons disseminate information from the meetings to the families in their respective schools.
Experience CCL Week & Project Nights are opportunities for parents and district staff to visit the CCL and participate in student learning. One event is held in November and one in April.
Grade Level and Class Demonstrations are opportunities for students to share their learning and projects with an audience. These presentations are scheduled both during the Center day and in the evening.
Parent Education Series are conducted by the Center staff to address the special needs of gifted students. Information about special topic presentations is posted on the CCL website. Reminders will be sent out via e-mail. Meetings are also held each January by the Academic Stretch staff to assist fifth grade students and their parents as they prepare to make the transition to middle school.
Gifted Education Best Practice Guidelines
When Students Attend the CCL
In order to address the needs of students involved in programming at the Center for Creative Learning, we ask that the following six guidelines be followed when planning educational programs at the elementary school level.
HOMESCHOOL CLASSROOM WORK
1. When new concepts are introduced on CCL days, teachers should provide direct
instruction to students on these concepts when they return to class. Students should not be responsible for obtaining this information on their own.
2. Students should only be required to complete work that is necessary to learn new
information or to understand complex concepts. Classroom work that is missed because of CCL participation should be compacted or waived.
3. Avoid, to the extent possible, administering tests on students’ CCL day. This guideline
refers to both district-sponsored tests as well as teacher-generated tests on major instructional units.
HOMESCHOOL HOMEWORK
4. Homework assignments resulting from both missed classroom work and regularly assigned
homework should be compacted so students who attend the CCL do not have more homework than other students in their class. If the amount of homework exceeds that of other students, students should be given a minimum of two days to complete the work assigned to them.
SPECIALTY CLASSES
5. Conflicts with specialty classes are inevitable. Attempts will be made to minimize
scheduling conflicts whenever possible. If a student’s strings class is scheduled on CCL days, an effort will be made to offer CCL students an alternative day of the week to attend strings instruction.
SPECIAL EVENTS
6. Avoid, to the extent possible, scheduling special events on students’ CCL day. Special
events include field trips, guest speakers, room parties, assemblies, special instructional films, performances, etc. If a conflict arises, the CCL should be notified and families should be given the option of having their children participate in the special event or attending the CCL.
9/14/2017
CALENDAR 2017-2018
Visit our website for more information: www.rsdmo.org/giftededucation
Month Date Event Time Location
August 10 Orientation for Parents of New Students in Grades 1-5 (Parents Only)
6:00-7:00p MPR
15 New and Returning Student Open House 4:00-6:00p Classrooms
16-17 CCL PD/Curriculum Days, Students Attend Home Schools
21 CCL Assist with Eclipse Day, Students Attend Home Schools
18,22-24 & 28
First Days for Students at CCL Classrooms
September 4 Labor Day, No School
27 CCL PD/Curriculum Day, Students Attend Home Schools
October 5, 6, 9-11
Last Days of 1st Quarter
12,13, 16-18
First Days of 2nd Quarter
24-26 Parent-Teacher Conferences, Students Attend Home Schools
TBA Classrooms
27 District Holiday, No School
November 7 CCL PD/Curriculum Day, Students Attend Home Schools
13-17 Experience CCL Week, Parents and District Staff Invited
9:30a-1:30p Classrooms
22-24 Thanksgiving Holiday, No School
December 15, 18-21
Last Days of 1st Semester
19 Orientation for Parents of New Students in Grades 1-5 (Parents Only)
6:00-7:00p MPR
21 Students Attend in the Morning Only; District-Wide Staff Development in the Afternoon
22-Jan 1
Winter Holidays (Jan. 2 District Teacher Work Day)
9/14/2017
Month Date Event Time Location
January 2 District Teacher Work Day, No School
3-5, 8,9
CCL Resumes – 3rd Quarter New Students
11 Kindergarten Open House 6:30- 7:30p
MPR
12 Students Attend in the Morning Only; District-Wide Staff Development in the Afternoon
15 MLK, Jr.’s Birthday, No School
16-19, 22
Kindergarten Classes Begin at IC
22-26 Informal classroom pictures for Kindergarten and Grades 1-5
Daily Classrooms
February 8 CCL PD/Curriculum Day, Students Attend Home Schools
16 Students attend in the Morning Only; District-Wide Staff Development in the Afternoon
19 President’s Day, No School
27,28, Mar 1, 2 & 5
Last Days of 3rd Quarter
March 6-8 Parent-Teacher Conferences, Students Attend Home Schools
TBA Classrooms
9, 12-16
Spring Recess, No School
19-23 First Days of 4th Quarter
30 District Spring Holiday, No School
April 3 CCL PD/Curriculum Day, Students Attend Home Schools
16-20 Experience CCL Week, Parents and District Staff Invited
9:30a-1:30p Classrooms
May 14-18 5th Grade Send-Off Picnic TBA Classrooms
14-18 Last Days of 2nd Semester
21-24 CCL PD/Curriculum Days, Students Attend Home Schools
24 Last Day for Rockwood Students
25 District Teacher Work Day, No School
June 4-8 11-15
“CCLebrate Summer” CCL Summer Program
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
Arrival Procedures:
• Your child rides his/her regular bus to the home school. • Upon arrival at the home school, the CCL students board the CCL bus to be
transported to the CCL. • Parents may drop their children directly off at the CCL Campus in the
mornings. • Students should arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before the start of the
school day. With the front door locking systems, the doors will only be unlocked for 15 minutes before school begins.
