7725 North College Avenue
Indianapolis , Indiana 46240-2504
Superintendent’s Office (317) 253-1481
(317)
251-6511 Fax
August
23, 2009
Dear
Parents:
Welcome to the Indiana School for the
Blind and Visually Impaired for the 2009-2010 school year. We are pleased to
have the opportunity to provide your child with educational opportunities and
experiences that will assist them in the present and in the future. We strive to provide the best possible
programming both in and out of the classroom and actively solicit your
assistance and input. Please feel free
to contact me at the above phone number should you have any questions, comments
or issues.
Our school is fully accredited by
the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. We are a state supported public school that
was established in 1847. A ten member
governor appointed school board, which has high expectations for the school and
our programs, governs us and considers your child’s health, safety, welfare and
education of paramount importance. The
school board formally meets on a bimonthly basis. I encourage you to attend those meetings to
receive information and to provide the board with input and information as you
see appropriate. A new schedule of the
Board meetings can be found on our web page at www.isbrockets.org and
also in this handbook on page 61.
All children enrolled at ISBVI are
assigned a Teacher of Record (TOR) and a Residential Mentor. They should prove to be beneficial to you and
your child. The Teacher of Record and Residential
Mentor will be contacting you throughout the school year to apprise you of your
child’s progress and issues and concerns as they relate to your child. Feel free to contact your child’s Teacher of
Record and Residential Mentor as well.
The ideal time to contact the teachers is between 7:15 a.m. and 7:45
a.m. Monday through Friday. If this is
not convenient, you may call and leave a message on their voice mail. Phone numbers can be found on page seven of
this handbook.
We continue to be actively engaged in
improving our school through our school improvement plan. Goals have been
identified in the core curriculum. While emphasizing these goals, we continue
to address all other core and expanded core curriculum areas as well. We will continue to seek your input as we
address school improvement issues. We look forward to a successful and
educationally productive school year.
Together, as a team, we can accomplish greater things than we can
separately. If we can assist you in any
way, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
James
R. Durst
Superintendent
FIRST
SEMESTER
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTRACT
DAYS DAYS
August
10 Mon. NC/JEL students return to
Dorm 6pm
12 Wed. NC/JEL students begin classes
at NC/JEL
19 Wed. Teachers
Report-Training Day
20 Thurs. Staff
Reports-Training Day
21 Fri. Staff
Reports-Training Day
23 Sun. Registration from 12-3pm
24 Mon. ISBVI classes begin
August Total Days 6 9
September
7 Mon. Labor Day (
8 Tues. Classes resume
15-17 GQE Retest
23 Wed. 1st
Quarter Midterm Reports
September Total Days 21 22
October
12 Mon. Columbus Day (Holiday – no school); Residential students
return to dorm 6PM
13 Tue. Classes resume
29 Thur. End of 1st
Quarter
30 Fri. Students Fall Break – No School; (Teacher Training Day)
October Total Days 20 22
November
1 Sun. Residential students
return to dorm 6PM
2 Mon. Classes resume
11 Wed. Veterans’ Day
(Holiday- School in Session)
26 Thurs. Thanksgiving Day
(Holiday – No School)
27 Fri. Lincoln’s birthday
observed (Holiday – No School)
29 Sun. Residential Students
return to dorm 6PM
30 Mon. Classes resume
November Total Days 19 21
December
2 Wed. 2nd Quarter
Midterm Reports
18 Fri. Student’s
dismissed 2:45 PM - Winter Break begins
19 – Jan 3 Winter Break
24 Thurs. Washington’s birthday observed (Holiday – No School)
25 Fri. Christmas (Holiday
– No School)
December Total Days 14 23
January
1 Fri. New Year’s Day
(Holiday – No School)
3 Sun. Residential students
return to dorm 6PM
4 Mon. Classes resume
15 Fri. End of 2nd Quarter/First Semester Ends
January 1st
semester Total Days 10 11
Total
1st Semester Days 90 108
SECOND SEMESTER
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTRACT
DAYS DAYS
January
18 Mon. Martin Luther King
Day (Holiday – No School) Residential students return to dorm
6pm.
19 Tue. Second Semester
Begins
January 2nd semester Total Days 9 10
January Total Days 19 21
February
15 Mon. President’s Day
(No School); Teacher Training Day.
Residential students return to
dorm 6PM
16 Tue. Classes resume
17 Wed. 3rd Quarter
Midterm Reports
February Total Days 19 20
March
1-5 ISTEP Testing (Grades
3-8)
8-10 ISTEP Testing
(Grades 3-8)
9-11 GQE Retest
26 Fri. Students Dismissed
at 2:45 PM; Spring Break begins/End of 3rd Quarter
27 – April 5 Spring Break
March Total Days 20 23
April
5 Mon. Easter Monday (No School);
staff must use accrued leave. Residential students
return to dorm 6PM
6 Tues. Classes resume
26-30 ISTEP Testing
(Grades 3-8)
April Total Days 19 22
May
3-5 ISTEP Testing (Grades
3-8)
4 Tues. Election Day
(Holiday – School in Session)
5 Wed. 4th Quarter
Midterm Reports
31 Mon. Memorial Day
(Holiday – No School); Residential students return to dorm 6PM
May Total Days 20 21
June
1 Tue. Classes resume
3 Thur. Last day of
school – Graduation-End of 4th Quarter/Second Semester Ends
4 Fri. Last day for
teachers
June Total Days 3 4
Total 2nd Semester Days 90 100
Total 1st Semester
Days 90 108
2009-2010 Totals 180 208
MEMBERS
OF THE SCHOOL STAFF
2009 - 2010
Superintendent
Mr. James R. Durst
Assistant
Superintendent for Business & Operations Mr. Hal Owens
Assistant
to Superintendent Dr. Larry Streeter
Secondary
Principal Mr. Jay Wilson
Elementary
Principal Ms. Gail Ringwalt
Assistant
Principal/Guidance Counselor Mr. Joe Fredwell
Psychiatric
Social Worker Ms. Jennifer Webster
Psychiatric
Social Worker Ms. Margaret Wilkinson
Personnel
Assistant Ms. Teresa Mynatt
Procurement
Clerk Ms. Barbara Packard
Payroll
Clerk Mr. David Hiatt
Accountant Ms.
Barbara Diemer
Account
Clerk Ms. Catherine May
Education
Secretary Ms.
Education
Secretary Mr. David Brown
Superintendent’s
Secretary Ms. Karen Keller
Switchboard
Operator Ms. Patricia Franklin
Elementary
Residential Services Program Manager Ms. Susan Mitchell-Brewer
Secondary
Residential Services Program Manager Ms. Julie Zink
Residential
Services Program Manager/Nights Ms. Lois Frank
Residential
Services Program Manager/Nights Ms. Robin Tardy
Outreach
and Related Services
Outreach
Director Ms. Toni Hughes
School
Age Consultant Ms. Diane Childers
Early
Childhood Consultant Ms.
Orientation
and Mobility Instructor/Consultant Mr. David Romano/
Ms.
Kelly Benson
Short
Course Teacher Ms. Heather Ryan
Short
Course Teacher Ms. Shaylee Susemichel
Short
Course Teacher Ms. Kelly Benson
Short
Course Assistant Ms. Lorilee Aldridge
Short
Course Assistant Ms. Sue Smith
Secretary Ms.
Pat Hertenstein
Consulting
Psychiatrist Dr. Matthew Galvin
Coordinator
of the IERC Ms. Leslie Durst
Coordinator
of the Braille Project Ms. Betsy Scott
Prison
Braille Project Mr. Robert Eutz
Dietary
Dietitian Ms.
Jane Gooder
Food
Supervisor Ms. Sharon Simms
Secretary TBA
Physical
Plant
Physical
Plant Director Mr. John Rahn
Maintenance
Supervisor Mr. Charlie Foster
Maintenance
Foreman I Mr. Rick Wilson
Maintenance
Repairperson Mr. DuRon Ford
Maintenance
Repairperson Mr. James Gilliam
Maintenance
Repairperson Mr. James Green
Maintenance
Repairperson Mr. Todd Malone
Maintenance
Secretary Ms. Margaret Wilkinson
Equipment
Operator Mr. Chris Taylor
Automotive
Mechanic Mr. Milton Lewis
Stores
Clerk III Ms. Julie Boulton
Stores
Clerk IV Ms. Marcia Shane
Steam
Plant Supervisor Mr. Michael Gaddis
Executive
Housekeeper Mr. John Litt
Laundry
Supervisor Mr. William Neal
Medical
Director
of Health Services Ms. Jerry Pitts, R.N.
Nurse
Practitioner Ms. Carole Fraley, FNP
Nurse Mr. Robert Cole, R.N.
Nurse Ms.
Patricia Azzarelli R.N.
Nurse Ms.
Anne Albertin, R.N.
Nurse Ms.
Mary Herald, R.N.
Nurse Ms.
Carolyn Kennedy, R.N.
Nurse Ms.
Jan Gaddis, R.N.
Nurse Ms.
Carol Gutermuth, R.N.
Nurse Ms.
Barbara Rusk, R.N.
Education
Staff
Preschool Ms.
Karen Southerland
Primary Ms.
Pam Taylor
Primary Ms.
Nancy Bingham
Primary Ms.
Allison Buchanan
Primary Ms.
Jana Stoltenberg
Primary Ms.
