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Student-Parent
Handbook
2024- 2025
Click Here For Translated Versions
3741 Pulliam Drive
Louisville, Kentucky 40218
(502) 485-6324
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Hello! Welcome to our school.
First, just a few very important tips:
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Contact the school if you have a question (502-485-6324).
Ask for an interpreter if one is needed.
Let us know promptly if your address or contact information has changed.
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Table of Contents
Transportation (continued), p.9
Prohibited Items (continued), p.15
Discrimination and Harassment, p.16
School Health Procedures, p.19
School Health Procedures (continued), p.20
How to Translate a JCPS Webpage. p.26
Required Forms and Helpful Tools, p.27
A hard copy of this handbook will be made available to you by request.
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Portions of the material in this manual were taken from the IRC’s Educational Handbook for Refugee Parents © 2006
Welcome
Welcome to Newcomer Academy. We are so excited to start the 2024-2025 school year. Use this handbook to learn about your school’s policies and procedures. We hope this handbook helps as you transition into our school.
Gwen Snow, Principal
Newcomer Academy
(502) 485-6324
WHAT IS NEWCOMER ACADEMY?
Newcomer Academy welcomes students who are new to the United States and learning English. Students are equipped with language and academic skills as well as support for their social and emotional needs. We use an intensive English curriculum based on research of teaching techniques, methodologies and the latest strategies to facilitate the learning of English necessary to transition to the regular schools. Typically, students transition to a regular school in JCPS after a year at Newcomer Academy.
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Administration
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Principa
Principal- Gwen Snow
The principal oversees the whole school.
Assistant Principals
At Newcomer Academy there are three assistant principals.
They help run the school and may oversee discipline.
Anne Miller (HS) Hicham Roida Irina McGrath (HS)
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Counselors
The school counselors guide students toward their academic goals. They assist with grading, assigning classes and the path to graduation.
Rita
Robinson-Secession
Felicia Hankins
Thomas Crookshank
High School
Middle School
Jenni Garmon
Mental Health Practitioner
Helps support students socially and emotionally
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School begins at 7:30 A.M.
Students may arrive at school beginning at 7:00 A.M.
School ends at 2:10 P.M.
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Arrival and Dismissal
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Transportation
If your children ride the school bus,
you need to know:
The bus will stop at your student’s designated “bus stop”. Call the school to get bus information for your child. You will also be sent a letter or receive a phone call with bus information.
1. Children should arrive at the bus stop ten minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
2. If your address will change, please contact the school immediately and allow two days for your child’s bus information to be updated. 502-485-6324.
3. If on any one day your child needs to go home with another student, a note from the parent or guardian OF BOTH STUDENTS must be presented to the front office first thing in the morning.
4. Only a family member designated in Infinite Campus may sign a student out of school.
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School Bus Rules:
It is important for all parents and students to understand the rules of the school bus. School bus transportation is authorized only for students who are regularly enrolled in public school.
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If children do not follow the rules, then they will not be allowed to ride the bus. If your children are not allowed to ride the bus, then you will have to bring them to school and pick them up after school each day. Please make sure your children follow the bus rules.
Transportation - continued
The JCPS Transportation Services Department provides students with safe vehicles and drivers.
Students who live more than one mile from school can utilize the school bus
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School Rules
School Policies
Students stand in line and walk together, on the right.
Students do not steal.
Students do not hit other students or teachers.
Teachers do not hit students.
Students do not threaten other students.
Students must have a pass to go to the restroom during class.
Students will keep the restroom clean.
Students should have an Identification Badge (ID) available when requested. All students will be issued a school ID for this purpose.
NO destroying school property such as writing on walls and toilet doors, stopping up sinks and commodes with paper towels and rolls of toilet tissue.
Students shall wash their hands and paper towels should be thrown away in the trash cans.
Students shall always practice safety and respect others’ privacy.
Students must wear their school ID at all times
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Discipline Procedures
At Newcomer Academy, we believe strongly in having a safe and welcoming environment for all students to ensure their academic success and to address their social and emotional need. Our school’s expectations are centered around three pillars:
Our school follows all the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) policies for expected behavior and conduct as outlines in the Student Support and Behavior Intervention Handbook. In the event that inappropriate student behavior occurs, the school would
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Dress Guidelines
The staff at Newcomer welcomes your support in sending students to school clean, neat and dressed in school-appropriate clothing. Personal hygiene, good grooming and good manners enhance a person’s success.
The above items are general guidelines. Newcomer Academy administration reserves the right to adjust or interpret the dress code to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment.
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It is the student’s responsibility to request the make-up work from the teacher.
Homework is a part of the educational process and helps practice what you learned. Reasons for giving homework:
Students should also practice reading books every night.
Homework
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Prohibited items
No Cell phones during school | No lighters |
No Toy Guns | No Vape Pens (e-cigarettes) |
No unprescribed drugs | No alcohol |
No cigarettes | No weapons |
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Prohibited items - continued
No
speakers
Headphones and Earbuds ONLY as permitted by the teacher.
