Concord Community Schools

ELEMENTARY BUILDING SCHEDULE

Student Arrival Time: 7:05 am - Students may enter the building at the sound of the bell.

Class Start Time: 7:25 am

Student Tardy: Students arriving after the 7:25 am bell will be considered tardy.

School End Time: 2:15 pm

Tardy bell is in effect at each building’s start time (see above).  If your child eats breakfast, please allow time needed to insure your child is in class on time.  Cafeteria stops serving hot breakfast at 7:20 am.

MEAL SERVICE

The Mealtime program is used in all Concord Schools.  Your account number will remain the same; do not share your number with anyone.  New students will receive account numbers when they first enroll at a Concord school.  Students may use cash or check to deposit money into their lunch accounts at any time.

Cost for Breakfast - $1.50 

Cost for Lunch - $2.40

Hot Breakfast time: 7:05 - 7:20 am

ATTENDANCE

School Attendance Policy

It is imperative that students attend school every day in order to maximize their education. Many important lessons result from active participation in classroom and other school activities which cannot be replaced by individual study. The school is also concerned about helping students develop a high quality work ethic which will be a significant factor in their success with future employers. One of the most important work habits that employers look for in hiring and promoting a worker is his/her dependability in coming to work every day and on time. This is a habit the school wants to help students develop as early as possible in their school careers.

IC 20-33-2 Compulsory attendance; parent’s responsibility/duty:

The Indiana Compulsory Attendance law IC 20-8.1-6.1 requires that every child must attend either a public school or some other school which is taught in the English language and is open to inspection by certain state and local officials. The age for attendance is established as the age of seven (7) until the date of the age of sixteen (16). It is unlawful for a parent to fail, neglect, or refuse to ensure that a child attends school as required by law. A person who knowingly violates this law commits a Class D felony.

Parents may elect to provide private or home school education for the full term as required as long as the child is being provided with instruction equivalent to that given in public schools; however, the parent must withdraw the student from public school if these options are selected. If the violation is not terminated not more than one (1) school day after written notice is given or if another violation is committed during the notice period, no further notice is necessary. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.

Another area of confusion concerns the terms mandatory and required as pertaining to kindergarten attendance. Even though it is not mandatory that children attend kindergarten, once a child is enrolled in kindergarten, the child is required to adhere to all state statutes and local school board rules, including attendance guidelines.

According to the Indiana Department of Education, habitual truancy includes students absent ten (10) days or more from school within a school year without being excused.  The Indiana Department of Education considers chronic absenteeism to include students absent from school for ten percent or more of a school year for ANY reason, excused or unexcused.

EXCESSIVE ABSENCE PROCEDURES

Three (3) Excused/Unexcused Absences

• Parent is notified by text message and email message of student's pattern of absenteeism.

   

Six (6) Excused/Unexcused Absences

• Parent is notified by text message and email message of student's pattern of absenteeism.

• Building administration conducts an informal attendance hearing with the parent and/or student.

• Referral is made to Concord's Attendance Officer to schedule a formal attendance hearing.

   

Eight (8) Excused/Unexcused Absences

• Parent is notified by text message and email message of student's pattern of absenteeism.

• Formal attendance hearing is held with parent, student, administration, student's counselor and Concord's Attendance Officer.

• CCSPD conducts home visit to follow-up on welfare of the student.

Ten (10) Excused/Unexcused Absences

• Parent is notified by text message and email message of student's pattern of absenteeism.

• Department of Child Services referral is made concerning the students' excessive absences.

• CCSPD conducts home visit to follow-up on welfare of the student.

• Junior high school and high school refer student to Elkhart County's Chronic Truancy Intervention Program (CTIP) for a Level 2 intervention through probation.

   

Truancy

Unexcused absence from school (truancy) is not acceptable. Students who are truant may receive no credit for school work that is missed. After 10 days of truancy in any school year, a student will be considered a “habitual truant” which may result in:

1. assignment to an alternative placement with loss of participation in school activities and events such as after school activities and clubs.

2. a report to juvenile authorities;

3. a report to local authorities concerning lack of parental responsibility in providing proper care and supervision of a child.

Any student who is absent from school for all or any part of the day without a legitimate excuse shall be considered truant, and the student and his/her parents shall be subject to the truancy laws of the state. If a student, under the age of eighteen (18), is truant for more than 10 days during a school year, s/he will be considered an “habitual” truant and may be reported to the proper authorities and to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for suspension of his/her driver’s license.

