Connecting with Military Families
Connecting with Military Families
Muscogee County
School District
Table of Contents
Welcome ...1
Board Members ...2
Board Members ...3
Tuition ...4
Residency and Tuition ...4
K - 8 Students ...4
9th - 12th Grade Students ...4
Registration and Special Requests ...5
Attendance Zones and Hardships for Military Families ...5
Students with Special Needs ...5
Student Services for Military Families ...6
Special Needs Transportation ...6
Military Child Transcripts and Credits ...6
School Transition Assistance ...6
Military Child Coalition Transition
Counselor Institute (TCI) Training ...6
Muscogee County School District School Start and End Times ...7
K - 5 Grading Systems ...7
Pre-Kindergarten Program ...7
Elementary Magnet Programs ...8
Middle and High Magnet Programs ...9
Middle School Magnet Programs ...9
High School Magnet Programs ...9
Other Education Programs ...10
Enjoy the Early College Experience ...10
Adult Education ...10
Gifted Education ...11
Student Athlete Requirements ...12
Nutrition Meals and More ...13
Special Diet ...13
Protocol and Contacts ...14
Frequent Military Parent Contact Numbers ...14
Communicating with Military Families ...15
Tips for Parents ...15
School to Home Communications ...16
Examples of Messages Parents May Receive ...16
Parent/Family Involvement ...17
WELCOME!
Dear Parent and Students:
Welcome to Columbus, Georgia and the Muscogee County
School District. We are glad you are here and want to
make your transition into our community go as smoothly
as possible. Muscogee County School District has many
programs, extracurricular activities, magnet programs, and
charter schools from which you may choose. We believe
that we have a great fit for each of you and it is our desire to
assist you in finding out what that is. Again, welcome. We
look forward to working with you.
Superintendent,
Dr. Susan C. Andrews
Connecting with Military Families
Board Members
Chair Personnel James Walker [email protected] District 3 (706) 327-2651 (706) 653-9558 Fax Term Ends:2012 4825 Toney Drive Columbus, GA 31903 Chair ConstructionPatricia Hugley Green
[email protected] District 1 (706) 687-2888 (706) 687-5582 Fax Term Ends:2012 P. O. Box 6177 Columbus, GA 31917 Chair Finance John Wells [email protected] District 2 (706) 323-5938 (706) 323-6038 Fax Term Ends:2014 P. O. Box 4772 Columbus, GA 31914 Board Chair Cathy Williams [email protected] At Large (706) 323-0999 (706) 320-9899 Fax Term Ends:2014 864 Blandford Avenue Columbus, GA 31906 Chair Education Naomi Buckner [email protected] District 4 (706) 563-2258 (706) 748-2201 Fax Term Ends:2014 620 Baxley Way Columbus, GA 31907
Board Members
Board Vice-Chair/Chair Audit
Rob Varner [email protected] District 5 (706) 649-5509 (706) 748-2001 Fax Term Ends:2012 P. O. Box 2427 Columbus, GA 31902 Chair Discipline Beth Harris [email protected] District 8 (706) 604-6114 (706) 748-2001 Fax Term Ends:2014 735 Apex Road Columbus, GA 31904 Chair Policy Mark Cantrell [email protected] District 6 (706) 393-4000 (706) 748-2001 Fax Term Ends:2014 8724-25 McKee Road Upatoi, GA 31829 Chair Property Norene Marvets [email protected] District 7 (706) 748-2018 (706) 748-2001 Fax Term Ends:2012 P. O. Box 2427 Columbus, GA 31902
Connecting with Military Families
Residency and Tuition
Parents of students who do not reside in Muscogee County must pay tuition to attend schools in the district. All parents/legal guardians must sign a residency affidavit.
K - 8 Students
Students living in the Battle Park section attend Muscogee County Schools at no tuition. These students are not allowed to attend schools on Fort Benning because parents or legal guardians are not active military.
