OCS Home

Greetings!

We hope you and your children have the opportunity to grow with us at OCS. We believe that the combination of a small school setting and small class size makes for a uniquely individualized educational experience. In addition to delivering the content-rich Core Knowledge© curriculum, OCS also teaches
the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. If you have any questions about instruction at OCS (or want to know how to volunteer), just call. You can also check out the Core Knowledge website http://www.coreknowledge.org or visit the North Carolina Department of Public Schools’ website at
http://www.ncpublicschools.org . Below you will find some important school policies. Please read them and come visit us soon. If you would like to download our handbook(Adobe Format), click here.

Transportation
Because we are a charter school, OCS offers limited bus service, as we try to focus more resources on academics. The OCS School Board and principal have determined that no additional bus stops will be added unless the stop is a group stop and does not lengthen the route. As many of our students are car
riders, there are also many opportunities to carpool. If you are interested in joining or forming a carpool, the OCS Orange Peel is a good form of communication. Please call the main office. This is something that we encourage, as it draws fewer resources from the classroom while helping to strengthen the OCS community.

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Daily Schedule (Half Day Dismissal at 11:30, No Lunch Served)

***Volunteers are needed to assist with cafeteria and playground supervision.

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I. ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS

Absentee Notes
When a student is sick, we encourage parents to phone or email (ocs@orangecharterschool.org) the school and inform the office of the student’s illness. However, A Note Must Be Presented To The Student’s Homeroom Teacher(S) on the day the student returns from said absence, or the absence will be counted as unexcused. The note should include 1) the absent student’s name, 2) the reason for the absence, 3) the dates of the absence, and 4) the parent’s/guardian’s signature. Thanks!

Tardy to School
If arriving after 8:00 a.m., pick up a tardy slip in the main office before reporting to class! Students who are not in their classrooms by 8:00 a.m. are considered tardy and must report to the office to sign in and pick up a tardy slip in order to be admitted to class. On the day following a student’s third unexcused tardy in one grading period, the student will be suspended from school (if your student comes to school on a day they are suspended this is considered trespassing and authorities will be notified) —UNLESS it is necessary for the student to be in school on that day (e.g., testing). Parents, please help us model good work ethics by making sure students arrive on time each day. If student arrives after 11:00 AM, the student is counted as absent for the day (per North Carolina statute).

Tardy to Class
Middle school students who are not in their classrooms by the beginning of a given period will be sent to chill out. Middles school students have three minutes in between periods. Students should check in with their teachers if they need more than three minutes to make it to class.

Excused Absences
Absences due to personal illness, death in the immediate family, medical appointments, emergencies, and subpoenas to court are excused. An absence may also be counted as excused if it is previously approved by the school as an academic learning experience. If a student will be out for this reason, s/he must inform the office at least three days in advance, to inquire if such an absence can be approved. Please come by the office for an Academic Absence Form. Such approval may involve something that the student produces based on the experience, which can then be evaluated by the teacher.

Excessive Unexcused Absences
For excessive absenteeism, a letter will be sent home to parent/guardian and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and Department of Social Services using the following procedure:

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II. PICK UP AND DROP OFF

Student Pick-up From School
To locate or pick up a student from school at any time before dismissal, please report directly to the main office.

Early Dismissal
To be counted as present for the school day, a student must be in school until 11:00 AM (per North Carolina statute) Persons signing-out students early from school must sign in at the office and pick up an early dismissal slip. Staff members will not release students to parents unless they have a signed early
dismissal slip from the office. Parents or guardians must call or write the office if they wish other adults to pick up their children. As a safety measure, OCS staff members will check the drivers license of adults with whom we are not familiar that are picking up students. OCS staff members will not release students
to unauthorized adults.

Car Riders
Drivers are asked not to drop off students until 7:30 a.m., the time at which the school is open to students. Parents are welcome to park (in designated parking spaces) and walk children into the building. Drivers coming to pick up students are asked NOT to arrive at the school before 2:15 PM.

IMPORTANT
OCS does not have an after-school program. Classroom teachers remain with students until 2:45 PM,
those not picked up by 2:45 will be escorted to the office/lobby area. If you are going to be late picking
up a student (i.e. after 2:45), please call the school office. If a student is picked up late three (3) times
during a semester, the Department of Social Services will be notified

Parking
If you are visiting the school, please park in designated spaces and please leave the spaces nearest
the building for school staff.

