Field Trips

At various times during the year classes may take field trips. Teachers will send permission slips home. Parents must sign and return the permission slip by the date indicated on the permission slip before a student can proceed on the field trip. If a student does not return a signed permission slip, he or she will be unable to attend the field trip and may be supervised at school if the trip is for part of the day. If the field trip is an all-day event, the student will need to stay home and will be counted absent.

Parents who will be driving students on field trips need to complete the insurance and driver’s license information portion of the Volunteer Information Form.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Service Hours Program Opportunites

CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL

SERVICE HOURS PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
2012-2013 School Year

The Concordia Lutheran Education Board and teachers/staff believe that the academic, physical, and spiritual nourishment of our children benefits significantly from the active participation of parents, teachers, and our children.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us”       Romans 12:6a

Service Activities

We have worked with the parents, teachers and school staff to identify many opportunities in which parent’s participation benefits the learning of our children. The list is in no way conclusive. We encourage you to support the school through any activity that leverages your unique talents or more appropriately balances the demands on your time.

Hours Required & Service Fee
A $160.00 ($80.00 per semester) assessment will be charged to those who do not fulfill the service hour requirements. The requirement is 20 hours of service per family per year. It is broken down to 10 hours per semester. The entire semester fee ($80.00) or portion – dependent on the number of hours actually fulfilled is payable by the end of each semester.

The Lord has indeed blessed each and every one of us with many gifts and talents that are to be used in serving others. Concordia Lutheran School provides many opportunities for service throughout the course of the school year. Volunteers are a very important part of many of the activities and programs that are offered at our school. We would like to help you find avenues in which your special gifts and talents can be shared with others.

Thank you for sharing the blessings that you have received!

Opportunities To Serve At School During School Hours

1. Assist with the lunch program. Volunteers are needed to serve the lunches and clean up in the commons. Service in this area may involve helping once a month from 11:15 - 12:15.
2. Assist in the school library. Volunteers are needed to help with story times and book circulation. Service in this area may involve helping twice a month (check with Mr. Blake for hours)
3. Assist in the office. Volunteers are needed to assemble booklets, cover phones during lunch, and assist with a variety of other clerical tasks.
4. Assist as a room parent. Volunteers are needed to work with a group of parents to assist with class parties (including setup and cleanup) and possibly field trips. Yearly parties include: Harvest, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and School Picnic. Service in this area is a one year commitment.
5. Assist with the P.E. program. Volunteers may be needed to assist with equipment, help with record keeping, or help during class sessions.
6. Assist in the One-On-One program. Volunteers are needed to work with individual students in a variety of areas.
7. Assist with the Concordia Lutheran School Fund Raiser. Volunteers may be needed throughout the year to help promote our yearly school fund raiser, tally orders, and help with product distribution.
8. Assist with the Book Fair in the fall.
9. Assist with National Lutheran Schools Week in late January. Volunteers are needed to help with planning events, publicity, and decorations.
10. Assist with Vision and Hearing Screening or the recording of heights and weights on a designated school day. 
11. Assist school programs by providing accompaniment or other musical enhancements, prop & costumes, and setup/tear down.

Opportunities to Serve at School in the Evening or on Weekends

1. Assist with changing bulletin boards in our school hallways.
2. Assist with childcare for parents attending meetings at school.
3. Assist with copying larger projects (such as Handbooks, sports tournament booklets, etc.).
4. Assist with concessions for sporting events.
5. Assist with coaching sporting events.
6. Assist with serving for special events.
7. Assist with set-up needs for special events such as concerts, musicals, and plays. Service in this area is needed throughout the year for specific events.
8. Assist with painting areas of our facility.
9. Assist with major repairs and improvements within our facility.
10. Assist with minor repairs and improvements within our facility.
11. Assist with landscaping and other regular care of our school grounds.
12. Assist with shoveling snow during the winter months.
13. Assist with general cleaning throughout the school building.
14. Assist with special classroom cleaning such as washing desktops and cleaning chalkboards.

