Student Handbook
- Welcome
- Student Attendance/Absences
- Student Attendance/Tardies
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Bus Safety Rules
- Car Rider Safety Rules
- Change of Address/Phone
- Classroom Visitations
- Clinic and Medication
- Illness and Injury
- Immunization Records
- Medications
- Communication
- Computers
- Conferences
- Discipline/Student Expectations
- Early Dismissal
- Emergency School Closings
- Enrollment/Withdrawal
- Field Trips
- Fire/Tornado/Lockdown Drills
- Food to School
- Grading Scale
- Homework
- Homework Help Ideas
- Honor Roll
- Instructional Program
- Mission
- Money to School
- Parking
- Student Bicycle and Automobile Transportation - C475 Guidelines
- Parent Teacher Organization
- Prohibited Items
- MSD of Wayne Township Wireless Communication Device Guidance
- Report Cards/Midterms
- School Hours
- Recess
- Student Code of Conduct
- Student Dress Guidelines
- Student Teachers
- Tardiness
- Telephone
- Textbooks
- Vandalism and Property Damage
- MSD of Wayne Township School Calendar
Welcome
Dear Rhoades Families:
On behalf of the faculty, staff, and administration, we are thrilled to welcome you to another exciting year at Rhoades Elementary School. We have been eagerly preparing for the start of school, and we look forward to working together to make Rhoades a safe, supportive, and meaningful learning environment.
At Rhoades, we believe that student success relies on a strong partnership between dedicated teachers, involved caregivers, an active community, and students committed to learning. For our students to thrive, it is essential that caregivers and teachers share common goals and work together to achieve them. Our aim is to create a school environment and instructional program that will enable each student to reach their full potential as a lifelong learner.
To ensure success, we need your cooperation and support. Establishing clear lines of communication with your child’s teacher is vital, as they play a crucial role in your child’s success this school year. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with school procedures and the expectations of your child’s classroom. If any issues arise, contact the teacher and work together to find a resolution that benefits the student.
Additionally, our Administrative Team, Parent Liaison, and School Counselors are available to support our families and students. Our school’s theme this year is: Grow with Us. We will grow together and make a difference in your child’s education. This handbook has been prepared to answer some of the questions students and caregivers may have about the activities, procedures, and rules for the successful daily operation of Rhoades Elementary. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead!
Sincerely,
Ms. Aretha Britton, Principal
Mr. Matthew Molitor, Assistant Principal
Student Attendance/Absences
Attendance is critical to the success of your child in school. Rhoades has made improving attendance a school goal. All children are expected to be in attendance each day unless they are ill. Rhoades and the State of Indiana recognize legal and excused absences only due to illness of the child, death in the immediate family, or subpoena of the student to court.
When it is necessary for your child to miss school, please follow this procedure:
- Absences are only counted excused with a physician’s statement.
- Phone the attendance line at 317- 988-6755 by 9:00 am.
- If homework is desired, please request before 12:00 p.m.
- Send a note with your child when he/she returns to school.
- School personnel may contact your home if a call has not been made to report an absence.
- A tardy student must check in at the office when he/she arrives in the building.
- It is a Rhoades and Wayne Township policy to issue letters to parents when students have reached the following status for the school
year:- After 3 days absent or tardy; after 5 days absent or tardy; a medical notice needs to be sent to school after 9 days absent or tardy.
- After 10 days absent, with no medical notice, the attendance matter will be turned over to the Wayne Township Truancy Court. If the absences continue, you may be referred to the Marion County Juvenile Court for Failure to Ensure. You will be required to appear before a judge.
We encourage you to schedule your child’s doctor and dental appointments outside of school hours. Please do not keep your child out of school for a full day for a doctor’s appointment unless absolutely necessary. If an appointment is to take place during school hours, it is necessary for you to visit the office to sign out your child. For the safety of your child, school personnel will not release a child to anyone not listed on the enrollment form without your permission.