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III. VISITORS & PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Pick up a nametag in the office please! Our doors are always open to parent volunteers! In fact, we rely heavily on parental involvement.
There will always be a clipboard in the office with a list of ways parents can help. All visitors and parent volunteers must report to the office on the second floor and sign in, even if you have a scheduled meeting. Please wear one of our visitor nametags as well. This will insure a safe school environment for all our
students. Special areas of need:

• Lunchroom supervision
• Playground supervision
• Making copies
• Tutoring
• Reading to children Regardless, we have many great ways for you to help us by donating less than an hour per week.

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IV. PARENT/SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

Meeting with OCS Staff
Parent opinions are very important to us. We need your feedback and input. Much can be shared in the brief 2-3 minute interactions parents and teachers have each day. We simply request that if you have a serious matter to discuss that needs a bit more time, please set up a meeting ahead of time. Sometimes, we’re very rushed in the morning preparing for the day ahead. Please know that the OCS staff wants to give you time to be heard.
Telephone Calls
If you need to contact your student or your student’s teacher during school hours, please feel free to call and leave a message. As we try to protect instructional time, teachers, school staff, and students will not be asked to leave their classrooms during school hours except in the case of an emergency. Students will not be allowed to call home without a valid reason. Students will be allowed to call home for legitimate reasons such as sickness.
OCS Video/Parent Notification Policy
Before a teacher shows a videotape to a class, s/he will send home a permission form with a description of the content. If the parent or guardian chooses not to allow their student to see the videotape, a relevant activity of equivalent educational value will be provided as an alternative.
General Announcements
To stay informed on bulletins and events at OCS, please read the Orange Peel (sent home electronically or in bookbags weekly). You may also check our website (http://orangecharterschool.org).
Inclement Weather
See “Crisis Plan”. This will be sent home during the first month of school.

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V. MANAGEMENT STUDENT CONDUCT

Discipline Plan
The common thread of successful discipline plans is clear communication regarding expectations for student behavior and the consistent application of fair consequences. Teamwork between school personnel and parents is also essential. OCS maintains the highest expectations for student achievement
and behavior. OCS demands that every student take full responsibility for his or her learning and behavior. Maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment is our highest priority. Discipline will be administered in a respectful manner.

School Rules

1.. Abide by classroom and teacher rules at all times.
2. Walk in the school building.
3. Carry a pass when unescorted by an adult. Otherwise, you will be “skipping” class.
4. Speak softly in the hallway.
5. Respect self, property, and others, especially in lunchroom and bathrooms.
6. Play safely on school grounds.
7. No profanity (this includes cursing audibly to oneself).
8. Do not report tardy to class.
9. Dress appropriately (see policy below).
10. Leave audio devices and toys at home (see policy below).
11. No public displays of affection (see policy below).
12. No instigating fights or instigating other negative behaviors.
13. Students will not chew gum in the school building.
14. Sexual or racial harassment is not tolerated. Investigation and disciplinary action will be
completed within ten school days of the reporting of such an incident.
15. Students are required to come to class prepared with all necessary materials.
16. No gambling

The following violations may earn automatic out-of-school suspension
1. Fighting or willful and aggravated assault on any member the school community (see policy below).
2. Direct profanity. Direct profanity involves inappropriate actions and/or language used to insult others.
3. Hazing or threatening members of the school community.
4. Defiance. Typically involves the willful and public refusal to follow adult direction.
5. Theft of personal or school property.
6. Tobacco products, drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, firearms, explosives, weapons, or general threats to the school community.
7. Extortion of other students, willful destruction of school property, verbal abuse of staff, or engaging the fire alarms.

Disciplinary Steps

1. Warning by classroom teacher
2. Chill Out
3. Suspension
4. Expulsion

Each teacher has classroom rules that correlate with school wide rules. All teachers have a plan for managing classroom disruptions that includes at least one warning.

Chill Out

What is Chill Out?
When students are sent to chill out, they are to reportto the main office. It is an appropriate alternative to after-school detention when serving a student population over a wide geographic area without the benefit of late buses.
What happens in Chill Out?
While in Chill Out, students are required to quietly complete any work that would be missed in class.
How long is Chill Out?
Time in Chill Out may vary depending on the rule infraction.
Beyond Chill Out.
On the day following a student’s fifth (5th) Chill Out, the student will be suspended for one day.

Bus Rules
All school rules apply when on the bus in addition to the following rules. Safety is our first priority. Delivering children to their stops in a timely manner is our second priority. Generally, the bus will begin picking up children in the morning that live farthest from the school. As buses approach the school, they pick up other students. This process is reversed in the afternoon so that children are on the bus for the shortest amount of time possible. Additionally, bus routes are established at the beginning of the school year and are typically changed only in the case of overcrowding. If at any time, a bus is not on schedule, please call the school as someone is usually there by 7:30 AM, and always at OCS until the last child is dropped off in the afternoon.