Opportunities to Serve at Home in the Evenings or on the Weekends

1. Assist classroom teachers with tallying book orders.
2. Assist as a Service Hour Administrator.
3. Assist as a Volunteer Coordinator.
4. Assist with providing treats for various events.
5. Assist with making posters.
6. Assist with making phone calls.
7. Offer to build props, shelving units, cubbies, or other storage areas to be used within our facility.
8. Help wash toys or other classroom manipulatives.
9. Help teachers shop for supplies for special projects.
10. Assist teachers with checking out library books from public libraries.
11. Assist teachers by tracing, cutting, or coloring items for class projects.
12. Help contact new families within our school to welcome them and help them become familiar with programs, events, and service opportunities at CLS.
13. Offer to help with sewing items or making banners for classroom or worship use.

Can you think of some other areas in which you would like to serve? We encourage you to support the school through any activity that leverages your unique talents or more appropriately balances the demands on your time. (These will be presented/approved by Mr. Blake prior to implementation.)

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Open House

During Open Houses, we open our school to parents and friends for a viewing of the accomplishments made by our students. Student work will be on display. This would be an excellent opportunity for parents to invite friends and neighbors.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Textbooks & Library Books

Textbooks that are loaned to the student for the year belong to the school and must be cared for. Students should put their name in the front of the book as soon as it is issued to them. If, in the event a book becomes lost or damaged beyond normal usage, the student will be subject to fines or the replacement cost. This includes library books.


All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Lost and Found

All lost articles will be placed in the bin in the hallway located near the school entrance. Items not claimed by the end of the each semester will be donated.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Lunch/Lunch Room Policies

Concordia Lutheran School does not provide students with a daily lunch option. Students are expected to bring a nutritional cold lunch. 

There will be opportunities to order a hot lunch that will be catered by a local restaurant for a small fee. Drinks are not included.  Information will be sent home as needed.

Microwaves are not available for student use. 

Reminder: Students may not call home if they forget their lunch. They will be provided with a cold lunch at the cost of $2.50.

Vending machines will not be available during school hours.  Students will need to bring their own drinks for cold and hot catered lunches.

White and chocolate milk are available for purchase for 35 cents.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Telephone & Cell Phone Use

Phone calls to parents will be made only in cases of illness, injury, or at the discretion of the teacher. All phone calls will be made under the supervision of a secretary or teacher and require written permission from a teacher. Students are not permitted to make personal phone calls. Phoning home for books, lunches, clothes, and field trip money does not constitute an emergency. If you must call your child during school, a message will be taken by the office and then passed on to the child.

Cell Phone/Other Electronic Devices Use
All student cell phones must be turned off during school hours and they must remain in the student’s backpack or with the teacher during the day. 

Electronic devices may not be used during school hours or extended care.


If a student uses his/her cell phone or electronic device during school hours or extended care, it will be taken away and stored in the school office until the parent can pick it up.  Additional offenses will be handled by Mr. Blake and may result in after-school detentions and/or suspensions.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Safety Drills

Safety drills are scheduled periodically at different times during the school year. It is important that students move quickly and safely to the assigned area as soon as the alarm is sounded. Specific directions are posted in all classrooms.In case of severe weather or other emergency, student will remain in the building in safe areas. In full cooperation with the local and state safety officials, precautions will be taken for the safety and protection of the students. 

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Health Concerns

• Illness or Injury - Students who become ill or injured during the school day will be assisted by one of our school staff. If a determination is made that paramedic assistance is necessary, 9-1-1 will be called. Every attempt will be made to contact the parent/guardian before the child is transported to the hospital.

• Physical Examinations - Students entering preschool, kindergarten and sixth grade are required by the State of Illinois to have a current physical examination within one year prior to starting that grade level. Transfer students must meet the same requirement. Before participating in the interscholastic sports program, a student must have a physical exam within one year of the start of the specific sport.

• Dental Examination - Effective July 1, 2005 – Public Act 93-946 requires all Illinois children enrolling in kindergarten, second and six grade to have an oral health exam. Each child shall present proof of exam by a dentist prior to MAY 15th of the school year.

• Vision Examination - Effective January 1, 2008 – Public Act 95-671 requires all Illinois children enrolling in kindergarten in a public, private, or parochial school and any student enrolling for the first time in a public, private or parochial school shall have an eye examination. Each such child is to present proof of having been examined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches or a licensed optometrist within the previous year before October 15 of the school year. If the child fails to present proof by October 15, the school may hold the child’s report card until either (a) the child presents proof of a completed eye examination or (b) the child presents proof that any eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15.

• Immunizations - All immunizations must be current according to the requirements of the State of Illinois. Students who fail to comply with these requirements will not be allowed to attend. Transfer students are expected to meet the same requirements.