• When students arrive, they should go directly to their classrooms. If a student arrives before a teacher is on duty, they must wait in the entryway by the main office until a teacher arrives.
Dismissal Procedures:
• Based on parent’s instructions, students may be bused directly back to their homes, back to their home schools, back to home school for Adventure Club, or they may be picked up at the CCL.
• We do not offer an inside pick-up option due to the large size of our student body and congestion in our parking lot. Inside pick-up is only an option if parents have an appointment in the building or students need to leave early on a particular day because of an appointment.
o If you need to pick up your child in the last half hour, please park at Bethesda and walk over to CCL to sign out your child. If you arrive during our dismissal time, we will ask you to wait to sign-out your child until after dismissal is over. Our dismissal procedures begin 10 minutes before the end of the school day
• If you plan to pick up your child every week at the CCL, your child will be dismissed as a “Parent Pick -Up.” A “Parent Pick-up” is any student who walks home from the Center or who rides home in a car.
• If you plan to change your student’s dismissal for the day, please bring or send a note to CCL on the day of the change.
o This note may be given to your child’s teacher who will, in turn, bring the note to the main office. You may also email the CCL secretaries with a change for the day.
• When picking up your child as a “Parent Pick-up,” please become part of the pick-up “loop.”
o The loop forms along the north covered sidewalk and will require the person who is picking up to drive on the “wrong side” side of the parking lot, and go around the parking circle the “wrong way.”
o We will have your child walk out at dismissal time, and a teacher will assist your child into your car.
o Please display an 8 ½” by 11” card with your child’s last name on it in the front window of the car, as it is a great help.
In the event of a transportation problem during CCL school hours, please call the front office at 636-891-6550. In the event of a transportation concern after CCL offices close (4:30 p.m.), please call the district Transportation Department at 636-733-8500.
Inclement Weather Policy:
• If your child is in attendance at the CCL when the District cancels school due to inclement weather, your child will be transported back to his/her home school to ride their regular bus home.
o Please note that CCL is the first school dismissed, so the CCL bus can arrive at the home schools before the home schools are ready to dismiss their students. (If your child attends a private school or is home-schooled, we will notify you immediately so that you can pick up your child.)
****Please note that there is a great deal of traffic coming into and leaving the CCL parking lots at pick-up time. ***** IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, PLEASE ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO RIDE THE BUS BACK TO THEIR HOME SCHOOL.
Center for Creative Learning - Drop off Procedure
EXIT ONLY Drop Off
State Road
CCL
Main Office Entrance
Campus
CCL Entrance "Parent Drop-Off" Procedure: Enter the CCL through the “Entrance,” marked with green entrance signs. Go around the west side of the building, following the signs to CCL Main Office. Drop students off at the main office entrance (no earlier than 15 minutes prior to start time) and proceed to the curricular turn around at the east end of the building. Exit the campus via the CCL “Exit Only” marked with red exit signs. If a school bus is unloading, please follow school bus rules. Please refrain from passing cars and busses in the drop-off zone.
Old
Center for Creative Learning - Pick up Procedure
“Parent Pick-up” procedure: Cars enter the parking lot, pass the buses, turn right and drive down the left side (“wrong side”) of the parking lot. Cars then go around the circle and line up along the sidewalk canopy. Children are placed in a car by a teacher. As the front cars exit, remaining cars pull up to the
teacher directing traffic. Stay in your car and in the line until you are directed to exit. Display card will be provided for the front window of your car.
