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Health & Dental Examinations Record/Parents

The State of Illinois requires a Certificate of Children’s Health Examination for every student in kindergarten, sixth grade, and ninth grade.  That certificate must include an up-to-date immunization record, including Hepatitis B.

In addition, students entering kindergarten, second grade, and sixth grade must have a dental examination and provide a Proof of School Dental Examination Form.

MacNeal School complies with these state mandates and therefore excludes students who do not have a current health file.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to make sure that the health and dental records are in compliance.

Home/School Relationship/Parents

MacNeal School prides itself on its involvement and communication with parents/guardians.  This partnership of home and school is critical for the success of each student.  In an effort to achieve this, several forms of communication have been put in place.

The most common and daily form of communication is the home/school log.  The log includes homework assignments given that day as well as behavioral data.  We request a parent/guardian to read and sign the log daily.  In addition, the parent/guardian is encouraged to write comments and ensure that the log returns with the student to school each day.  Logs or individual log sheets are always sent home, even on a day with early dismissal.  The school should be called immediately if a student arrives at home without a log.  Social Workers and psychologists are available by phone throughout the day and have confidential voice mail.  Messages for teachers and/or counselors will be taken during the day and phone calls returned before or after school.

 

For other school concerns, however, please note the following:

 

  • Issues regarding daily transportation should be directed to the Academic Coordinators.  IEP meetings with referring school districts and moves between school districts should also be directed to the Academic Coordinators.
  • For attendance issues and clinical concerns, calls should be directed to the Dean of Students.
  • For issues regarding academic standards, approval of family vacations or concerns about school programming, please direct your call to the Principal.

 

After the enrollment of each student. A home/school team will be developed, consisting of the student’s social worker, psychologist, teacher, classroom counselor, and an intervention specialist.  Middle school, junior high, and high school students are generally part of this team.  Attention will be given to acquiring other resources as deemed necessary by the team.  The Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2) is utilized as the basic tool to build the framework of a treatment plan.

 

Home/school communication takes many forms, ranging from daily/weekly phone calls and daily home/school checklists to monthly meetings.

 

Please note that all MacNeal School faculty members are mandated reporters to the hotline of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

 

Community Coordination/Parents

Community health professionals are welcomed at home/school meetings and every effort is made to coordinate services between community mental health professionals and the school faculty on behalf of the student.

 

MacNeal School faculty is available for behavioral base-lining through assessments and quarterly report cards are mailed to community professionals with the appropriate release of information. The school prides itself in providing seamless 24 hour programming although the student is only in program 6.5 hours daily. Therefore, an integrated treatment approach is highly valued.

 

School Uniform Guidelines/Parents

MacNeal School promotes a philosophy of normalized special education, providing special education students with standard school experiences.  Along with this, the school strives to instill a sense of belonging to the larger community of the school and a pride in one’s school and self.  All MacNeal School students are required to attend school in the school-sanctioned uniform.  The uniform is as follows:

 

Boys (Grades K-12)

 

  • Navy blue slacks with a zipper and button(s) OR
  • Navy blue shorts with a zipper and button(s) (SUMMER SESSION ONLY)

*Please note:  Pull-up pants/shorts are acceptable for kindergarten and first-grade students only.

  • White, collared, long-/short-sleeved polo shirt with two or more buttons and no colored logo.  No other white shirts are acceptable.
  • Navy blue sweater or sweatshirt optional for cooler weather (no colored logo other than MacNeal School logo)—All students receive a MacNeal School logo sweatshirt at the beginning of the fall term.
  • White or navy blue socks only
  • Standard school shoes, brown or black leather (Sneakers that are entirely black, including the sole and logo, may be worn.)

 

Girls (Grades K-12)

 

  • Navy blue slacks with a zipper and button(s) OR
  • Navy blue skirt (to the knee) OR
  • Navy blue shorts, capris, or cropped pants with a zipper and button(s) (SUMMER SESSION ONLY)

*Please note:  Pull-up pants are acceptable for kindergarten and first-grade students only.

  • White, collared, long-/short-sleeved polo shirt with two or more buttons and no colored logo.  No other white shirts are acceptable.
  • Navy blue sweater or sweatshirt optional for cooler weather (no colored logo other than MacNeal School logo)—All students receive a MacNeal School logo sweatshirt at the beginning of the fall term.
  • White or navy blue socks only
  • Standard school shoes, brown or black leather (Sneakers that are entirely black, including the soles and logo, may be worn.)