Student Attendance/Tardies
Students will be counted “tardy” if they arrive at school after the official start of school and before ½ of the school day is complete. (This time will vary from school to school. The school day is divided into two parts: a.m. and p.m. Students should be counted in attendance for a ½ day if they attend for a portion of the morning or afternoon. If students arrive in the a.m., before the ½ day time limit, they should be counted for a full attendance day. The same shall apply if a student leaves school early. There will be two awards issued to students for
attendance at the elementary level – Perfect Attendance and Outstanding Attendance. If a student attends every day that school is in session and is present for every minute of every session, he/she shall be awarded a PERFECT ATTENDANCE AWARD. In order to qualify for the PERFECT ATTENDANCE AWARD, a student may not have any tardies or any early releases from school. A student will qualify for an
OUTSTANDING ATTENDANCE AWARD if he/she has no more than a total of 6 tardies or early release days for the year.
Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast and lunch are served daily. This year all students will receive universal free lunch. When bringing lunch from home, please remember to NOT include canned soft drinks, glass containers, and excessive amounts of candy. Lunch from fast food restaurants in its original packaging is not allowed.
Parents and families are invited to eat lunch with their child or children. Prices are listed below.
- Child Lunch $3.37
- Extra Lunch Entree $2.00
- Extra Fruit/Vegetable $0.50
- Adult Lunch $4.85
- Extra Milk/Juice $0.50
Any questions about your child’s account should be directed to the Cafeteria Manager.
Bus Safety Rules
The Director of Transportation (317-988-6375) is in charge of bus drivers, bus routes, and schedules. The bus driver must maintain his/her own discipline on the bus. When a referral is turned into the office, it is acted upon by the assistant principal or principal. Parents are informed by phone, writing, or both, as to what action has been taken.
Typically, a first referral results in the child missing recess, eating an isolated lunch, and writing a letter to the driver or a paragraph about correct bus behavior.
The second referral carries a suspension from the bus for 1 – 5 days, depending on the infractions, in addition to the same consequences as the first referral.
A third referral suspends the student from the bus for 5 days. The student may ride the bus again only after a meeting has been held with the Director of Transportation and a school official.
For a fourth referral, the student is again suspended from the bus for 5 days. The student may ride the bus again only after a plan has been made at a meeting with the Director of Transportation and a school official.
The fifth referral suspends a student from the bus for the remainder of the school year.
Changing this referral plan is at the discretion of the school administrator, based on the severity of the student’s behavior. At the beginning of the school year, each student will receive a copy of the bus conduct rules. Caregivers and students are reminded that riding the bus is a privilege and not a right. It will be necessary to notify the office in writing, in advance, and/or advise the teacher in writing if there is to be a change in the transportation of your child. Transportation changes need to be made by 1:00. If no notification is received, the student will follow his/her regular method of getting home. Use the “Here Comes the Bus” app to assist in seeing the location of bus/bus stops in your area.
Car Rider Safety Rules
- Enter the parking lot from Auburn Street. Do not enter from Rinehart.
- Form a line at the curb nearest the school building.
- Keep your position in the line of traffic.
- Wait for school personnel to load and unload cars at the main front entrance.
- Do not signal students to come to the parking lot, street, or across the street.
- Do not leave cars unattended.
- Follow the instructions of school personnel.
Change of Address/Phone
Please notify the front office (317-988-6700) of changes in address or phone numbers as soon as possible. Accurate records are important so that the school can notify caregivers in case of an emergency.
Classroom Visitations
Caregivers are always welcome to visit their child’s classroom but as a courtesy to the teacher, please make an appointment for your visit. Classroom visits are not a time for parent/teacher conferences. Contacting the teacher, principal, or assistant principal in advance is recommended. All visitors must report to the office, sign in, have proper photo id and receive an identification tag. Parent Volunteers must have a background check prior to chaperoning a field trip or volunteering in a classroom. These background checks must be conducted each year.
Clinic and Medication
Illness and Injury
If your child becomes seriously ill or is injured at school, we will make the student comfortable and call you immediately. If you cannot be reached, we will attempt to contact the emergency numbers you have listed on the enrollment form. Please provide the name and phone numbers of two (2) adults, other than caregivers, that can be reached during the school day. Please remember, we cannot keep a seriously
ill child at school. Students must be out of school 24 hours after the fever breaks and the last episode of vomiting. A fever is any temperature over 100.4 degrees.
