Parent Handbook

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

Orange Charter School receives a small amount of Title I Targeted Assistance money from the Federal Government.  You as a parent have the right to inquire about the qualifications of your student's teachers at any time.  You may call the front office at 919-644-6272 and we will instruct you on the process of obtaining that information.

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

 

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

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

 

I. ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS

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

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

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

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

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

 

II. PICK UP AND DROP OFF

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

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

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

IMPORTANT
OCS does not have an after-school program. Classroom teachers remain with students until 3:00 PM. Students not picked up by 3:00 will be escorted to the office/lobby area. If you are going to be late picking up a student (i.e. after 3:00), please call the school office. If a student is picked up late three (3) times during a semester, the Department of Social Services will be notified

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

 

III. VISITORS & PARENT VOLUNTEERS

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

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

 

IV. PARENT/SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

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

Materials Sent Home with Students

Any printed material sent home from school with students must have prior approval of the principal.

Inclement Weather

Notices of closing or delayed opening due to inclement weather will be posted on the school website and with television stations WRAL and WTVD. In addition, the school will use its telephone notification system to inform families of closings or delayed openings.

 

V. MANAGEMENT OF STUDENT CONDUCT

Click here for the current OCS Discipline Policy

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

TITLE I TARGETED ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Orange Charter School intends to use Title I Targeted Assistance funds to help ensure that achievement gains made in mathematics in recent years are maintained. The funds will pay part of the salary of a mathematics assistant for grades five through eight. The assistant helps identified students during regular math classes and in study periods to make sure that they understand the material and have ample opportunity to ask questions.

Students will be identified by their teachers at the beginning of the school year based on previous EOG scores in math, EVAAS at-risk status and classroom performance. Letters will be sent to parents asking for permission to include their children in the program. Teachers will explain the program to parents at the fall open house and through email, phone calls or letters for those who are unable to attend the open house.

Title I Parent Involvement Policy

Orange Charter School believes that the education of children is a cooperative effort between parents and schools. Parents are their children’s first teachers, and involvement by parents improves the educational achievement of their children. We believe that the involvement of Title I parents increases the effectiveness of the program and contributes significantly to the success of the children

Parents (or their representatives) of eligible Title I children shall be invited to an annual meeting to participate in the joint development of the school’s Title I Targeted Assistance Plan. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the program provided with Title I funds. The Parent Involvement Policy and School plan will be made available for all parents of eligible Title I children to review and provide feedback. Parents shall have adequate opportunity to participate in the design and implementation of the project.

Parents will be given the opportunity to confer with their child’s Title I instructor. Parents will be informed of the program that has been designed for their child and his/her progress will be reported. Parents will be encouraged to visit the Title I classrooms and to volunteer in school activities.

Orange Charter School will build capacity for strong parental involvement by:

Providing the school policy for every child. Translations and oral communication will be used to inform parents with language barriers and/or disabilities.

Coordinating and integrating the parent involvement activities with other programs offered at the school.

Offering flexible schedules for meetings such as parent conferences on teacher workdays and opportunities for meetings in the evening, so that meaningful consultation may occur with parents of eligible children.

Work to provide materials and training to involve parents in the Title I activities.

Assist in the annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parent involvement policy. Use the findings of the evaluation to design strategies for more effective parental involvement.

Assist in identifying barriers to greater participation of parents.

VIII. THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Helpful Links

• Technology Plan
• Strategic Plan
• Calendar for 2013-2014
• NC School Report Card
• Enrollment Information

2012-2013 Enrollment Packet

Need an application for our school? The 2012-2013 Enrollment Packet is available here.