Concord Community Schools

NEW CELL PHONE POLICY

We want to inform you about a new policy affecting the use of wireless devices in our schools. As of July 1, 2024, Senate Bill 185 (IC 20-26-5-40.7) requires school districts to implement a policy that limits the use of wireless communication devices in classrooms. This policy will help to maintain an academic focus in our classrooms while preventing disruptions within our learning environments. 

1. Instructional Time: Time spent in approved courses or educational activities under teacher direction (IC 20-30-2-1.A).
2. Wireless Communication Device: Any portable device capable of voice, messaging, or data communication (e.g., cell phones, tablets, laptops, digital cameras, gaming devices). School-issued iPads are permitted to be used during instructional time for educational purposes.

Key Points of the New Policy

Permitted Uses:

1. With teacher permission for educational purposes
2. During emergencies or to manage health care
3. As part of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan

Prohibited Uses:

1. Interfering with school purposes or educational functions
2. Invading privacy
3. Acts of academic dishonesty
4. Profane, indecent, or obscene behavior

Consequences:

1. Devices used in violation of this policy may be confiscated.
2. Confiscated devices will be returned to parents.

Grade Level-Specific Guidelines

1. In all Concord K-6 buildings, wireless communication devices are to remain silenced, in backpacks in lockers. Should students neglect to follow this procedure, students may be subject to consequences including confiscation of the student’s phone. Confiscation will require the parent/guardian to pick the phone up at the end of the school day.
2. All Concord 7-12 students may be in possession of their wireless communication device during the school day, but must adhere to the protocols in the student handbook that specify the procedures to eliminate wireless communication device usage during instructional time. Students are encouraged to leave their wireless communication device at home or in their locker during the school day. Wireless communication devices may be allowed to be used during lunch, but students must adhere to acceptable usage guidance listed below.

In all Concord K-6 buildings, wireless communication devices are to remain silenced, in backpacks in lockers. Should students neglect to follow this procedure, students may be subject to consequences including confiscation of the student’s phone. Confiscation will require the parent/guardian to pick the phone up at the end of the school day.

All Concord 7-12 students may be in possession of their wireless communication device during the school day, but must adhere to the protocols listed below that specify the procedures to eliminate wireless communication device usage during instructional time. Students are encouraged to leave their wireless communication device at home or in their locker during the school day. Wireless communication devices may be allowed to be used during lunch, but students must adhere to acceptable usage guidance listed below.

Why This Change?

1. Reduce Distractions: Keeps students focused on learning.
2. Address Social Issues: Reduces cyberbullying and other issues.
3. Encourage Interaction: Promotes face-to-face communication.

We appreciate your support in helping us create a focused and safe learning environment. Please discuss these changes with your child to ensure they understand and comply with the new policy.

New guidelines for iPad usage outside of school hours have been established for the 2024-2025 school year. This policy will be in effect year-round to help support healthy digital habits and ensure students get sufficient rest. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

• Kindergarten through 6th grade students -- iPads will be unavailable from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m daily, including weekends.
• 7th and 8th grade students -- Restricted access from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily, including weekends.
• 9th and 10th grade students -- No additional restrictions.

Attendance Data

Attendance is crucial for academic success, and we appreciate your efforts in partnering with us to ensure your student is present at school and ready to learn. 

During the 2023-2024 school year, we saw a 12% decrease in the number of students with ten or more absences compared to the previous school year. There was also an increase in the number of students missing fewer days of school. More days in the classroom equals better success rates for our students. Every day counts! 

We will continue our efforts to partner with parents/guardians in regards to their child's attendance. This includes notifying parents when students accumulate multiple absences. For specific notification thresholds, refer to the attendance portion of our student handbook.

Parents are also reminded to report their child's absence online at Concord Schools by clicking the "Report an absence" tab on the right side of the page.

Your partnership in supporting consistent attendance is vital for students' academic performance and development. We encourage all parents to continue supporting their children in maintaining regular school attendance as we start a new school year.

EXCESSIVE ABSENCE PROCEDURES

Three (3) Unexcused Absences

• Parent is notified by text of student's pattern of absenteeism.

   

Six (6) Excused/Unexcused Absences

• Parent is notified by text message and postcard of student's pattern of absenteeism.
• Building administration conducts a phone call with the parent and/or student.

Eight (8) Excused/Unexcused Absences

• Parent is notified by text message and postcard of student's pattern of absenteeism.
• Referral is made to Concord's Attendance Officer to schedule a formal attendance hearing, if needed.

• Depending on the rationale of the attendance, CCSPD conducts home visit to follow-up on welfare of the student.