 

All slacks and shorts must be worn at waist level.  If slacks or shorts have belt loops, a belt is required.

 

Athletic warm-up and colored T-shirts are not acceptable uniform components.  Due to security reasons, cargo pants are no longer permitted.  Students in kindergarten through third grade should have a clean change of uniform in school for emergency purposes.

 

All MacNeal School students are expected to attend school with a neat appearance.  The parent/guardian is expected to monitor and supervise his/her student’s appearance and hygiene.  To that end, the following guidelines apply:

 

  • All shirts (boys and girls) are to be tucked in at all times.
  • Hair cut, style, and color are expected to be of a conservative nature.  No hair coloring or highlighting is permitted.
  • No jewelry of any kind is to be worn, including watches.  Please note that no earrings are allowed, including those of new piercings.
  • Tattoos are not to be visible.
  • Excessive make up is unacceptable.
  • Fingernails are expected to be of moderate length and color.
  • Paste-on or acrylic nails are not acceptable
  • No body piercing is acceptable.

 

Physical Education Uniform

 

Gym shirts embossed with the MacNeal School Dragon logo are issued to students for use during their physical education classes.  Students are expected to bring the gym shirt, navy blue shorts, gym shoes, and socks daily for class and are provided safe, monitored changing areas.  Students (with the exception of primary students) are expected to provide and maintain the following hygiene kit for gym class:

 

  • Small gym bag
  • Hairbrush/comb
  • Sanitizing personal wipes
  • Deodorant (4th to 12th grades)

 

Lunch Guidelines/Parents

The school does not have a hot lunch program.  Students are expected to bring a lunch to school every day.  The following guidelines have been set for school lunches:

 

  • The school’s expectation is that each student will come to school with a nutritious lunch, such as: sandwich, fruits/vegetables, and chips.  Students are welcome to bring healthy beverages; however, milk is provided daily by the school.  Sugared and caffeinated soda and desserts, including snack cakes, brownies, cookies, gum, and so forth, are not allowed.
  • Lunches must come to school in a bag or lunch box clearly labeled with the student’s name and will be refrigerated until lunchtime.
  • For safety reasons, students may not bring thermoses.  No food or drink can be transported in a glass container.  Factory seals must be intact on packaged beverages.  Upon arrival, any beverage that is open will be disposed of.
  • Lunches may not be shared or traded.
  • No take-out food in “fast food” packaging can be accepted a MacNeal School.
  • Although leftovers may be an acceptable lunch, please know that MacNeal School cannot provide microwave facilities for student use.
  • MacNeal School provides subsidized lunches in keeping with state and federal regulations.  These lunches consist of a cold sandwich, fruit, vegetable, and milk.  Middle school, junior high, and high school students receive a second sandwich in their lunch.  The parent/guardian is expected to provide documentation of eligibility at enrollment.  If a parent chooses to pack their child’s lunch in lieu of the subsidized lunch, they will sign the Subsidized Lunch Questionnaire/Waiver.
  • Students who forget their lunch will receive a carton of milk and a piece of fruit.
  • Because of health reasons and bus regulations, uneaten food items will be disposed of.  Please pack only what your child can eat during a 30-minute lunch period.

 

Medication Guidelines/Parents

Many students take prescription medication during the school day.  Mandatory compliance with state regulatory agencies requires the following procedures:

 

