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KNOS Student and Family Handbook » Other Policies

Other Policies

Cell Phones

Students may not operate a cell phone on campus without permission. Schools may confiscate phones used by students without permission. Schools may require a parent to retrieve the device or issues a suspension for repeated violations of the policy. Please refer to your child’s schools for specific cell phone expectations and procedures.  

 

Electronic Communication

KNOS requires that all communications between its employees and students be appropriate and in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws. All electronic or any other communications by employees to students at any time is expected to be professional, acceptable in content to any reasonable person, and limited to information that is school-related or is acceptable to both student and parent. All electronic communication, including electronic mail, by an employee to a student must take place via a means provided by or otherwise approved by KNOS for this purpose. Any electronic communication made by an employee of KNOS to a student or received by an employee of KNOS from a student using a means other than one provided by or approved by KNOS must reported by the employee to his/her school leader. The school leader must maintain a record of any such reported communication for a period of at least one (1) year. 

KNOS offers each employee access to a KNOS-provided phone number and laptop to facilitate electronic communication with students and parents. KNOS also allows employees to use personal mobile phones for electronic communication. Any employee using a personal mobile phone for electronic communication understands that all interactions with students and parents via a personal mobile phone are considered KNOS work product and/or public records. As such, by using a personal mobile phone to conduct electronic communication with students and parents, the employee agrees to provide KNOS access to the personal mobile phone and all electronic communication recorded on the personal mobile phone upon KNOS’s request. 

KNOS has established the following hours during which electronic communication with students and parents is deemed reasonable: 

  • 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 
  • 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
 

Employees should refrain from electronic communication with students during all other hours. KNOS holds no expectation that employees can immediately respond to all electronic communications from students and parents within the hours KNOS has deemed reasonable for such communication. KNOS does expect all employees to respond to electronic communication that necessitates a response within the bounds of reasonable professional courtesies. 

So that there is no question about what this policy signifies, please note the following definitions: 

  • Computers: pertains to any and all computers. 
  • Electronic communication: includes any direct communication facilitated by voice or text-based telecommunication devices (or both), computers, and those devices that facilitate indirect communication using an intermediate method, including but not limited to Internet-based social networks. It also includes transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature in whole or in part by wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectric, or photo-optical system and pertains to both personal and KNOS-issued devices. 
  • Electronic mail: the transmission of text-based information or communication by use of the Internet, computers, a facsimile machine, a pager, a cellular telephone, a video recorder, or any other electronic device or means sent to a person identified by a unique address or telephone number and received by that person. 
  • Improper or inappropriate communications: any communication between employee and student, regardless of who initiates the communication, that may be viewed as derogatory, sexual or lewd in content, threatening or harassing, discriminatory, simple fraternization, or suggestive in nature. 
  • Social media: locations on the Internet where users may interact with other users (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social network sites available on the Internet or on a mobile device).
 

Grievance Policy

KIPP New Orleans Schools has established the following grievance protocol to solve disputes or complaints in a fair and prompt manner.  The formal procedures described below may be implemented only after the parties have engaged in an earnest attempt to resolve matter(s) informally.   

Complainants should first schedule a conference with the immediately involved school staff member to discuss the issue.  For example, if the complaint is regarding math class, the parent should contact the math teacher.  The school reserves the right to redirect complainant(s) to the appropriate personnel if this step has not been followed. 

If complainant(s) conclude that the initial response/course of action was insufficient, a meeting may then be scheduled with the School Leader.  The School Leader may choose to redirect the meeting to the appropriate vice-principal or administrator that supervises the immediately involved staff member.  If this meeting is insufficient, the School Leader will arrange a meeting.  

Prior to the scheduling of a meeting with the School Leader, complainant should provide to the School Leader a letter that identifies: 

  • the issue / concern / complaint; 
  • what steps have been taken to resolve the situation;
  • the reason for the complainant(s)’ dissatisfaction with the decisions previously rendered; 
  • proposed solutions
 

If a resolution cannot be reached through a discussion with the School Leader, complainants(s) may submit their complaint to the KIPP New Orleans School Support Center staff.  The appropriate staff contact information can be obtained through the school’s front office.  The School Support Center staff will work with the parent to seek resolution to the problem and make a decision regarding the outcome of the grievance. 

If a parent disagrees with the decision made by School Support Center staff, they may appeal the decision to the Chief Executive Officer.  The decision of the CEO will be final.  The Board of Directors does not consider individual parent grievances except in cases related to the alleged violation of law.

 

Parents Right to Know Information (ESSA)

Your child’s school receives Federal Title I funds to assist students in meeting state achievement standards. This letter lets you know about your right to request information about the qualifications of classroom staff working with your child and information about student assessments given during the school year.

Title I schools must meet federal regulations related to teacher qualifications as defined in the ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act). These regulations allow you to learn more about your child’s teachers’ training and credentials. At any time, you may ask:

  • If the teacher meets state qualifications and certification requirements for the grade level and subject he/she is teaching
  • If the teacher has received an emergency or conditional certificate through which state qualifications were waived
  • What undergraduate or graduate degrees the teacher holds, and major(s) or area(s) of concentration.
  • Whether your child receives help from a paraprofessional, and if so, his/her qualifications
 

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which was signed into law in December 2015 and reauthorizes the ESEA, contains additional parent right to know requests, including information on policies regarding student participation in assessments and procedures for opting out.

Information on required assessments including:

  • subject matter tested
  • purpose of the test
  • source of the requirement (if applicable)
  • amount of time it takes students to complete the test
  • time and format of disseminating results
 

All of the above information can be requested through your school principal.

 

Parental Involvement

We believe that schools and families must work in partnership to ensure children's success.  Parent and family involvement in schools is necessary to promote student achievement, and we encourage every parent to take an active role in their child’s education.

There are numerous ways for parents to become involved at school, and we have developed the following Parental Involvement Policy.  The school will:

  • Host an annual “Open House” where parents will meet teachers, learn about the Title I program requirements, and be given opportunities to become involved in their child’s education.
  • Conduct report card conferences each semester and allow parents to pick up their child’s report card and meet with the teachers and leaders who support learning in the school building.
  • Provide opportunities for parents to learn how to support their children and understand the state’s academic assessments.
  • Send communications informing families of school activities and programs.
 

Families are always welcome at our schools, and we welcome suggestions to improve our schools.

 

School Visitors

We encourage parents and family members to have an active role in their child’s learning. Approved visitors are welcome to observe classrooms according to the Visitor Policy below, unless scholars are testing. 

All visitors to the school must report to the school office immediately upon arrival, sign in when they arrive, and sign out when they leave.  Visitors must wear our visitor’s tag at all times while they are on campus.  No materials are to be dispersed on campus without prior approval by school administration.  No person will be allowed to conduct or attempt to conduct an activity on school premises that has not had prior approval by the School Leader.  All classroom observations must be approved by the School Leader.  Visitors are allowed on campus at the discretion of the School Leader.  

 

Student Fees

Schools may not charge fees as a condition for enrollment in school. Schools may charge fees for specific items, events or activities (such as uniforms, specific supplies, high school senior fees, dual enrollment courses, AP exams, etc). Families unable to pay specific fees may inquire with the school leader about a fee waiver.  

 

Volunteers

Like visitors, volunteers are required to sign-in in the front office and sign a form that acknowledges that they understand the policies and volunteer expectations of KIPP New Orleans Schools.  Volunteers working directly with children require background checks