1. Stay seated at all times.
2. Keep head, hands and feet inside the bus at all times.
3. No student may change his/her drop-off point without written permission from parent/guardian
4. Seats may be assigned at the discretion of the driver.
5. Food drinks, audio devices, toys, and sunglasses are not allowed on the bus.
6. Do not throw trash on the floor. Keep the bus clean.
7. Cooperate with the driver.
8. No animals are allowed on buses. Children or adults who do not attend or work at OCS may not ride the school bus at any time.
9. No unreasonably large or awkward objects may be transported on the bus.

Disciplinary Steps for Bus Infractions

1. Written Warning
2. Bus suspension
3. Bus expulsion

At times the bus driver may find it necessary to return a student(s) to school to ensure bus safety. You will be called to pick up your student immediately.

Fighting & Verbal Aggression
When dealing with conflict among peers, OCS encourages students to WALK AND TALK. Walk away, cool down, and then talk about the problem with the individual or an adult. In cases where one student hits another because of things said between them, only the student who lays hands on the other student will be suspended from school unless direct profanity, racial slurs, or their equivalents are used. OCS understands that there is a difference between unsportsman-like conduct and intentional acts of physical aggression.

DISCRETION IN THESE AREAS WILL BE LEFT UP TO THE OCS ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF

Drug, Drug Paraphernalia, and Alcohol Policy
Any students found to have tobacco of any form on them will receive a letter of warning sent home to their parents. Repeat offenders will be suspended from school for three days. Any students found smoking on campus, using or carrying drugs, drug paraphernalia, unauthorized medicine or alcohol will be suspended from school for ten days. This may be reduced to five days if the student and his or her parents bring a signed note from a mental health agency verifying their attendance at a counseling session on substance abuse.

Dress Code
School is a place to learn. Any clothing that diverts attention from the learning process is inappropriate. All clothes or accessories must be worn in a style that reflects dignity in a school environment. All dress code violations are left to administrator and staff discretion. Improper dress includes the following:

• bare midriffs
• backless dresses or tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps
• net shirts
• loose fitting tank tops
• no chains or extremely large jewelry
• tight shorts, tops, or pants (i.e., lycra biker shorts)
• no sunglasses or headwear (e.g. “do-rag”)
• unbuttoned shirts
• excessively short shorts and skirts
• any clothing that shows inappropriate language, pictures, or themes
• shoes need to be worn at all times (no shoes with wheels are allowed, as they ruin floors)
• jackets may not be worn in classrooms
• underwear may not be visible
• 5th-8th boys tuck shirts in pants

Middle school students must bring required clothes each day for P.E. Students wearing inappropriate clothing will be given the option of changing in the nearest restroom or calling their parents for additional clothing. Students will be removed to another setting until their clothes are changed. The school staff reserves the right to make a judgment as to the appropriateness of any item worn by a student.

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VI. SCHOOL GOVERNANCE

As a charter school, we are not part of any school district. This means that there is no central office. Thus, students from any school district in North Carolina may attend OCS. North Carolina charter school law works in the following way: The state grants a charter for a charter school to operate; the charter is given to, and owned by a non-profit corporation. The non-profit that owns our school’s charter is called “A Public School of Choice, Inc.” This corporation is governed by a Board of Directors. This non-profit corporation’s Board of Directors is what we know as the SAC (School Advisory Committee). The SAC is the board that is the ultimate governing authority and provides oversight to the Principal. SAC meetings are held at OCS in the Multipurpose Room on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 PM.

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VII. MISCELLANEOUS

Medical Information
Students taking medication of any kind (prescription or over-the-counter) while at school, must bring a completed AUTHORIZATION OF MEDICATION FOR STUDENTS form, signed by a doctor and parent. Medication shall be kept in the main office. Additional forms are available in the main office.

Lice
To reduce the incidence of lice in our school, OCS has a No Nit policy. No student will be allowed to stay in school if nits (lice eggs) are found in his/her hair.
Contagious conditions
Any student appearing to have a serious contagious condition (e.g. rash, pink eye), may be sent home immediately.
Hygiene
Good hygiene and cleanliness helps us maintain a proper learning atmosphere. Students are expected to adhere to standards of cleanliness and dress that are compatible with the requirements of a good safe school environment. If a student’s dress or lack of cleanliness is such that it constitutes a threat to health or safety, a parent or guardian will be called to remedy the situation.

