CIS Elementary School Community Handbook 2023-24 Mr. Lawrence Torres Principal Harmony Cano Elementary Program Specialist 300 S. Madre St. Pasadena, CA 91107 626-396-5800 LINK School Hours Monday: 8:45 am - 1:30 pm Tuesday - Friday: 8:45 am - 3:10 pm Office Hours 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Table of Contents Principal’s Welcome Message 2 Mission, Vision, and Values Statement 3 Pasadena Unified Calendar 4 Instructional Schedule 5 Staff Roster 5 Independent Study Responsibilities 6 Student Responsibilities 6 Parent/Guardian Responsibilities 7 Attendance 7 Grades and Report Cards 8 School Communication 8 School Supplies 8 On Campus Learning Days 8 Visiting 8 School Leadership/Parent Groups 9 1
Principal’s Welcome Message We want to welcome you to the CIS Academy! Our school is the only program in the district that is K-12. The K-5 students will virtually meet with their teachers every day as a class and will also meet one on one and in small groups weekly as well. We will also have weekly on-campus activities weekly, and look forward to seeing you all there. The role of the parent/guardian/caregiver is incredibly important for our younger students and will be a vital part of each child’s learning experience. Most of the work the student is expected to complete will be done away from the teacher. This means that students will need to have a quiet place to complete their assignments. We suggest that a time schedule be created so that students are able to finish their work in a thoughtful manner. I also will say that we have an incredible staff of experienced teachers who will provide some wonderful experiences for the children. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the many different types of opportunities to interact with their teacher. I wish you all a wonderful school year Larry Torres Principal CIS Academy 2
Mission, Vision, and Values Statement PUSD VISION: We prepare students for the future by inspiring the joy of learning in every student every day! PUSD MISSION: We are a caring community that promotes a deep love for learning by embracing the cultural background of every student. We hold high expectations for student achievement. We provide an innovative curriculum that represents the global value of education. With a commitment to academic excellence, we prepare our students for their place in an ever-evolving world. SCHOOL MISSION: CIS Academy is a personalized alternative institution offering an education program that empowers confident, courageous, and complex thinkers. Embracing the many possible directions after high school for its students, CIS Academy prepares its students for careers, and higher education as well as an active role in their local and global communities. SCHOOL VISION: CIS Academy, with the combined efforts of all stakeholders, provides students with multiple pathways to graduation through rigorous, relevant instruction within a nurturing environment. 3
Pasadena Unified Calendar 4
Instructional Schedule 5
Staff Roster 6
Independent Study Responsibilities This master agreement is in effect for the 2023-2024 school year. ❖ The major objective for the duration of this agreement is to enable the student to keep current with K-5 grade studies for the period covered by this agreement. ❖ This agreement enables the student to successfully reach the objectives and complete the assignments identified in the Course Contract and Work Assignment Record Form(s) that will be part of this agreement. With the support of the parent, guardian, or caregiver, the student will submit assignments on or before the due date specified in the Work Assignment Record Form. ❖ The Pasadena Unified School District will provide the teacher services, instructional materials, and other necessary items and resources as specified for each assignment. ❖ The student will complete, during the term of this agreement, the assigned grade-level coursework. All coursework will be consistent with the Pasadena Unified School District adopted curriculum. ❖ Since Independent Study is a voluntary optional alternative in which no pupil may be required to participate, returning to a fully in-person classroom option will always be available to the student. ❖ The student agrees to meet during daily live classroom sessions, and during 1:1 and/or small group time with the teacher regularly, in accordance with the frequency, date, time, and location specified in the Master Agreement. ❖ All students enrolled in Independent Study shall receive appropriate existing services and resources to enable them to complete their school year successfully. This includes (but is not limited to) academic support; English Language Development; Exceptional Needs/504 plans; Foster students, Homeless students, and those who have mental health or Social-Emotional needs. School administrators shall ensure the same access to all existing services and resources as available to other students in the school of enrollment (EC 51746) Pasadena Unified School District will provide the teacher services, instructional materials, and other necessary items and resources for each assignment as specified on the Work Assignment Record Form. Student Responsibilities ❖ I must follow the discipline code and behavior guidelines of the school, in accordance with District policy. Any violation of these guidelines or failure to meet school/District requirements could result in dismissal from the Independent Study program. ❖ If I fail to complete three consecutive assignments (for each course of study when applicable) during any period of 15 days or miss two online meetings without a valid reason, my teacher will determine if it is best for me to remain in Independent Study or to transfer back to an in-person setting. The maximum length of time. by grade level and type of program that may elapse between the time an assignment is made and the date the assignment is due is one week for TK-3 students; Two weeks for 4th-5th grade students unless an exception is approved in accordance with District Policy of Independent Study. ❖ My work assignments will be substantially equivalent in quality and quantity to what I would be required to complete in my regular classroom-based instruction and are 7
