Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to Cedar Crest Intermediate School!  

Cedar Crest Intermediate is a school designed for all 5th and 6th-grade students of Southeast Dubois County School Corporation.  The purpose of this handbook is to familiarize you with the school policies and practices of Cedar Crest Intermediate School and hopefully reduce any misunderstandings concerning expectations. Information in the handbook is broad and general in nature and is not intended to answer specific, individual questions. Also, all rules and policies in this handbook apply to all school-related activities.

CCI is a great school to learn, grow, and become the best version of yourself!  We invite you to be an active and contributing member of our school family!  You are a vital part of our school team. Together, students, parents, and teachers can achieve great things for our school and community.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Williams and Staff

Table of Contents

Academics

Cedar Crest Intermediate’s curriculum is centered on the  Indiana Academic Standards for the appropriate grade levels.  The standards are available for review at school or online at the Indiana Department of Education Internet site http://www.doe.in.gov/standards.  

Homework

Students are encouraged to use classroom and/or study time effectively to minimize the amount of homework.  

Parents are encouraged to monitor student progress and completion of homework daily.  Assignments missed due to absence are the responsibility of the student.  Students should meet with teachers upon returning to school and complete missed assignments promptly.

Setting and pursuing SMART goals and using school planners will help students organize their time and help parents monitor the completion of work.

Grading Scale

Grades are available for viewing by parents on the student platform account for core subjects (Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies) by going to the Progress Page.  Detailed supporting grades are available by clicking on the subject name.

Grades/progress for all other areas (Reading, Spelling, Art, Music, Band, PE, etc.) is available on Harmony.  Grades for all core subjects will be added to Harmony at the end of the school year.

School Visitors (and student after 7:50 A.M.)

All visitors (and students arriving after the start of the school day) are to report to the school office near the South Main Entrance, Door 1.   All doors to the school are locked during the school day.   A doorbell system is located on the right-hand side of the set of doors.  After pressing the doorbell, please identify yourself and state your reason for visiting.  When the door is unlocked you will hear a click.  Pull open the door on the right. Upon entering the building, stop by the office to check-in.

Attendance

When a student is unable to attend school due to illness or other causes, parents/guardians are required to notify your child’s homeroom teacher and school office by 7:50. Please note parent name, student name, homeroom teacher, and reason for absence.

If a student needs to leave school during the day for a health-related appointment, please give your homeroom teacher and the school office advance notice of the appointment and time.  This will allow staff to prepare for departure and missed schoolwork.  Students shall be picked up at the office (Door 1).  If someone other than a parent/guardian or person with permission (with a signed note on file at the office) is picking up the student, special directions to permit the child to leave must be received from the parent/guardian.  No student shall be released to someone other than a parent/guardian or another pre-approved person.

Please contact the office at 812-817-0900 Extension 2 or holli.land@sedubois.k12.in.us

Doctors’ notes are required for health-related appointments

EXCUSED and UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

An absence will be considered EXCUSED if any of the following criteria are met:

1. The student has authorization in writing from a licensed person in the legal or medical profession. Documentation should be submitted to the office no later than the second  day after returning to school.
2. Death in the immediate family.
3. Special situation as determined by the Principal or the Principal’s designee.

1. A special excused absence may be granted in a few cases for an absence other than the aforementioned reasons. The Principal, prior to the absence, must approve this absence.
2. Students going on trips will be excused only if the student will be absent no more than (5) five school days and the student will be accompanied on the trip by a parent or legal guardian.

4. Any absence that is excused per Indiana Code 20-33-2.
5. A parent calls within 24 hours of the absence or a signed note by the parent excusing the absence. There is a limit of 10  parent call-ins or parent notes per school year.  Any absence after that must be covered by numbers 1, 2, 3, or 4 listed above, or the absence will be considered unexcused.

If the school does not receive a call from a parent or guardian notifying them of the student’s absence, a phone call may be made to inquire and confirm the need to be absent. If the cause for the absence is within the above-mentioned regulations, the student will be given an excused absence.

An UNEXCUSED absence is any absence not covered by numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 above.  

• Student work will not receive full credit on the days of unexcused absences.
• After 10 unexcused absences in a semester, credit may be withheld for the semester.

• Unexcused absences do not reset after the first semester.

• Students who violate the attendance policy will be reported to the Dubois County Juvenile Probation officer as a habitual truant.
• Students who accumulate 7 unexcused absences over the period of one academic year will be referred to the Dubois County Project Attend.  Project Attend is a program designed to reduce absenteeism through informal meetings between parents, school officials, court officials, and other interested parties. Project Attend reducing the necessity for further formal Court filings, investigations, criminal or delinquency charges, and/or further household and school environment disruptions due to school absences.

