Alcoa Intermediate School

Handbook for Parents, Guardians and Students

2024-2025

*Parents please review the handbook. Sign and return signature page (pg.23) to classroom teacher

Amber Harper, Principal

aharper@alcoaschools.net 

Bryant Adler, Assistant Principal

badler@alcoaschools.net        

Alcoa Intermediate School

Handbook for Parents and Students

Expectations for Staff

As a school, we will be student-centered in our decisions.

As a staff and faculty, we will be collaborative and innovative.

As teams, we will be data-driven and accountable to one another.

As professionals, we will trust each other to work and build a strong culture.

As educators, we will be tireless in our efforts to grow each student.

As learners, we will continually improve.  We will expect the same from each student.

As leaders, we will positively impact our school system, county, and state.

Expectations for Students

At Alcoa Intermediate School, we are all leaders in learning.  Our school focuses on positive behaviors, and works to establish a culture of learning that is effective for all students.  We believe students should be leaders of their own process of learning, so we will spend time teaching and practicing qualities that good leaders possess: Confidence, Humor, Common Sense, Motivation, Enthusiasm, Creativity, Compassion, Appreciation, Resilience, Balance, Adventure, Reflection, Diversity.

Each teacher will develop a classroom culture by defining, modeling, teaching, and rewarding L.E.A.D.E.R. behaviors in coordination with their grade level team.  We spend the first two weeks of school each year practicing procedures and doing activities that teach students how to develop leadership skills. This Positive Behavior Plan is a three-tiered system for behavior management, just as RTI2 is the three-tiered system for academic instruction and intervention. Students will receive additional support as needed to meet individual needs.

L = Listen and Learn

        E = Enter and Exit the classroom prepared

        A = Achieve your goals

        D = Decide to do the right thing

        E = Encourage others

        R = Respect all 

Expectations for Students, continued

AIS uses a very clear set of corrective consequences for behavior issues so that students understand what happens next, and are able to set personal goals for improvement.

Classroom consequences may include:  

        1.  Verbal Warning

        2.  First Fix-It (warning)

        3.  Second Fix-it (Loss of half of recess)

        4.  Third Fix-it: (Guardian phone call)

        5.  Office Referral

The administrative team is responsible for actions taken if a student is referred to the office.  The administrative team will maintain records related to any office referral. An attempt will be made to contact the parent when a student is brought to the office for a behavior referral.

Administrative Consequences may include:  

• A conference/verbal reprimand with the student and documentation of the visit.
• The student loses recess privileges and is assigned an alternate activity during recess:

• study time
• work time (with parent permission students are assigned tasks such as cleaning or sweeping during recess)

• The student is placed in isolated lunch where they sit in a different area of the cafeteria or in a different classroom.
• The student is assigned In-School-Suspension time which may be for a period of the day or for the complete day.
• The student is assigned Out-of-School-Suspension and must remain home for a specific period of time.
• A conference with parents/guardians.
• A student may be referred to a school counselor or behavior interventionist, if the behavior for which he/she is referred to the office is repeated or frequent.
• Some actions of a serious nature require students to appear before the district level Disciplinary Hearing Authority.

Bullying

The Alcoa City Board of Education has determined that a safe, civil, and supportive environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. In order to maintain that environment, acts of bullying, cyber-bullying, discrimination, harassment, hazing or any other victimization of students, based on any actual or perceived traits or characteristics, are prohibited.

This policy shall be disseminated annually to all school staff, students, and parents. This policy shall cover employees, employees' behaviors, students and students' behaviors while on school property, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided equipment or transportation, or at any official school bus stop. If the act takes place off school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity, this policy is in effect if the conduct is directed specifically at a student or students and has the effect of creating a hostile educational environment or otherwise creating a substantial disruption to the educational environment or learning process.

Building administrators are responsible for educating and training their respective staff and students as to the definition and recognition of violations of this policy.

The full ACS policy can be found at www.alcoaschools.net under Board Policy #6.304.