Alison Kissling
Primary Ms.
Tracy Maier
Lambert/AlDur
Physical Education Mr. Jeremy Freel
Intermediate Ms.
Janet Gacsko
Intermediate Ms.
Lynn Baize
Intermediate Ms.
Kathy Harvey
Intermediate Ms.
Linda Kirsch
Intermediate Ms.
Barb Tubbs
Middle
School Mr. David Schnieders
Middle
School & Work Study Program Ms. Leslie Altmann
Middle
School Ms. Natalie Shaheen
Middle
School Ms. Tambra Purkey
Middle
School Ms. Karen Romoser
Middle
School Ms. Rhoda Davis
Speech
Therapist Ms. Jane Pearson
High
School Ms. Diana Stearns-Porten
High
School Mr. Tom Houdasheldt
High
School Mr. Martin Buis
High
School Ms. Sue Bradford
Math Ms.
Amy Koeneman
Math Ms.
Debra Squire
English
/ AT Coordinator Ms. Kristen Durst
English,
Spanish Ms. Judy Reynolds
Science Ms.
Rebecca Heck
Science Mr.
Social
Studies Mr. Joshua Mathews
Word
Processing and Computer Technology Mr. Al Lovati
Home
Economics Ms. Sharyle Stonecipher
Horticulture Ms.
Elizabeth Garvey
Piano/Choir Ms.
Linda Francisco
Band/Music Ms.
Juliane Newman
Athletic
Director Mr. Robert Strauss
Physical
Education Ms. Joy Lynn George
Physical
Education & High School / Work Study Program Mr. Jon Shively
Braille Ms.
Kelly Romano
Orientation
& Mobility Ms. Lynn Grimmelsman
Orientation
& Mobility Ms. Debbie Eades
Physical
Therapist Ms. Linda Silverberg
Occupational
Therapist Ms. Ceil Upchurch
Psychologist Dr.
Doug Johnston
Residential
Mentors (Instructional Assistants)
Mr.
Adel Barsoum Ms. Lindsey Williams Mr.
Christian Kinder
Mr.
Ryan Davis Ms. Cherish Davis Ms.
Melody Ford
Ms.
Elizabeth Northcutt Ms. Pam Griffin Ms.
Tanya Hause
Ms.
Lavoris Madden Ms. Anne Miller Ms.
Holly Philpott
Mr.
David Johnson Ms. Marilyn Rowe Ms.
Karen Sanders
Ms.
Carol Austin Ms. Sue Smith Ms.
Alicia Strauss
Mr.
LaRonn Taylor Ms. Pauline Flynn Ms.
Lisa West
Ms. Michelle Zimmerman Ms. Mary Ziska
Residential Leaders
Ms.
Loise Frank Ms. Robin Tardy Ms.
Julie Zink
Ms. Susan Mitchell-Brewer
Residential Mentors (Residential
Services)
Ms.
Sharon Abner Ms. Elizabeth
Bishop-Smith Mr. Anthony Baugh
Ms.
Jackie Blades Mr. Mark Eastridge Mr.
Mark Broyles
Ms.
Leslie Saccaro Ms. Bonnie Doke Ms.
Esther Garcia
Mr.
Bradley Farley Ms. Judy Fleming Ms.
Gloria Huntley
Ms.
Claudia Harvey Ms. Demetrica
Harvey Mr. Anthony Johnson
Mr.
Martin Jones Ms. Alice Kelly Ms.
Margaret Luking
Ms.
Nila Lamb Ms. Teri Lewis Mr.
Lyenell Odom
Ms.
Nancy McKey Mr. Steve Michaels Ms.
Kay Morton
Ms. Sonja Nolte Ms. Betty Riding Mr. Paul Smith
TELEPHONE
NUMBERS
All
supervisors, staff and students at the
Sunday 1:00
p.m. -
9:00 p.m.
Monday
-Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 10:30
p.m.
Friday 7:00
a.m. -
3:00 p.m.
A
recording device in the Security Office will accept your calls when the
switchboard is not open, unless the school is open for a scheduled
activity.
On
Labor Day, Columbus Day and Martin Luther King Day the switchboard will not
open until 7:00 a.m. on the following Tuesday.
Listed
below are the extensions of some of the most frequently called individuals:
Mr.
James Durst, Superintendent 141
Mr.
Hal Owens, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations 134
Dr.
Larry Streeter, Assistant to Superintendent 185
Ms.
Toni Hughes, Director of Outreach 221
Mr.
Jay Wilson, Principal, Grades 6-12 140
Ms.
Education
Office 138
MISSION
OF THE INDIANA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
The
mission of the
PROGRAM AND SERVICE
PHILOSOPHY
In
preparing every student to be responsible and successful in school, career, and
society, ISBVI is strongly committed to:
- respecting each student as a unique individual;
- designing programs and expectations tailored to the individual
student needs;
- providing appropriate, challenging, and realistic learning
experiences in a safe and positive atmosphere for maximum achievement; and
- supporting and working cooperatively with parents, families, the
community, local school districts, and other agencies.
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES AND STANDARDS
The school has adopted guiding principles and standards
to encourage staff to achieve the school’s philosophy. The programs and services at the
- students exit from
the school reintegrating into their local education agencies, graduating
to higher education, or entering the work force with:
healthy self-esteem,
the best possible academic, social, vocational, and daily
living skills which allow maximum independence, and,
realistic expectations and knowledge of their abilities;
- parents, with full
and absolute confidence, can entrust the education, care and safety of
their children;
- staff are
child-centered, positive, and well-trained. In addition, they adapt instruction and
expectations to individual student needs, maintain their own professional
skills, and work to make the school meet the highest standards;
- administrators
provide a positive, cooperative climate in which staff are empowered,
receive support and recognition, and exhibit high morale and
self-motivation;
- alumni continue to
exhibit pride in their alma mater;
- citizens throughout
the state view the school as a helpful and cooperative resource for
assistance and support;
- facilities are
clean, safe, pleasant, and comfortable;
- programs blend
innovations with traditional hallmarks which are responsive to the needs
of students and their families;
- instruction is
individualized, carefully sequenced and reinforced, and is relevant to
future needs. Instruction in
critical functional skills such as orientation and mobility, independent
living, physical fitness, social competence, vocational readiness, and
personal care is strongly emphasized to insure future success.
STRATEGIC TARGETS
Strategic Targets have been identified for the
On
an annual basis, the school staff will develop action plans to accomplish goals
which lead to reaching the following strategic targets:
- Programs on campus and through outreach services will improve and expand.
- Parent involvement and support will increase.
- Facilities where students learn and live, and where staff work, will attain
the highest level of safety, comfort, and attractiveness.
- Staff will be provided comprehensive training to insure quality
services.
- Administrators will plan, lead, manage, support, and hold others accountable to
the highest ethical and professional standards.
- Constituency relationships and involvement will be strengthened.
- Public awareness, education, and support of ISBVI will be increased.
STUDENT ORIENTED ORGANIZATIONAL
STRUCTURE
To assure that students learn to their maximum capability
in safe and comfortable surroundings, ISBVI staff has the responsibility to
provide:
- proper and adequate
supervision,
- appropriate and
quality programs, and
- supportive
assistance and services.
The
following diagram illustrates that school, outreach and residential programs
are organized around students and that these programs are dependent upon
services to accomplish their child centered mission.
NCA Goal
All students will improve written or verbal
communication across the curriculum.
NCA Benchmarks
Academic: Students will improve written communication
in the school setting in preparation for post-secondary education.
Transitional: Students will improve written communication
in the school and/or vocational setting in preparation for competitive
employment upon exit of educational programming.
Functional: Students will improve verbal communication in
the vocational and/or community setting in preparation for supported employment
upon exit of educational programming.
Who?
What? When? Where?
Why? How?
Who
is eligible for services? Any
student who experiences difficulty in making progress in school due to impaired
vision is eligible for special education services. ISBVI, as part of
ISBVI
eligibility criterion for admission is:
the student must be a citizen of
Where
are services provided? A
student may benefit from Outreach services that are designed to provide support
while the student is enrolled in his or her local education agency or from
placement in ISBVI’s on-campus school program in
When
are services provided? A
student may be placed at ISBVI if the Case Conference Committee (made up of the
parent and the local education agency and ISBVI staff) determines that the
local district cannot meet the needs of the student.
If
ISBVI can meet the needs identified on the student’s Individualized Education
Plan and the Case Conference Committee agree, the student is placed at ISBVI.
Outreach
services are available upon request by the child’s local education agency.
How
long do students stay at ISBVI? The Case Conference Committee determines how
long a student stays at ISBVI. By law,
at least annually, placements at ISBVI are reviewed to determine if the student
can be reintegrated into his or her home school district or if the placement at
ISBVI continues to be appropriate.
What
does ISBVI provide? ISBVI
provides educational instruction addressing
RELATED
SERVICES AND FACILITIES
Nurse
Practitioner, Ophthalmologists, and Psychiatrist: Part-time professionals provide routine and
emergency first aid care, health screening, and health education.
Low
Vision Clinic: A local
optometrist and an on staff low vision specialist provide low vision
evaluations and follow-up for students in an on-campus clinic. The purpose of the clinic is to allow
students to use their vision more effectively in the classroom, dormitory,
travel and recreational activities.
