PARENT HANDBOOK

Updated: Fall 2014

PROGRAM TIMES

  • Inside Out is offered during Fall Break, Spring Break and the last two weeks in June, as determined by the traditional school year calendar for Cherry Creek Schools.
  • Morning Class (8:15am-11:15am)a mid-class break is included, please send a snack with your child
  • Supervised Lunch/Mid-day Exercise (11:15am-12:30pm) available only to students who are registered FULL-DAY. Please provide your child with lunch as there are no food services available. Certified PE instructor(s) provide 20 minutes of physical activity during this time. Students are grouped by age to accommodate appropriate activities.
  • Afternoon Class (12:30pm-3:30pm)a mid-class break is included, please send a snack with your child
  • We DO NOT offer a before or after-care program.

PROGRAM LOCATION

  • Prairie Middle School & Institute for Science and Technology (IST) - both located on the Overland/Prairie Campus – 12600 E. Jewell Avenue, Aurora CO 80012
  • Entrance to the school is from the south side parking lots. Please note: If you use internet search maps, they may direct you to the north side of the campus . . . not where you want to be.

DIRECTIONS TO PRAIRIE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND IST

  • Take Peoria north from Iliff (1 mile west of I-225) to the next intersection with traffic light (E. Pacific Drive).
  • Turn right onto E. Pacific Drive and follow past track field on left.
  • Take the first left and continue past the Overland HS building and continue going straight (you will see parking lots on your right hand side).
  • Turn left into the cul-de-sac parking lot; you can access Prairie’s main entrance from here.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS/E-MAIL

  • If you need to reach the Inside Out team by phone, please call (720) 554-5059.
  • If you need to reach the Inside Out team by e-mail, please use

REGISTRATION COSTS

  • One week of one half-day class (morning or afternoon) - $175.00 (Fall & Spring Session)
  • One week of two half-day classes (morning and afternoon) - $300.00 (Fall & Spring Session)

REGISTRATION PROCESS

  • Students must be recommended by a GT Resource Instructor or teacher to participate in the Inside Out program.
  • Recommended students/families will receive general information about Inside Out, along with directions on how to register online with a secure password
  • The Teacher Recommendation form and a copy of your Free/Reduced Lunch Eligibility letter (if applicable) must be received by our Inside Out office within 5 business days of the child’s online registration or the class registration will be cancelled. These forms can be scanned/e-mailed to or faxed to 720-554-5057. You may also hand deliver them to our office at theInstructional Support Facility, 5416 S. Riviera Way, Centennial CO 80015.
  • Classes fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each class must have a minimum number of students enrolled or the class will be cancelled for that session. Parents will be notified if this occurs.
  • There are NO waitlists – once a class is filled, the online registration software will automatically close that section.

REGISTRATION PAYMENT

  • Payment will be with Discover, MasterCard, or VISA credit or debit card at the time of online registration. Please note: There will be a 3.61% service fee charged at checkout.
  • Families who qualify for free/reduced meals will need to submit a copy of their free/reduced lunch eligibility letter to our office within 5 business days of the online registration. Your child’s class registration will be cancelled if the letter is not received on time. If you need a copy of the Free/Reduced letter, please contact the Nutrition Center at 720-886-7175. Registration for your child will be half-cost ($87.50 for one week of one half-day class: morning or afternoon - $150.00 for one week of two half-day classes: morning and afternoon – Fall & Spring Session).

REQUESTS FOR REFUNDS

  • Requests for refunds before the sessions begin HAVE A DEADLINE! Please respect the deadline stated on the registration information. Refunds will not be accepted after the deadline date. A credit MIGHT be issued to use for an upcoming session once you have spoken with the Registrar and Director. Any requests AFTER the deadline date will need to be discussed with the Registrar and a credit MIGHT be issued for the upcoming session (the next session available).
  • Once classes have begun if there is a concern/issue it needs to be addressed on the first day with a member of the Inside Out staff so that we can work with you, your child, and the teacher to make the class a positive experience. If after that conversation it is mutually determined that the class is not an appropriate fit for the child a partial refund MIGHT be given. Please note that every case is unique and will be assessed on an individual basis.
  • IF a refund is issued, it will be credited back to the card used for the original online payment. Please allow district accounting 5-10 business days to process refunds.
  • Once a child is registered for a class, we can’t switch the student in/out of classes or weeks after the deadline date.