The discovery of lice or their eggs on the hair should not cause the child to be sent home or isolated. Furthermore, treatment is not indicated if the infestation is not active. Although lice and their eggs may be seen without the help of magnifying devices, the viability of the eggs cannot be judged without magnification and a degree of training. Because pediculosis is generally misdiagnosed, and because few symptoms are no direct infectious processes are known to result from an infestation, the practice of excluding presumably infested children from school is unwarranted. Although head lice are transmissible, their potential for epidemic spread is minimal. Furthermore, there is no convincing data that demonstrates that enforced exclusion policies are effective in reducing the transmission of lice.
Immunization Records
When any child enrolls in a school corporation, for the first time or any subsequent time, his/her caregivers or guardians must show that he/she has been immunized or that a current religious or medical objection is on file. Minimum immunization requirements for all children newly enrolled in kindergarten or Grade 1 and less than 7 years of age:
- 5 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DtaP), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), or pediatric diphtheria tetanus vaccine (DT), or 4 doses are acceptable if the fourth dose was administered on or after the 4th birthday;
- 4 doses of either oral polio vaccine (OPV) or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), and any combination, or three doses of all OPV or all IPV are acceptable if the third dose was administered on or after the 4th birthday;
- 2 doses of measles (rubella) vaccine, on or after the 1st birthday;
- 2 doses of rubella (German Measles) vaccine, on or after the 1st birthday;
- 2 doses of mumps vaccine, on or after the 1st birthday
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine.
- 2 doses of Varicella (chicken pox) on or after the 1st birthday or record of disease.
- A written statement from the Parent/Guardian & Dr. indicating dates of disease and signed is the documentation needed.
- 2 doses of Hepatitis A, The minimum interval between 1st and 2nd dose of Hepatitis A is 6 calendar months apart is required for K- 2nd Grade.
Medications
Medication guidelines are consistent with Indiana Law and are intended to provide assistance for a safe, effective program of medication administration for students while they are at school. All medications sent to school must be in original containers. A permission note from a parent or guardian must accompany all prescription and non-prescription medications. The permission note can be found in the enrollment folder. Medicine CANNOT be sent home with a child. An adult must come to the school to pick it up.
Communication
Good communication between home and school is vital to a successful school experience for each child. Our teachers utilize Weekly Folders to get vital information to you. Completed work, notices, and sign ups will be sent in the Weekly Folders. Because so much information is contained in the folders, it is important for you to impress upon your child that you need to see the folder each week. Please take time to review the information each week with your child. School newsletters will be sent home each month. Each teacher has a telephone, voice mail, and e-mail. Students, only in the case of an emergency, will use phones. Arrangements for after school activities should be made before coming to school.
Computers
Conferences
Rhoades Elementary sets a goal each school year to conference with 100% of our caregivers during the October Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences. When conferences are scheduled, it is important to keep your conference time and participate in the discussion with your child and his/her teacher. If the need arises for you to conference with your child’s teacher, please feel free to contact him/her. You can call or send a note with your child for your specific request. Please include suggestions for convenient times for you. This will assist the teacher in establishing a mutually acceptable time for both of you. Remember that teachers cannot always make calls during the day, until children are dismissed. The teacher will respond to your request as soon as possible.
Discipline/Student Expectations
Students are expected to follow the following PRIDE Guidelines:
P Put Safety First
R Respect and Trust Others
I Insist on Personal Best
D Discuss and Listen Actively
E Expect and Give Truth and Honesty
These lifelong guidelines are the school’s expectations for student behavior. All classroom rules and discipline procedures support the development of the PRIDE Guidelines and self-disciplined behavior. In addition, we include a School Wide Positive Behavior Plan, which is the Tiger Coin and Tiger Den. Students will be recognized for their efforts toward being a good citizen and for displaying good behavior on a consistent basis. Tiger Coins are earned for such behavior and can be spent on prizes or a visit to the Tiger Den.