  • Medication Administration Permission Form(s) (white form) must be completed, indicating each medication that is to be administered during the school day.
  • Student Prescription Medication Information Data sheet(s) (blue form) must be completed to indicate ALL medications that the student takes.
  • A new set of Medication Administration Permission Form(s) and Student Prescription Medication Information Data sheet(s) must be completed EACH time a change in medication and/or dosage occurs.
  • Nonprescription medication (such as Tylenol, cough syrup, Midol) can be administered only with written parent/guardian permission (yellow Over-the-Counter Medication Administration Permission Form).  Medication must arrive at school in a factory-sealed container.  (Please note:  cough drops will not be dispensed nor can lip balm be used during the day.)
  • Students and/or parent(s)/guardian(s) may transport medication to school, or medication can be transported via bus personnel.
  • All medication must be in their original pharmacy containers with prescription labels/instructions and must match the blue Medication Administration Permission Form.
  • MacNeal School cannot dispense medications from a doctor’s/manufacturer’s sample package.
  • All medications need to be turned in to the classroom teacher only.
  • At least a one-week supply of medication needs to arrive on the first day of each school week.
  • Informal phone requests to administer medication cannot be honored.
  • The school cannot act as an intermediary between the parent/guardian and the student’s psychiatrist/physician regarding changing and/or obtaining medication.
  • Faculty members dispense medication within thirty minutes before or after the designated time.
  • Faculty members teach medication information as they dispense doses to students.
  • Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are expected to notify the school of nay interruption or change in medication.
  • Faculty members ensure that asthma medications/inhalers are always within close proximity of students who need them, including in P.E. class.
  • Prescriptions requiring tablets to be cut in half will need to be done at home.

 

In accordance with Public Act 92-0402, students suffering from asthma will be permitted to self-administer medication provided that:

 

  1. The parent(s)/guardian(s) provide the school with written authorization for the self-administration of medication and
  2. The parent(s)/guardian(s) provide the school with a written statement from the student’s physician.
  3. The parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student must sign a statement acknowledging that the school is to incur no liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of an injury arising from the self-administration of medication by the student.

 

Please note that all forms are renewed annually and made available upon request. (See Forms in Parents Menu)

 

Transportation/Parents

All IEPs state that home school districts are responsible for the transportation of their students to and from MacNeal School.  Some districts use their own buses, while others contract with local transportation agencies.  MacNeal School works with the transportation companies by providing them with the daily schedule and annual school calendar.

  • Students are expected to follow bus or cab company rules at all times.  Infractions of transportation rules are reported to the Academic Coordinators.  Consequences are given, if necessary, which may include temporary suspension of bus services and/or in-school suspension.
  • Students are to be transported ONLY by transportation carriers contracted by the home school district or by a custodial parent/legal guardian.
  • Should parent(s)/guardian(s) opt to personally transport their child, standard arrival and departure times must be followed.  If special circumstances occur and a parent/guardian requests another adult to pick up his/her child, the MacNeal School office must be notified in advance and a Parental Permission Slip for Special Pick-Up must be completed, signed by the parent/guardian, and returned to the school office before the student can be released.  The person picking up the student must be at least 21 years old and must present a photo I.D.  A new Parental Permission Slip for Special Pick-Up must be completed for each special circumstance.
  • From time to time, severe weather may hinder carriers from reaching your home.  A parent/guardian must make his/her own decision about bringing or sending the student by alternative transportation.  If a parent/guardian should elect to keep a student home, the parent/guardian is expected to call the school.
  • Under no circumstances may students transport themselves to school or make their own special arrangement for transportation.
  • The parent/guardian is obligated to inform the transportation carrier on any occasion that the transportation needs will change because of the student’s absence or late arrival or early departure.  MacNeal School cannot be expected to notify carriers of changes that a parent/guardian chooses to make in the student’s transportation schedule.  Should your student not arrive at school on the regularly scheduled transportation, you must inform the transportation carrier if you expect transport from MacNeal School to the home at the end of the day.
  • The home school transportation office and/or the transportation carriers usually contact parent(s)/guardian(s) at the beginning of each school year to clarify pick-up and drop-off times and locations.  Most companies have a stated specific amount of time during which they will wait for a student to board the vehicle.  They cannot and should not be expected to wait beyond that allotted period.
  • Should a student not be ready when transportation arrives in the morning, the transportation provider is not expected to return to the student’s home for pick-up.  Parents/Guardians are then responsible for transporting their child to school.
  • Some families wish to have their student transported from school to an after-school program or therapist’s office.  In that event, it is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to make arrangements with their local school district.
  • MacNeal School is not able to keep a student beyond the time that his/her regularly scheduled transportation arrives.  If the alternate transportation has not arrived by 3:00 P.M., the student will be put on his/her regular transportation.
  • The parent(s)/guardian(s) has the right to expect that his/her student will be transported on a timely basis and under safe conditions.  Should a parent/guardian have continuing issues with the transportation carrier, he/she should attempt to resolve them with the home school district.
  • Should MacNeal School become aware that afternoon transportation will be delayed or moved up due to inclement weather, an attempt will be made to notify the parent/guardian by phone.
  • A change of address will impact transportation services.  Families that contemplate a move must inform the local school district, MacNeal School, and the transportation company.  Do not assume that transportation will continue from a new location.  For instance, if a family moves into a new school district, the old district’s responsibility for transportation ceases.  Even moves within district can result in interruptions in transportation services for up to three days.