Students whose military parents or legal guardians live in Muscogee County areas on Fort Benning (excluding Battle Park) attend Fort Benning Schools. If the parents or legal guardians choose to attend a Muscogee County School, tuition is charged per an agreement between the administration of the Fort Benning Schools and the Muscogee County School District.
Students whose non-military family is residing with a military family on post (Chattahoochee or Muscogee County) can attend MCSD at no tuition because they are not eligible to attend a Fort Benning school. Muscogee County School District requires documentation from Fort Benning post officials stating the family is allowed to live on post.
9th - 12th Grade Students
Students of active military parents or legal guardians living on Post (Chattahoochee or Muscogee County) are allowed to attend Muscogee County Schools at no tuition cost.
Students living with non-custodial (no legal guardianship) military families on post and choosing to attend a Muscogee County School District school must pay tuition (out of county or out of state), depending on the residence of the parents or legal guardians. Muscogee County School District requires documentation from post officials that the student is allowed to live on post.
Attendance Zones and Hardships for Military Families
While the Muscogee County School District maintains attendance zones for school assignments and encourages students to attend the school(s) of assignment, opportunities do exist for a parent or legal guardian to request a transfer to another school if space is available at the requested school and grade. Hardship transfers must state a compelling reason for requesting the transfer. Bus transportation is not provided by the school district for hardship transfers.
Parents of students new to the school district for the coming year may request hardship transfer forms from the school or at Central Registration at the time of enrollment and these should be submitted to Central Registration at the Muscogee County Public Education Center.
Also, the total number of school aged children projected to arrive in the Chattahoochee Valley area is 6,839 (this figure has been consistent since October 2008), and it is anticipated that the Muscogee County School District will enroll approximately 4,300 school aged children for the 2011-2012 school year.
Students with Special Needs
Student assignments are made after reviewing the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) at the Muscogee County Public Education Center, Exceptional Children Department, 2960 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31906.
To expedite the process, parents should have a current IEP, current eligibility reports, and any other relevant medical information. If you have any questions, call the Exceptional Children’s Department, (706) 748-2230.
Registration & Special Requests
3 IEP
3 Eligibility Reports 3 Medical History
Connecting with Military Families
Special Needs Transportation
Special Needs students should register with the Special Needs Department at the Muscogee County Public Education Center, 2960 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31906 before Special Needs busing is assigned. Only Special Needs students with Transportation as a related service will be eligible for Special Needs busing. Please call (706) 748-2230 for more information.
Military Child Transcripts and Credits
Parents are asked to contact the Military Student Transition Consultant (MSTC), Darlene Register, (706) 748-2254, 2960 Macon Road,
Columbus, GA 31906, Register.Darlene@muscogee. k12.ga.us as soon as orders are received for assignment to Fort Benning. An official copy of the child’s transcripts can be mailed to the MSTC for interpretation to help the parent and school district determine any additional paperwork needed to fully interpret the transcript. This is especially true for seniors as a collaboration between the current school and new school may be necessary. High School students are afforded the opportunity to adjust credits where the required graduation credits would be based on the number of credits the student was able to achieve prior to attending the Muscogee County School District.
School Transition Assistance
To assist students with a smooth transition students are welcomed through a Junior Student to Student (JS2S) program implemented in middle schools and a Student 2 Student (S2S) program implemented in high schools. All schools are encouraged to conduct grief, loss, and deployment groups. Transitioning students have an opportunity to meet, greet, and participate in activities to help them become familiar with the school culture, other students, programs, and the community.
Military Child Education Coalition Transition
Counselor Institute (TCI) Training
School counselors have been trained in Phase I, II, III, for the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) to help meet the needs of students who are in transition.
Student Services for
Military Families
The following schools are under a school improvement grant, which requires the school day of the following schools to be extended by 45 minutes of instructional time for all students.
School Start time is 7:40 a.m. for the following schools: • Jordan High School
• Kendrick High School • Spencer High School
Breakfast is served 30 minutes before the school start times.
