• Welcome

    The Andrew J. Rickoff School administration, faculty, and staff would like to welcome you and your family to our school and to another productive and successful school year. Studies show that parent support is essential in the development of students and makes a tremendous difference on how successful students will be in school and in life. This handbook will highlight important information for parents and students, various dates and schools events, and contains contact information for Andrew J. Rickoff. If at any point in the year you have a question, please call the school at 216-838-4150 or come to the school and talk to a school administrator. We are here to help serve you and your student(s).

    Registration

    In CMSD, all regular education students may be registered at any CMSD school of their choice. The building secretary will help assist any parent with new enrollment and relocation of a student. Enrolling students can be a long process but there are some things that can help expedite the process. If you have the items listed below, it will go a long way in speeding the enrollment and transfer process.

    • Rent/mortgage deed
    • Utility bill (water, electric, gas)
    • Immunization record

    If you have a student that is in special education, you must report to 1111 E. Superior Ave., Office of Special Education, in order to enroll your student.

    Hours of Operation

    • School Hours: 7:20am-2:10pm
    • Office Hours: 7:30am-3:00pm

    Important Numbers

    • School: 216-838-4150
    • Transportation: 216-838-4287
    • Student Registration: 216-838-5437
    • Special Education: 216-838-7733

    Attendance Policy

    Daily attendance is essential to the progress of your child in school.

    Please note:

    • any child that arrives after 7:35 AM is considered tardy
    • any child who arrives after 90 minutes of the school day will be marked half day absence

    Tardy students must enter through the buzzer door and receive a tardy pass from the main office. All students who enter for breakfast will be escorted to their classrooms by a staff member. Any student who has entered the building prior to 7:35 AM and does not make it to the classroom with the assigned staff member will also be marked tardy. Tardy students are disruptive to the school day and often miss literacy and math instruction. Students will not be permitted to dismiss early after 1:45 PM unless we have written notification of a doctor’s appointment.

    Students with perfect attendance and no tardy marks will receive incentives weekly and monthly. Remember by state law it is the legal obligation of the parent to ensure that their child attends school regularly.

    Please note the excusable absences stated in the Student Code of Conduct Book:

    • Personal Illness
    • Illness in the Family
    • Quarantine of the home
    • Death of a relative
    • Home work due to the absence of parents or guardians with documentation
    • Observance of a religious holiday

    All other absences are will considered “unexcused.” Please call the office on the day your child will be absent and ALSO send a written note with your child’s name, date of absence, grade level, homeroom, and reason for the absence. In order for your child to be officially excused, this note must be brought to school. Otherwise, your child can be considered truant.

    Tardiness: If your child will be tardy, please call the school at (216) 838-4150. Please give your name, your child’s name, their room number, and the reason for the tardy. You should also be prepared to inform the school as to approximately what time your child will be reporting to school.

    Absences: If your child will be absent, please call (216) 838-4150 and have your child bring a note when he/she returns to school. Please provide your name, your child’s name, their room number, and the reason for the absence. Please make sure you date the note.

     

    Academic Culture

    One of the most important things that we all must remember as partners in your student’s education is that the building environment should be conducive for learning. In other words, there should be minimal disruptions during the school day that distracts students from focusing on their lessons. Parents, if your student has informed you any reason that disrupts their learning environment or is not able to concentrate in school, please contact a building administrator right away so that we can address the situation immediately.

    Cellphone/Electronic Device Policy

    Cellphones/Electronic Devices (I-pods, I-Pads etc…) are allowed on school property as long as they are in the “off”, “vibrate” or “airplane mode” position. These devices should not be used, seen or heard throughout the school day with the exception of the rules listed in the Student Code of Conduct book. Violations of this policy are listed below.

    • 1st Offense=Verbal Reprimand
    • 2nd Offense= Teacher/Administration confiscation and return at the end of class
    • 3rd Offense= Teacher/Administration confiscation and return at the end of the school day
    • 4th Offense= Written notification to students parent by Administration
    • 5th Offense=Administration confiscation until parent retrieves item
    • *Repeated violators will be subject to further disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension and/or expulsion according to the CMSD Student Code of Conduct (Level II-R)

    Emergency Card Information

    Every quarter, parents are going to be required to submit CURRENT information for emergency purposes. In case of an emergency, we need to be able to contact a parent or guardian. If there is a custody issue, the office MUST be provided with the legal documentation in order to prohibit certain people from picking up a student. If there is any concern, building administrators will make every effort to ensure that the person wanting to pick-up a student has the authorization of the parent.

    Uniform Dress Code Policy

    CMSD believes that wearing school uniforms is one way to create and maintain a positive learning environment, while keeping the ideas of safety, discipline and school unity in mind. Therefore, we will enforce the district decision to enforce dress code. Attire that disrupts the learning environment, creates a potential safety hazard, or is not in compliance with the adopted district-wide policy is prohibited. Dress attire is listed below:

    Tops

    • No hoods
    • All shirts are to be tucked in
    • Light, dark or navy blue, tan or white tops with collars or turtlenecks
    • Gray, striped tops are not allowed

    Bottoms

    • No jeans or jogging suits allowed
    • Females-Skirts, jumpers, knee length shorts and capris in dark/navy blue, black, or khaki/tan
    • Males-Pants or knee-length short in dark/navy blue, black or khaki/tan
    • Belts must be worn at all times (black, navy, light, or dark brown; No Logos)

    Sweaters

    • Cardigan, pullovers or vest in black, navy, or white SOLID color

    Shoes

    • Must be closed toe, no flip flops, heels or sandal are permitted unless there is permission given from the principal

     

    Cyber Bullying Policy

    Cyber bullying of students or school personnel at any time and at any location by students is prohibited. Cyber bullying is defined as the use of information and communication technologies such as email, cell phone, text messages, instant messaging defamatory websites and defamatory online personal polling web sites, to support, deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others. Examples are as follows:

    • Posting rumors/racial slurs, making threats and discussing threats about a student or school personnel on the web
    • Sending an email or instant message that is intimidating or threatening or so numerous as to create an excessive cell phone bill
    • Using a camera to take and send embarrassing photos
    • Posting misleading or fake photos on websites

    If cyber bullying, as determined by an administrator, has occurred, all District Safety and Security are alerted and the disciplinary action that may occur follows a Level III in the CMSD Student Code of Conduct book.

    Photography/Videotaping

    CMSD authorizes the use of video cameras on school property and transportation vehicles to ensure health, wealth, and safety of all staff, students and visitors to the CMSD schools or property. Video recordings may become a part of a student’s educational record. The District shall comply with all state and federal laws related to record maintenance and retention of such equipment in the use of any legal investigation.

    Moving out of District

    If your family is moving, please notify the school one week prior to the student’s departure. This will ensure that all materials have returned to faculty members and the appropriate records have been prepared to forward to the next school of record.

    Parent Involvement

    We are encouraging parents to be part of our SPO (Student Parent Organization). Meetings will be held every second Thursday of each month from 2:30pm-3:30pm. SPO meetings help plan school events as well as receive information that is beneficial to parents and their families. There are many services that parents have access too by attending meetings.