Ten (10) Excused/Unexcused Absences

• Parent is notified by text message and postcard of student's pattern of absenteeism.
• Depending on the rationale of the attendance, formal attendance hearing is held with parent, student, administration, student's counselor and/or Concord's Attendance Officer.
• For K-6 students at 10 or more unexcused absences, Department of Child Services referral is made concerning the students' excessive absences.
• Depending on the rationale of the attendance, CCSPD conducts home visit to follow-up on welfare of the student.
• For 10 unexcused absences, junior high school and high school refer student to Elkhart County's Chronic Truancy Intervention Program (CTIP) for an intervention through probation.
• For 10 unexcused absences, a student's driver license may be suspended for students under 18 years old.

Continued Absences (10+)

• Formal attendance hearing is held with parent, student, administration, student's counselor and/or Concord's Attendance Officer.
• For unexcused absences, junior high school and high school refer student to the next phase of CTIP.
• For unexcused absences, a student's driver license will be suspended for students under 18 years old.

Our Transportation Department will be transitioning to a new routing software called BusRight, which will allow parents/guardians to track their child’s bus route to and from school, receive notifications when a bus route begins and ends, and view the expected arrival time at your child’s bus stop. Through the BusRight app, we can also communicate with parents and push out emergency notifications, if necessary. 

Invitations to sign up for the BusRight app will be emailed to parents on August 5, 2024 from the address “support@busright.com” with the subject line “You’re Invited to BusRight”. This email will contain a link to create an account to access your students route information. You can also access how to register for the BusRight app through these easy steps: Bus Right Parent App Guide. Real-time bus tracking will go live on August 21 after the beginning of the school year adjustments have been finalized. Students in grades 7-12 will also have the ability to download the app to track their bus location. 

Parents are encouraged to contact the Transportation office by calling 574-875-6577 with questions regarding their child’s bus stop or route information. Technical questions or issues regarding the BusRight app should be emailed to support@busright.com

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

According to the Indiana Department of Education, every child in Indiana who is enrolled in an accredited elementary school or high school shall be immunized as determined by the Indiana department of health against: diphtheria; pertussis (whooping cough); tetanus; measles; rubella; poliomyelitis; mumps; varicella; hepatitis A; hepatitis B; and meningitis.

A list of the required immunizations and more information can be found online at DOE: Immunizations

If a child does not present an immunization record or is not up to date with his/her immunizations, may he/she enroll in school?

Yes, the child may enroll in school, but Indiana Code (IC 20-34-4-5) states that a child is not permitted to attend school beyond the first day without furnishing a written record, unless:

1. The school gives a waiver (for a period not to exceed 20 days); or

2. The local health department or a physician determines that the child’s immunizations have been delayed due to extreme circumstances and that the required immunizations will not be completed by the first day of school. The parent must furnish a written statement and a time schedule approved by a physician or health department; or

3. A valid medical exemption or religious objection is on file for that specific school year.

    

If a child does not present immunization records before the first day of school, what is the school district's policy?

Students whose parents do not provide the required documentation by the opening day of school may be admitted to school provided the documentation is received within twenty (20) days and is in accord with the Superintendent's administrative guidelines on immunization.

If the student remains un-immunized at the close of the twenty (20) day period, the Superintendent shall commence expulsion proceedings, unless the parents have filed a religious objection or submitted a health care provider’s statement that the needed immunizations are contraindicated.

Are there upcoming vaccination clinics?

Concord will host an Indiana Immunization Coalition clinic on September 4, 2024 from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the CHS Community Lecture Room. This event is prior to the 2024 vaccination exclusion date, which is September 12, 2024.

Based on parent feedback and the desire for all students to be in school each day of the school year, the school calendar will no longer include three planned eLearning days. Instead, we will have six half-days during the 2024-2025 school year on the following dates: September 11, October 9, November 6, January 15, February 12, and March 19.

Students will be served breakfast and lunch. Students who are registered to ride the bus to/from school will be provided transportation. The afternoon hours will be dedicated to staff professional development.

School day times for these early release days will be as follows:

1. Grades K-4 (All Concord elementaries) — 7:25-10:45 a.m.
2. Grades 5-6 (Concord Intermediate) — 8:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
3. Grades 7-8 (Concord Junior High) — 7:45-11:15 a.m.
4. Grades 9-12 (Concord High School) — 8:20-11:50 a.m.

Additionally, should we need to cancel school due to inclement weather, the first three cancellations will no longer require students to complete live, virtual learning. Asynchronous work will still be required, per state law.

More information will be provided to families in the fall, but we wanted you to be aware of this change. To view the current school year calendar, go online to www.concordschools.com/calendar.