Psychologist: The school psychologist assesses the
student's intellectual, social, perceptual and behavioral development. Parents or students eighteen years and older
are encouraged to confer with the psychologist regarding assessment results and
their significance.
Physical
Therapy: The physical
therapist is involved with the assessment, evaluation and treatment of the
students with diminished strength, spasticity, coordination and contractures.
Occupational
Therapy: The occupational therapist is involved with the assessment,
evaluation and treatment of students with diminished or delayed motor skills.
Social
Workers: The primary goal
of the social workers is to aid in the adjustment of the student to the
classroom and dormitory. This process
starts when the student first applies for admission. Family contacts are maintained throughout the
student's academic career. If needed,
counseling is arranged with students on an individual or group basis.
Outreach
Program: This division
provides consultation to school corporations who have visually impaired
youngsters in their local schools. The
areas assessed may include, but are not limited to: orientation and mobility, functional vision,
psycho educational reviews and educational and social growth. Assistance in
subsequent program planning may be provided.
Early
Childhood Consultant: The early
childhood consultant provides assistance to families of birth through
kindergarten age visually impaired children throughout the state of
School
Age Consultant: The school age consultant provides assistance to
families and local education agencies throughout the state of
Orientation
and Mobility: The orientation
and mobility staff instructs blind and low vision students in the skills and
techniques needed to travel safely and efficiently in school, residential,
small and large business environments.
Speech
and Hearing: This program
provides remediation for speech and language problems and conducts hearing
screenings.
Counseling
and Guidance: The guidance
counselor assists with career counseling and provides information on further
educational training. The preparation of
an Individual Transition Plan is completed during the student's freshman year
and is reviewed annually. This
Transition Plan is designed to assist the student with future vocational
planning.
Vocational
Rehabilitation: Vocational
counselors from Indiana State Vocational Rehabilitation help junior and senior
students with evaluation, counseling, and future job training and placement.
2009-2010 Main Building Bell Schedule
Monday
through Thursday Friday
AM
Advisory 7:45 – 7:56 Advisory 7:45 – 8:01
1st
period 8:00 – 8:52 1st period 8:05 – 8:54
2nd
period 8:56 – 9:48 2nd period 8:58 – 9:47
3rd
period 9:52 – 10:44 3rd period 9:51 – 10:40
4th
period 10:48 – 11:40 4th period 10:44 – 11:33
LUNCH 11:44
– 12:14 LUNCH 11:37 – 12:07
5th
period 12:18 – 1:110 5th period 12:11 – 12:59
6th
period 1:14 – 2:06 6th period 1:03 – 1:52
7th
period 2:10 – 3:02 7th period 1:56 – 2:45
PM
Advisory 3:06 – 3:15
Lambert & AlDur Class Times
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
NO BELLS
First
Grading Period:
Interim reports due September
23, 2009. The grading period ends October 29, 2009. The report card and dormitory report will be
sent out on or about November 6, 2009.
Second
Grading Period:
Interim reports due
December 2, 2009. The grading period ends January 15, 2010. The report card and dormitory report will be
sent out on or about January 22, 2010.
Third
Grading Period:
Interim reports due February 17, 2010. The grading period ends March 26, 2010. The report card and dormitory report will be sent out on or about April 12, 2010.
Fourth
Grading Period:
Interim reports due May
5, 2010. The grading period ends June 3, 2010. The report card and dormitory
report will be sent out on or about June 10, 2010.
There
are 180 instructional days.
ISTEP +
The
Indiana Statewide Testing for Education Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) measures what
students know and are able to do at each grade level in core academic
subjects. Based on Indiana’s Academic
Standards, ISTEP+ provides a learning check-up designed to make sure students
are on track.
Beginning with the
2009-2010 school year, ISTEP+ testing will take place in the spring. The tests will be given in two parts. Part one, which includes essay and short
answer questions, will be given between the dates of March 1, 2010 and March 10,
2010. Part two, which includes multiple
choice questions, will be given between the dates of April 26, 2010 and May 5,
2010.
Based
on Indiana’s Academic Standards, the spring ISTEP+ covers:
·
English/language arts in grades 3-8
·
Mathematics in grades 3-8
·
Science in grades 4 and 6
·
Social studies in grades 5 and 7
Every student tested receives a comprehensive
individual Student Report showing student performance in terms of Pass +, Pass
or Did Not Pass. These results should be
made available before the end of the school year.
For more information about ISTEP+ please visit www.doe.in.gov/istep.
GQE/ECA’s
Students who entered high school in the fall
of 2007 are subject to the Graduation Qualifying Examination (GQE)
requirement. The GQE is a two-part test
which students must pass in order to qualify for a high school diploma. It is necessary for students to attain scores
at or above the passing scale score in English/Language Arts and Math and to
meet all state and local graduation requirements. Students who do not pass both parts of the
GQE will be able to retake the part he/she did not pass.
Students who entered high school in the fall
of 2008 and after will be subject to the End of Course Assessment (ECA) requirement. As part of Indiana’s school accountability
system under Public Law 221, Core 40 ECAs are designed to ensure the quality,
consistency and rigor of Core 40 courses across the state. Aligned with Indiana’s Academic Standards,
ECAs are final exams measuring what students know and are able to do upon
completion of targeted Core 40 courses.
In order to qualify for a high school diploma the student must pass an
ECA in Algebra I and English 10 and meet all state and local graduation
requirements. Each ECA will be
administered upon completion of necessary work in each course.
For more information about End of Course
Assessments please visit www.doe.in.gov/core40eca.
In
the case of a student with a disability (as defined in IC 20-1-6-1), the
student’s case conference committee may determine that the student is
eligible to graduate if it finds the following:
(1) The
student’s teacher of record, in consultation with a teacher of the student in
each subject area in which the student has not achieved a passing score, makes
a written recommendation to the case conference committee. The recommendation must:
(A) Be
concurred in by the principal of the student’s school; and
(B) Be
supported by documentation that the student has attained the academic standard
in the subject area based upon:
(i)
Tests other than the graduation examination; or
(ii)
Classroom work.
(2) The
student meets all of the following requirements:
(A) Retakes
the GQE/ECA in each subject area in which the student did not achieve a passing
score as often as required by the student’s individualized education program.
(B) Completes
remediation opportunities provided to the student by the student’s school to
the extent required by the student’s individualized education program.
(C) Maintains
a school attendance rate of at least ninety-five (95%) to the extent required
by the student’s individualized education program with excused absences not
counting against the student’s attendance.
(D) Maintains
at least a “C” average or the equivalent in the courses comprising the credits
specifically required for graduation by rule of the board.
(E) Otherwise
satisfies all state and local graduation requirements.
ISTAR
Accounting
for progress...One child at a time
Accountability to your child...
In
For more information, log on to: www.istar.doe.state.in.us
or contact dmcgrath@icantech.com.
ISTAR is
provided to schools by the Indiana Department of Education.
How
is ISTAR scored?
With ISTAR, teachers rate your
child’s performance on Math, English/Language Arts and Functional Indicators.
Teachers base these ratings on evidence such as observations, work samples, and
portfolios. These ratings are tabulated to provide a score relative to the
student's abilities, grade level, and individual progress from one year to the
next. Identifying the abilities of your child is an important step in designing
appropriate learning experiences that are responsive to the specific,
individual needs of your child.
Academic Standards
The number to the left of the
decimal represents the grade level of the standards, and the numbers to the
right of the decimal represent the percentage of standard indicators
demonstrated at the grade level. For example, a score such as 6.07 represents a
student has demonstrated 7% of 6th grade indicators for Number Sense. A score
of 3.86 represents a student has demonstrated 86% of 3rd grade indicators for
Reading Recognition. The scores for each Standard Area are then averaged for an
overall Math and Language Arts Score. Mathematics and Mathematics and
English/Language Arts have a horizontal scale that goes from birth to B1, B2,
F1, F2 (representing basic levels), K (kindergarten), and grades 1-10.
English/Language Arts have a horizontal scale that goes from birth
to B1, B2, F1,
F2 (representing basic levels), K (kindergarten), and grades 1-10.
Which students participate
in ISTAR?
The ISTAR assessment is
appropriate for use with any student. Participation could occur as follows:
A student with significant cognitive disabilities may be assessed
on alternate achievement standards. Guidelines will assist case conference
committee’s to determine the appropriateness of this use of ISTAR.
Students who participate in ISTEP+ could be assessed on grade
level standards to assist in making appropriate educational decisions regarding
the student and to document that the student can demonstrate academic skills to
meet graduation requirements.
Students with limited English proficiency who have been enrolled
in
Students whose achievement is above grade level can be assessed on
above grade level standards in order to inform instruction for the student.
Students for whom ISTEP+ does not provide sufficient information
to make appropriate educational decisions may be assessed with ISTAR on or off
of grade level standards in order to ascertain current instructional levels.
The seamless nature of
ISTAR allows for the measurement of progress of preschool children. This
measurement of progress is required for children with disabilities and is
reported in the continuous improvement monitoring (CIM) system.
What are the criteria for determining participation in ISTAR in
lieu of ISTEP+?
As issued by the Indiana
Department of Education, all three of the following criteria must be satisfied
for a student to be eligible to be assessed on alternate achievement standards
using ISTAR in lieu of ISTEP+:
1.
Evidence of a Significant Cognitive Disability: There is
empirical evidence (e.g., formal testing results, M-team evaluation results,
etc.) of a significant cognitive disability that prevents the acquisition of
2.