When a student breaks a PRIDE Guideline, the action taken is dependent on the severity of the offense. The teacher may impose classroom consequences as Level One of the Four Level Behavior Management Plan. Level Two consists of sending a student to a buddy room for a time out. The student should reflect on his/her behavior and figure out what he/she should have done differently. If the student continues poor behavior, he/she is sent to the case manager with a Level Three referral. At this point, it is decided if the student can change behaviors, or if further administrative action needs to be taken. At a Level Four referral, the principal, assistant principal, or parent liaison will decide if the student is to be suspended in or out of school. An attempt is always made to notify the parent by phone of what action has been taken. If that is not possible, written notification is used.
Please take the time to read the MSD of Wayne Township Student Code of Conduct. Rhoades will not tolerate fighting, bullying, disrespect toward others, obscene gestures or language, or destruction of school property. This includes behavior that injures or presents a risk of injury to the student or another person, or provoking or attempting to provoke or cause another person to fight. Harassing, bullying, threatening, hazing, or intimidating another person is unwelcome behavior that interferes with a victim’s ability to learn or derive benefit from a school activity that is directed toward the victim after the victim (or another person on the victim’s behalf) has stated or shown that the behavior is unwelcome. Students who interfere with the learning process will be dealt with in a way that allows learning to continue for others. Student discipline is the joint responsibility of the school and home. Parental support for good behavior and discipline
enables us to maintain an environment for learning.
Early Dismissal
Students will not be released to anyone who is not listed on his/her enrollment form unless prior written notice is given to the school. If you are picking up your child early, you must do so before 1:45. In this way, we can avoid the classroom disruptions during the critical last half-hour of the day when students and teachers are summarizing their day’s work and planning for the next day. After 1:45, students must
be picked up in the car rider line. We will not hold the buses for a student to be taken off unless it is a dire emergency.
Emergency School Closings
It may become necessary to close school due to inclement weather or emergency situations. As a practice, instruction is offered and schools are kept open as long as a learning environment can be maintained. Should it become necessary to close school for any reason, the following procedures will apply:
- Announcements will be made on the following radio and television stations: WMYS/1430; WIBC/1070; WNDE/1260; WFMS/99.5; WTLC/105.7; WZPL/99.5; WTTV 4; WRTV 6; WISH 8; WTHR 13; WXIN 59.
- A Caregiver square message will be sent to families.
- Announcements will be on the following websites: MSD of Wayne Township, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Announcements will state the reasons for the school closing. If the closing results in an evacuation, the announcement would state where the children have been taken and what caregivers should do.
Make sure your child is aware of the special arrangements in the event of an emergency closing. Please do not call the school to obtain information. We will need to keep the phone lines free.
Enrollment/Withdrawal
It is important that the enrollment form you receive at the beginning of the year is complete. Any changes, such as address, phone number, parent work numbers, emergency numbers, or emergency contact people should be reported to the office right away. Please make attempts to teach your child his/her address and phone number. There should be two (2) current emergency phone numbers listed.
Please notify the office and your child’s teacher that you are moving so we can prepare the necessary information and bring records up to date. When you are moving to another school, all library books and textbooks must be returned before a book rental refund can be made. A parent must sign a school record release form before school records can be sent to another school.
Field Trips
Classrooms and grade levels often take field trips as part of the curriculum. No child will be able to go without a signed parent permission slip. Caregivers must have a background check completed and approved if you want to volunteer or attend field trips. Caregivers may be asked by the teacher to chaperone field trips; however, younger siblings may not accompany the parent on the trip. Students who have “F” in citizenship or pose a potential safety risk may not be allowed to attend field trips.
Fire/Tornado/Lockdown Drills
Fire, tornado and lockdown drills are necessary for the safety of the students, staff, and faculty. Everyone should know the specific directions for reaching a point of safety from those areas of the school building in which he/she may be. Specific information is posted in each area. Order and speed are essential during these drills.
