THE TIGER TIMES
September 2017
Acton Elementary School 2017-2018
ATTENDANCE: 317-803-5105
TRANSPORTATION: 317-862-2314
Website: http://www.ftcsc.k12.in.us/acton
Location: 8010 Acton Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Phone: 317-862-6108
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acton-Elementary-School-1522775218039522/?fref=ts
"Everything is bigger in Texas!"
ATTENDANCE LINE (317) 803-5105
Attendance Policy
- When a student is going to be absent from school for any reason, the parent must call the attendance line (803-5105) and report it by 11:00 a.m. Upon returning to school following an absence or absences, the student shall bring a written statement. The note must contain dates of absences and reason, as well as parent/guardian signature. These statements determine if the absence is excusable. Failure to report (verbal or written) a student absent within 24 hours will result in the absence being unexcused. Students will be considered unexcused for all absences other than those stipulated by administrative guidelines, state, or federal statutes. Please see the Acton Website for more information.
- Just a reminder: School Board policy 5200 regarding appointments. – Parents are encouraged to schedule medical, dental, and other necessary appointments other than during school hours. When appointments are necessary during the school day, the student shall report back to school immediately after the appointment with a signed statement from the doctor, dentist, etc.
CAR RIDER INFORMATION
Car rider pick up doors will remain open until 4:05 on regular release days and 3:35 on early release days. If you arrive after that your child will need to picked up in the office. All vehicles must have their car rider number in order to pick up a child in the car rider line. You can contact the front office to receive a car rider number. Afternoon car rider line drivers should put their cars into park and step OUT of their cars. This is for the safety of your student. By standing outside your vehicle we will know you are still waiting for your child to be loaded.
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES
Teachers and staff need time to make arrangements and make sure your student gets to the right area at dismissal.
WALKER INFORMATION
- AM--Students are to be at the sidewalk across from the crosswalk at the school at 8:35. Students will wait there for designated adult to come and walk them across the crosswalk and into the school.
- PM--Students are to go down and sit outside the gym when the walkers are called. At 3:50 (3:20 on early release) a designated adult will walk the students out. Parents are welcome to wait outside and walk child home, or the designated adult will walk students across the crosswalk.
BACKGROUND CHECK INFORMATION
The following volunteers will need a criminal history check:
1. Any person who will be working with students for extended periods of time – either consecutive hours or on a regular schedule.
2. Any person who will be in a position to supervise students – this includes but not limited to field trips (at all levels, including band and choir trips) or taking a group of students out of a classroom for remediation work.
3. Any person who will be alone with a student.
*NOTE: VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE NO LONGER FREE OF CHARGE. THE FEE IS APPROXIMATELY $16.00 PER VOLUNTEER. If you wish to proceed, please follow the instructions and click on link below.
https://secure.safevisitorsolutions.com/…/Vo…/franklin000012
• Please select VOLUNTEER for "Position"
• Make sure your name is spelled correctly
• Please complete the entire form, all fields with *are required
• Please select the school or schools for which you request to volunteer
• Select I Agree and then Submit
All schools have access to the volunteer data base and can verify a clear background check. If there is an issue with the background check that will affect the ability to volunteer, that volunteer will be notified. This comprehensive background check will be active for two years. You will receive an email notification once the background check is clear. You will also be notified when it is about to expire.
School Bus Evacuation Drills
Dear Parents/Guardians of Franklin Township,
To ensure the safety of all students, our school bus drivers will be discussing school bus safety and performing the Indiana DOE Required Evacuation Training with our students. Below you will find the schedule for these training's separated by individual schools.
*Acton: Thursday, Sept. 14 @ approx. 8:40 am
It is our goal to prepare your student and our staff members for the unexpected need to safely evacuate a school bus in an emergency situation. The need for this action would only take place if the students were in immediate danger. Each year we practice different scenarios to help us be ready for the unexpected emergency. Please help our efforts by speaking with your child and preparing them for our drill. Students will be instructed to leave any carry-on items in their assigned seat. Please help us the day of the drill by having them wear sensible clothing as they may be instructed to slide down and slide out the rear door while being assisted. They will be required to stand outside for a short period of time. This practice exercise will be handled professionally with the same attention to safety as a school fire drill.
We appreciate your support in this training exercise. Thank you!
Also the following bus rules are posted on the bus. Please review them with your child. Thank you!
*No food or drink on the bus.
*Wear seatbelts, if equipped
*Electronic devices cannot interfere with the safety of the driver and students
*Keep all body parts inside the bus. Windows can be down ¼ of the total window
*Stay in your assigned seats at all times
*No weapons or inappropriate items
*Only Franklin Township staff and students on the bus
*No physical or verbal mistreatment
*Carry-on items must be kept away from emergency exits and out of the aisle
REMIND TEXT MESSAGING
STAR EXPRESS NEWS
- Visit http://ftcsc.nutrislice.com/ for a complete listing of our menu items.