Once a student is reported as a habitual truant, all future absences must be certified by a legal or medical professional.

Homework Assignments during Absences

All students are expected to complete work assigned to them. During an absence, it is important the student accepts the responsibility of completing any missed assignments. The student is responsible to contact the teacher to obtain missed work. This could include completing work in google classroom, making arrangements for another student to pick up missed assignments, or requesting that assignments be made available for pick in the office at the end of the school day.  In the case of an excused absence, work must be satisfactorily completed to receive credit.

Tardies

Students are expected to arrive at their assigned classes on time.  Students who fail to arrive on time shall receive a penalty determined by the teacher. Students who are habitually tardy shall be referred to the office for disciplinary measures. Tardies and absences are recorded based on the following schedule:

• Less than 2.5 hours =marked as tardy
• 2.5 hours - 4 hours = half day absence
• Anything over 4 hours = full day absence

Daily Schedule

Students may begin arriving 20 minutes before the start of the instructional day and stay 20 minutes after the instructional day.  Supervision will be provided during these times.  The first dismissal is at 2:45 P.M. to meet the transportation requirements of the school corporation.  The remaining students continue instructional time.  Students who ride a shuttle bus should arrive at CCI no later than 7:25.

Student Well-being

Rights and Responsibilities of Students

All students are entitled to enjoy the basic rights of citizenship recognized and protected by law for persons of their age and maturity.  The school shall foster a climate of mutual respect for the rights of others.  Each student is expected to respect the rights and privileges of other students, teachers, other staff, and administrators.  

Rules of conduct and discipline are established to achieve and maintain order in the school.  Students who violate the rights of others or who violate school rules shall be subject to disciplinary measures designed to correct the misconduct, return our school to positive and peaceful order, and promote good citizenship.

Our School Corporation Code of Conduct, Rights, Responsibilities, and Regulations Concerning School Behavior of Students are included below and is the detailed plan for all our students.  

Behavior Expectations  

Each teacher will develop a set of norms to follow while in that classroom.  These norms will vary due to teaching styles and techniques.  In addition, norms will be established for student behavior outside the regular classroom (hallways, gym, cafeteria, recess, etc.).  

Positive student behavior, attitude, and work ethic are expected and shall be acknowledged regularly.  

Weapons of any kind are prohibited on school property, buses, or at any school-related activity.  (This includes pocket knives.)

Possible Consequences   *The nature of the infraction and the frequency of infractions will guide consequences

• Conference with parent and student (phone or in person)
• Recess/lunch detention
• In-school suspension
• After-school detention
• Saturday School
• Out-of-school suspension
• Expulsion.

Drugs and Alcohol

It is in violation of school corporation guidelines to

1. Use, possess, provide to another person, or to be under the influence of any substance which is or contains any of the

         following (but not limited to): alcohol, marijuana, stimulant, intoxicant, depressant, hallucinogen, prescription, sold

over-the-counter (without prescription), or any substance represented by the provider to be another substance (e.g.

look-a-like), on school grounds at any time or any school-sponsored activity at any location, including the school bus. Under

the influence shall mean that the student has the presence of an illegal substance or residue of an illegal substance due to

consumption, injection or prior use within body systems and the substance alters the individual’s normal behavior or the

individual tests positive for the presence of an illegal substance(s) beyond a level of zero.

2. Use, possess, or provide to any person anything used or designed to be used primarily for the storage, possession, delivery, or

consumption of alcohol, marijuana, stimulants, intoxicants, narcotics, depressants, hallucinogens, prescription medicines,

whether on school premises at any time, or any school-sponsored activity at any location, including the school bus.

Examples of things that are not to be possessed or provided to another person are: pills of any kind, pipes, rolling papers, clips, vapes or vape accessories, or lighters/matches.

Smoking and Vaping

Cedar Crest Intermediate is a smoke-free and vaping-free building policy. No one is allowed to use or have any tobacco and/or vaping products on school grounds, on buses, or at related activities of the school. It is unlawful for anyone under eighteen years of age to possess, purchase, or use any type of tobacco product. If caught, students may be referred to the prosecutor of Dubois County for a fine.Students are not to carry any lighters, matches, or related articles to school at any time. Any tobacco products, vaping products, or

related articles will be confiscated and not returned.

Bullying

NO student shall be allowed to bully and/or threaten another student or staff member.  

Bullying is prohibited by Cedar Crest Intermediate and the State of Indiana.  Students who commit acts of bullying are subject to discipline including, but not limited to, suspension, expulsion, arrest, and /or prosecution.

