Handbook / Policies & Procedures

Campus School Handbook

The Campus School Handbook is the official document of Campus School policies and procedures. In the event of any conflict between the information in the Handbook and information appearing elsewhere on this website, the Handbook rules.

View/download the 2009-2010 Campus School Handbook.

Selected Policies

As stated above, the Campus School Handbook is the official document of Campus School policies and procedures. This section contains excerpts of frequently used policies from the Handbook. All policies appear in full in the Handbook.

Attendance

It is the policy of the Memphis City Schools that all students attend school on all days that school is officially in operation and be on time for all classes. Unexcused absences are prohibited by law and policy.

Student absences may be excused for the following reasons:

• Personal illness of the student
• Death or serious illness in the immediate family
• Validated court appearance of the student
• Recognized religious holiday/event
• Any other unusual circumstance acceptable to the director.
  (These reasons will include approved school sponsored/sanctioned activities.)
• One-day absence when the parent/guardian or custodian is deployed for military service and one-day absence when the parent/guardian or custodian returns from military service.

A student who does not receive prior approval from the teacher or principal/designee for an excused absence must submit a note from a parent or guardian or other appropriate person describing the excused absence immediately upon the student's return to school, but, in any event, no later than three (3) school days after the absence was taken. The director may require a doctor's statement for the personal illness of a student that extends beyond three (3) consecutive school days or when a student is repeatedly absent for less than three (3) consecutive days. If no documentation justifying the absence as excusable is submitted within the three-day period, the absence will become an unexcused absence.

The official school day begins promptly at 8:00 a.m., and students must be in the classroom ready to work by this time. Children who are tardy must check in at the office before they are admitted to class. We consider it the responsibility of the parents to have their children at school on time. Because we are a school of choice, satisfactory attendance is a requirement. Daily attendance is very important for all students. A total of more than 15 absences, tardies and/or early dismissals a year is considered unsatisfactory. Unsatisfactory attendance will result in denial of admittance for the upcoming school year. If a child has a chronic illness, documentation from a physician must be provided which states that the illness impacts a child's ability to have timely, regular attendance (See Dismissal of Students During the School Day).

Cell Phones

Student use of cell phones is prohibited during the school day. We ask that visitors silence their phones and refrain from using them in the building.

Dismissal of Students During the School Day

Parents are encouraged to schedule doctor and dental appointments after school hours or during school breaks. It is requested that children not be checked out between 2:30 and 2:45. If you must check your child out early, send a note to the teacher requesting the early dismissal and stating the time and reason for dismissal. The parent must come to the school office to check out the child. Early dismissals will be documented on the report card. To qualify for perfect attendance, a student must be present the entire school day. Please read the Attendance section in this handbook as early dismissals will impact the student's attendance requirement.

Dress Code

All students will wear tan, navy, or black straight-legged or boot cut pants, cropped pants, cargo pants, straight-legged Capri pants, skirts, jumpers, or walking shorts (to the knee) of the appropriate size. Jeans and bell bottoms are not allowed. Students will wear white, navy, or gray polo or button shirts (long or short-sleeved); sleeveless tops are not acceptable. All shirts must have a collar and dress shirts must be tucked in. Turtlenecks are allowed. No logos are allowed on clothing except for the Campus School or University of Memphis. Shoes should not have heels higher than an inch and a half. Athletic or tennis shoes, as well as boots, are acceptable. If sandals are worn, they must have a heel strap. On P.E. days, students must wear appropriate shoes. Light jackets, vests, shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, and cardigans are permitted, but must be white, gray, black, tan, or navy.

Early Arrivals

Students arriving at 7:30 a.m. will wait in an assigned area until school begins. Prior to 7:30, students are not supervised. If students arrive before the recommended time on a regular basis, parents will be contacted.

Health Care/Illness

Memphis City Schools Board of Education addresses various health-related issues in the school by providing vision screening (grades 1, 3, and 5), hearing screening (grades 1, 3, and 5), and in-service for the school staff. There is an on-site nurse one day a week at Campus School. Staff members are trained in CPR and First Aid. The Assistant Director, Director, and/or Office Coordinator are responsible for dispensing medications to students. There must be a Permission to Medicate form on file in the office before any medication is dispensed. These forms require the signature of a medical doctor. Medication must be in the original bottle with dosage information. The name and phone number of each child's physician and hospital must be on file in the office.

Students with a temperature of 100° or more or who have contagious illnesses are not allowed to attend class. Students will be picked up immediately. Students are to remain home until fever-free for 24 hours.

Holidays and School Closings

Campus School has a unique calendar-year which is located on page 16. The calendar is sent home at the beginning of each school year and is also available in the office and on the website. In the event of inclement weather, Campus School will follow the Memphis City Schools closing policy.

Hours (School)

Students are expected to be in their homerooms between 7:45 and 8:00 a.m. to get ready for the school day. This is a very important time to prepare mentally for the day, greet friends and teachers, and get materials ready as needed. Campus School instruction begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. We request your cooperation in getting your child to school on time as this will ensure your child the best chance for a successful day. Students who leave school before dismissal must sign out in the main office before 2:30 p.m. The school day ends at 2:45 p.m., and all students not involved in after-school activities must leave the university campus by 3:00 p.m. at which time the building doors are locked. Parents will be notified by mail, or a conference scheduled, after a child has not been picked up by 3:00 p.m. three (3) times during the school year. Information on after-school programs is available in the office.

Lost and Found

Lost and found items will be kept on the stage in the playroom.

Money Policy

Teachers will send home information and specific instructions when money is requested. Be sure the student's name appears somewhere on all checks or money orders. Returned check fees are the responsibility of the issuer of the check. Final report cards can be held until financial obligations are met.

Parking

There are limited visitors' parking spaces with meters available on the east side of Campus School. The numbered spaces are purchased and reserved by Campus School faculty. Please do not park in these numbered spaces. Violators are often ticketed.

Parking Permits

A parking pass may be purchased from the U of M Parking Services for $25.00 per year which permits parking in the general lots.

Phone Calls

Students may use the office phone when they need to contact parents for school business or in the event of an emergency. Please help your child plan ahead so phone calls for items left at home can be kept to a minimum. Students will not be called out of class to the phone; however, emergency messages will be delivered.

Transportation

Campus School students must provide their own transportation to school. However, students living at least 1.5 miles from the school may apply for a city bus card and ride a MATA bus. If you have any questions regarding MATA services, please call 523-8134. Several after-school day care programs provide pick-up at Campus School. Arrangements should be made by parents for their child to participate in these programs. The school should be notified, in writing, if a child is to ride one of the day care buses. Your child's teacher must also be notified if there is a change in plans and the child will not ride on a given day.

Valuable Possessions

Please have your child refrain from bringing valuable articles to school such as walkmans, video games, model airplanes, etc. unless used as a hands-on demonstration approved by the supervising teacher. Electronic equipment, including laser pointers, is not allowed on public school campuses. Anything of monetary or sentimental value should be left at home.

Visitor Check-In

Anyone entering the school must first stop by the main office to check in and receive a badge. It must be visibly worn at all times while inside the building. This badge must be discarded in the office once the visitor checks out. When visiting students, permission must be requested and received through the main office to minimize interference with planned class activities.