K - 5 Grading Systems
All Muscogee County School District elementary schools have moved away from the traditional grading procedures to the standards-based reporting system. The Standards-Based Report Card measures how well an individual student is doing in relation to the grade level standards, not the work of other students. Therefore, rather than receiving one grade per content area, the child will receive a breakdown of performance by standard enabling academic strengths and opportunities of improvement to be more readily identified.
Pre-Kindergarten Program
The Muscogee County School District Pre-Kindergarten is a lottery-funded, voluntary program. For the 2011-2012 school year, students will attend 160 days. Pre-registration is held in March. Contact Shannon Hopkin at the Pre-Kindergarten office (706) 748-2118 to determine if there are any available slots in your child’s school of assignment.
Schools Classes Start Classes End
Elementary (Pre-k - 5) 8:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. High (9-12) 8:25 a.m. 3:25 p.m. Middle (6-8) 9:00 a.m. 4:05 p.m.
Muscogee County School District
School Start and End Times
Connecting with Military Families
The Muscogee County School District offers eight elementary magnet programs. Each school has unique features and entrance criteria. If you are interested in one of the programs, please call the school or visit the school’s website for additional information.
Any new students coming to the district can apply to any of the magnet programs and may be accepted based on each magnet schools’ acceptance criteria and space available. Parents should contact the magnet school of interest.
Elementary Magnet Programs
Britt David Computers Unlimited Magnet Academy (706) 748-2617 Clubview International Baccalaureate Years Programme (706) 565-3017
and Georgia Primary Charter School
Dimon Science, Math, and Resource Technology (706) 683-8772 Magnet Academy
Hannan Magnet Academy for Gifted, Resourceful, (706) 748-2744 Enthusiastic, and Talented Students
Reese Road Leadership Academy (706) 569-3684
St. Marys Video and Communications Technology (706) 683-8841 Magnet Academy
Wynnton Arts Academy (706) 748-3147
Middle School Magnet Programs
Arnold Math, Science, Technology (706) 748-2436
East Columbus Gifted/Talented (706) 565-3026
Richards International Baccalaureate Program (706) 569-3697
High School Magnet Programs
Carver Integrated Math, Science, Technology Magnet (706) 748-2499
Columbus Liberal Arts (706) 748-2534
Hardaway International Baccalaureate Program (706) 748-2766 Jordan Industrial Technologies Academies (706) 748-2819 Kendrick Academy of Communications Arts & Design (706) 565-2960 Northside Engineering and Design and Technology (706) 748-2920 Academy
Shaw Mass Communications Academy (706) 569-3638 Spencer Academy of Computer Science and (706) 683-8701
Connecting with Military Families
Enjoy the Early College Experience
Early College Academy of Columbus is a high school for students to get a jump start to college. It is a high school drop-out prevention program and an early college program. Students have some form of at risk factor that may make college attendance difficult. For example, 1st generation college student (nobody in immediate family with college degree), minority status, ESL (English Second Language) status, free or reduced lunch status, male (because fewer males attend college than females), living status (homeless, living with non-family, single parent), and any other detractor for college attendance.
Any student in Muscogee County may apply; however, students in grades 10 – 12 are accepted only under special circumstances, such as, enrolling from another early college high school or college prep program. Students enrolling in grade 9 must pass Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) requirements and must have no severe disciplinary infractions. Students must complete applications and meet with the principal. Both parents and students sign academic and behavior contracts. Students must also agree to complete 50 hours of community service per year for a total of 200 total hours.