 

Attendance Guidelines/Parents

 

Absences

Consistent attendance is the key to school success.  Students are expected to attend each school day.  Excessive absences result in lowered school grades and diminished progress towards established IEP goals.  Family vacations during scheduled school days are strongly discouraged.  Parents/Guardians must notify the Principal directly in advance in order to approve and arrange for a vacation contract with the student, outlining expectations for work assignments and completion timelines.

 

The parent/guardian is required to report any absence to the school office by 9:00 A.M. on each day of the absence.  Voice mail message service available for those parents/guardians who leave call-in messages during non-school hours.  A doctor’s note on prescription pad or letterhead is required for any illness-related absence of three or more days.  Students who are not present in school and whose parent/guardian has not called will receive a call from the Dean of Students to determine the reason(s) for absence.

 

Extended absences of five days or more require MacNeal School to notify the home school district of the circumstances in writing.  Please note that ISBE defines truancy as “an accumulation of unexcused absences that total more than 10% of the days in the current school year.”

 

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to call and work with the transportation company on any change of transportation due to an absence.

 

Illness

In an effort to control the spread of infectious disease to both students and faculty, students should not be allowed to attend school if they are ill.  Should a student be identified with a fever, actively vomiting, or displaying symptoms of a highly infectious disease, the parent/guardian will be notified and, if possible, arrangements will made for the student to go home.  Students will not be sent to homes where a parent/guardian is not present.  Should a student be identified with a fever parent(s)/guardian(s) will be immediately called.  A student needs to be fever free for 24 hours without fever control medication before returning to school.

Doctor’s Note

On the following occasions, MacNeal School requires a doctor’s note that is written either on a prescription pad or letterhead:

 

  • Following an absence for illness of more than three days
  • Following an absence due to a contagious disease
  • Medical excuse from participating in Physical Education
  • Medical release to return to Physical Education
  • Medical excuse for non-participation in outdoor activities during an air pollution action day
  • Medical releases from the primary physician to participate in activities outside the building for those students who suffer from morbid obesity

 

Homework Guidelines/Parents

The ability to complete homework independently and consistently is an essential part of being a student.

 

  • Students in kindergarten through third grade can expect 15 to 20 minutes of homework four nights a week.
  • Students in fourth and fifth grades can expect to have 30 to 45 minutes of homework four nights a week with addition of a long-term project modified for the lower grades.
  • Students in sixth through eighth grade can expect to have 45 to 60 minutes of homework each day with the addition of a long-term project.
  • High school students (grades 9-12) can expect to have 60 to 90 minutes of homework each day with the addition of a long-term project.

 

Depending on a student’s age, either the student or teacher will write specific assignments in the home/school log.  Students are expected to have all necessary materials and return the next day with completed assignments.  Homework is designed to reinforce new classroom concepts taught and to provide practice time for these skills.  It should be noted that incomplete class work and homework are two different items.

 

Homework is individualized and is determined by the student’s ability.  Completion of homework assignments takes place outside of scheduled school hours.

 

Parents/Guardians are strongly encouraged to establish a homework/study period nightly for their child.  While assistance and structure are necessary, independence in completing homework should be fostered.  The school’s expectation is that each student completes his/her own assignments.

 

Academic Support

Each day students who struggle to complete their homework are given an opportunity to complete the work during the school hours.  The academic support program is in place to help these students achieve the minimum expectations by providing two additional 30-minute work periods in the school day.  Students receiving academic support are expected to work on unfinished homework, incomplete classroom assignments, and/or test preparation.  Teaching support is available to the students during these work periods.

 

Academic & Behavioral Progress/Parents

 

Grade Reports

Student progress is reported in two different forms throughout the school year.  Half way through each grading period (quarter), parents/guardians and students receive an academic progress report, indicating the student’s current standing both academically and behaviorally.  Grades of achievement are indicated.  This report affords students a reminder to either continue their positive growth or to put forth more effort.