• Records - All required health records are due by the beginning of school. If they are not submitted by November 1, a student may lose his privilege to attend Concordia Lutheran School.

• Participation - As a general rule, if a student is well enough to attend school, he is well enough to attend physical education classes and recess. With written parental verification, a child may be excused from physical education or outdoor activities for a reasonable amount of time.

• Cold Weather - Students will participate in outdoor recess throughout the winter months as long as the air temperature and/or wind chill is not below 15 degrees. It is the parent’s responsibility to send the student to school with appropriate outdoor clothing.

• Medications at School - Medications should be limited to those required during school hours which are necessary to maintain the student in school and those needed in the event of an emergency. Medication will be stored in the school office. An adult must supervise the student as he/she administers his/her own medicine. Documentation concerning medications must be provided to the school administrative assistant. All medicines need to be in the original pharmacy container. This policy includes, but is not limited to prescription and non-prescription medications. Medications that need to be kept cold will be kept in a refrigerator. Students will not have direct access to medications. All medications administered during the day will be recorded and signed by the adult giving the medicine. The State requires a permission slip from the parent or guardian to allow Concordia Staff to dispense over the counter medicines such as Tylenol, Advil, and Ibuprofen to your child. Please send in a permission slip which is signed and dated by the parent/guardian of the child. Please be sure to include the time it is to be administered to your child. You will also need to provide the over-the-counter medicine such as Tylenol, Advil, or Ibuprofen. We will put your child’s name on it and keep it locked in school office. Only bring unopened medications (i.e. Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.)
  If your child needs cough drops during the day, please send them to school in a zip locked bag with the child’s name on it. They will be given to the teacher who will administer them as needed. We cannot provide students with cough drops.

• Absences - Students must be kept home from school if they have any of the following:

1. Fever: Fever is defined as a temperature over 100 degrees. Students may not return to school until he/she has been fever free for 24 hours without the aid of a fever reducer such as Tylenol or Advil.
2. Diarrhea: Diarrhea is defined as 4-5 loose stools within a 24-hour period. Students may not return to school until 12 hours after the last episode.
3. Vomiting: Students may return to school 12 hours after the last episode and only after they are able to tolerate food.
4. Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): Children must be treated with prescription antibiotic drops for a full 24-hours before returning to school.
5. Acute Infections: This could include but is not limited to any infectious disease that can be transmitted to others such as: upper respiratory infections, strep throat, scarlet fever, chicken pox, etc… Any infection requiring an antibiotic will require that child be excluded from school until they are fever free and on the antibiotic for a full 24 hours.
6. Persistent Cough: A persistent cough can be warring to a child; resulting in fatigue, disruption the classroom, and further spreading of germs. In this case, the child may need to stay home until the condition improves.
7. Skin Conditions:  Any undiagnosed sore that can not be covered or untreated skin eruptions will require a doctor’s written clearance before the child may return to school.
8. Chicken Pox: Student may not return to school until they are fever free for a full 24-hours and all the lesions are dry and crusted. 
9. Head Lice: Students may return to school once the first treatment is complete and verification has been made that the child is nit (egg) free.

If you child has any of the conditions listed above, please inform the school when calling in your student as absent. Certain conditions, such as Chicken Pox, must be reported by the school to Winnebago County Health Department.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

School Closings

If weather or any unexpected emergency requires that school be closed, attempts will be made to notify parents through the local news media. We will post the closing on the school Blog site. In order for parents to make arrangements for their children, the closing will be announced as early as possible. When it is snowy or icy, our first concern is for the welfare and safety of the students. If our parents feel conditions are too hazardous, please call school, and your child will be excused for the day. 

Sign up for school closing text alerts at www.wrex.com or www.wifr.com.

School closings will also be posted on the school blog.  You can subscribe to it  so that you will be notified via email.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Visitors

Visitors are welcome at Concordia Lutheran School. We do, however, ask that all visitors report to the school office immediately upon arrival and sign the visitor form. You will need to wear the badge while you are in the building. If you are just dropping off something for your child, you may leave it in the office. We appreciate your cooperation with this security measure.