Columbus State University (CSU) is a partner with Early College. The students who pass the COMPASS exam, may take dual enrollment courses on the CSU campus. These courses are paid for by ACCEL funds, which are part of the HOPE scholarship allotment. Students may earn up to 60 hours of college credit depending upon the academic status and success at Early College and CSU. Early College Academy of Columbus
2701 11th Avenue Columbus, GA 31904 Phone: (706) 748-2948
Adult Education
The Adult Education Program supports instruction in Adult Basic Education (ABE), Adult Secondary Education (ASE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adults age 16 and older who lack basic literacy and English language skills. Tillinghurst Adult Education Center
514 Morris Road Columbus, GA (706) 683-8741
Gifted Education
St. Elmo Center for the Gifted is a Resource Pullout Model for Gifted Instruction. The Georgia Department of Education Resource Manual for Gifted Instruction defines a Resource Class (K-12) as one where all students must have been identified as gifted by the Georgia State Board of Education criteria. The Class is limited to the maximum size specified in State Board of Education Rule 160-5-1-.08 Class Size. The teacher must have the gifted endorsement. The curriculum must have an academic content foundation, but it should focus on interdisciplinary enrichment activities. The content and pacing should be differentiated to the degree that the activities are clearly not appropriate for more typical students at that grade level. Gifted students may receive no more than ten segments per week of resource class service.
St. Elmo Gifted Education Center 2101 18th Avenue
Columbus, GA 31901 (706) 748-3115
The Woodall Program is a treatment program, which offers emotional and behavioral support services for youth from birth through 21 years of age. Comprehensive services include diagnosis, treatment, periodic evaluation and follow-up. It offers assistance to parents and regular school teachers to encourage a team effort and provide a support system for the child.
Woodall Center 4312 Harrison Avenue Columbus, GA 31904 (706) 748-3166
Connecting with Military Families
All Muscogee County School District students are required to have an annual physical on file prior to being allowed to participate in athletic practices or games, including summer athletic activities. The required Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Pre-Participation Physical Form can be accessed at www.muscogee.k12.ga.us, under the For Parents link and under Resources you will see (Sports Forms). Once the physician approves the student for participation, the completed Pre-Participation Physical Form should be given to the School Site Athletic Director to maintain.
The GHSA will determine Athletic Eligibility (AE) for participation based on transfer information submitted by the school for students entering as 10th, 11th, or 12th grade students. It is important to provide the school copies of official documents denoting custody of children who may be affected by parental deployments, or for student transfers when the entire family unit does not make the move. For more information, call the System-Wide Athletics Department, (706) 748-2595.
The Muscogee County School Nutrition Program serves nutritious meals based on the federal guidelines.
Special Diet?
If you have a student that has Special Dietary Needs, please notify your child’s principal and the School Nutrition Program Manager at your child’s school, so that your child’s meal can be modified. A form is available on the Muscogee County School District’s website under the School Nutrition section that will need to be completed by your physician. For more information, please contact the School Nutrition Program office, (706) 748-2386.
Nutrition, Meals and More!
Muscogee County School District
New Meal Prices Breakfast Lunch Elementary .95 $1.85
Middle and High $1.20 $2.10
Adult $1.50 $3.75 Visit the For Parentslink at
www.muscogee.k12.ga.us
for menus and applications for free and reduced lunch or call:
706-748-2386 for more information.
Apply for Free or Reduced Lunch On-Line!
Log onto www.muscogee.k12.ga.us.
Applications are also available at your child’s school, or the Muscogee County Public Education Center,
School Nutrition Department, 2960 Macon Road, Columbus, GA.
706-748-2386
Register to Pre-Pay Meals (Up to $100.00)
Transaction Fee $1.95.
Other Acceptable Payment Forms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, Money Order
No Personal Checks! • Recurring Payment Options • SECURE Online Payment System • E-mail Reminders for Low Balances • All transactions SSL Encryption, • View Student Meal Purchases Certified by VeriSign • Set Daily and Weekly Spending Limits CONVENIENT SECURE Why pre-pay with myLunchMoney.com?
NEW PRICES!
Connecting with Military Families
Find more information, in the Behavior Code and Discipline Policy Handbook.
(Issued to parents annually.)