Intensity of Instruction: The student is unable to acquire, maintain,
generalize, and apply academic skills across environments even with
extensive/intensive, pervasive, frequent, and individualized instruction in
multiple settings.
3. Curricular
Outcomes: The goals and objectives listed in this student’s IEP focus on progress within functional
achievement indicators, and the student’s present level of educational performance significantly impedes
participation and completion of the general education curriculum even with
significant program modifications
Exclusions: The CCC’s determination that the student will be
assessed on alternate achievement standards through ISTAR cannot be based on
factors other than cognitive functioning. Specifically, the determination
cannot be based on factors such as:
- Excessive or extensive absences.
- Social, cultural or economic
differences.
- The mere existence of an IEP or
identification in a specific disability category.
- A specific special education placement
or services.
- Emotional, behavioral or physical
challenges.
- Anticipated scores on ISTEP+.
- Concern for AYP calculations.
We
feel that it is important to recognize students who have distinguished
themselves among their peers. Therefore,
we invite you to the following honors convocations and recognition parties for
Honor Roll, Bringing Up Grades (BUG) Club, Perfect Attendance, and Way To Go. Dates of each party will be sent in a
newsletter and will also be available on our website.
Convocation
Elementary & Keever held in the AlDur/Lambert Multi-purpose room at 9:00
a.m.; Middle School/High School held in the Auditorium.
BUG
Parties in the Student Center Noon - 12:15
p.m.
Honor
Roll Pizza Parties in the Student
Center 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
ISBVI
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
* For Students who
entered High School before Fall of 2007.
English 8 credits
US
History 2 credits
Government 1
credit
Economics,
Sociology or Psychology 1 credit
World
Cultures (or equivalent) 2 credits
Science
(Physical, Life) 6 credits
Math (including
Algebra I) 4 credits
Typing
or Computer 1-2 credits
Health
and Safety 1 credit
Physical
Education (1.0 credit - state) 2 credits
(ISBVI/recommended) 3-4 credits
Electives
10-13 credits
A
minimum of 40 credits is required for graduation. In order to earn the necessary credits for a
diploma, a student must show proficiency in the academic standards established
by the Indiana Department of Education for each course.
A = 92-100 B = 83-91 C = 74-82
D = 65-73 F = 64 and below
ACADEMIC
HONOR ROLL
To
be eligible for the Honor Roll a student must have a grade point average of 3.2
for regular Honor Roll and a grade point average of 3.5 for High Honor
Roll. Grade points are as follows: A=4, A-=3.67, B+=3.33, B=3.0, B-=2.67, C+=2.33,
C=2.0, C-=1.67, D+=1.33, D=1.0, D-=.67, and F=0.
Any student who is on school probation, has an unsatisfactory
citizenship grade, has a D or an F grade, or has been suspended during the
nine-week period will not be eligible for Honor Roll.
FUNCTIONAL
ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL
Students
in the Ungraded Program must have all P's and 1's & 2’s for conduct and
effort to be eligible for the Ungraded Honor Roll.
A student is
considered to be on academic probation if:
He/she has a failing grade at the midterm or at the end of the
quarter in any scheduled subject area; and/or
He/she has 2 or more D’s at the midterm or at the end of the quarter in any scheduled
subject area.
Students on
academic probation at the midterm will remain on probation until the end of the
quarter. Students on academic probation at the end of a quarter will remain on
probation until the midterm of the next quarter. Students will not be
considered on academic probation at the beginning of the second semester if it
is due to grades they received in a one-semester class.
Dormitory
students on academic probation will be required to participate in an additional
half hour of mandatory study time above and beyond the required one hour of
student time for all students. Students
on academic probation may practice at the discretion of the coaching staff but
may not travel with the team until their grades have improved at the next
scheduled midterm or end of quarter. Day
students on academic probation may participate in co-curricular activities
(band, choir, etc.), but may not participate in extracurricular activities,
such as Scouts, Clay Class, or a student job.
Exceptions to academic probation may be made if formally requested
to the academic probation committee, which includes the teacher of the class in
which the student received the grade, the guidance counselor, the principal,
the athletic director, and the coach of the team. The request must come from the student, and
be submitted in writing to the athletic director or principal. The student will have the opportunity to
present his/her case to the committee.
If the committee feels that the student is doing everything they can do
to be successful, then the committee may waive probation for the student until
the next midterm or quarter grades come out. The decision of the committee must
be unanimous and cannot be appealed.
Residential students with one D will not be on academic probation, but
must participate in supervised study time in the dorm. They will be allowed to practice and travel
with the team.
DROP/ADD PROCEDURE
There
are situations that may necessitate the need to make a schedule change. If this
situation occurs, the student must get signatures on the drop/add form from
his/her parent, Teacher of Record, teacher of the class being dropped and
teacher of class being added, in addition to the appropriate Principal and the
Guidance Counselor during the first ten days of the grading period. After the 10th day and until the day
before mid-terms, a class may be dropped subject to the approval of the
above-mentioned people, but high school students will not get credit for the
substituted class. Classes will not be
dropped after mid-term grades 1st or 3rd. quarter. Justification for the change in the schedule
should be completed by the individual initiating the change.
If
the change can not/should not take place, the reason will be stated in writing
and submitted to all parties involved.
To
be eligible for senior class valedictorian, a student must attain a cumulative
grade point average of 3.2 or better from academic classes. Valedictorian will be determined at the end
of the seventh semester. If there
are multiple students meeting this requirement, the student with the highest
grade point average will be the valedictorian.
The
valedictorian will present his/her address at the graduation ceremony. A copy
of the address should be presented to the principal and superintendent ten days
prior to graduation.
If
no students meet the eligibility requirements, a class spokesperson will be
selected by the senior class and approved by the ISBVI administration.
The
senior student who has attained the second highest cumulative grade point
average of 3.2 or better from academic classes will be named salutatorian. Salutatorian will be determined at the end of
the seventh semester. The
salutatorian address will be given during the Senior recognition
convocation. A copy of the address
should be presented to the principal and superintendent ten days prior to the
honors convocation.
All
students have been assigned a Teacher of Record. If the student is enrolled in pre-K through
grade five or is in an elementary ungraded class, the Teacher of Record is the
classroom teacher.
If
the student is enrolled in grades 6-12, or MS/HS Ungraded, a teacher from the
middle school/high school has been assigned to each student. The purpose of the Teacher of Record is to
ensure that the individual needs of each student are being addressed, that
progress is being monitored (academic, social and behavioral), and that
assistance is given regarding the selection of courses, that parent contact is
made and that each student has an advocate.
Each student will meet with his/her Teacher of Record daily.
Our
primary goal is to keep students in school as much as possible in order that
they may reap the maximum educational benefits being offered. The entire process of education requires a
regular continuity of instruction, classroom participation, learning
experiences, and study in order to reach this goal.
Education
is an ongoing process, and attendance is a very integral part of that
process. We feel it is of utmost
importance that students participate in the classroom experience and we realize
that there are legitimate reasons for being absent; therefore, we have
developed policies and procedures to address attendance issues.
PROCEDURE TO
REPORT STUDENT ABSENCE
·
A parent/guardian will call the ISBVI Education Office
for each day their child will not be at school to report the nature of
their child’s absence
·
The number to call is (317) 253-1481, ext. 271
·
If possible, please call the school before 7:45 A.M.
EDT/EST
·
A student’s absence can only be reported to the ISBVI
Education Office
GENERAL
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
- Some examples of what the school
recognizes as an excused absence are:
- Medical appointments which can not be
scheduled at non-school times
- Death in the family
- Student illness
- Unavoidable transportation issues caused
by weather conditions
- Other just and legitimate causes as
determined by the appropriate Principal
- Some examples of what the school
recognizes as an unexcused absence are:
§ Students extending their school breaks
§ Going on vacation
§ Oversleeping/missing the bus
§ Other reasons for absences, which in the judgment of
the appropriate Principal, are not legitimate or reasonable
- A physician’s statement may be requested
- Arriving after 11:20 A.M. EDT/EST will be
counted as one half-day absent
- Leaving before 11:20 A.M. EDT/EST will be
counted as one half-day absent
- During school hours, any student arriving
late must be signed in at the Education Office
by their parent/guardian
- During school hours, any student leaving
early must be signed out at the Education Office or the
Heath Center, in the case of an illness, by their parent/guardian
- Make-up work for absences on the middle
school and high school level will be allowed as follows:
- For each day of excused absence, students will be given one
and a half
(1 ½) days to make up their work
- For each unexcused absence, a student may,
at teacher discretion, be given one (1) day to make up their work, but
only at a rate of one-half of the original credit
- It is the student's responsibility to ask for their make-up work
from each teacher and to make sure that their work is completed and
turned in
- A pattern of excessive absences may
result in actions including, but not limited to:
§ A physician’s statement may be requested
§ Conference with the appropriate Principal
§ Having the parent/guardian sign a contract to
improve student attendance
§ Case conference to consider appropriateness of
student’s current placement
§ Referral for truancy proceedings or for failure to
ensure an education
o According to IC
20-33-2-11, a
definition of a child who is designated as a habitual truant, which must, at a
minimum, define the term as a student who is chronically absent, by having
unexcused absences from school for more than ten (10) days of school in one (1)
school year.