 

At the end of each grading period (quarter), the parent/guardian and student receive a comprehensive report.  The report contains grades for the quarter in all subjects; a complete summarizing achievement in the areas of academics, emotional and behavioral functioning, group therapy, and IEP status of all goals; and a behavioral analysis of point sheet data.  Additionally, Intermediate through High School level students receive a detailed data report on grade formulation.  For first quarter only, parents are required to attend a parent-teacher conference to receive their student’s first quarter report card.  For the remainder of the school year, parents/guardians are requested to use this opportunity to review together with their student the current level of progress and then sign and return the receipt to school.  Parent/guardian-teacher conferences can be requested at any time.

 

MacNeal School provides a copy of the student’s cumulative grade report each grading period to the student’s home school district.  In the case of high school student, official transcripts are available upon request.

 

The most traditionally recognized measure of academic progress is the grade.  The MacNeal School grading scale is as follows:

 

Grade                                     Percentage                                      Achievement

A                                             100-93                                               Outstanding

B                                             92-85                                                 Very Good

C                                             84-77                                                 Satisfactory

D                                             76-70                                                 Needs Improvement

F                                              69 and below                                   Unsatisfactory

 

Students quarterly grades are weighted as follows:

 

Tests                         15%

                                                Homework               30%

                                                Participation            30%

                                                Class work               25%

 

Final exams are 20% of the final semester grade for junior high and high school students.

 

Honor Roll

Honor Roll candidates are determined in accordance with the above grading scale.  Honor Roll is a two-level designation.  A student may earn Gold Honor Roll for an A average (100-93) or a student may earn Silver Honor Roll for a B average (92-85).  In the calculation of grade averages, all letter grades are taken into account, including grades for group therapy and physical education.  Honor Roll is announced at the end of each grading period and the summer session, giving students five opportunities each school year to achieve Honor Roll status.  Please note that in determining the semester grades for the junior high and high school divisions, the first quarter grades are averaged with the second-quarter grades as well as the final exam grades.

 

Personal Possessions/Parents

MacNeal School cannot be held responsible for the personal possessions of its students.  Students are not to bring any personal possessions, apart from school supplies, to the school, or on buses unless the school administration or classroom team has specifically requested them.  Items such as, but not limited to, MP3 players, hand-held gaming systems, cell phones, toys, makeup, fragrance products, or purses are not part of the educational process and serve no constructive place in the educational environment.  Should these items be found in a student’s possession, they will be confiscated and made available for pick up only to the parent/guardian.  Items my be retrieved at school.  Please call ahead to make these arrangements.

 

Unfortunately, MacNeal School cannot accept personal mail for any of its students.  All such items will be returned unopened to the sender.

 

Classroom Supplies/Parents

Students receive a list of school supplies that they are expected to bring to school.  Supply lists are generated by the classroom team and are then given to the parent/guardian upon initial enrollment and during annual registration.

 

School Supplies Lists for the 2011-2012 School Year

 

Primary Room 101A

Primary Room 101

Intermediate Room 103

Intermediate Room 104

Middle School Room 106

Middle School Room 200

Junior High Room 202

Junior High Room 206

High School Room 203

High School Room 205

 

School Closings & Emergency Information/Parents

In the event that inclement weather should occur, MacNeal School has taken every precaution to keep the safety of students in the forefront.  A school closing in the winter months would likely be due to severe cold and snowfall.  Should school be closed, parents/guardians will have a recorded message available to them on the school’s voicemail system, and the school closing will be listed in radio, television, and online announcements.  MacNeal School also utilizes partial days including early dismissal and/or late arrival to minimize closings.

 

Should the United States Weather Service broadcast a tornado warning or severe weather alert, the school will take all necessary precautions.  All students and faculty will relocated to the safest area of the building and will remain there until an all-clear has been sounded.  If the school is under a tornado warning at dismissal time, no student will be dismissed until an all-clear is sounded.

 

A school closing is an unlikely event and every effort will be made to follow the school calendar.  In the event that school is closed, a make-up day will be scheduled.  If a parent/guardian elects to keep a child home during severe weather conditions, it is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to call both the school and the transportation provider.