Textbooks (and school property loaned to students)
OCS textbooks are provided on a loan basis to all students. Each student is responsible for textbooks and school property assigned to him/her. If books or property are lost or damaged beyond expected wear and tear, students are expected to pay to repair or replace the book or property. Bookbags and Lockers
Students will be asked to leave their bookbags in their cubbies/lockers. Middle school students will be provided with a few minutes passing time between periods to get any materials for their next class. Middle School students may put locks on lockers, however, lockers are subject to search by school staff
with reasonable suspicion.

Milk & Meals
Milk and meals will be offered to students at a price that allows OCS to cover its costs and provide affordable meals for the entire OCS family. Inquire at the main office about our hot lunch program and make sure you pick up an application for free and reduced meal pricing to see if you qualify.

Audio Devices, Toys, Playing Cards, Trading Cards of Any Kind, Cosmetics, & Other Distractions
No audio devices, playing cards, trading cards of any kind, nor cosmetics are to be brought to school as they interrupt the learning environment. These include balls, stuffed animals, walk mans, tapes, CD’s, game cartridges, tape players, radios, boom boxes, beepers, cellular phones, hand-held video games. OCS staff may allow students to bring particular audio devices and toys as is needed for classroom activities. When doing so, these objects are to be kept in the classroom or learning environment, not among the general school population. Audio devices, toys, and trading cards can be lost, stolen, or distracting. cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, after shave, deodorant, mouthwash, and other personal grooming aids will be confiscated if brought to school. Any confiscated items will be kept in the school office until a parent picks them up. If the item is found on school property again, it will be kept in the office for the remainder of the school year.

Public Displays of Affection
Hugging, hand holding, kissing, and other similar physical contact is not permitted.

School Searches
Searches of student’s person or belongings are typically conducted when students are thought to be in the possession of alcohol, drugs, drug paraphernalia, tobacco, weapons or any inappropriate materials. School personnel need what the law defines as “reasonable suspicion” to search a student's clothing or belongings. Reasonable suspicion is defined as information from a reliable source. In the event of a search, students will be taken aside, and in the presence of at least two staff members, be asked to empty their pockets, purses, bookbags, and/or other personal belongings. Parents will be contacted in the event of a search involving their child.

Buddy Travel
Travel about campus in pairs only! When students are moving about the campus, they should always travel with a responsible buddy
(and a pass!). Staff, parents, and volunteers are responsible for sending students from their presence in pairs. Students are required to wait with their partner until both return to class.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
School rules are enforced uniformly, yet OCS tries to treat each incident and student on an individual basis. Therefore, the application of all policies and rules in this handbook are ultimately subject to the discretion of OCS administration.

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VIII. THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT

Notification of Rights for Elementary and Secondary Schools
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records. These rights are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the School receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the School principal [or appropriate school official] a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The School official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible studentsmay ask the School to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the School principal [or appropriate official], clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the School decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the School will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without con-sent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the School as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the School has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the School discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
[NOTE: FERPA requires a school district to make a reasonable attempt to notify the parent or eligible student of the records re-quest unless it states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request.]
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

[NOTE: In addition, an institution may want to include its directory information public notice, as required by § 99.37 of the regulations, with its annual notification of rights under FERPA.]

FERPA Notification
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that Orange Charter School, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child's education records. However, Orange Charter School may disclose appropriately designated "directory information" without written consent, unless you have advised the school to the contrary. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the Orange Charter School to include this type of information from your child's education records in certain school
publications. Examples include:

• A playbill, showing your student's role in a drama production;
• The annual yearbook;
• Honor roll or other recognition lists;
• Graduation programs; and
• Sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members.

Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent's prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish
yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with three directory information categories - names, addresses and telephone listings - unless
parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student's information disclosed without their prior written consent.(1) If you do not want Orange Charter School to disclose directory information from your child's education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the school in writing by August 31, 2005.

Orange Charter School has designated the following information as directory information:

• Student's name
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Address
• Telephone listing
• Electronic mail address
• Photograph
• Degrees, honors, and awards received
• Date and place of birth
• Dates of attendance
• Grade level
• The most recent educational agency or institution attended

Footnotes: 1.These laws are: Section 9528 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7908), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-110), the education bill, and 10 U.S.C.503, as amended by section 544, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (P.L. 107-107), the legislation that provides funding for the Nation's armed forces.

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