TARDINESS
Parents
who transport their child and anticipate a delay in arriving after the start of
school should notify the Education Office at 317-253-1481 ext# 138. Upon arriving at school, parents will sign
their child in at the Education Office. Parents
with children in AlDur/Lambert will need to sign their child in with the
Elementary Secretary located in Lambert.
All children will then receive an admittance pass. No student who
is tardy will be admitted directly into a classroom without an admittance pass.
Students
must be punctual to class and should be in their seats in their assigned
classrooms when the bell rings at the start of class. It is the teacher's responsibility to inform
the student of his/her tardiness and to report students who are tardy with the
next day's absence slips. The Education
Office should be notified, via intercom, when a student has not arrived within
five minutes of the start of class. Upon
his/her arrival, the office should be notified and the previous procedure used.
Teachers
who detain students after class should send an excuse slip with the student to
the next class. The student will not be
counted as tardy.
Consequences for
Tardiness:
1st
and 2nd – Teacher conference with student and parent notification by
education office
3rd
and 4th – Lunch detention and parent notification
5th
and 6th – After school detention and parent notification
7th
and 8th – In-School Suspension and possible loss of credit in class
Discipline Actions:
·
Conference – can be teacher
to student, administrator to student, or administrator and parents.
·
Referral to Guidance –
student meets with counselor to help find ways to correct problem that is
occurring. Guidance referrals are made by teachers.
·
Teacher assigned detention –
The location, time, and work to be completed will be determined by the teacher.
·
Lunch Detention – Lunch
detentions are held daily throughout the lunch period. A student assigned to
lunch detention will report to the detention supervisor by the appropriate bell
and receive a sack lunch. Students who fail to attend an assigned lunch
detention will be assigned an after school detention. Parents will be notified.
·
After School Detention –
Detentions are held Tuesday and Thursday after school from 3:20 – 4:30. Students
must report to the detention room with study materials. Students may be
detained in school for disciplinary action or other reasons, under direct supervision
of a detention supervisor. If he/she is
a day student, the Education Office will notify the parent to make transportation
arrangements.
·
In School Suspension –
Students may be assigned from one to seven periods of ISS. Students shall
report to the ISS room on time at the beginning of the school day with their
study materials. Students will be counted present on school records. They will
be provided with regular classroom assignments. Students will not be permitted
to attend or participate in extracurricular activities for the prescribed
length of ISS.
·
Out of School Suspension –
If the administration deems out of school suspension is needed the student,
parent, teacher of record, and the local school will be notified.
Students who have
orthopedic disabilities and/or orientation & mobility problems will be
given consideration, assuming that their tardiness is caused by their handicap
or disability and not by willfully choosing to be late to class.
Students
and staff shall participate in frequent drills of emergency procedures.
Homework
shall be turned in on the day it is due unless previous arrangements have been
made with the teachers.
HALL
PASSES
Students
in the halls during class time must have an appropriately signed pass. Students
must return to class directly and in a time-efficient manner when they have
completed their business. Teachers
should not routinely excuse students to the rest rooms, for drinks, to run
errands, or to conduct any business that could be reasonably conducted before
or after school, during lunch break, or between class periods.
Students
who have received formal orientation and mobility training in cane usage are required
to use their canes when traveling on and off campus. The intent of this training is to provide
more independent travel. The routine use
of the cane during travel will reinforce skills taught and promote independence
in a safe and efficient manner. Staff
members will encourage and promote the use of canes as appropriate.
HALLWAY
TRAVEL
To
ensure safety, it is expected that staff and students will travel on the right
side of the hallways and stairways.
Teachers
are required to report students who are in jeopardy of failing their
courses to the Principal and Teacher of Record in writing as early as possible
in the grading period. No report card or
semester failing grade should be given without the Principal being notified and
the Teacher of Record notifying the parents.
Interim progress reports are scheduled to be mailed to parents at each
mid-term; see calendar for specific dates.
Staff
will assist students who have questions regarding what clothing choices are
"appropriate" and "inappropriate." Individuality in clothing selection will be
respected, assuming that the clothing is clean, maintained, not in "poor
taste" or "inappropriate."
Shoes must be worn at all times.
No picture or printing on clothing or school bags which supports or
advertises tobacco, alcoholic beverages, drugs, and symbols that are illegal
and immoral, such as violence, blood, killing, death, or sex will be
permitted. Clothing and other items worn
or carried by the student should not be offensive to any religion, ethnic, or
other group. All clothing or articles
worn are subject to review by the administration. Hats and coats will not be worn in the school
building during the school day or during indoor school scheduled
activities. Students should store their
hats, coats, and jackets in their lockers unless a class is being conducted
outdoors. No head coverings, including
bandanas are permitted other than for religious reasons or eye protection. No teeth covers/grills.
Chains
and other items which could potentially be used as a weapon are not permitted,
as well as “sagging” pants, or “gang” type dress. Tank tops, halter-tops, “short”
shorts/dresses and shirts exposing the midriff section are not permitted. All students going off campus as a group or
involved in a school-related activity (i.e.: graduation, school dance, etc.)
shall be properly dressed.
A
student may wear a hat if he/she has an educational need (i.e.: photophobic)
and if it is included in the student’s
IEP. All other hats will be confiscated,
turned into the Education Office and may be picked up at the end of each
semester.
STUDENT
WORK EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING PROGRAM
The
job program has been created to give students an opportunity to earn extra
spending money, acquire new skills, and to give them a sense of responsibility.
Some students learn useful skills while working in the Maintenance,
Housekeeping, and Dietary departments. A
few examples of other jobs are answering the telephone at the main switchboard
and recreation office, assisting Residential Mentor’s in the Lambert Hall area,
preparing Braille materials and beautification of the school grounds.
Supervisory
staff will inspect the job to ensure that it was completed effectively. The student will be paid every other week if
it is a job other than training purposes.
STUDENT JOBS - ON-CAMPUS
HOURS
The
following guidelines are established to ensure that students are not
working excessive hours on school nights.
This policy also allows a larger number of students an opportunity to
gain work experience.
AGE HOURS
PER WEEK ADDITIONAL HOURS
14
yrs 1-3 hrs none
15
yrs 2-4 hrs none
16 yrs 3-5 hrs (maximum 8 hrs with
approval)
17 yrs 4-6 hrs (maximum 10 hrs with
approval)
18+ yrs 5-8 hrs (maximum 12 hrs with
approval)
Students may receive a waiver to work more
hours than the above stated guidelines if they get written approval from the
persons listed below. Extra hours are
based on availability and budget.
Parent/Guardian
Education
Department
Vocational
Jobs Committee
NOTE:
When appropriate, students 16 yrs and older should consider off-campus
placement.
ON-CAMPUS
JOBS PROGRAM GRADE GUIDELINES
1. Before starting a job, the student must
have satisfactory grades in all subjects.
The students will not be allowed to start until the Vocational Jobs
Committee gets a note from the teacher of record (TOR) stating that a student’s
grades are satisfactory.
2. If a student is hired and receives an
unsatisfactory grade at mid-term, he/she will be placed on “administrative
leave” for two weeks. If the student’s
grades improve, according to your TOR, he/she will be allowed to return to
work. If not, the student will not be
allowed to return to work for the remainder of the grading period. If a student’s grades improve at the end of
the grading period, they may return to work.
Otherwise, they must wait until the next mid-term report to be
re-evaluated.
3. Employed students receiving an
unsatisfactory grade for the grading period, will be placed on “administrative
leave” until the mid-term grade reports are released. If the student’s TOR informs the Jobs
Committee that the student’s grades are passing, then the student may return to
work. If not, they must wait until the
end of the grading period to be re-evaluated.
4. Students receiving unsatisfactory grades
in two consecutive grading periods will not be allowed to participate in the
jobs program for the remainder of the school year.
5. The parents, administration and the
Vocational Jobs Committee reserve the right to decide what constitutes
satisfactory grades and may continue job placements based on the individual
needs of each student.
STUDENT JOBS - OFF- CAMPUS PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
Students
must first get approval to participate.
They will need to get the following people to sign the “Jobs Program
Permission Form”:
A.
your parents or guardian
B.
your principal
You
must be able to provide your employer the following hiring documents as
required by law:
A.
Birth Certificate
B.
Social Security Card
C.
State or School ID (we strongly recommend a State ID)
Note:
Your employer will photocopy and return original documents.
You must be at least 16 years old to work
off-campus. Sixteen and seventeen year
old students are required to have a valid work permit. The employer, parent/guardian and student
must sign an Intention to Employ card before a work permit can be
issued. Work permits can be obtained at
ISBVI.
You will need to meet with the Vocational
Jobs Committee Co-Chairmen (Mr. Shively or Ms. Altmann) to discuss your
thoughts toward a suitable off-campus position, your hours of availability, and
transportation to and from the job site.
Final placement approval will come from the Vocational Jobs
Committee.
You must maintain satisfactory
grades in all your classes. Failing
grades will jeopardize your employment status (see attachment on grade policy).
You must agree to abide by the program “Code
of Conduct”.
OFF-CAMPUS
JOBS PROGRAM GRADE GUIDELINES
·
Students
must have satisfactory grades in order to be considered for the off-campus jobs
program.
·
If
a student receives unsatisfactory grades for the grading period he/she will
need to terminate the off-campus job.
The students will not be able to return to that position or another
off-campus job for one full grading period.
