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Section 4

GIFTED PROGRAM / RITENOUR CENTER FOR GIFTED EDUCATION
Ritenour's Gifted Program is available for academically talented students at the elementary and middle school level. All elementary students in the gifted program will attend classes one day a week at the Ritenour Center for Gifted Education, located in the former assembly room at Ritenour Middle School. Students will be with gifted students in their grade level from other Ritenour elementary schools at the center, giving them the chance to develop new friendships with peers they otherwise would not meet until middle school. For the remainder of the week, they will attend regular classes at their home elementary school. Gifted classes at the middle school will take place during social studies time, allowing middle school gifted teachers the ability to teach social studies while incorporating other subjects, such as science and mathematics. Students are expected to design and create complex projects. At the high school level, students may choose from a wide array of advanced placement and college-level courses.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (RITENOUR HIGH SCHOOL)
Ritenour High School seniors must complete 24 credits in order to graduate. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires 24 credits for graduation.

HEARINGS
Students are sent to an administrative-level hearing by the building administrator for major disciplinary infractions that may require more than 10 days of suspension out of school. When suspended for 10 days with a recommendation for a superintendent’s suspension, an office professional from Ritenour’s Central Office will contact you to set a time for your family (parent(s) and student) to meet with the Assistant Superintendent or his/her designee. During the hearing, the school administrator and student each present an account of the event that led to the suspension to the Assistant Superintendent or his/her designee. A hearing outcome ranges from the student returning to school, with or without a behavior contract to additional days of out-of-school suspension (up to 180 days) and/or a recommendation to the Board of Education for expulsion. Families are required to attend the student’s hearing at the time designated by the office professional. A delay in attending the hearing can cause a delay in the child’s return to school.

In the event of a suspension longer than ten days, a family may appeal the suspension to the Board of Education. A hearing will be conducted in accordance with Board of Education Policy JGD, Student Suspension and Expulsion. Similarly, a hearing will be conducted by the Board of Education in the case of a recommendation for expulsion.

HOME - SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
District Electronic Newsletter (Inside Ritenour)
“Inside Ritenour” is Ritenour School District’s monthly electronic newsletter. Anyone may sign up for the newsletter by visiting www.ritenourschools.org. The e-newsletter includes district news, upcoming event information and stories about Ritenour students, staff and alumni. Sign up to receive Inside Ritenour here.

District Website (www.ritenourschools.org)
Ritenour’s website is a great resource for parents and students. In addition to the district site, each school has its own site that features photos, school events and a school calendar. The mobile-friendly website is designed to be easy to navigate and use on any device. Use your laptop, tablet, smartphone or any mobile device to quickly find whatever you're looking for. Can't find something? Use the search tool in the upper right corner. No matter what page you're on or how far down you scroll, the main drop-down links stay with you for quick and easy access.

Parent Portal / Grades
An Internet-based, real-time program allowing parents/guardians to view their child’s attendance, grades, classwork, schedule, transcripts and credits and teacher email addresses.  This program is also used to communicate other important academic and student information including homework assignments. 

Notification System
Keeping parents informed is a top priority of Ritenour School District because we know good communication is important to our families. The district utilizes a rapid notification system that allows us to send telephone, email and text messages to you providing important information about school events or emergencies. The system notifies families of school delays or cancellations due to inclement weather and reminds parents and students about various events, including report card distribution, open houses, field trips and more. In the event of an emergency at school, parents can have peace of mind knowing they are informed immediately by phone, email and text message. The successful delivery of information is dependent upon accurate contact information for each student, so please make certain the most current phone numbers are on file at the school at all times. If contact information changes during the year, please let your school secretary know immediately. If you think you missed an important phone call from your school or the district, our rapid telephone notification system allows you to replay missed messages.

Messages can be replayed by calling toll free (855) 473-7529.

Peachjar Electronic Flyer Delivery
The Ritenour School District delivers school information and approved flyers from community organizations electronically through the Peachjar electronic flyer delivery system. School-approved eflyers will be emailed directly to you. Additionally, you can view these eflyers by clicking the Peachjar button on your school’s website.

If you provided your email address when you registered your child for school, then no action is required on your part. You will receive a welcome email from our service provider (Peachjar) that includes a username and password if you do not already currently have an account. This is provided to give you the opportunity to manage your account and flyer delivery preferences.

This system is used exclusively for distribution of school-approved flyers. Your email address will not be shared or used for any other purpose.