Food to School
Grading Scale
Homework
Homework is a necessary part of each student’s educational program. Students may be expected to spend some time on homework in addition to scheduled class instruction to achieve proficient work. Homework reinforces skills taught in the classroom, increases the student’s success on achievement tests, gives practice in developing good work habits, offers opportunities for students to learn
to budget their time wisely, and provides opportunity for parent involvement, and responsibility.
Homework Help Ideas
- Provide your child with suitable study conditions free from distractions (well-lit desk or table, books, supplies).
- Reserve a time for homework, and firmly adhere to a daily schedule.
- Show an interest in what your child is doing, but do not do the work for him/her.
- Set a good example for your child.
- Limit the amount of time your child watches television, plays video games, plays outside, and plays games on the computer.
- Make reading at least 30 minutes a day a habit.
- Practice Math Facts
- Choose good books, and keep books handy.
- Encourage your child to do his/her best!
It is the child’s responsibility to ask for all assignments he/she might have missed due to absence from school. Work missed due to an excused absence must be made up within a reasonable amount of time.
Honor Roll
The following guidelines will be used to determine Honor Roll:
- First, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students will participate in Honor Roll.
- All grades will count toward the Honor Roll. (Special Class grades will be used at semester when they are given at each semester end).
- Students with all A’s will be on the “A” Honor Roll.
- Students with A’s and B’s will be on the “B” Honor Roll.
Instructional Program
Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6. In general, there are self-contained classrooms at all grade levels. However, the self-contained organization may be modified in order to group for instruction and team teaching.
The curriculum includes the following: language arts (reading, English, listening, speaking, spelling, and handwriting), mathematics, social studies, science, health, music, physical education, and art. Instruction is enhanced with the availability of computers to assist students in each of the subject areas.
The emphasis on the curriculum is the Indiana State Standards. Units and lessons are organized to give students the opportunity to meet and exceed the standards set forth by the state of Indiana. The Standards are rigorous and expectations are high.
Mission
Money to School
Parking
Student Bicycle and Automobile Transportation - C475 Guidelines
In accordance with School Board Policy C475, parents may request their child ride a bicycle to and from school under the following guidelines:
- Permission is granted from the building level administrator.
- The student resides in the “walker” area of school.
- A helmet is worn while riding the bicycle.
- The bicycle is locked in the bicycle rack with a lock provided by the owner.
The school district is not responsible in case of theft or damage to the bicycle while it is on school property. Failure to follow the above guidelines may result in suspension of bicycle riding privileges and/or other disciplinary actions, as appropriate.
Parent Teacher Organization
Prohibited Items
MSD of Wayne Township Wireless Communication Device Guidance
M.S.D. of Wayne Township’s comprehensive wireless communication device (WCD) guidance is designed to foster a productive learning environment while encouraging overall development for all students. Embracing the prevalent role of technology in modern society, we aim to build a balance between leveraging electronic devices for educational purposes with minimal disruption in the classroom and fostering essential collaborative and social-emotional skills.
Aligned with the developmental stages of our students as they progress through grade levels, this guidance gradually releases responsibility to them, recognizing their increasing maturity and capacity for self-regulation.
The usage of personal wireless communication devices (WCDs), such as cell phones, earbuds, tablets, laptops, gaming devices, and wearable technology, will be regulated during instructional time. Students are expected to bring their district-issued communication devices (iPads in K-2 and Chromebooks in 3-12) to class. Personal WCDs are prohibited unless approved by the teacher while they are in the learning environment/classroom.
IEP/504:
In some very unique situations, students with identified disabilities may have a need to keep a personal WCD with them during the school day. These situations are approved at the discretion of the case conference committee and will only be considered when necessary to meet specific, documented needs in unusual circumstances.
At any point during the school day (especially in an emergency), caregivers can call the main office line of the school to communicate any necessary information. Additionally, caregivers are encouraged to utilize the student’s district-issued email for communication purposes.
At the elementary level, where foundational skills are cultivated and social norms are established, electronic device usage is restricted to educational purposes under the supervision of teachers. This is intended to emphasize digital citizenship, focus on responsible device usage, and lay the groundwork for collaborative learning and the development of social-emotional skills.