Early Dismissal

No student will be allowed to leave school prior to dismissal time without either a written request signed by the parent or the parent contacting the school office to personally request the release.  Parents need to notify the school office by 1:30pm of any changes for the day.

Exempt Absences

Students may be excused from school for one of the following reasons and will be provided an opportunity to make up missed school work and/or tests:

1. bona-fide religious holiday (IC 20-33-2-19)

2. Study Trip (IC 20-33-2-17.5)

3. statutory reasons as provided by Indiana Code:

   • Service as a page or as an honoree of the general assembly (IC 20-33-2-14)

   • Service on precinct election board or for political candidates or parties (IC 20-33-2-15)

   • Witness in judicial proceeding (IC 20-33-2-16)

   • Duty with Indiana National Guard (IC 20-33-2-17)

   • Disability in extremely limited circumstances (IC 20-33-2-46)

Excused Absences 

Students with a health condition that causes repeated absence are to provide the school office with an explanation of the condition from a licensed physician. Excused absences are absences that have been verified by a parent/guardian.  These may include personal illness, death in the immediate family, and professional appointments that cannot be scheduled at non-school times.  (IC 20-33-2-18)

Notification of Absence

If a student is going to be absent, the parents must contact the attendance office by 8:30 AM and provide an explanation. If prior contact is not possible, the parents should provide a written excuse. When no excuse is provided, the absence will be unexcused, and the student will be considered truant. If your child is seen by a medical professional causing the child to be tardy or absent, submit documentation upon return to school. In case of illness and/or injury, if the absence lasts beyond five (5) days, a doctor’s statement will be required for verification. A student with a serious medical condition should have a medical report on file. Medically documented absences may not count towards the accumulated excessive absences. Automated phone calls for absent students will be sent out at 9:00am.

If the absence of a student appears to be questionable or excessive, the school staff will work with the parents to improve their child’s attendance. The skipping of classes may result in disciplinary action.

Transfer Students and Attendance

After 10 unexcused absences Concord may discontinue the enrollment of a transfer student for the following school year. IDOE

Suspension from School

Absence from school due to suspension shall be considered an authorized absence, neither excused nor unexcused.

A suspended student will be responsible for make-up school work missed due to suspension upon return to school. It is recommended that a student complete missed assignments during the suspension and turn them into the teacher upon his/her return from the suspension. Assignments may be obtained from the classroom teacher beginning with the first day of a suspension. Make-up of missed tests may be scheduled when the student returns to school. The student will be given credit for properly-completed assignments and a grade on any made-up tests.

Special Absences 

A request for special absences must be made in writing by the parent at least 24 hours prior to the beginning of the absence of the student. If the 24-hour notification is not followed, the absence will be considered unexcused.

1. Religious Observances:
   On occasion a student’s sincere religious beliefs may require him/her to be absent from school for religious observances. Students requesting leave under this rule should submit the documentation substantiating the need for absence from the clergy of a legally recognized religious sect in order to have the absences considered excused.
   Note: This policy allows for absences for official religious observations and does not include elective participation in church-related activities.

2. College, Military Visits, and Job Shadowing:
   Concord Community Schools recognizes the occasional need for students to take time off for the purpose of exploring post-secondary options. The following guidelines will help determine if the request will be considered an excused or unexcused absence regarding college visitation:

• Only juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for visitation days. 

• Requests for these visitations will not be granted during a time when important events are happening at Concord, such as test dates, performance dates, final exams, etc.

• Visitation requests will not be granted to extend a vacation, such as Christmas or spring break.

• Obtain and submit the appropriate visitation request form in the Attendance or Student Services Office at least 24 hours in advance of the intended visitation date to obtain the necessary signatures.

• The authorized representative of the college, military, or employer must sign the request form that is turned in to the Attendance Office upon return to school. Failure to turn in the completed visitation request form may result in an unexcused absence being entered for the student.

  Visitation requests cannot be granted if the student is in danger of reaching six (6) days absence per trimester.

Tardies to School

Being prompt as well as completing the school day are life skills that are emphasized at Concord Community Schools. Tardies are defined as not being in an assigned room when the bell rings at 7:25am. Students are considered tardy if they report to their classroom between 7:25am-7:40am. Schools and teachers are encouraged to consider promptness as a part of their classroom management plan and may take individual disciplinary action beyond the normal tardy policy.  Excessive tardies will result in official notice mailed home and possible conference with school administration.