HOMEWORK
Students receive homework assignments as an important extension of the learning that takes place at school. Homework provides opportunities for independent study, research and creative thinking. Properly designed, homework also helps students develop responsibility, independence and time management skills. Students should expect to have homework most evenings. Parents can help their children by arranging a quiet, comfortable place to work and ensuring assignments are completed and returned to school on time.

Parents are encouraged to contact teachers and check the Parent Portal or homework hotline to make sure their child is current with assignments.  If a child is absent, parents should contact the school secretary, preferably early in the morning, to request and make arrangements to pick up homework.   Homework can also be sent home with a sibling. 

IDENTIFICATION CARDS
As part of the district’s safety program, all middle and high school students and district employees are required to wear an identification card (ID) while on school premises. Cards are issued to students at the beginning of the school year. Students also use their ID’s to access their cafeteria accounts and check out school library books. Students are responsible for reporting lost or damaged ID cards to the school office, which replaces them for a small fee. Students are subject to disciplinary consequences for not wearing their ID cards or for refusing to allow a staff member to check the ID or surrender it upon request.

ILLNESS
Regular attendance is strongly encouraged; however, children should not come to school if they have any of the following symptoms:

  • 100 degrees or higher fever in the previous 24 hours
  • diarrhea in the previous 24 hours
  • unidentified, weeping and/or rapidly spreading skin rashes
  • vomiting in the previous 24 hours

Parents are asked to call the school to report any student absence due to illness. In most cases students may return to school after 24 hours of antibiotic therapy. Contact your school nurse if you have questions. (See ATTENDANCE)

IMMUNIZATIONS / PHYSICAL EXAMS / DENTAL / VISION / HEARING
Immunizations
Missouri laws require all children to have up-to-date immunizations to attend school. Documentation of either proof of immunizations, medical exemption or state issued religious exemption must be on file with the school nurse according to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services requirements.

Physical Examinations
Students are strongly encouraged to have a physical examination before entering kindergarten, third, sixth and ninth grades and provide proof of the exam, which is kept by the school nurse. Students new to the district should have an examination prior to their first day in school.

Annual physical examinations are required for participation in high school athletics, flag corps, marching band, cheerleading and powder-puff activities. A record of the exam must be submitted to the coach/sponsor prior to the first practice. Missouri State High School Athletic Association guidelines require students to have proof of medical insurance coverage to participate in the activities listed above. Participation in the football program requires a specific rider covering football. Students must attend a specified number of practices before playing in an interscholastic game.

To participate in competitive sports at the high school, students must also complete an interscholastic consent form. Physical exams must clearly state students are cleared for participation in “all competitive sports.” Both forms are available from the High School Activities Office, (314) 493-6135.

Examinations obtained after Feb. 1 are valid for the next school year.

Dental
Parents/guardians are encouraged to include regular dental examinations as a part of their child’s ongoing healthcare program. Ritenour School District has partnered with BigSmiles Dental Mobile Services to make obtaining dental care for students more convenient. Please contact your school nurse for more information.

Vision and Hearing Screenings
Vision and hearing screenings are administered to students as recommended by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

INSURANCE
The Ritenour School District does not carry accident insurance for individual students. The district is not generally held legally liable for accidental injuries sustained by students while at school or participating in school-related activities. High school students must provide medical insurance information to participate in competitive athletic activities, interscholastic activities, open gyms, etc. Individuals participating in the school-sponsored football program must have a specific rider covering football. (See IMMUNIZATIONS/PHYSICAL EXAMS)

LIBRARIES / MEDIA CENTERS
As part of the district’s ongoing commitment to technology, all Ritenour libraries/media centers are computer-equipped and have access to the Internet. A full-time library/media specialist provides instruction in research, reference and technology skills. Each library features reading areas and boasts a wide assortment of books, magazines and STEM materials featuring a variety of topics specially selected for students of all reading levels and interests. Students may check out books to read at home or at school. Lost or damaged books are subject to full replacement costs.

LOCKERS
Lockers are provided to middle and high school students to assist them in securing books, coats, hats and other personal items while at school. Lockers are the property of the Ritenour School District and the district retains the right to inspect a locker at any time.

  • Lockers are not shared by students.
  • Padlock combinations are not shared with other students.
  • Students are responsible for keeping lockers clean and neat with no stickers, decals, tape or other items that could damage the locker.
  • Always check to make sure padlock is secure before leaving locker.
  • At the high school, students keep the locker assigned to him/her all four years.