EXIT ONLY Pick up
State Road
Main Office Entrance
CCL Campus
CCL Entrance
Old
Visit us at www.prcommunityed.org/adventureclubor call 636-891-6675 for more information
Adventure Club is here for you!
Adventure Club Direct Numbers:
Of ering quality school-age care for 30 years!
Attention CCL Parents:
Babler 636-733-1190 Ballwin 636-891-6590 Blevins 636-733-3190 Bowles 636-891-6790 Chesterfield 636-891-6515 Ellisville 636-891-6615 Eureka 636-733-3165
Fairway 636-733-4190 Geggie 636-733-3215 Green Pines 636-733-4165 Kehrs Mill 636-891-6065 Kellison 636-891-6715 Pond 636-733-3240 Ridge Meadows 636-891-6665
Stanton 636-891-6765 Uthof Valley 636-891-6740 Westridge 636-891-6165 Wild Horse 636-891-6090 Woerther 636-891-6190
Need Regular Care? Are you regularly unavailable to pick up your child after CCL drops them of at their elementary school? Adventure Club ofers a once a week rate which includes a snack, programmed activities and services for you until 6 p.m. Visit www.prcommunityed.org/adventureclub for the one day per week After Care rate and registration information or call us at 636-891-6675.
Unexpectedly Delayed? Do you occasionally face unexpected delays in picking up your child after CCL? Just call the Adventure Club direct line (listed below) for your school, and the Adventure Club staf will check your child into the program until you arrive. If Adventure Club does not receive a call and a ride is not on-site when the bus arrives, your child may check him or herself into Adventure Club. A $10 fee is assessed for the first 1–10 minutes, with additional minutes charged at a $2 per minute rate. All children will receive an orientation at the beginning of the school year so they know where Adventure Club is located.
Policies and Procedures at the CCL
Attendance/Absences If your child will be absent on his/her CCL attendance day, please call the CCL office, (636) 891-6550. The CCL does not receive information from your child’s elementary school regarding your child’s absence. If you do not contact the CCL, someone will try to contact you to verify the absence. If any absence is not verified by a parent, the absence is recorded as unexcused. If a child is absent from the CCL three days in any given quarter without a documented explanation, parents will be called to discuss the child’s interest in continuing at the CCL. If a decision is made to withdraw from the CCL, the student cannot return to the CCL until the following school year.
Student Expectations at the CCL Appropriate student behavior is essential to an environment conducive to learning. Learning appropriate behavior assists the students in developing self-discipline, independence, and character. These expectations guide our learning and interactions with one another.
• We are kind. • We are respectful. • We are responsible. • We are safe. • We are here to learn.
Discipline
Discipline policies are important for the maintenance of an atmosphere where orderly learning is possible and encouraged. Specifically, the “Rockwood School District Guidelines in the Policies and Procedures Pertaining to Elementary Students Attending Rockwood Public Schools” will be followed at the Center. If a student’s behavior becomes a disruptive factor, the teacher in charge will handle it until such time that he or she feels the disruption cannot be resolved. At such time, an administrator will be consulted.
Food Brought from Home to Share at the CCL Due to the increasing number of allergies and other health issues, we ask that students not bring food to school to share with other students. This request includes sharing snacks, sharing lunch items, and bringing birthday and holiday treats.
Under some circumstances, a teacher will use food to enhance student learning of a topic. When this happens, the classroom teacher will contact all parents ahead of time, via e-mail or a notice, to let them know what type of food is being served. If a student has a food allergy that is documented on our health forms, the teacher will also call the student’s family.
Lunch Students have the options of bringing or buying their lunch at the Center. The Center follows the same menu as Rockwood’s elementary schools. A copy of the menu will be available on the Rockwood website. If your child wants to buy lunch at the Center, they need to pay for it through the Rockwood www.myschoolbucks.com account, or send a check or cash to CCL to the cafeteria manager. If your child attends a private school or is home- schooled and you wish to have your child buy lunch at the Center, you can pay for lunch through the Rockwood www.myschoolbucks.com account. Parents are welcome to join their child for lunch on special occasions. We ask that you call ahead so we can be sure there are enough chairs set up. We ask that you limit lunch visits to no more than three a year.
Information can be found at http://www.rsdmo.org/childnutrition/Pages/default.aspx. Please do not send soda as a snack or lunch drink.
Snacks Your child’s day at the Center will be very intense. Lunch on the Center day is approximately one-half hour later than your child’s lunchtime at his/her home school. Therefore, children have the OPTION of bringing a healthy morning snack. Students in grades K, 1, and 2, have the OPTION of two snacks a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Milk and a variety of juices are available. Please note that the snack drink fee will be deducted from his/her www.myschoolbucks.com account.