Definition.  “Bullying” is defined as overt, unwanted, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications or images transmitted in any manner (including digitally or electronically); physical acts committed; aggression; or any other behaviors committed by a student or a group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the targeted student, creating for the targeted student an objectively hostile school environment that

1. Places the targeted student in reasonable fear of physical harm or damage to property;
2. Has a substantially detrimental effect on the targeted student’s physical or mental health;
3. Has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student’s academic performance; or
4. Has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the school.

Bullying does not include:

1. Participating in a religious event;
2. Acting in an emergency involving the protection of a person or property from an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or substantial danger;
3. Participating in an activity consisting of the exercise of a student’s freedom of speech rights;
4. Participation in an activity conducted by a nonprofit or governmental entity that provides recreation, education, training, or other care under the supervision of one or more adults;
5. Participating in an activity undertaken at the prior written direction of the student’s parent, or
6. Engaging in interstate or international travel from a location outside Indiana to another location outside of Indiana.

Applicability.  Cedar Crest prohibits bullying in all forms.  This policy may be applied regardless of the physical location in which the bullying behavior occurred, whenever the individual committing the bullying behavior and any of the intended targets of the bullying behavior are students attending a school within our school corporation and disciplinary action is reasonably necessary to avoid substantial interference with school discipline or prevent an unreasonable threat to the rights of others for a safe and peaceful learning environment.  Cedar Crest Intermediate prohibits bullying through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through any computer, computer system, or computer network.

Education.  All students may be required to receive information on anti-bullying measures.

Prevention.  All students will orally read a school-wide pledge to not engage in bullying or bullying-like behaviors with their homeroom teachers.  Bullying behaviors will be defined.  All students will be invited to sign the pledge located inside their school planner.

Reporting.   Anyone who believes that a student has possibly been or is the victim of bullying is encouraged to immediately report the situation to an appropriate staff member.  All staff members who observe or receive a report of suspected bullying shall immediately notify the principal and home-school advisor.  Bullying reports to the Department of Child Services and/or law enforcement must be made as required by law, such as when a staff member believes that a student is the victim of abuse or neglect.  Any person who makes a report of bullying and requests to remain anonymous will not be personally identified as the reporter or complainant to the extent permitted by law.  School administration will act appropriately to discipline staff members who fail to initiate or conduct an investigation for a bullying incident and for the person who falsely reports an incident of bullying.

Students may report concerns of possible bullying in person, in writing, or by electronic means.  Anonymous reports may be placed in morning student mail baskets.    However, specific details must be provided to allow for investigation.    Students are encouraged to include their names in the report and to request confidentiality so that follow-up questions can be asked by the school administration.

Threats

Upon notice of threats, if determined appropriate by school staff, parents of all students directly involved shall be informed.  State law requires that all threats made to/against staff members are to be reported to local law enforcement agencies.  

Searching of lockers, backpacks, purses, persons, etc.

Upon a reasonable suspicion that a student:

1. violated or is violating a school rule or behavioral norm contained in the student handbook;
2. has violated or is violating a particular law;
3. possesses an item or substance which presents an immediate danger of physical harm or illness to students and staff or corporation property

The principal or designee may search (1) lockers or other storage areas for student use (i.e. desks, backpacks), (2) vehicles (i.e. bikes, cars of visiting students), or (3) persons (i.e. the student’s pockets, purses; a “pat down” of the exterior of the student’s clothing and the removal of anything identified; and the removal of an article of exterior clothing such as a jacket).

Cafe Services

Our school participates in the National School Lunch Program. Menus shall be published weekly.   Prices are noted on the General Information Sheet available on registration day. Free and reduced-price meals are available based on financial need. Applications for Free and Reduced lunches are available during online registration and at the school office.  If a family has students attending more than one corporation school, only one form is required to be completed.   Information about a student’s participation is confidential.  Families who are unsure if they qualify should apply.  

Cameras

Security cameras are positioned at various locations inside and outside the school building.  Video may be used by the administration to aid in resolving discipline concerns.  Due to the confidentiality of other students, parents may not view the camera footage.

Cheating

Cheating will result in students receiving -0- credit for the graded assignment and/or test and/or project and will not be allowed to attend the Good Choices Celebration.   Additional disciplinary action may be taken in form of in-school suspension, detention, loss of recess, etc.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be offered in the fall for all students.  Please check the weekly newsletter and your email for scheduling updates.