·
A
student receiving unsatisfactory grades for the semester will need to terminate
his/her off-campus job. The student will
not be able to return to that job or another off-campus job for one full
semester.
·
The
parents, administration and the vocational jobs committee reserve the right to
decide what constitutes satisfactory grades and may continue job placements
based on the individual needs of each student.
FIELD
TRIPS
Students
may be involved in field trips either as a part of the Educational,
Recreational or Residential programs.
Permission from the parent/guardian for these field trips is required at
the beginning of each school year. This
permission authorizes students to accompany staff members off campus for
specific planned activities. Admission
fees and other field trip related costs shall be covered by the parent, either
directly or via the student's trust fund account. Students may be denied field trip
opportunities due to illness, discipline, and behavior issues.
STUDENT SAFETY ON
ISBVI VEHICLES
School/Activity
bus drivers are to have control of the vehicle when driving students to and
from the campus of the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
(ISBVI). The driver should maintain order on the vehicle by informing student
supervisory staff on the bus if behavior is not appropriate or disruptive.
Inappropriate
conduct will not be tolerated and questions or clarification of these rules can
be obtained from the driver when on a trip. The supervisory staff is
responsible for maintaining discipline and making sure the students stay in
their seats, do not litter and do not put anything outside the windows. If the
driver sees any action that needs attention, staff will be informed and will be
responsible for correcting the situation.
1.
Students
are expected to behave courteously and appropriately with each other and with
each staff member on the trip.
2.
Windows or doors will not be opened or closed
without permission from the supervisory staff.
Supervisory staff should check with the bus driver before opening
windows and doors.
3.
All passengers will stay in their seats with
seatbelt fastened until it has come to a full stop and the door has been opened
by the driver.
4.
Upon the recommendation of the driver, school
authorities will investigate any situation and possibly deny the privilege of
riding an ISBVI bus to a student who refuses to conduct him/herself
appropriately.
5.
All litter is to be cleaned up and disposed
of properly at the end of the trip by students and supervisory staff.
6.
In the event that there is disruption on the
bus, the driver will pull over and inform the supervisory staff of the situation.
The supervisory staff member is to take action before the driver can proceed.
Should the bus be pulled over more than two times on one trip due to inappropriate
behavior or disruptions, the trip will be ended and the driver is to inform the
supervisory staff that they are returning to ISBVI.
7.
The bus driver’s job is to drive; not handle
disciplinary matters with students. Supervisory staff will work with the driver
regarding safety of the students while on the bus.
8.
Students are expected to follow the rules
established by the Local School District that provides their transportation to
and from school.
GUIDELINES FOR SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
(Car, Activity Bus
and School Bus)
CODE
OF CONDUCT
a. Each student shall be seated
immediately upon entering the vehicle.
b. No students shall stand or move from
place to place during the trip.
c. Loud, boisterous or profane language or
indecent conduct shall not be tolerated.
d. Students are not allowed to tease,
scuffle, trip, hold, and hit or use their hands, feet or
body in any objectionable manner.
e. The throwing of objects is strictly
prohibited.
f. It
is the responsibility of the trip supervisor to ensure that the vehicle is
cleaned of all
trash and litter.
g. All passengers must wear seat belts if
available. $50.00 fine per person would be the
responsibility of the driver.
LOST
OR DAMAGED BOOKS/EQUIPMENT
In
the event that a student loses or damages a book, piece of equipment, or other
school property and it is not directly related to his/her documented
disability, the parent/guardian will be responsible for replacing the
item. Books will be replaced at a
prorated value using five years as the usable time frame for a book. If restitution is not made, legal proceedings
will be initiated. For example: if a book costs $100.00 new and it is lost or
damaged during the third year of use, the parent/guardian will be assessed a fee
of $60.00.
Taxpayer
funds are used to construct, purchase and maintain buildings and
equipment. Students who willfully
destroy or vandalize school property will be required to pay for losses or
damages, provided the damages are not directly related to the student's
documented disability. Legal proceedings
may be initiated, if restitution is not made.
If a student willfully destroys school property, suspension/expulsion
may be necessary. If a student should
damage something accidentally, it should be reported to the teacher or office
immediately.
Students
interested in participating in band must obtain an instrument through one of
the following options: 1) "Rent to
Own" from a music store in your community 2) Rent from a music store in
your community 3) Purchase a new or used instrument 4) Rent from the school (ISBVI).
Students
choosing plan number 4) will be assessed fifty dollars ($50.00) per year
fee. This fee, collected at the
beginning of each school year, will cover routine repairs and rental fees
charged to the school. Instruments in
need of repair beyond what is considered "normal wear" will be the
responsibility of the student/parents.
Each
student renting from the school will receive his/her own instrument, which
should eliminate the transmission of germs and diseases.
Lack
of financial resources should not jeopardize a student's opportunity to
participate in the band program. Special
arrangements can be made with the principal to ensure each student's
participation.
It
is the parent’s/guardian’s obligation to notify the Education Office of any
change concerning address or phone number as soon as possible. This information is essential for home/school
contact.
LAUNDRY
SERVICES
Students
are encouraged to take their laundry home on weekends. An automatic washer and dryer are available
for student use in each dormitory area.
Older students learn to use these machines as a part of independent
living skills training. Residential
Mentor’s care for the younger students' clothing as needed. The school laundry service is available for
special circumstances.
STAR
DANCE
All
students who are fourteen years of age the year of the Star Dance are eligible
to attend. Semi-formal attire is
required; dress pants, collared shirt and tie for the boys, dresses or nice
slacks and dressy tops for the girls. Students are expected to wear appropriate
shoes (no tennis shoes, etc.). Students
not wearing appropriate attire will not be admitted.
SPRING
FORMAL/PROM
ISBVI Academic or
Short Course students who are sixteen years of age, and are in 10th grade or higher on the
date of the Spring Formal/Prom are eligible to attend. Functional
academic students or Short Course students who 16 years of age or older are
eligible to attend. Semi-formal
attire is required. Students inviting
guests from off campus will need signed permission forms turned into the
Education Office and Residential Services Office no later than one week prior
to the dance. Guests must also be at
least sixteen years of age, and be in 10th grade or higher or in their last 3
years of schooling on the date of the Spring Formal/Prom. All off-campus dates
for this dance must receive approval from the Principal. A form for this purpose will be available to
all students eligible to attend the prom.
DINING
ROOM RULES
Mealtime
should be a pleasant time to enjoy food and the company of friends. Students should enter the dining room quietly
and speak only in conversational tones.
Shouting and calling to others at another table is very poor manners and
will disrupt the desired quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
Students
should remain in their seats during mealtime.
Students are expected to remain seated, display good table manners, be
polite and courteous, and be respectful of others. Students are required to sit at the same
table throughout the semester. The first
week of each semester will allow time to select individual tables.
Students
not exhibiting appropriate behavior will be asked to sit at a separate table
and may not be dismissed for lunch free time for one or more days.
Students
who have suggestions about the dining room should discuss them with their
Student Council representative. The
Student Council will in turn relay suggestions to the principal.
STUDENT
RESTRICTED AREAS
Students
are not permitted on the 1st floor (Education Office level) of buildings E and
F or 2nd floor (classrooms) of E, F and G buildings before 7:45 a.m. or after
3:15 p.m., with the following exceptions:
A. Scheduled
school activities
B. Make-up
exams or tests, tutoring, etc.
C. Traveling
to or from the
D. Students
traveling to Social Services or similar offices.
Students
are also not permitted in the dorms during the school day without a staff
member. Lunchtime restricted areas
include offices, classrooms, upper floor of E, F, or G building and gym locker
rooms. Lunchtime restricted areas on
Fridays also include the Boys Lower Quad areas.
The
primary goal of the school is to provide students with a safe, clean, learning
environment with a minimal number of distractions allowing students the
opportunity to grow, mature, and acquire knowledge and skills to the maximum
extent possible. To that end, it is the
policy of the school for students to respect the physical “space” of
others. Therefore, it is unacceptable
for students to have “social” physical contact with others during the school
day. This includes, but is not
limited to: embracing, kissing,
horseplay, rough housing, etc.
All
staff members have the right and responsibility to insure individual student
space. Therefore, all staff members will
remind students of the policy as appropriate and will report continued
infractions to the principal or assistant principals for further action.
This
rule applies when a student is:
a. On school grounds immediately before
or during school hours, immediately after school hours or at any other time
when the school is being used by a school group (including summer school);
b. Off
school grounds at a school activity, function, or event;
Traveling to or from school or a school
activity, function, or event; or
Using property or equipment provided by
the school.
Bullying by a student or groups of students against
another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or
harm the other student through overt, repeated acts or gestures, including
verbal or written communications transmitted, and/or physical acts committed,
or any other similar behavior is prohibited.
Parents or students who suspect that repeated acts
of bullying are taking place should report the matter to the school principal
or designee. School personnel will
investigate all reports of bullying.
Counseling, corrective discipline, and/or referral
to law enforcement will be used to change the behavior of the perpetrator. This includes appropriate intervention(s),
restoration of a positive climate, and support for victims and others impacted
by the violation.
Educational outreach and training will be provided
to school personnel, parents, and students concerning the identification,
prevention, and intervention in bullying.
ISBVI intends to engage students, staff and parents in meaningful
discussions about the negative aspects of bullying.
USE
OF TELEPHONES
Students
may not use telephones during the school day.