AIS Communities

Purpose and Intent:

The AIS communities will create a unified, trusted culture among the students and faculty of AIS.

How it works:

All AIS students and teachers are placed into one of three communities within the school. The three communities are all named after communities of Alcoa and have positive character attributions tied to them.  These communities will foster a sense of belonging and encourage positive LEADER character traits for all students.  Students and teachers can earn points for their community by exhibiting exceptional behavior and leadership qualities.  When a community reaches their benchmark for their earned points, they will receive a community reward.  The community with the most earned points at the end of each semester will be crowned Community Champions.

Community Members:

• Every community will consist of a range of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students and teachers.
• Incoming 3rd graders and all new students will be placed in a community at the beginning of their career at AIS, and they will stay in that community during their time at AIS.
• At the beginning of the school year, our school will meet at the Alcoa Football Field and students will see their name on the Jumbotron, revealing their placement into one of the three communities.
• Older students may help mentor and acclimate younger students to the school and community.

Community Activities:

• Students will meet with their communities and participate in enrichment activities related to the topic of study within our school.
• Peer mentoring may occur across grade levels.
• Leadership qualities will be taught yearly in communities.
• Communities will take part in a service project during the school year.

        !!  Updating Emergency Information !!

It is critical that we have the most up-to-date contact information for your child/children.  You may need to be contacted for emergencies, school closings, etc.  Without up-to-date information, information may be delayed.  Please update via Skyward Family Access with changes in contact information and who may or may not pick up your child.  Without WRITTEN permission, your child will not be allowed to ride home with friends, change buses, etc.

Each student is required to have updated information in Family Access: 

1. Parent(s) or guardian(s) name(s) 

2. Complete and up-to-date address --updated when changed—

3. Parent(s) home phone, mobile phone and work phone --updated if changed

4. Emergency phone number of friend or relative–updated when changed

5. Physician's name and phone 

6. Medical alert information 

7. Authorized person(s) allowed to pick up child 

8. The Parent/Guardian is responsible for keeping information updated. Use SKYWARD ID and login information given to you at the beginning of the school year.

Enrollment Procedures

For all new students to Alcoa City Schools (including transfer students):

It will be necessary for you to schedule an appointment at the Alcoa Educational Support Center to enroll your child in Alcoa City Schools.  You will then be sent to the building level registrar at Alcoa Intermediate School.  At the designated appointment time in the school, your child will need to be with you in order to be assessed.  It will be required that you provide the following:

• Certified copy of the birth certificate
• Copy of the Social Security Card
• Tennessee Shot Record/Physical Form
• Proof of residence (electric Bill, rental agreement with name of renters, or mortgage statement)

All students that attend Alcoa Intermediate School must RESIDE in the city of Alcoa (unless they have been chosen as a tuition student and payment has been made).  If it is discovered that a child attending Alcoa Intermediate School has changed residencies and is found to be living outside of Alcoa City limits, the student will be dismissed immediately.

Attendance

Alcoa City Schools receives money based on the average daily attendance on given days throughout the school year.  We encourage our students to attend school every day, but we also understand that students will be sick and it will be necessary to miss school.  If your child has been vomiting, we ask that you keep them home for 24 hours to contain illness as much as possible.  We also ask that you keep your child at home for 24 hours if they have a fever (fever free without Tylenol or ibuprofen).

ALCOA CITY SCHOOLS ATTENDANCE POLICY

STUDENT ABSENCES 

Students will be limited to six (6) days excused with parental notes and ten (10) days excused with doctor notes for the school year. Any doctor notes submitted for a non-patient will be rejected. Parental note absences above the limit of six (6) days and doctor note absences above the limit of ten (10) days will be unexcused unless the student has a diagnosed illness that requires extensive medical care. If parents want to appeal an unexcused absence, they should submit a written appeal to the Director of Schools. The Director of Schools’ decision will be final.