K-6th Grade Student Responsibilities: Students will bring their charged district issued communication devices (iPads in K-2 and Chromebooks in 3-6) to class daily. Students will leave personal WCDs at home or secure silenced, personal WCDs in a backpack during the school day.
As students transition to Chapel Hill or Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Centers, students are granted increased autonomy with their devices, allowing them to be utilized for educational purposes during designated times while still adhering to classroom guidelines. This stage emphasizes the importance of self-regulation, appropriate technology use in academic settings, and the cultivation of collaborative skills through academic and social peer-to-peer interactions.
7th-8th Grade Student Responsibilities: Students will bring their charged district issued communication devices (IPads in K-2 and Chromebooks in 3-12) to class daily. Students will secure silenced, personal WCDs in a backpack or locker during the school day.
Ben Davis High School Ninth Grade Center is uniquely positioned to onboard students to credit-bearing courses while supporting students as they transition to the rest of the high school experience.
9th Grade Student Responsibilities: Students will bring their charged district issued communication devices (IPads in K-2 and Chromebooks in 3-12) to class daily. Students will secure silenced, personal WCDs in a backpack or locker unless used during passing periods and lunch. Recording devices must not be used inappropriately, and unauthorized recordings may lead to disciplinary action. At no time are students to take a picture or video of an individual during the school day without the permission of that individual or the school, unless directed to do so by a teacher as part of the curriculum or for use in a school publication. Devices are not to be out for any reason in any area where there is an expectation of privacy (i.e. locker room, bathroom).
By the time students reach Ben Davis High School or Ben Davis University High School, they are expected to demonstrate a high level of responsibility and maturity in managing their electronic device usage. While devices are permitted for educational purposes, students are entrusted with greater freedom to utilize them responsibly, preparing them for the realities of the digital world of higher education and the workforce.
10th-12th Grade Student Responsibilities: Students will bring their charged district issued communication devices (IPads in K-2 and Chromebooks in 3-12) to class daily. WCDs are not allowed in the classroom (outside of previously mentioned exceptions); WCDs are allowed in non-classroom areas if they do not disrupt the school environment. Recording devices must not be used inappropriately, and unauthorized recordings may lead to disciplinary action. At no time are students to take a picture or video of an individual during the school day without the permission of that individual or the school, unless directed to do so by a teacher as part of the curriculum or for use in a school publication.Devices are not to be out for any reason in any area where there is an expectation of privacy (i.e. locker room, bathroom).
Consequences for students are included below as a suggested path towards building a balance between leveraging electronic devices for educational purposes with minimal disruption in the classroom and fostering essential collaborative and social-emotional skills.
- 1st offense: Verbal warning, caregiver contacted by teacher
- 2nd offense: Classroom documentation with caregiver contact by teacher
- 3rd offense: Offense referral, caregiver/student conference with administrator
- 4th offense: Offense referral, device confiscated and returned to student
- 5th offense: Offense referral, student consequence not resulting in missed instruction, device confiscated and returned to caregiver
- 6th offense and beyond: Offense referral, device confiscated and returned to caregiver with progressive consequences
Throughout this developmental continuum, our comprehensive electronic device guidance not only empowers students with essential digital literacy skills but also fosters collaboration, communication, and social-emotional growth. By integrating technology into the learning process in a purposeful and responsible manner, we endeavor to cultivate well-rounded individuals equipped to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. M.S.D. of Wayne Township appreciates your support in maintaining a learning environment that fosters engagement, collaboration, and the holistic development of every student.
If students or caregivers have questions regarding this guidance, please contact an administrator in your school.
Report Cards/Midterms
Report cards will be issued to students at the close of each nine-week grading period. Report cards contain academic grades and conduct assessment. Attendance is reported on the report card. Report cards need to be signed and returned to the classroom teacher. A mid-term progress report will be sent home between each nine-week grading period.
School Hours
Arrival
School opens at 7:15 am. Promptness to class is very important. Students should be in their class and ready to work at 7:30 am. For students who walk or are auto riders, we ask that they do not arrive before 7:10 when the building opens and adult supervision begins.