Parents are encouraged to telephone their children in the evenings
unless, of course, this is not possible and/or an emergency or other important
situation exists. If an emergency
arises, the students will be permitted to use a school phone. If the call is a long distance call, the
student and/or the family are responsible for the charges.
Students
may not use the vending machines during school hours, unless it is part of an
instructional or behavioral program and is approved and on file in the
Education Office.
MEETING
WITH THE ADMINISTRATORS
Students
who have concerns, problems, or other business are encouraged to meet with the
appropriate Principal or the Assistant Principal. Students will not be excused from
classes for these meetings. These
meetings will be scheduled before or after school or during lunchtime at the
discretion of the administrator.
Students
are encouraged to discuss problems or concerns first with their
teachers, teacher of record, and/or residential mentor’s. If the problem or concern is not resolved
after speaking to the teachers or residential mentor’s, then a meeting with the
administrators is appropriate.
If
students lose or find an item, they should contact the Education Office. An announcement will be
made in an attempt to return the lost item to the owner.
CYCLING
AND ROLLER BLADING RULES
To
ensure the safety of all students the following times are subject to study hour
and D & F list restrictions:
School
days 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. and after study hour until dusk -- upper quads
Weekends
-- until dusk
Quads
may use the following areas: Fitness
Trail and Wilson parking lot around campus to Scout Cabin road exclusive of the
front entrance area west of the first stop sign. Parents are required to give their permission
in writing (see below). Students are
expected to abide by the mobility procedures and routes as set forth in their
training.
NOTE: NO CYCLING OR ROLLER BLADING PERMITTED
A
bicycle safety check will be conducted by the ISBVI Safety Officer. Bicycle riders must wear protective headgear
and bikes must be equipped with bike flags and reflectors at all times. Roller bladers must wear protective headgear,
elbow pads, kneepads and wrist supports.
Pilot
for tandem bikes must be sighted and approved by a O&M Instructor.
Check
in and check out for Tandem Bikes must be conducted by the Recreation Office Manager.
Monitoring
of cycling and roller blading activities is the responsibility of the
Residential Mentors.
High-risk
students (No Contact list) require a medical clearance through the
Loss
of cycling and roller blading privileges will be at the discretion of the
Living Skills Instructors, Residential Services Managers, Parents and
Administrators.
Parents
must give their written permission for students to ride bicycles or roller
blade on the ISBVI campus. The ISBVI
The
purpose of assemblies is to educate, entertain, and unify the student body and
staff. The assemblies will be scheduled
during different periods so as not to impact on one period.
Students
are expected to enter the auditorium on time, quietly and in an orderly
manner. Students will sit with their
class and may not change seats or leave the auditorium during the assembly
without teacher permission. Throughout
the assembly, students are expected to pay attention to the presentation and
not engage in any activity that would disrupt the speaker, entertainers or
others in the audience. When the
assembly is over and students are excused, they should pass directly to their
next scheduled class or activity, quietly and in an orderly manner.
Walkman
radios/CD players with headsets are not to be turned on or worn during school
time, except before morning advisory, at lunchtime, and after the afternoon
advisory. These devices must be kept in
the student’s book bag or locker at other times. An exception may be made for audio books,
which can be listened to during class time as directed by a teacher.
Music
must not be played so loudly that others can hear it. The school reserves the right to confiscate
music that can be considered to be offensive.
This includes music that is explicitly sexual or advocates violence. Any student asked by a staff member must show
what is in their tape or CD player.
Confiscated music will be returned to the parent upon request.
Game Boys
and similar hand-held electronic devices will not be allowed during school
hours. If these devices are confiscated
by a staff member, they will be returned to the parent upon request.
Cell
phones must be shut off during the school day. Students need a staff member's
permission to make a call during school hours, except for high school students
who are in the
If they
are confiscated a second time, they will be returned to the parent, and the
student will not be allowed to bring the cell phone back for the remainder of
the school year
Students
are not permitted to use school computers to copy, reproduce, or burn CD's.
In
the event that a piece of equipment or glasses that are personally owned by a
student become broken, the parent or guardian will be contacted to discuss how
repairs will be made. It will be the
responsibility of the parent/guardian to assume the financial costs for
necessary repairs, unless circumstances necessitate other arrangements.
Smoking has been proven to be harmful to
those who smoke as well as those in close proximity to those who smoke. The administration of the ISBVI encourages
students of legal age who are tobacco users to take the necessary steps to stop
smoking, either through physician assistance, smoking cessation classes, peer
support groups, or similar means.
Students are not permitted to use tobacco products while on the campus
of the ISBVI or during school sanctioned activities.
Students who smoke
may not participate in school sanctioned, competitive athletic events.
POSSESSION
OF WEAPONS AND OTHER DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS
Students
may not possess any item which is considered a weapon on or off the school
grounds at any school activity, function, or event. Students possessing dangerous objects shall
be required to surrender the weapon immediately and shall be subject to
disciplinary action including arrest by law enforcement agencies.
Students
who are aware of or have knowledge of an individual possessing a dangerous
weapon on campus are required to report the information to the appropriate
Principal or the Superintendent---immediately.
BOOK
BAGS
Please
use good judgment in selecting a book bag for use at ISBVI. Keep in mind that overly large bags and cases
on rollers can become a mobility hazard for others as well as yourself. Your book locker should be used for book
storage. If the location of your assigned book locker is inconvenient for use
between classes, please see your Teacher of Record for a possible reassignment.
All
lockers made available for student use on the school premises, including
lockers located in the hallways, physical education and athletic dressing rooms
are the property of the
These
lockers are made available for student use in storing school supplies and
personal items necessary for use at school, but the lockers are not to be used
to store items which cause, or can reasonably be foreseen to cause, an
interference with school purposes or an educational function, or which are
forbidden by state law or school rules.
The
student’s use of the locker does not diminish the school’s ownership or control
of the locker. ISBVI retains the right
to inspect the locker and its contents to insure that the locker is being used
in accordance with its intended purpose, to eliminate fire or other hazards,
maintain sanitary conditions, attempt to locate lost or stolen materials and to
prevent use of the locker to store prohibited or dangerous materials such as
weapons, illegal drugs or alcohol.
Lockers
are to be used to store school supplies and personal items necessary for use at
school. Lockers shall not be used to
store “contraband” which are items that cause, or can reasonably be foreseen to
cause, an interference with school purposes or an educational function, or
which are forbidden by state law or school rules, such as drugs (including
medicine for which a student has a current prescription or common cold or
headache medicine sold over the counter), drug paraphernalia, beverage
containing alcohol, weapon, any volatile substance, bomb or explosive devise,
any acid or pungent or nauseous chemical, any library book not properly checked
out or overdue, unreturned gym or athletic equipment, any wet or mildewing
articles or any stolen items. Students will be expected to keep their lockers
in a clean and orderly manner.
Do
not share lockers!
The school retains
the right to inspect lockers to insure they are being maintained in accordance
with the conditions of rules stated above.
All inspections of student lockers shall be conducted by the Principal
or a member of the administrative/education staff designated in writing by the
Principal.
The
inspection of a particular student’s locker will not be conducted unless the
principal or his designee has a reasonable suspicion to believe that the locker
to be inspected contains contraband.
Before a particular student’s locker is inspected, the student (or
students), if present on the school premises, shall, where possible, be
conducted and given the opportunity to be present during the inspection unless
circumstances require that the inspection be conducted without delay in order
to protect the health and safety of others present on school premises. Whenever an individual student’s locker has
been inspected under this rule without the student’s presence, the principal or
his designee shall notify the student of such inspection as soon as practical
thereafter.
An
inspection of all lockers in the school or all lockers in a particular area of
the school, may be conducted if the Principal, Superintendent or Residential Supervisor
reasonably believes that such an inspection is necessary to prevent, impede or
substantially reduce the risk of
(1) an
interference with school purposes or an educational function,
(2)
a physical injury or illness to any
person,
(3)
damage to personal or school property,
or
(4)
a violation of state law or school
rules.
Examples
of circumstances justifying a general inspection of a number of lockers are:
(a)
When the school receives a bomb threat;
(b) When evidence of student drug or alcohol use creates
a reasonable belief of a high level of student use;
(c) At the end of grading period, and before or during
school holidays to check for missing books, or lab chemicals or school
equipment;
(d) Where student violence creates a reasonable belief
that weapons are stored in lockers.
If
a general inspection of a number of lockers is necessary, then all
lockers in the defined inspection area will be examined. Students will not necessarily be given the
opportunity to be present while a general inspection is being conducted.
The
Principal or Superintendent may request the assistance of law enforcement
officials to assist the school administrators in inspecting lockers or their
contents for purposes of enforcing school policies only if such assistance is
required:
(1)
to identify substances which may be found in the lockers; or
(2) to protect the health and safety of personnel or
property, such as to aid in the discovery and disarming of bombs which may be
located in the lockers.
If
a law enforcement official requests to inspect a student’s locker or its
contents, the Principal shall require the production of a search warrant before
the inspection. If a law enforcement
official requests the Principal to make an inspection of a locker or its
contents on behalf or in place of such an official, the request shall be
denied. However, upon request of law
enforcement officials, the school official may secure the locker and its
contents for a reasonable period of time in order to permit the law enforcement
official an opportunity to obtain a search warrant.