Field Trips An important educational aid is the field trip. Teachers are encouraged to take a field trip if a field trip would be beneficial in introducing or following up on a given unit of study. It is not compulsory that teachers take a field trip, and students should not feel they have been deprived if one is not taken.
Student Emergency Information
The CCL uses the district student database, Infinite Campus, to access student emergency information. This is the same emergency information parents provide to their child’s home school. If there is any change in the emergency information listed in Infinite Campus, please contact your child’s home school. It is important to report any change of email addresses, telephone numbers, address, or place of employment.
Medication
If your child needs to take medication at school, including over-the-counter medications, here are some important rules and policies to follow:
Medications must be brought to school by the parent or another responsible adult in the original container. The transportation of medication to school or from school by students is prohibited with the exception provided for self-administration of emergency medication by waiver. This applies to both prescription and over-the-counter medication.
1. All medication is to be taken to the nurse's office for secured, locked storage. 2. Prescription medications must be in a prescription-labeled container; the label
stating the child's name, current date, name of medication and directions for administration.
3. Over-the-counter medications must be in their original containers. 4. Cough drops contain an “active ingredient” thus are considered an over the counter
medication and will need parent permission and physician orders. 5. Parent permission forms must accompany any kind of medication. Physician
requests also must accompany over-the-counter medications and any prescription medication to be given differently than stated in the label directions.
Download the request form for medication to be given at school. 6. If your child has asthma and you and your child's physician believes it is necessary
for your child to carry a "rescue" inhaler, as opposed to keeping it in the nurse's office, please contact your school nurse. Click here for the authorization form that is needed along with the form available in #5.
7. In grades nine through 12 only, students may carry over-the-counter medications and self-administer these medications, if: the medications are in their original containers; and the authorization form is filled out on file with the nurse office.
8. Students cannot carry medications on the bus. Parents should bring in any medications they want their child to take during the school day. Medications need to have a doctor’s note, labeled bottle, and specific directions.
For over-the-counter medications: 1. Non-prescription medication (OTC’s) may be dispensed for a specific condition by
the nurse upon written request of the physician. This request will be in the form of a dated note to the school acknowledging parent/guardian approval, time of dosage, name of medicine, purpose of medicine, and the termination date for administering the medication. A parent/guardian will provide a written request that Rockwood School District complies with the authorized prescriber (physician) request to administer medication.
2. OTC’s must be brought to school in their original container and kept in the health room in the possession of the nurse.
3. The student will assume the responsibility for requesting the medication each day at the proper time. 4. The school nurse serves as a consultant and resource to classroom
teachers regarding health education, drug education, and family life programs.
If you have questions, please contact your school nurse or Amy Wehr, Supervisor, Wellness and Health Services at 636-733-2008.
Recess
At the CCL, a twenty minute recess is combined with lunch. Some students have recess then lunch and some students have lunch then recess. For specific times, see the CCL daily schedules. All children will go outside for recess. If a child needs to stay inside for recess due to a medical condition or allergies, parents should send a doctor’s note to the CCL nurse. Children remaining inside for recess will stay in the office area. Playground Recess: The following rules apply to all students during playground recess
1. Recess will be held on the blacktop area and the field next to the patio. 2. When the weather does not permit outside recess, an e-mail will be
sent to classroom teachers. 3. When the field play areas are wet, an e-mail will be sent to classroom
teachers indicating where students should play. 4. Carefully descend from playground equipment. 5. Personal athletic equipment should be left at home. 6. Play with balls away from the building. 7. Students who display inappropriate behavior will be asked to stand against
the wall for the remainder of recess. 8. Students should go to the bathroom before recess. However, in case of
emergency, students may ask the recess personnel to use the bathroom. 9. When the whistle blows to indicate the end of recess, students stop
playing, place the equipment in the proper places, and line up in their designated lines.
10. Students are to enter the building quietly, accompanied by their teacher, and proceed to their classrooms.
Indoor Recess: The following rules apply to all students during indoor recess
1. Indoor voices are appropriate. 2. Using the Internet during indoor recess must be supervised by a classroom teacher. 3. Students need to remain in their designated room. 4. Students should log off of computers, push in used chairs, and return
classroom games to storage areas at the end of indoor recess.
Frequently Asked Questions by Parents of New CCL Students
1. When will my child begin attending the Center?
New students begin attending the Center at the start of each new CCL semester.