The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
No large amounts of money or expensive items
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Discrimination and Harassment
Racial Slur or Hate Speech toward staff/student:
Making racial slurs or using hate speech (e.g., verbal, written, or use of sign/symbols) specifically targeting school students or personnel.
Discrimination and Harassment: What to Do if It Happens to You
Discrimination and harassment are prohibited. This includes any intimidation through language, conduct, symbols, a climate of hostility, or physical violence. Discrimination and harassment can be directed toward an individual’s:
Discrimination and harassment are prohibited at Newcomer Academy.
Newcomer Academy is committed to inclusion and anti-racism. Our school, along with the entire JCPS District,
does not tolerate harassment or discrimination
for any reason.
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Bullying
Physical Bullying:
Students use negative actions to threaten other students.
For example, one student may beat up other children.
Verbal Bullying:
Students use negative words to threaten other students.
For example, one student may exclude another student from a group.
Cyber Bullying:
Students use electronics to bully other students.
For example, students may use email, social media, or text messages to threaten other students.
If you need help with a bullying problem, contact the school immediately! Talk to the principal, your teacher, or your counselor.
All bullying is against the rules
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School Procedures
School Nurse
Juna Mangar
School Nurse
If your child gets sick or hurt at school, your child will see the school nurse.
If your child needs to go home or to the doctor, the school will call you. If they cannot contact you, the school will call the person listed on your child’s emergency contact card. You or your emergency contact will pick up your child from school and take him or her home. You may need to take your child to the doctor.
If the child is hurt badly or very sick, the school may have to call an ambulance.
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If your child is sick, they should stay home.
Sick children can make other children sick. Please do not send your child to school if they are:
If your child is sick, you must call the school or send a note with your child when they return to school. Be sure to include in the note:
School Health Procedures
In order for the nurse to treat your child or give medication during the school day, certain paperwork must be completed and on file at school.
Medicine must be stored in the nurse’s office. No student is permitted to have medication of any kind on his/her person or in his/her desk, locker or backpack
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Every student must have an up-to-date physical form and immunization record.
You can make an appointment at your child’s doctor’s office to get these forms filled out for school.
Please let the school know if you do not have a doctor for your child.
School Health Procedures - continued
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Youth Service Center
Youth Service Center
Coordinator
Katrina Moore
Call or Text: 502-276-0951
Home School Coordinator
Garnette Johnson
Call: 502-212-9056
The Youth Service Center helps reduce barriers to learning by providing extra support to Newcomer families.
Some services that this Center can provide include:
The Youth Service Center is located in the school building next to the cafeteria.
The center is open Monday-Friday from 7:00 am until 3:00 pm.
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Inclement Weather
Children must have the appropriate clothes for the weather. For example, if it is very cold then children need a coat, a winter hat, and gloves.
If your child does not have winter clothes, please visit the Youth Service Center or call us at 502-276-0951.
Sometimes the school will close when the weather is dangerous. When this happens, children do not go to school. You can find out if the school is closed by watching the news on TV, listening to the radio, or signing up for JCPS School Messenger.
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Safety Drills
All schools practice safety drills so that students are prepared for a real emergency.
Earthquake Drills:
This drill is when children practice what to do in the event of an earthquake. Children practice these drills about twice a year.
Lockdown:
A lockdown occurs when there is a dangerous person in or around the school building. During a lockdown, nobody is allowed in or out of the building. These drills are performed twice a year.
Fire Drills:
The purpose of these drills is to educate students in fire safety procedures in case of a fire in the school building.
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Weapons Detection System
To ensure the safety and security of all students and staff, Jefferson County Public Schools, including the Newcomer Academy, now use The Evolv Express weapon detection system.
All students, staff, and visitors are required to pass through the system upon entering the building.The system can identify dangerous items inside bags and pockets without requiring that guests remove most concealed belongings or personal items.
You will be asked to remove binders, laptops, umbrellas, and eyeglass cases. Anyone who refuses to go through the weapon detection system will not be allowed to enter the building.
Staff will be available to assist everyone and ensure a smooth and hassle-free entrance to our school building.
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Visiting the School
Parents and Guardians are welcome to visit the school to meet with administration, counselors, and teachers to discuss student academic progress and behavior. It is best to call the school to make an appointment at 502-485-6324. Ask for an interpreter if one is needed.
If you need to pick up your child for a medical appointment or some other reason, please do so prior to 2:00pm in order to avoid school dismissal procedures. If you arrive to the school after 2:00pm, please wait in your vehicle for your student to exit the school at 2:10pm
If you want to help at the school you can volunteer. There are many things volunteers can do at the school, such as helping in the library, during lunch, or in the office. If you would like to volunteer you will have to fill out a form. You can get this form and ask questions about volunteering in the school office.
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How to Translate a JCPS Webpage
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Required forms:
Other important forms:
Helpful websites:
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