Nothing
in these locker rules shall affect members of the ISBVI housekeeping or
maintenance staff who repair defective lockers or clean out or supervise the
cleaning schedule, (a) lockers from time to time in accordance with a posted
general housekeeping schedule; (b) the locker of a student no longer enrolled
in the school; or (c) a locker during a vacation period which is reasonably
believed to contain rotting items such as food, wet clothes, etc.
School
locks, available from the ISBVI
A
copy of these locker rules shall be provided to each student and his/her
parents or guardian at the start of each school year or as soon as practical
after the student’s enrollment in ISBVI through the Parent/Student Handbook. Copies of these locker rules shall be
available in the Principal’s Office.
Please
refrain from giving your locker combination to other individuals, as this tends
to compound the problem of persons getting into other student’s lockers.
Remember: you are issued a locker and you are the only
person who should know the combination to your personally purchased lock;
protect this security---it is for your own good. If there is a problem with your lock or
locker, report it to the Education Office.
MEDICAL
PARENTAL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR MEDICAL CARE
Health
care of students is primarily a parental concern and responsibility. The
PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS USED IN SCHOOL
Given
the potential danger and possible harm of 1) a student unknowingly or knowingly
taking medication prescribed for another student, or 2) students not taking or
exceeding the dosage of medication prescribed for them, the Superintendent is
charged with implementing this policy through the school
Students
will be instructed, encouraged, and carefully monitored by the nursing staff in
the
All
prescription and non-prescription over-the-counter medications, including
vitamins, must be kept in the
ISBVI
COMMON CARRIER TRANSPORTATION
1. Student’s Name __________________________________________________________
2. Type of Medication Sent
___________________________________________________
3. Amount of Medication Sent
_________________________________________________
4. From Parent or Nurse ______________________________________________________
5. Given to Driver or Aide
_____________________________________________________
6. Date Received
____________________________________________________________
7. Received by
______________________________________________________________
Per
Please
mark your calendar for the time that you have sent in a 30 day supply in order
to remember to refill the medicine. If
your prescription is current, then you should notify your pharmacy of your
need. You do not need to have the old
bottle in order to obtain a refill. You
may request that we send a reminder home or call you.
Non-prescription
medicines must be sent in original packaging and will be given according to
package directions unless we have a written order from a doctor. Written parental/guardian consent must be
included. If there is no doctor’s order
and the medicine is deemed contraindicated for your child, the medicine will
not be given.
Medications
should be given at home for day students except for doses required during the
school day, unless it will adversely affect classroom performance.
A
student with a doctor’s written permission, parental/guardian written
permission and approval by the Superintendent and
High
School (9th to 12th) students may transport medications
home if the
All
students will be required to take a physical examination, to be completed by
the family physician, a minimum of once every three (3) years. High School students participating in
athletics will be required to have a yearly IHSAA examination. This yearly examination should be given by
the family physician. Information from
all exams should be sent to the ISBVI
IMMUNIZATION
REQUIREMENTS 2009-2010
According
to the Indiana State Department of Health, in addition to previously required immunizations,
ALL students must provide documentation of:
* 3 doses of Hepatitis B
* 2 doses of Mumps
* 1 dose of Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine
OR a written note signed by the parent/guardian indicating the date of the chicken pox disease.
***********************************************************************
All
students attending Indiana public schools are required by law (P.L.103, 150,AND
205) to be immunized against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, measles,
rubella, poliomyelitis, mumps, Hepatitis B and Varicella. Measles, rubella and
mumps MUST be given on or after the child’s first birthday. Students are
required to have the following:
1.
Students 3-5 Years old: 4 DPT, 3 polio, 1 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B and 1
Varicella.
- Students in
Kindergarten and Grade 1: 5 DPT, 4 polio, 2 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B and 1
Varicella (chicken pox).
- Students in
Grade 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12: 3 DPT, 4 polio, 2 MMR,
3 Hepatitis B, and 1 Varicella (chicken pox).
These
requirements are necessary because of the continuing outbreaks of vaccine
preventable diseases which occur among students. The ONLY exception to these
requirements are children for whom the vaccines are medically contraindicated
or children whose parents have filed a written statement of religious
objection. All exemptions must be renewed with the school YEARLY.
Indiana
Code 20-34-4-5 (c) A child nay not be permitted to attend school beyond the
first day of school without furnishing proof of immunization or complying with
the rules for immunization exemption as stated above.
Parents
are required to submit a written statement of their child’s immunizations
complete with month, day and year given and signed by the physician, or provide
a medical record with dates of the immunizations to the school.
Meningococcal (meningitis) Requirements
It is required by state law (IC 20-30-5-18) that
each school ensures that information regarding Meningococcal (meningitis)
disease and its vaccines are provided to students and parents every school
year.
What is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria. Meningococcal disease can cause an infection
of the covering of the brain and the spinal cord (meningitis) or the
blood. The bacteria can live in the
membranes of the nose and throat, usually with no symptoms. In a small number of people, the bacteria
pass to the blood, causing either a serious infection of the blood or
meningitis.
How is it spread?
The bacteria are spread from person to person by
direct contact with an infected person’s nose or throat secretions.
What are the signs of being sick with this germ?
Illness often starts with a sudden fever, headache,
stiff neck, a rash, and possibly nausea and vomiting. An infected person may be very sick within a
few hours and should seek medical care immediately.
Who is a highest risk for getting the disease?
Babies, children and young adults are most likely to
get the disease. People living in
crowded places are at higher risk for infection. Outbreaks usually do not occur in school or
workplace settings.
Can meningococcal disease be prevented?
Yes, the disease can be prevented by good
hygiene. Cover nose and mouth when
sneezing or coughing, throw used tissues away and wash hands often.
What vaccines may prevent a child from getting this germ?
Two vaccines are available to prevent this
infection:
Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4), which is Menactra.
This vaccine is licensed in the
·
Young adolescents at the pre-adolescent visit (11-12
years old)
·
Adolescents at high school entry (about 15 years
old)
·
Groups that have a higher risk of meningococcal
disease, such as students that will be college freshmen living in dormitories.
Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (MPSV4), which
is Menomune.
This vaccine is recommended for people who have an
increased risk of disease due to certain medical conditions who are age 2 -10
years and over 55 years. People at high
risk need revaccination every 3 -5 years.
Additionally,
the Indiana State Department of Health is participating in the "Vaccinate
Before You Graduate" educational campaign in cooperation with the Indiana
Immunization Coalition. As part of that initiative, state health officials
recommend that adolescents receive the following immunizations before they
graduate from high school:
- Hepatitis b
- Meningococcal
Meningitis
- Influenza (if at
high risk)
- Tetanus-diphtheria
(Td)
- Varicella
(chickenpox, if needed)
MEDICAL
ADMISSIONS IN HEALTH CENTER
The
nursing staff may admit a student as an inpatient, using Guidelines for
Admissions in the Physician Standing Orders for the
1. Temperature
over 100
2. Severe
vomiting
3. Severe
diarrhea
4. Rash
5. Seizures
6. Post
E.R. care -- leg elevations, etc.
7. If
nurses' evaluation indicates
STAFF
NOTIFICATION OF ADMISSIONS
Depending
on the time of day, the
PARENT
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
The
nursing staff is responsible for notification of parents/guardians when their
child is sent to the
1. A
student is to be retained in the Health Center overnight. If the Health Center is unable to contact
parents by 10:00 p.m., a call will be made the following morning.
2. A
student is taken to a local hospital for evaluation of an injury that may
require sutures, x-rays, etc.
THE
NURSE WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT PARENTS/GUARDIANS BY PHONE PRIOR TO OFF CAMPUS
TREATMENT USING PHONE NUMBERS PROVIDED ON THE REGISTRATION FORM.
MEDICAL
DISMISSALS FROM
DISMISSALS TO HOME
The
nursing staff arrange for students to go home when deemed necessary, using
Guidelines for Dismissal Home in the Standing Orders for the
1. Child has
been observed in the
2. When a child
is to be released from the
3. If a child is
admitted to the
4. Attempts to
send a child home are made with consideration of the child's age, home
situation, i.e. distance, available transportation.
DISMISSALS (RETURN) TO SCHOOL/DORM
When
a student has been an inpatient in the
RETURN
TO SCHOOL AFTER ILLNESS
Students
returning to school after being absent due to illness may be required to check
in with the
MINOR
ACCIDENTS
Students
with minor accidents are evaluated and treated by the nurse. Instructions to student on proper care will
be given.
In
the event that a student or staff member is exposed to blood through a human
bite or other source, both parties will be required to be tested for HIV
Antibody Screen, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, and Hepatitis C AB. Parents will be required to take student for
testing within 72 hours of incident; a prescription for the testing will be
provided.
HEAD
LICE
When
a student is diagnosed with head lice, parents will be notified. Any child
found to have an active case of head lice will be sent home for the recommended
treatment. Children with lice will not
be permitted to return to school until they are lice free. The
If a student is prescribed medication by the Nurse Practitioner, parents
will be notified. The cost of the
prescription is the responsibility of the parents. Arrangements for payment will be decided at
the time parents are notified.
STUDENTS' RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
"Our privileges can be no greater than our
obligations. The
protection of rights can
endure no longer than the performance of
our responsibilities."
J. F. Kennedy
Most
students do not realize that, even as minors, they have rights. A small minority of students, however, are
quick to point out and demand their rights while ignoring that they also have responsibilities.