Reminder, our office is now located at the PK entrance.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Extended Care

• Concordia Lutheran School provides Extended Care child care services for our students. 
• The Extended Care  program accommodates students before school (6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.). 
• The Extended Care program utilizes the school facility and playgrounds (3:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.).  All students receive a snack. During nice weather students will use the playground. Students must be signed out by an authorized person. For the safety of each child, all students who are not picked up by 3:15 PM will be sent to Extended care.  Parents will be charged accordingly.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Church and Sunday School Attendance

Concordia Lutheran School exists to help children grow in Christ. Our Lord directs us to worship and fellowship. 

Teachers will keep attendance records related to Church and Sunday School participation. These records will be found on the quarterly report card. Non-members have the same expectation placed upon them as members.

If you are seeking a church home, we invite you to attend Concordia Lutheran Church. If you already have an active Christian worship life, may the Lord continue to bless you and your Church.If you are a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, we do expect you to attend worship service at least 50% per month at our church, so please sign the attendance sheets during each service.

In recognition of the history of the Concordia congregation and the commitment that the congregation has to Christian education, all students will be required to attend services in which Concordia Lutheran School plays a role.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Chapel Worship

Weekly chapel services are from 8:30-9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.  Parents and friends are always welcome. This service gives the students and teachers a time to worship the Lord together. Worship is a matter for the hands as well as for the heart and lips. Therefore, the children and teachers give an offering to God at each Chapel service. The faculty names the use of each quarter’s offering. The Pastors, principal, teachers, and guest speakers lead the Chapel worship services. (The weekly chapel services do not count toward the quarterly Worship award.)


All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Attendance, Tardiness, & Absences

Attendance 
Regular attendance, punctuality, and participation in classes are necessary for success at Concordia Lutheran School. Therefore, students whose attendance falls below 85%, through either excused or unexcused absences throughout the school year, may be held at the same grade level during the following school year.

Concordia expects all students to attend class. The parents must report all absences to the school in writing or by telephone. If your child will be absent, please call the school office between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. We need to know the status of your child’s attendance. If the student is less than 1 hour late, he or she will be counted as tardy. After 1 hour the student will be counted as half-day absent.

Tardiness

1. A tardy is defined as not being in the classroom at the beginning of the school day. No child should be allowed to be continually late. For every five unexcused tardies in a quarter, the student will receive one absence.
2. Students who arrive after 8:15 a.m. should report to the office for a tardy slip. Please help your child learn responsibility by insisting that he arrive on time for school.

One responsibility of a teacher is to help develop the habits of successful people.  Teachers who deem the attendance patterns of the student to be a problem are authorized to take corrective action.

Make-Up Work

1. When calling the office to notify of an absence, parents should request any make up work and advise as to whether the work is to be picked up after school in the office or sent home with a sibling or neighbor or via email.
2. Please inform the teachers of planned absences at least one week ahead of time to allow proper listing and gathering of assignments. 
3. Habitual absences will be addressed on an individual basis. 
4. Please make every attempt to schedule appointments outside of school hours.

Concordia Lutheran School highly discourages vacations during the academic year and still we support the option of parents that affect their students.  In the case of planned absences, parents are required to come to an agreement with the classroom teacher for how the missed work which is presented will be addressed.

Early Arrival/Late Stay

1. Staff will be on duty at 7:50 AM each school day. 
2. Students arriving before 7:50 AM must report to Concordia Care. 
3. Students who remain at school after the regular dismissal time of 3:00 PM, must be involved in an official extra-curricular activity or be enrolled in the after school child care program. 
4. No student is to be in the school building before or after school hours without adult supervision.

Students must be kept home from school if they have any of the following:

1. Fever: Fever is defined as a temperature over 100 degrees. Students may not return to school until he/she has been fever free for 24 hours without the aid of a fever reducer such as Tylenol or Advil.
2. Diarrhea: Diarrhea is defined as 4-5 loose stools within a 24-hour period. Students may not return to school until 12 hours after the last episode.
3. Vomiting: Students may return to school 12 hours after the last episode and only after they are able to tolerate food.
4. Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): Children must be treated with prescription antibiotic drops for a full 24-hours before returning to school.
5. Acute Infections: This could include but is not limited to any infectious disease that can be transmitted to others such as: upper respiratory infections, strep throat, scarlet fever, chicken pox, etc… Any infection requiring an antibiotic will require that child be excluded from school until they are fever free and on the antibiotic for a full 24 hours.
6. Persistent Cough: A persistent cough can be warring to a child; resulting in fatigue, disruption the classroom, and further spreading of germs. In this case, the child may need to stay home until the condition improves.
7. Skin Conditions:  Any undiagnosed sore that can not be covered or untreated skin eruptions will require a doctor’s written clearance before the child may return to school.
8. Chicken Pox: Student may not return to school until they are fever free for a full 24-hours and all the lesions are dry and crusted. 
9. Head Lice: Students may return to school once the first treatment is complete and verification has been made that the child is nit (egg) free.