Please see Alcoa School Board Policy 6.200

STUDENT TARDIES

Students may have five (5) parent notes to excuse tardies and/or early outs per school year. All additional tardies/early outs will be unexcused unless a doctor's note is provided. After ten (10) tardies and/or early outs for the year, a letter will be sent to the parents requiring a meeting with school officials. Prior referral to the Blount County Juvenile Court, the parent and students will progress through at three-tiered progressive.

TRUANCY

The parent, legal guardian, or person having control of a student subject to compulsory attendance has a duty to monitor the student's school attendance and require the student to attend school. If the student is absent from school for an aggregate of five (5) days during the school year without adequate excuse, then the student is subject to referral to juvenile court.

Early Check-Out Procedures

If it is necessary to check your child out of school early, please allow yourself time to enter the office and fill out required documentation to sign your student out.  Early checkouts are considered a type of tardy and will be documented.  If your child is leaving early due to a doctor's appointment, please send in documentation so it can be considered excused.  

If it is necessary to cancel school early (snow, etc.) it is our policy to make contact with all parents/guardians of students concerning how the child will be getting home.  It is critical that all contact information is up-to-date in the event school closes early.

Dismissal Procedures

Afternoon Announcements are at 2:35 p.m.

Bus Dismissal is at 2:35 p.m.

Walker's Dismissal is at 2:40 p.m.

Car Rider’s Dismissal is at 2:45 p.m.

One staff member will be assigned to each bus to assist with getting the students on the assigned bus in a safe, orderly and timely fashion.  Bus rolls will be checked and marked as students get on the bus and must be returned to office after dismissal. No changes to bus assignments will be made without WRITTEN permission.

Teachers will escort their class to their designated car pick-up area by 2:45 p.m. AIS staff will stay until their students are picked up. The school will call parents of students not picked up by 3:00, and the student may be brought to the office after a phone call has been made. If problems persist, parents who consistently fail to pick up their children at the designated time will need to meet with administrators to discuss consequences (or referral to truancy board) to address concerns.

Bus Riders

Clabough Bus Lines—John Clabough Owner—(865) 970-3474

All bus riders must follow Clabough Bus Lines rider expectations.  If the bus company or school administration provides a bus seating chart for the bus, students are expected to follow the seating arrangement. Failure to comply with the bus rules could result in the following:

a) the student could be suspended from riding the bus by a school administrator or bus supervisor;

b) the receipt of a third conduct notice from the bus driver will result in the student's bus privileges being suspended for an extended period of time. 

Please call the school when you have questions. 

Steps for Contacting Teachers

AIS encourages open dialogue with teachers and parents.  If you have questions or concerns, we hope you will contact us.  There are several ways of contacting your child’s teacher.  You can send a message via ClassDojo, send an email, or call and leave a message.  In any case, it is our goal to return messages as soon as possible.  If the person you are trying to contact has not responded within 24 hours, please contact the main office.

If it is necessary to contact your child’s teacher about transportation after school, we ask that you PLEASE to do so by 12:00.  It can be very challenging to ensure that all messages are delivered by the end of the day.

Parent Conferences

AIS will designate an afternoon/evening date for parent conferences in the fall. As mentioned earlier, we highly encourage an open line of communication with your child’s teacher.  Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher to schedule a conference if you have questions or concerns.

Friday Folders

On Fridays, we will send graded work and notes from the school or school system concerning important reminders (picture days, fundraisers, scheduled events, etc.).  We ask that you please go through the folders to see the progress your child is making and to look for information from AIS.  This is a great way for the school to send home information consistently.

Homework

It is the responsibility of the STUDENT to ensure that they have all materials necessary to complete any homework assigned.  Homework is given to reinforce skills taught in the classroom and provide the opportunity for the student to develop responsibility.  Homework should be taken home, completed, and returned on the assigned day.  Otherwise, the homework is considered incomplete.  Organization is important for students to develop at this age. They are responsible for following their teacher’s expectations to keep up with their work.  