Dismissal
Students will be dismissed at 2:20 in the following order: bus riders, auto riders, and walkers. Auto drivers picking up students must drive single file and pull to the curb/sidewalk in front of the school in order for students to get safely into the car. Students will not be released
to cross any street until the parking lot is clear.
Kindergarten
There are four full-time Kindergarten classes and one Pre-Kindergarten class at Rhoades.
Pre-Kindergarten times will be 8:30 - 2:00. Promptness in delivering and picking up students is essential.
Recess
Recess for students occurs daily. At least two staff members monitor students during outdoor recess.
Kindergarten students participate in recess on their own, self-contained playground, weather permitting. At the end of the year, students will practice playing on the larger playground, to help them prepare for first grade.
Students in 1 - 6 participate in recess on the large playground and the blacktop area, weather permitting.
Student Code of Conduct
Student Dress Guidelines
In the interest of health, safety, and social acceptance, the Wayne Township Elementary Schools provide the following guidelines:
- All shirts or tops must “cover” the underarm, chest shoulders (no spaghetti straps) stomach, and back.
- All articles of clothing on the lower torso must rest naturally at the top of the hip to ensure that undergarments are not visible in the standing or sitting position. Shorts and skirts must be mid -thigh/fingertip in length when a student’s arms are comfortably at his/her side. Clothing which is primarily constructed of spandex, spandex type or other excessively tight material is not permitted as an outer garment, unless it is covered by acceptable clothing at the mid-thigh/fingertip length. Pajamas are not permitted. Any holed in the clothing above fingertip length must be covered with tape or other materials
- Footwear must be worn in school at all times. House shoes and house slippers are not permitted. At the elementary level, shoes should be appropriate for recess and student safety should be a consideration. Excessively loose shoes or shoes that pose a tripping hazard should be avoided.
- Jackets are permitted to be worn in the school during the instructional day. Heavy coats designed for frigid temperatures and/or excessively large coats are not permitted.
- Hoods on jackets, sweatshirts, and coats should not be worn in the school building throughout the instructional day.
- Sunglasses shall not be worn in the buildings. Head coverings will not be permitted during the school day. Students may appropriately use articles (barrettes, bandanas, headbands, scarves) designed to pull or hold hair.
- Student’s hair, jewelry, or accessories should not interfere with the educational environment of the school or safety of each student.
- Book bags and backpacks are permitted in school. Excessively large bags and bags with rollers may be restricted during the school day.
- Undergarments are not to be visible at any time. Outer garments are to be worn in a manner which will cover up all undergarments. See-through materials do not constitute “cover.”
Caregivers will be called and asked to provide appropriate clothing should a child come to school dressed inappropriately according to these guidelines.
Student Teachers
Rhoades has a wonderful relationship with Ball State University. We will accept student teachers from Ball State to work with our staff and students. Your child benefits by having another adult to help him/her in the classroom. If your child is in a class with a student teacher, the student teacher will contact you to introduce him/herself.
Tardiness
Students should arrive at school and get to class on time. If a student is late due to a late bus, he/she is not counted tardy. A late student must receive a pass from the office and should have a written excuse from a parent. Caregivers are asked not to walk their children to classrooms. Students with excessive tardies may be subject to disciplinary action. Students who arrive tardy to school keep the class
from earning perfect attendance rewards. Also, arriving tardy will cause students to miss their intervention time or special area classes, as well as important instruction. You will be contacted by school administrators if your child has excessive tardies.
Telephone
Although each classroom is equipped with a telephone, children are permitted to use the telephone only in an emergency situation. A staff
member must grant permission for the student to use the phone. Forgotten papers, instruments, practice and game uniforms, or school materials do not constitute an emergency.
Textbooks
Textbooks issued are the property of the MSD of Wayne Township. They should be used with care and returned to the school in good condition. Students and their caregivers are responsible for books, which are lost, stolen, or damaged beyond use.
VALUABLES: Students should not bring large sums of money or items of value to school.