Communication and Campus Visits

COMMUNICATION and CAMPUS VISITS

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN STAKEHOLDERS The SCS culture is based on mutual respect and trust. As such, our communication policies support positive action, collaboration, and proactive problem-solving. Positive communication between school and home is essential for each child's growth and development. Teachers make themselves available by appointment to address parent/guardian needs and communicate with families frequently. In addition, positive, professional communication between staff members is required to preserve our shared culture.

Once you have spoken with the staff member directly involved, the principal can help you navigate any difficult situations. Our policy dictates that the first step is to work things out with the person(s) involved before approaching the administration. If further intervention is required, please email the principal to set up an appointment (eli.jannes@sigsbee.org)

Please allow 24 hours between communication during the work week as our staff focuses on the children. Staff may not answer emails or phone messages over the weekend.

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION Part of our mission is to develop stewards of the environment. As such, we do not reproduce paper copies of flyers, announcements, and newsletters. All communications are done virtually, through email and optional social media.

SIGSBEE SCOOP The Sigsbee Scoop is a weekly newsletter written by the principal which includes all pertinent information regarding upcoming school events, field trips, and student opportunities. It includes pictures and celebrations of students as well as community activity information. Families are expected to read the Scoop each weekend. The link to the blog is: https://www.smore.com/u/eli.jannes

FOCUS (Grades K-8) FOCUS is the student information system used throughout the Monroe County School District. Students in grades 3-8 and their parents will use this system to track their grades and assignments, access progress monitoring data, track attendance and behavior, receive notifications from the school, and access report cards. In grades K-2, Focus is used primarily to monitor attendance and behavior, receive notifications from the school, and view progress monitoring data. Parents will receive information on how to register for the parent portal before the start of school.

BLACKBOARD CONNECT MESSAGES Parents are encouraged to sign up for our emergency text messaging through Blackboard Connect. Parents will receive text messages regarding school closures, dangerous weather conditions, and other safety concerns.

SCHOOL VISITATION POLICY: Sigsbee Loves their Parents! We want your help making this a successful year for Sigsbee Charter. Whether you volunteer in a classroom or around the school, your time and effort is greatly appreciated. We also need your help in protecting our learning environment, and ask that you remember a few simple rules for our students and staff.

All visitors must check in with the office when arriving on school grounds and before entering any academic spaces. Upon arrival, they must also present a driver’s license and be subjected to a background check. Visitors must wear their visitor’s sticker in a visible spot at all times while on campus.

To receive text messages from our Principal, Ms. Jannes:

1) During the registration process, the Contact Information section is where you choose

to receive text messages or not. To receive texts, check the SMS box associated with

each cell phone number you want to receive text messages. Leave the box unmarked

to avoid getting text messages.

2) Once registration is complete, you will need to contact the office to make any changes

in the Contact Information section.

We want to keep our children safe and focused! Please turn off your electronic devices while on school grounds. Ringers and conversations are distracting for our young learners.

- Unless your child’s teacher has specifically set a visitation time, please make an appointment to visit a classroom or to meet with the teacher. Interruptions disrupt both the teacher and the students.

-Please do not loiter around the buildings or outside of classrooms. This will help us protect the safety of our students in a distraction-free environment.

CAMPUS VISITORS Students and families are not allowed to bring visitors to school. Occasionally, a teacher may ask a family member to serve as a mystery reader or guest speaker. Parents may be asked to volunteer during celebrations and school events. Some of our learning celebrations are open to the public. However, students and staff are not permitted to bring friends, relatives, or acquaintances to school at other times.

Adults may visit their children during lunch and recess. Please be sure to sign in at the main office. For more information, please see our visitation policy.