Parent/Guardian Questions/Concerns

Parents and guardians please reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher/mentor with any questions or concerns.  Teachers have voicemail; however, they are unavailable most of the school day to respond to a phone call.  The best form of communication is email.  We will make every effort to return communication promptly.  If communication is not returned within a reasonable time please reach out again.

Student Use of Phones

The use of school telephones by students is limited to emergency calls and school business calls only.  Calls for forgotten homework and permission to attend functions will be discouraged.  These matters should be taken care of in advance.  

Smartwatches are prohibited at CCI.  Cell phones are not to be used during the school day.  If a student brings a cell phone for after-school use, the phone must be turned off and left in the student’s locker.  Violations will result in cell phones and/or other devices being confiscated and sent to the office. Parents will be required to collect cell phones and electronic devices from the office. A second offense will result in after-school detention.

Custodial/Non-Custodial Information

Please make the principal aware of any legal custody agreement that pertains to your student.  Communications must include copies of the court order, restraining order, divorce decree, or another court document.  It is the responsibility of the custodial parent to inform the principal of all pertinent information, special concerns, and restrictions concerning child custody matters.  The principal must be informed of all updates and changes that impact the child and the function of the school as they occur.

Federal and State Law automatically provides that non-custodial parents have unlimited access to all records and information concerning the education of their child unless those rights are specifically taken away.

Dress Code

Modes of grooming and styles of attire that detract from an appropriate educational environment will not be permitted.  Students, in their dress and grooming, must recognize the necessity for health, safety, cleanliness, and modesty at all times.  The building administration shall determine what is appropriate.  A student may be sent home to correct inappropriate dress or grooming.  Students may also be instructed to wear clothing provided by the office for a given day.  Students can be disciplined for offenses, especially repeated offenses.  In general, students should always avoid extremes.The basic responsibility for appropriate dress must rest with the student and his/her parents.

   Guidelines:

1. Students shall wear all items of clothing in the manner for which it was intended or designed.

• Pants with SMALL holes must be worn with legging underneath.  
• Pants and shorts must be worn at waist level (no sagging) and shall have proper belting to hold them at the waist position.

• Pants shall not drag on the floor.        

2. The wearing of any apparel that has writing, printing, symbols, or graphics that are judged to be offensive, immoral, vulgar, lewd, suggestive of, and/or implies sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence, or other subjects disruptive to the normal school environment is prohibited.
3. Shirts/tops must have at least a 3-inch section covering the tops of the shoulder.  Sleeveless shirts are permitted as long as the armhole is small.  Tank tops (fabric less than three inches between collar and cuff over the shoulder), racerback shirts, and spaghetti strapped shirts are not allowed.  All shirts should be modest and not reveal the chest or upper back nor the midriff area.  
4. On any given school day students are to wear the clothing they have put on at home with parental guidance.  Students may not change clothing upon arrival at school.  Students may change clothing for P.E. with the permission of their P.E. teacher. Students may not change into after-school practice clothes until they have been dismissed to go to practice.
5. Students are expected to wear shoes that are safe and appropriate.  On P.E. days, athletic shoes must be worn.
6. Shorts are permitted in warmer weather.  The length of the shorts must extend below mid-thigh.  A good guideline is that shorts must extend several inches (3+) below the tips of one’s finger when hands are at the student’s sides.  Cycle shorts or exercise tights are not permitted unless they are worn under shorts or other clothing.  (We cannot possibly list the names of all types of clothing.  So…if clothing (exercise tights, etc.) is tight/very tight then shorts or a shirt must also be worn and extend below the fingertips extended at one’s side.  Teachers and administration will make the final determination on a case-by-case basis.)
7. Costumes and any other attire that detracts from the educational process will not be permitted unless school officials have declared a special day allowing for such things.  
8. Hats may not be worn in the school building.  Appropriate hats may only be worn on the playground and during specially-declared days.
9. The display of any object, symbol, or clothing that could be considered gang-related is prohibited.
10. Piercing rings or studs are permitted in ears only.  If placed on any other portion of the body, it must not be visible during school hours.
11. Care must be taken so that a student’s hair is not covering his/her eyes or face.   Hair should be groomed so that it does not require constant repositioning to avoid covering the face or eyes.

Extracurricular Opportunities

Several extra-curricular opportunities shall be offered to students.   Below is a list of some of the opportunities that may be offered.  The list is not complete nor is everything listed offered each school year.  Please refer to school newsletters and separate flyers for notification of additional extra-curricular opportunities.

To participate in extracurricular opportunities students must meet specific behavioral guidelines.  (See below.)