All AIS students are responsible for reading 20 minutes per night at home. It is a widely published fact that reading 20 additional minutes per day outside of school, gives students a large number of advantages from improving fluency and comprehension, to decreasing the likelihood of living in poverty.  So, no excuses! Just read!         

RTI Process

The primary purpose of Alcoa City Schools’ RTI2 program is to ensure that all Alcoa City Schools students receive research-based instruction and any needed research-based intervention support in English language arts and mathematics.  The purpose of instruction and intervention is to continually seek to graduate our students on time, equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to be competitive and successful in post-secondary college, career, and life experiences. Additionally the data gathered through the effective implementation of the RTI.2 framework, will be analyzed as a part of the special education eligibility determination process for any K-8 student suspected of having a specific learning disability.

RTI Tiers

RTI includes three Tiers of instruction. Tier 1 is the core curriculum for all students.  Tiers 2 and 3 are comprised of intervention instruction, targeted to specific skills and students.  Students are assigned based on Universal Screening and other supporting data. Table 1 illustrates general guidelines for Tier placements.

Table 1. Tier Service Benchmarks

*Universal Screening should not be the exclusive measure used for Tier placement. Grade level teams must carefully consider other variables, including testing effort, testing conditions, behavioral factors, etc.

Medications

Over the counter medications:

        1.  Fill out a medication form from the school nurse.

        2.  Medication must be in the original bottle or box.

        3.  Parent must include directions about administering medication

     with the medication.

        4.  Medications will be kept secured in the nurse’s office.

        5.  The parent must bring any and all medications.  They may NOT

     send it with the child.  

6.  Children may not have any medication with them and take it on

     their own throughout the day (including cough drops, etc).  

Prescription Medications:

1.  Medication must be brought in by the parent.  The nurse or  

     receptionist will count the number of pills with the parent as a

     witness.  

2.  Medication is to remain secured with the school nurse.

3.  Physician must use the form provided for directions about

     administering medication.  

4.  Medication must be in a pharmacy bottle that is labeled and

    current.  The parent must bring in the number of pills necessary for

    the prescribed amount that the child needs.

Illness/Lice

If your child has been vomiting, we ask that you keep them home for 24 hours to contain illness as much as possible.  We also ask that you keep your child at home for 24 hours if they have a fever. Your child should be fever free without Tylenol or ibuprofen for 24 hours before returning to school to limit the exposure to other students and staff.

If a child is suspected of having lice, please call the clinic or nurse directly.  Leave a message if there is no answer.  If a child is found to have lice or nits, the nurse will call home and notify you that she has done so.  When the child returns to school after being sent home for lice, the family must provide evidence of treatment before returning to class. 

Party Information

Alcoa Intermediate will host a Winter Break Holiday party and a Valentine’s Day party.  The teacher will send a list of approved items for parties.  

Dress Code

Please refer to Alcoa School Board Policy 6.310 for the full description of our dress code.

We expect students to maintain an appearance that is not distracting or in any way disrupts the instructional program and learning process of the school. Examples of clothing which is not appropriate for school includes: halter tops, short shorts, cut off shirts, bike shorts, tank shirts, shirts with offensive language, clothing which allows undergarments to be visible, sagging of pants. Dresses, skirts, and shorts must fall appropriately down the thigh, a general guide would be halfway between mid-thigh and knee length.  Hats, caps, toboggans, and bandanas are not to be worn in the building unless there is a hat day at school. No shoes with wheels, no sandals/flip flops on PE day. When a student's appearance is felt to be detrimental to the school program, the parents of the student will be contacted and the student sent home or appropriate clothing can be brought to the student. The principal will have considerable latitude to determine the appropriateness of student dress and grooming while acting in the best interests of establishing and maintaining a safe and effective learning environment.  Please use good judgment.