2. How will my child get to and from the Center?
Arrival: Children may either go to his/her home school where s/he will ride the bus from the home school to the Center, or parents may drive their child to the Center.
Dismissal: Parents select whether their child should ride the bus or be picked up at the CCL. If the child rides the bus, parents may select to have their child dropped off at the home school or ride the bus all the way home. A CCL staff member walks all bus students to their buses and makes sure each child gets on the correct bus. If a parent chooses to pick up his/her child, parents wait in the car pool line. A CCL staff member walks each child to his/her car.
3. What if my child arrives late or I need to pick him/her up early?
When a child arrives late, the parent comes into the office with the child and signs the child in. If a child needs to leave early, the parent should send a note or call the office in the morning. When you arrive to pick up your child, come into the office and sign the child out. However, once the dismissal process has begun, children will not be called to the office for pick up. Parents who want their child to leave early should come to the office before the end of Kaleidoscope classes. Kaleidoscope classes end 10 minutes before scheduled dismissal. When a child is picked up during the last half hour, parents should park at Bethesda and walk to the CCL.
4. What supplies does my child need?
A supply list is provided on our website at www.rsdmo.org/giftededucation. Click on “registration” and go to the supply lists. Parents may either purchase supplies or buy a supply packet from the PTO. Supplies are stored in each classroom and used when needed. Information about buying supplies through the PTO is included in the PTO handbook.
5. What is the Artistically Gifted Component and how does my child qualify for the
Artistically Gifted Component? The Artistically Gifted Component was created to meet the needs of artistically talented third, fourth and fifth graders attending the Center. This specialized component provides an intensive art experience within a studio climate. Potential students for the program are screened and identified using multiple criteria and a weighted matrix form.
6. How is my child assigned to a morning unit?
CCL staff members work together to place children in morning units. During the placement process, staff members try to place at least two children of the same sex from the same school in each morning unit classroom. The two children may not be from the same home school classroom, but they will be from the same elementary school. If a child has a specific passion area that relates to a morning unit, parents may submit the CCL Student Placement form to the Administrative Intern. The form is shared with all families in April/May. This information will be added to the child’s placement file and will be used as another piece of information when placing the children.
7. How and when does my child select Kaleidoscope classes?
Children in grades two through five select their Kaleidoscope classes on their first attendance day of each quarter. Children select classes by rank-ordering their choices. Each quarter, the registration order begins with a different letter of the alphabet. By rotating where in the alphabet registration begins, every student has the opportunity to be at the beginning of the registration order some time during the school year.
8. Can I send food birthday treats?
Because of allergies, we ask that students not bring food snacks for special occasions to share with the class nor share their snacks during snack time.
9. Why types of snacks should I send with my child?
Due to CCL’s late start and later lunch time, children are asked to bring healthy snacks for designated snack times. Children in kindergarten and grades one and two have two snacks a day. Children in grades three, four, and five have one morning snack. We ask that parents send healthy and nutritious snacks for their children.
10. Will there be homework from the Center?
No, homework is not assigned at the CCL. However, children will ask if they can work on a project at home. Teachers allow children to do this, but also remind them that there is no need to work on a project at home as time is provided at the CCL to complete tasks. If a child gets behind due to absences, the teacher may call to talk with parents about how to help the child catch up.
11. If I need to pay with a check for PTO items, to whom do I make out the
check? What happens if the check is returned?
Checks should be made out to CCL PTO. Checks are welcome throughout the district. We recognize that a parent may inadvertently overdraw a checking account and a check may be returned by your bank. In order to recover these funds in a private and professional manner, the district has contracted with CHECKredi, LLC, a company based in Lexington, Kentucky for collection of returned checks. CHECKredi will contact you by mail and by telephone in order to make arrangements to cover the amount of the check.
12. What do I do if my child says s/he doesn’t like the CCL or wants to quit?
Often, when a child wants to quit or says s/he doesn’t like the CCL it is more about the rigor of his/her classes. Gifted children are often the first ones with answers in their elementary school classroom, but at the CCL, many students quickly share correct answers. This can be frightening and when the children share their feelings it comes out as, “I am bored,” “I don’t like the topic,” “I don’t like the teacher.” Talk it over with your child and if you need help call the classroom teacher and discuss your concerns. The CCL Counselor can also help. If a child does decide to withdraw, s/he cannot reenter until the following school year.
13. Who do I talk to if I have questions?
Any staff member will be happy to either answer your question or direct you to someone who can answer it. If you have questions call 636-891-6550.