If you have an issue, the following district protocol should be followed to address concerns: District Protocol: 1) Teacher 2) Principal 3) Director 4) Division Chief
5) Chief Administrative Asst. to the Superintendent 6) Superintendent 7) Board of Education
Switchboard (706) 748-2000 Registration (706) 748-2222 Special Needs (706) 748-2230 Nutrition Department (706) 748-2386 Student Services (706) 748-2236 Bully Hotline (706) 748-2267 Athletics (706) 748-2595 Transportation (706) 748-2876 Homeless (706) 748-3226 Notifications (706) 748-2046
Student Transition Consultant (706) 748-2254
Frequent Military Parent
Contact Numbers
Protocol and Contacts
Director of Communications
Valerie L. Fuller
Dear Parents:
The Muscogee County School District uses a rapid notification/messaging service, to communicate with parents and district employees. It allows administrators to personally contact parents about emergencies, events, and other important issues that impact you and your child. Throughout the school year, you can expect to receive personalized or automated messages from your child’s principal/school in reference to attendance, school events, activities, and more. In addition, you may receive district-wide notifications sent from my office related to periodic district or public meetings, outreach and emergency notifications. The messages can be received at home via cell phone or e-mail. For example, principals can make one phone call and reach parents, employees, or a combination of both within minutes.
Tips for Parents
Be sure to supply accurate contact information to your child’s school. • All Contact Numbers (Cell, Home, Work)
• E-mail Address • Home Address
• Blackboard Connect will detect answering services and leave a message after the beep.
• Outreach messages typically go to the first number you supply for contact, so the first number you supply will be called for non-emergency messages. Emergency messages go to numbers supplied by you (up to six numbers). • If you list a person that is not in your household as an emergency contact,
please notify the person(s) as they may receive calls when emergency notifications are sent.
*Consider your preferred contact number. The number entered in the student database at
Connecting with Military Families
Examples of Messages Parents May Receive
Notification of Student Absence
(*Notices usually sent 45 minutes after the start of school)
Attendance messages are sent to inform you of your child’s absence and for safety concerns. Parents should verify absences by contacting their child’s school.
NOTE: Parents may get an attendance notification message even if the parent has notified the school that the child will be out for a particular day or week. The message serves as a verification of school attendance records and notification to parents. Crisis/Safety School Closings Bus Delays Open House Test Schedules School Events Report Cards
May Vary Based on Your Child’s School and Initiatives
What Do You Do to Engage in Your Child’s Education Daily?
Share Your Teachable Moment!
The Muscogee County School District launched the Be There Campaign initiative in November 2009. Be There is a research-based, multimedia campaign designed to get parents more involved in their children’s education. One hundred percent (100%) of the research studies compiled by the Parent Institute* indicate that parent involvement has a significant impact on student success. The statistics show with as little as a one-third increase in parent participation, school achievement scores increase dramatically. It only takes a small increase in parent input to see measurable results in student output!
We partner with a local media station to showcase teachable moments submitted by parents to their child’s school. The purpose is to promote and inspire parents to stay involved in their child’s education. Visit www.muscogee.k12.ga.us and click on the Be There icon to learn more! Your teachable moment could be featured.
Connecting with Military Families
Military Student Transition Consultant (MSTC)
******************************************
The duties/responsibilities of the MSTC:• Support a positive relationship between the School District and the Military community.
• Establish protocols to communicate and market available school district and Army resources and school events to families.
• Work with military connected students and others to coordinate and support efforts to: assess needs, build awareness of resources, and provide a connection between students/families with needs with possible solutions. • Provide assistance to military connected students with needs as they relate to
deployment and relocations.
• Assist in providing programs and services which place an emphasis on promoting the military connected student and families with the local community.
Darlene Register, the Military Student Transition Consultant, is located at the Muscogee County Public Education Center, First Floor, Room 1104. Contact (706) 748-2254 or E-mail: [email protected].
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