Educational Websites

Alcoa Intermediate School strives to maintain a website with up-to-date information and links to websites that can help students who have access to a computer after school hours.  Several sites that are used in the classroom can be accessed at home.  Areas that students can always use to help in the classroom are typing programs, math fluency skills, reading and vocabulary skills, sites that address writing, etc.  We highly recommend that students access these sites outside of the classroom.

Field Trips

Field trips are a valuable opportunity to expand student’s educational experiences.  School board policy states that field trips must be educational in nature.  Students that attend field trips are required to ride the bus to the destination.  Unless a parent/guardian signs their child out, then the student MUST ride the bus back to school.  If there is room available, parents/guardians are invited to ride the bus as chaperones on field trips.  We do ask that siblings NOT accompany students or chaperones on field trips.  This is an opportunity for you to spend quality time with your student and allows the focus to be on the students throughout the trip.  Any field trip must have written documentation with information about the trip (destination, etc.) and permission by the parent/guardian giving their child permission to attend the trip.  All students must have proof of insurance for students in order to attend field trips. Chaperones must check in through the office by submitting their driver’s license to the background check system prior to accompanying student groups and wear the id sticker on the field trip.

Students may lose the privilege of going on field trips due to academics, attendance, or behavior.  

   *Students should be in good standing in academic classes in order to be eligible for field trips.  Any questions regarding academic standing as it relates to a field trip that is earned must be appealed to the principal.

   *Students should be in good standing with the Alcoa City Schools attendance policy.  Any questions regarding academic standing as it relates to a field trip that is earned must be appealed to the principal.

   *Students may lose the privilege of participating in a field trip by:

      -Receiving four behavior fix-its or four behavior office referral

       consequences in a nine week period.

      -Receiving two In School Suspension periods or days in a nine week

       period.

      -Receiving one Out of School Suspension in a nine week period.

   *Students who lose a field trip privilege in a nine week period must appeal to the principal and show that the behavior has improved to the point that the student can be trusted on the activity and that the student has earned the activity back.

Classroom Celebrations and Invitations

In order for items such as party invitations, celebration treats, etc. that are sent to school for distribution, all members of the classroom must be included.  If specific individuals are being invited or given treats this should occur outside the school setting.

Recess/Weather

Recess is a privilege that we try to provide to all students.  Each day it is good for students to be allowed to be active and socialize. Each day if weather permits, and students have earned the right, they will be allowed to go outside for recess. Please keep track of the weather and make sure your child is dressed appropriately to play outside.  Students may lose the privilege of recess if it is necessary for them to complete work or if their behavior fails to meet appropriate expectations.  If your student has a medical reason to be held out of recess and/or gym class, please notify both your student’s teacher and the school nurse.

Cell Phones/Electronics/Toys

Please refer to Alcoa School Board Policy 6.312 for the most up to date information regarding cell phones and personal electronic devices.

If the classroom teacher has given permission for the student to bring toys or electronics to school, then that personal item should be labeled with the child’s name and may only be used at appropriate times.  Students are responsible for any item they bring to school.  If a child has a cell phone, the phone should remain off and in the child’s backpack.  If a student is found to have a cell phone during the day, the principal or assistant principal will return the phone to the parent/guardian.  Students who continue to be found using a cell phone will be subject to school discipline and may lose the privilege of having a phone at school.  The school is not responsible or liable for any damage, loss, or theft of these devices.

AIS Facebook/Twitter/Instagram Pages

Alcoa Intermediate School has a Facebook page.  Please follow us and look for announcements, news, and other exciting events this year.  

                            @Team_AIS         @team_AIS                

Student Records

Parents or legal guardians have access to all permanent records at the school pertaining to their children. In order to view the records, parents or legal guardians must sign an access form. Please call the office at least one day in advance to arrange a time to view your child's records. 

Inclement Weather

If it is necessary to cancel or close school early due to weather, the announcement will be made as soon as possible.  The Alcoa SKYWARD system will notify parents/guardians in any of the ways you have requested (phone call, text, email).  This is a reason that updating your contact information is critical.  Announcements will also be made using local television and radio station

Lunch Accounts (including free and reduced lunch)

Alcoa Intermediate School participates in the National School Lunchroom program.  