If you child has any of the conditions listed above, please inform the school when calling in your student as absent. Certain conditions, such as Chicken Pox, must be reported by the school to Winnebago County Health Department.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Admissions Policy

New students wishing to enroll at Concordia Lutheran School are required to complete the following: 

Application and Fees- Completing the enrollment application and submitting the accompanying fees begins the process.

Academic Testing- Concordia Lutheran School reserves the right to test the academic readiness of any new student in Grades Pk-6 at the teacher’s discretion.

Health Forms- All physical, dental, and eye examinations, and all immunization requirements must be met by the first day of school.

All new students are admitted on a nine week probationary standing. Once the student demonstrates Christian character, academic competence, and self-discipline, the probationary standing will be dropped. This policy is an attempt to help the transition and placement of new students. Concordia Lutheran School reserves the right to terminate the enrollment of any student at any time, during probation, or outside of the probationary period. Specific details of expulsion are outlined in the section of the Handbook dealing with discipline. Communication with the parents of probationary students will be ongoing during the nine week period. This probationary policy includes children that have identified special needs.

A transcript from the sending school including any record of special education testing or services provided is an integral part of the application papers.

Non-Discrimination Policy
In compliance with the Internal Revenue Service and Christian principles, Concordia Lutheran School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and athletic and other school administered programs.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Biblical Conflict Resolution

Whenever people work together, information is necessary. Because we are sinful, disagreements or confusion can happen. Therefore, if a situation involving confusion or a disagreement arises, please follow these guidelines: 

If your child comes home with information that disturbs you, please contact the teacher or the person involved. You need to hear both sides of the story. Call and make an appointment with the person to discuss your concerns. (Matthew 18:15- “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.”)

If this meeting does not resolve the situation, request a meeting with that person, and a school official. (Matthew 18:16- “But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”)

If you wish to address the issue to the administration, call Mr. Blake and state your concern. This step will be allowed only if steps 1 and 2 are followed first. (Matthew 18:17- If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as would a pagan or tax collector.”)

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Withdrawal

Withdrawals from school must be made in writing through the school office. It is understood that the tuition is due and payable until the official withdrawal form has been completed and delivered to the school office. Textbooks and other school owned material are to be returned at the time of withdrawal. 

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Financial Information

Concordia Lutheran School receives its income from tuition and fees and does not receive income from state or federal funds. Parents are asked to pay their tuition and fees when due. Records will not be processed and report cards will be withheld until all bills are paid in full. Delinquent payment may be cause for dismissal. 

For your record keeping and to avoid any potential confusion, we ask that all payments be made by check, money-order, debit, or credit card. We accept Visa and Master card. All payments are due by the 15th of each month. You will receive monthly statements in the mail from Rockford Lutheran.  Billing questions should be directed to Rockford Lutheran.   If tuition payments become delinquent (30+ days) during the school year without an explanation, steps will be taken such as ending enrollment. Tuition checks are processed through an automated checking system. There will be a $25.00 NSF charge for any returned checks. Returning students must have a zero balance on their previous school year tuition account before admission will be allowed.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.

Administration & Faculty

Pastor’s Role 
Concordia Lutheran School is a ministry of Concordia Lutheran Church; therefore the Pastor(s) of Concordia have an important role within the life of the school. In accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of Concordia Lutheran Church, the Senior Pastor is the spiritual advisor for all the ministries of Concordia, including the school. He provides guidance for the Administration and the teachers. He is available to meet with students and parents when appropriate. Frequently, the Senior Pastor leads the mid-week Chapel services for children. The Senior Pastor is the on-site representative of the congregation and the Ministry Leadership Board for all ministries of Concordia.

Teachers are responsible for the environment of their classroom, the scope of their instructional goals, and the implementation of classroom practices and standards.

All policies in the handbook are subject to interpretation and enforcement by teachers and administration.