- For more information visit: https://schoolnutrition.org/NSBW2016/
- For more information on student health, visit www.kidshealth.org.
- Online payments through PayPams is convenient way to pay for your child's meals.
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
UPCOMING EVENTS
September:
1 Instructional Coaches meeting
4 Labor Day
5 PTO Meeting
11 Friendship Week/ Fundraiser Kickoff Convocation
11-15 Friendship/Anti Bullying Week
14 Bus Evacuation Drills
15 All Pro Dads
18 1st Grade Kasey the Dog
22 PTO Fundraiser-a-thon
29 End of first grading period
SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM
Kevin Adams:
317-803-5103.
In August, Mr. Adams taught his introductory lesson to all students. He focused on our PAWS. These are our 4 school rules that promote a safe and respectful school climate at Acton.
Students also learned how Mr. Adams can help them, how to use the buddy bench, and how to make good choices in the hallway and cafeteria.
ALL PRO DADS -Sept 15th 7:45 AM
Join other Acton Dads and kids for a quick, before- school breakfast and a 45-minute program of fatherhood and family topics. You’ll take away some great tips and resources to help you be the best Dad you can be, and you’ll strengthen your relationship with your kids at the same time. Chick-Fil-A will be available for $4
It’s fun and it’s FREE! See you there…
For more information contact Greg Edens at greg@yourvalley.org
RSVP @ www.allprodad.com/5029
SAFETY REMINDER
WE LOVE OUR STUDENTS. THEIR SAFETY IS CRUCIAL TO US. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BE PREPARED TO STOP AND SHOW ID WHEN VISITING OUR SCHOOL.
WE HAVE RECEIVED A NEW VISITOR SIGN IN SYSTEM. THIS WILL REQUIRE ALL VISITORS TO HAVE AN IDENTIFICATION CARD THAT CAN BE SCANNED AT THE FRONT DESK.
SCHOOL TIMES
8:50am-3:50pm
Wednesday
8:50am-3:20pm
Car Rider Doors Open at 8:35am
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES
- If there is a change in transportation for students at the end of the day, we must be notified by a Parent/Guardian before 3:00pm. Teachers need time to make arrangements.
PTO UPDATES
- Visit the new Acton PTO Website at www.actonpto.com to stay up to date on school events, volunteer needs, teacher & staff "like" lists and so much more!
- The next PTO Meeting will be September 5th at 6:30pm. Childcare & Snacks provided!
- Save the Date: September 22nd is our Tiger Team-a-thon. This is our big fundraiser for the year, and we will need your help during the day for the event! Each grade will participate during their related arts times. More information and pledge sheets will be coming home soon.
CLINIC NEWS
* Any student coming to the clinic must have consent.
* For grades K-8 all medications must be transported to and from school by a parent or guardian
* COUGH DROPS are medication
* Students must be free of vomiting for 24 hours before returning to school and must be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication before returning to school.
* The clinics do not stock any medications.
* If your child is going to be absent from school please call your child in using the attendance line phone number.
* Work with your child at home on proper hand washing and coughing and sneezing into their sleeve/elbow.
FTCSC IS HIRING!
VISITOR PRE-REGISTRATION
Below is the link to pre-register. Thank you for helping us keep our kids safe.
https://secure.safevisitorsolutions.com/Safe/Visitor/franklin000012
APPOINTMENT POLICY
OUTSIDE FOOD/SPECIAL OCCASION POLICY PER HANDBOOK
FRONT OFFICE INFORMATION
Please review a few important front office policies.
- We do our best to keep classroom disruptions to a minimum. If your child forgets an item and you bring it in, please do not be offended if the front office asks for you to leave the item with them so it can be delivered at an appropriate time.
- If there is a change in transportation for students at the end of the day, we must be notified by a Parent/Guardian before 3:00pm.
- If electronics (cell phones, ipods, gaming systems) are brought into school and removed from backpacks, they will be confiscated by the teacher. A parent/guardian will be asked to pick up the electronic at the front desk.
- When having lunch with your student in the cafeteria please remember to only have your child sit with you at the family table. We like to keep the table open for other families.
- Morning student drop off must be done in the car rider line. Drop off opens at 8:35 am in the car rider line.
- Students arriving after 8:50 am MUST be signed in at the front office.
- Review the Franklin Township policies and procedures for absences on p. 2-3 in the student handbook. We appreciate your cooperation.
- All visitors must have a photo ID to enter the building.
- Just a reminder: School Board policy 5200 regarding appointments. – Parents are encouraged to schedule medical, dental, and other necessary appointments other than during school hours. When appointments are necessary during the school day, the student shall report back to school immediately after the appointment with a signed statement from the doctor, dentist, etc.
DROP OFF/ PICK UP
Pick up must be done from the car rider line as well. Car rider numbers are available at the front office.
Your cooperation helps keep our students safe.