consistent with the curriculum and certifications adopted by the District’s Board of Education. ❖ I must be supervised and meet regularly with the assigned Independent Study teacher and/or approved resource personnel responsible for my educational studies. ❖ I am expected to make adequate educational progress and report/submit work assignments to my teacher(s) for evaluation by the scheduled assignment due date. I am also expected to work on assignments every school day, attend live classes, one-on-one and group sessions, contact teachers with questions or concerns, and follow all written and spoken directions. This may include logging on and checking emails or announcements. ❖ When I meet with my teacher I will be prepared to ask questions, obtain necessary assistance, come prepared to engage in learning and take any scheduled tests or quizzes. ❖ The methods of study and instructional activities will include but not be limited to the following: listening, speaking, reading, writing computation, and thinking skills. Specific activities and instructional materials will be described on Acellus and on my teacher’s Canvas course. ❖ I will complete the course and subject work listed on our daily to-do list. ❖ I will attend my assigned class session, one-on-one meetings, or group sessions with my teacher. ❖ During the effective dates of the 2023-24 school year, I will complete at least the minimum amount of credits depending on the dates of my enrollment. This number may be adjusted if circumstances require a change. ❖ My Parent/Guardian/Educational Rights Holder or I may contact my teacher regarding my compliance with all the terms and conditions of the Master Agreement at any time. Parent/Guardian Responsibilities I understand that Independent Study is an optional educational alternative for my child that I have voluntarily selected. I understand that I am responsible for the items outlined in this section and the section labeled “Student Responsibilities”. ❖ I am responsible for promptly rescheduling any meetings or appointments missed with my student’s class or teacher because of any emergency. ❖ I am responsible for supervising my student while he or she is completing the assigned work and for ensuring the submission of all completed assignments necessary for evaluation by the dates due. ❖ I will provide instruction and assistance and an appropriate environment for study. ❖ I will ensure my child communicates with and submits all completed assignments required for evaluation by the due date. ❖ I am liable for the cost of replacement or repair for willfully damaged books, Chromebooks, charges, hotspots, and other school property checked out to my child. ❖ It is my responsibility to provide, if necessary, any needed transportation for my child's scheduled meetings and any other travel. 8
Attendance Absences from school regardless of the reason limit your student’s educational opportunities and can negatively affect his/ her grades and academic achievement. Independent Study Attendance: If your student is unable to attend live class sessions and/or cannot complete the outlined daily curriculum, then they will be marked absent. Because of the way we take attendance, students cannot earn excused absence for any reason, this includes, but is not limited to, illness or medical appointments. They have a full week to complete the work assigned for any given day in order to earn attendance. Grades and Report Cards Pasadena Unified School District has developed a grade reporting system that aligns percentages with letter grades. Report cards will still be available during the trimester reporting periods, however, this system is paperless and requests set-up access during the school year. Please sign up for a Parent Portal account, in the main office, to keep track of your student’s attendance and grades. School Communication Sunday Call: Each Sunday you will receive a phone call from CIS Elementary informing you of the upcoming events for the week as well as a link to our weekly SMORE eBlast full of important information. You can also access the school’s updates and communications at pusd.us/ciselementary Class Dojo: Our school community uses an application called Class Dojo. Please be sure to set up your account so that you can quickly access your teacher’s announcements, and message them should you run into any issues while trying to access the curriculum or our online meetings. This is the easiest way to stay up-to-date and communicate with your teacher. Aeries Parent Portal: Not only is the portal a great way to see your student's grades, attendance, and update portal information, but it’s the way you will receive test scores and report cards. Please be sure to sign up for your parent portal account to have access to all of this important information. 9
School Supplies Your student will need the following in order to participate in their Independent Study courses: ❖ PUSD assigned Chromebook (and charger). ❖ Internet Access ❖ PUSD provided textbooks/workbooks On Campus Learning Days Every Wednesday we offer an on-campus learning day for our K-5 students. This is a time for them to engage with their peers and learn in person with their teacher. We start our morning off by getting a snack from the cafeteria and eating in our lovely outdoor dining area. Then our students head to the classroom where they explore and learn as a class. Each teacher will also take their class outside for recess and interaction with the other classes. After recess, the students will finish the day in the classrooms before it’s time to pack up and go home. Finally, while walking out to the pick-up area, students will have an opportunity to take home lunch. We hope your student will join us every Wednesday morning between 8:45 AM and 11:30 AM. Visiting All visitors MUST sign in to the school office and wear a visitor sticker while on campus. Please ensure you bring your CA Driver’s License in order to sign in at the front office. Once the visit is complete, visitors must return to the office to sign out electronically with the system and return their visitor badge. School Leadership/Parent Groups English Language Advisory Council (ELAC): ELAC is an elected parent volunteer group that helps track the needs and progress of our English Learners. This body meets virtually every month. School Site Council (SSC): SSC is an elected group of staff and parents who work to develop and maintain the Single School Plan of Achievement(SPSA) and the Budget to support the school needs according to the SPSA. This body meets virtually every month. 10