2023-2024 prices:

Student breakfast:  FREE                Student Lunch:  $2.85

Adult Breakfast:  $3.00                Adult Lunch:  $5.00

Students are issued a lunch number that they input as they go through the lunch line.  Students with a positive account balance will be allowed to charge their lunch.  Students may also pay daily with cash.  If a student has a negative balance (3 meals), they will not be allowed to charge additional meals.  A negative balance may result in a student receiving a different meal until the negative balance is corrected.  The child may bring cash or a check to put money on their account, and parents may choose to put money on the students’ account using the students’ SKYWARD account online.  

For a student to be considered free or reduced, an application must be made and returned to school.  

Chromebook Damage and Fine Process

Technology Support will determine if damage is Intentional or unintentional

If damage is intentional, our technology department will escalate to building leaders for discipline (determined by building leadership) and call parents to inform them of incident and incoming fine. Fine collection will be completed by the building bookkeeper.

If damage is unintentional, our technology department will escalate to building a bookkeeper to begin the collection process. Recommend phone call from building bookkeeper to parents to inform of incident and incoming fine. Technology department will track unintentional damages in snipe…. On 3rd unintentional damage over the 4 year life (grades K-4k, 5-8, 9-12) of the device the student should be reported to the building leader for disciplinary action. All communication for fine collection and discipline will be escalated to building bookkeepers (collection) and/or building leadership (discipline). Building techs will not pursue/collect fines or hold payments

Fine Assessment and Collection for Chromebooks and Technology

- All fines will be documented in SnipeIT asset management system and tied to the student’s snipe account, along with the zendesk ticket  system

- Fines will be handed off to the building bookkeeper or front office for communication with families and collection of fines. Fines should be sent via email for documentation purposes along with a verbal conversation with the bookkeeper.

- Regardless, guardians should be directly contacted before every fine to inform them of the fine and the details surrounding it. This communication should come from building leader (intentional damage) or building bookkeeper (unintentional damage)

- Techs will no longer contact families for fines. Techs will no longer collect or hold money for fines. All financial transactions will be forwarded to the building’s bookkeeper or front office.

Student 2024-25 Lunch Schedule

3rd Grade:  11:00 - 11:45

4th Grade:  11:40 - 12:25

5th Grade:   12:25 - 1:10

11:00 Flynn/Price

11:05 King/Macejewski

11:10 Stooksbury/Woodlee

11:15 Costner/Robertson

11:30 Duffey

11:40 J. Snyder

11:45 Holliday/Coffin

11:50 Overton/Martin

11:55 Gamble/Ridenour

12:25 Doherty/McDonald

12:30 Turner/Alloway

12:35 Baumann/Jennings

12:40 Bolton

2024-2025 School Supplies

This year, you can find your student's supply list and add it to your shopping cart with just a click! We wanted to make it easier than ever for you to shop for school supplies, so we've gone digital!

From our website, you'll be able to:

• Add your student's full supply list to your cart at major retailers including Amazon, Target, and Wal-Mart
• Edit the list to add or remove items you don't need
• Comparison shop by adding items to your cart at every retailer and choosing the least expensive option

AIS Calendar Dates:

Please subscribe to our school calendar for upcoming events (https://ais.alcoaschools.net/apps/events/?id=0) . All event dates are subject to change – you will be notified through school announcements/AIS website/Facebook.

--------------- Signature Page --------------

Because we value strong communication channels, we require your help in establishing these ties by reading this handbook with your child and returning this verification form below to your child’s classroom teacher.  Thank you for your support!

I have read the Alcoa Intermediate School Handbook and I have reviewed this information with my child. 

__________________________________________________

Student Name

__________________________________________________

Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian

___________________

Date

Please sign this sheet, tear off and return to teacher