Make-up of Tests and Other School Work

Students who are excusably absent from school shall be given the opportunity to make up work that has been missed. The student should contact the teacher as soon as possible to obtain assignments.

Students will be given the number of days of excused absence within which to make up work.

If a student misses a teacher’s test due to an excused absence, s/he may make arrangements with the teacher to take the test. If a student has an unverified absence or truancy, the teacher’s policy may allow the student to make up the missed test, or it may prohibit the make-up work. If s/he misses  NWEA, ILEARN, IREAD or other standardized test, the parent and/or student should consult with the Teacher or Test Coordinator to arrange to take the test. Some standardized tests may not be made up because of state regulations.

Student Attendance at School Events

The school encourages students to attend as many school events held after school as possible, without interfering with their school work and home activities. Enthusiastic spectators help to build school spirit and encourage those students who are participating in the event. Students who are absent from school that day may only attend the event with administrative permission. However, in order to ensure that students attending evening events as non-participants are properly safeguarded, all students must be accompanied by an adult when they attend the event. The school will not be able to supervise unaccompanied students nor will it be responsible for students who arrive without an adult chaperone. The school will continue to provide adequate supervision for all students who are participants in a school activity.

ELEMENTARY GRADING

Concord’s elementary schools use a grading system that shares with parents the student’s skills compared to the state standards with a separate grade to show how much effort the students put into their schoolwork in a particular subject. Examples of skills grades include quizzes, tests, and final drafts of writing; skills grades reflect whether students are right or wrong with on-grade-level material, not homework and practice work. Effort grades reflect practice and should be scored for completion, which reflects effort, regardless of how the student performs; effort grades may also include participation grades. Teachers can answer specifics of how they enter grades.

Skills Grades:

A – 90% or higher

B – 80-89%

C – 70-79%

K-4: BGL* – 50-69% 

*BGL = Below Grade Level

Effort Grades:

P (Pass) = 70-100%

NI (Needs Improvement) = 60-69% 

F (Fail**) = <60%

**Fail begins in Grade 3; prior to that, NI is used <70%

Kindergarten Grades

In kindergarten, a skills grade is given as OGL (on grade level) or BGL (below grade level) for language arts and math, overall; kindergarten grades are not based on averages but reflect the teacher’s professional judgment based on skills assessments given in class. In addition, teachers send home a skills report showing how each child performs on the specific skills required in kindergarten. Personal development grades are reported to communicate student performance on the skills necessary for success in school: P (pass) NI (needs improvement).

 STUDENT ASSESSMENT

To measure student progress, students will be tested in accordance with State standards and corporation policy.

Additional group tests are given to students to monitor progress and determine educational mastery levels. These tests are used to help the staff determine instructional needs.

Classroom tests will be used to assess student progress and assign grades. These are selected or prepared by teachers to assess how well the students have achieved specific objectives.

Vocational and interest surveys may be given to identify particular areas of student interest or talent. These are often given by the guidance staff.

If necessary, intelligence tests, speech and language evaluations, individually administered achievement tests, and other special testing services are available to students needing these services. Depending on the type of testing, specific information and/or parent consent may need to be obtained. The school will not violate the rights of consent and privacy of a student participating in any form of evaluation.

The Department of Education requires that Concord Community Schools must take the responsibility to notify all members of the school community of the test security measures in each school building. Therefore, with any standardized test taken by students, it is important that students, parents, and staff members understand that at no time should test materials, test questions, or student responses be discussed in any manner unless and until such materials are released by the Indiana Department of Education. Please feel free to contact the building administrator with any questions or concerns regarding test security.

HOMEWORK

Title 511 of IAC 6.1-5-9 defines homework as an out-of-school assignment that contributes to the educational process of the student. Homework shall be viewed as an extension of class work and related to the objectives of the curriculum.

The assignment of homework can be expected. Student grades will reflect the completion of all work, including outside assignments. Homework is also part of the student’s preparation for the assessment tests.

REQUEST FOR STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS

A student must be absent for at least 24 hours before requesting that school assignments be collected. Parent(s) can contact teacher(s) through e-mail via the website (concordschools.com) to request homework.  A minimum of one full school day should be allowed to give staff members the necessary time to write out assignments, collect appropriate materials, and deliver them to the Main Office. Parents can pick up this collected information during regular school hours. Assignments may be available in SeeSaw or Canvas.

STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

An intervention team, composed of teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators provides a variety of options in helping students who are experiencing academic, behavioral, or social difficulties. This team collects and evaluates objective data about students who are referred by school staff, students, parents, or community sources. Strategies are developed to help teachers, students, and families work together more positively and productively. Follow-up contacts assess the effectiveness of these recommended strategies.

Personal Communication Device Policy (K-4)

At the elementary buildings, Personal Communication Devices are to remain silenced and in their backpack, locker, etc.   Any student use of Personal Communication Devices in the educational setting will be at the discretion of school administrators and classroom teachers. As students continue academic and social growth it is essential that they become fluent and responsible digital citizens of technology. The goal of these policies  is to provide students with safe access to technology resources to support their academic growth. Possession of a cellular telephone or other electronic device by a student is a privilege, which may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of this policy, or otherwise engages in misuse of this privilege.The following policies apply at all times while on school premises including school buses or at school sponsored events, regardless of the location.  

No student shall knowingly use a PCD (Personal Communication Devices such as, but not limited to, cellular phone, tablet computer, smartwatch, pager, music device, digital camera, electronic equipment, etc.) to violate any student code of conduct, including the district technology agreement and/or bullying, harassment, and threat policies. The misuse of PCDs in a manner which constitutes an interference with a school purpose, educational function, invasion of privacy, or act of academic dishonesty; or is profane, indecent, or obscene is not allowed and may result in consequences including loss of technology privileges as well as suspension and/or expulsion from school. Personal Communication Devices are prohibited during any school testing or assessments. 

Photographing, audio recording, video recording or otherwise recording individuals without their permission is strictly prohibited in Concord Community Schools.  Any student sending, portraying, sharing, possessing inappropriate pictures or videos of themselves or of other people will be considered in violation of the Concord Community Schools code of conduct. Progressive discipline and appropriate consequences may be assigned.

If school personnel have reasonable suspicion to believe a student has violated a school rule or policy through using a PCD, that device may be confiscated and subject to reasonable search by School Administration.  Confiscated items will be placed in the main office and parents may be contacted and required to pick up the confiscated item from the main office.  School administration may refer the matter to law enforcement if the violation involves an illegal activity which may result in law enforcement confiscation of a student’s electronic device. 

If a student violates the Personal Communication Device Policy and refuses to turn over their electronic device, they will be considered insubordinate and progressive discipline with appropriate consequences will be assigned.  

When Personal Communication Devices are brought to school, students bring these items at their own risk. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged cell phones or other Personal Communication Devices.  

Academic and learning supports: To ensure fair and equal opportunities, students may use district-approved AI/NLP tools as a learning aid when used ethically and responsibly. The district allows the use of approved AI tools that support learning, skill development, and accessibility. AI should be used as a supplement to, not a substitute for, critical thinking and independent problem-solving.

Concord elementary schools follow all policies outlined in the Student Behavior Standards for Concord Community Schools.  These policies can be found under the Student Behavior section of the Student Handbook page on the District Website.  The information below provides additional policies related to all Concord elementary schools.

Elementary Links (K-4th grade)

• K- 2-SeeSaw  to help with Parent Communication and Homework

• Canvas- Grades 3 and up  will be used to help with Parent Communication and Homework.   Canvas Parent Resource

• Jamf-Application to download Apps.  Apps must be approved by school board.

• Powerschool -  K-12 Grades will be posted on this App. 

Secondary Links

• Powerschool link:  PowerSchool Parent Resource

• Digital Learning Resource page

• Jamf-Application to download Apps.  Apps must be approved by school board.

• Qustodio-App where parents can monitor student devices. 

• Canvas link:  Canvas Parent Resource

Enroll your student in Concord Community Schools

Attendance and Truancy Prevention Policies 

Transportation 

• Requesting Transportation

• Bus policies and procedures

• Parent transportation 

  • Individualized drop off/pick up procedures based on school  

• Self transportation 

  • Student driver expectations

School Meals 

Free and Reduced Lunch form

Lunch Account Information

Daily School Schedule

Academics 

• Curriculum 

• Testing 

• Multi-Tiered Systems and Supports/Interventions and Special Education supports

Students rights/responsibilities 

Student Expectations 

• Dress Code

• Behavior/Discipline 

• Gang Involvement/Enforcement 

• Bullying policy 

• Cell phone/personal electronic devices

Technology

• Responsible use policy

• Information about student devices 

• Cost to replace devices 

Social Media Policies and Digital Citizenship 

Nurse and Immunization Information  

School Safety

 CCS Statement on Threats 

Student Activities

• Clubs/after school activities 

Athletics