School Government/Community Service

• Student Council
• K-kids

Academic

• Spell Bowl
• Math Bowl
• Academic Bowl
• Robotics

Athletics

• Basketball and Cheerleading
• Girls Spring Volleyball (coordinated by high school coach)
• Junior High Activities (participation by 6th graders subject to needs of FP Junior High and CCI)

• Cross country        
• Track
• Tennis
• Dance

• Wrestling (parent coordinated)
• Football (parent/booster club coordinated)
• Archery (parent coordinated)                

Eligibility

Students who perform at below than expected reasonable effort and complete unacceptable levels of work and/or students who are off-track due to effort levels will lose eligibility for a period of 2 weeks.    If after two weeks the student is doing satisfactory work, as determined by the teacher, they may resume the extracurricular activity on a probationary basis.

The impact of disciplinary issues on participation in extracurricular activities shall be handled on a case-by-case basis by the principal.  It is expected that all who participate in extracurricular activities be in good standing with school discipline expectations and also abide by school and coach expectations while participating in extracurricular activities.

School Absence and Extracurricular Participation

Students absent from school on the day of an extracurricular activity may not be permitted to participate; however, the principal may make decisions in a case-by-case situation.  Students with unexcused absences shall not be allowed to participate.

Student Health

Medications

The school office must be notified of any medication a student is to have administered during the school day.  If a child is required to have medication administered during the school day, and a parent cannot be at school to administer the medication, the nurse, principal, teacher, or school employee designated by the principal may administer the medication in compliance with the following:

1. The school office must receive written consent signed by the parent/guardian.  If the medication is a prescription medication, instructions must also be received from the physician.  The consent must include the following:

• date of consent
• child’s name
• name of medication
• time(s) and day (s)  medication is to be administered
• dosage
• the termination date for administering medication

2. All medications must be turned into the office.  The exception to this policy is permitted if the medication is for an acute medical condition and can be self-administered.  (Written permission from parent or doctor is required.) All medication must be in its original container.   Medications include prescription and non-prescription such as Tylenol, aspirin, cough syrup, lotions, ointments, cough drops, etc.  Medicines stored at school may not be transported to school or be sent home with students below grade 9.  Parents must make arrangements for delivery and pick up of medications.  Medications shall not be transported to or from school by students.

Parents of students are responsible for informing the school office of any changes in the student’s health or change in medication.

The school retains the discretion to reject requests for the administration of medicine.  (The above policy and guidelines are according to I.C. 34-4-6.6-3.5.)

Lockers

All students shall be assigned a locker in the main corridors of the school.  Students may use their lockers to store educational materials, coats, jackets, etc.  The lockers do not have locks and personal locks may not be used.  Students are not to store personal items of value in their assigned locker.  Students are not to store opened drinks or food in their lockers. If students open lockers that are not theirs, consequences will be given.  

The lockers are the property of the school and are subject to inspection without notice.  See the Behavior section for additional detail.

Media

On occasion newspapers, radio stations, etc. contact us for information (eg.  Academic Team results) and story information.  Student names, parent names, and pictures will be given for stories.  You may tell us not to do this.  Please do so in writing and send it to the school office.

Parent Involvement

A key part of a successful school is the positive involvement and support of parents.   The school will inform parents of school news regularly (See Communications).  Parents are encouraged to openly discuss school activities with their children and inquire about academic progress regularly.

The following are programs specifically designed to involve parents in our school.

PTO Organization

All parents are automatically considered members of the Parent-Teacher Organization and are invited and encouraged to participate in school activities.  A representative group of parents meets with the principal periodically.  Names of the PTO Advisory Board are published in the school newsletter.

Volunteers

There are several volunteer opportunities at Cedar Crest Intermediate School.  A list of opportunities will be distributed at the beginning of each school year.  Individuals or groups are to contact a teacher or the principal with their interests.

Placement of volunteers will be at the discretion of the principal based on need and availability.  

Guidelines

• Be punctual (give advance notice if unable to be present as scheduled).
• Know and observe school safety rules.
• Dress appropriately.
• Treat all students fairly and with respect.
• Participate as guided by the teacher, principal, or other assigned staff member.
• Be positive.  If unsure or concerned about something at school, discuss it with the principal.

Criminal History Checks are required of all volunteers.  This process can be done by going to the “Employment” tab on our SEDubois website.  Look for the “SEDCSC Background Check – Volunteer” link.

Weather Delays/Cancellations/Early Dismissals

School delays, cancellations, or early dismissals due to weather conditions will be communicated through School Messenger,  local radio stations WITZ, WBDC, or their affiliates, and TV Channel 25 by 6:45 A.M.   Please do not call the school, the Principal, or the Superintendent for cancellation information.