CLASS SUPPLIES INFORMATION

  • Parents will receive an e-mail from your child’s instructor with a welcome letter prior to the beginning of the session.
  • Not all classes will ask for supplies.

APPROPRIATE CLOTHING

  • Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. This is important as students will have a recess break outside (weather permitting).
  • We will be doing emergency drills during the week; children will be taken outside.
  • Sunscreen is not provided. Please make sure your child has sunscreen applied (especially for the summer sessions).

PROGRAM PROCEDURES

  • A Parent/Guardian MUST ACCOMPANY THE CHILD(REN) INTO THE BUILDING!
  • Every adult will be required to check in with building security personnel and show a driver’s license (or photo ID) upon entering the building. Plan to allow extra time for security check in on the first day of each class session. You will be scanned into the district security system (RAPTOR) and issued a photo visitor’s badge (this process need only be done the first time you enter). Please attach this to the card provided at check-in and bring it with you each time to enter the building.
  • If you have additional adults who are designated to sign-in/out your child(ren), please inform them of this process so they are prepared to check in with their ID.
  • Classes and room #’s are listed on posters located inside the main entrance. We do not provide the classroom # beforehand due to changes that may occur last minute.
  • You may take your child to the hallway 10 minutes before class begins. We ask you to wait in the hallway until the instructor is ready.
  • Please SIGN IN the child with the corresponding class EVERY DAY at the beginning of class. You will find a clipboard in the classroom with the instructor (this is to make sure that your child made it safely into the classroom).
  • Please be aware that we have limited parking spaces at Prairie. The parking lot can get congested so plan accordingly.
  • If your child is registered for a full day, support staff will escort them to the cafeteria/gym. At the end of the lunch break, all students gather in the gym to line up by their afternoon classes. Students are then escorted to their afternoon classrooms.
  • If you as the parent or guardian will not pick up your child, please make arrangements for your child to be picked up on time. List all individuals that will be picking up your child(ren) on the AUTHORIZED SIGN IN-OUT DRIVER FORM found in the online registration.
  • When you pick your child up from the classroom we ask that you wait outside in the main hallway (NOT THE CLASSROOM) until 5 minutes BEFORE the class ends. You will then be instructed when you can go to your child’s class to pick him/her up. You will need to SIGN-OUT your child with his/her Instructor.
  • Please be aware that when you pick your child up from the classroom, his/her instructorWILL ASK FOR AN I.D.(Please respect this process as it is for the safety of your child). If you are having anyone pick up your child for you, you must fill out an AUTHORIZED PERMISSION DRIVER FORM (as part of the online registration). Only individualslisted on the AUTHORIZED PERMISSION DRIVER FORM may pick up your child. All authorized driver’s will be asked for an I.D. (please pass along this information to them).

DISTRICT SAFETY EFFORTS

  • The Cherry Creek School District is committed to creating safe, secure, and caring learning environments. This emphasis has resulted in a Comprehensive Safe Schools Plan that includes a purposeful connection between physical safety/security and the "psychological safety" of students.
  • Psychological safety provides for the social-emotional well-being of students and works to create positive school climates through measures such as asset development, bullying prevention, Positive Behavior Supports, and early identification and intervention for at-risk students. The Inside Out team will have a psychologist on staff during each session.
  • Physical safety includes measures such as visitor check-in and identification badges, video surveillance, preparedness planning, and practice drills to prepare for a variety of potential incidents. District and school crisis plans are aligned with the recommendations of state Homeland Security, local emergency responders, and public safety officials and use the general response practices outlined in the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The Inside Out team will be performing practice drills during the week(s) that the program is in session

CALLING IN ABSENCES

  • Parents please call the Inside Out line at 720-554-5059 if your child will be absent for the day otherwise the support staff will call you to verify your child’s absence. If you know ahead of time that your child will miss class, please notify the front desk staff and/or the instructor(s).

SCHOOL CLOSURE AND STORM INFORMATION

  • In the event of a weather delay or closure, parents can call the weather delay and closure line at (720) 554-4701 or check the district web page to obtain information pertaining to delayed schedules, early dismissal, or closure.

SHOWTIME

  • This is the time for students to showcase their week’s learning and accomplishments for parents and guests. Instructors are encouraged to provide a list of books, resources, and community connections related to your child’s Inside Out class to encourage continued interest and learning opportunities.
  • SHOWTIME takes place on FRIDAYin your child’s classroom 30 minutes PRIOR to the regular dismissal time.Morning (10:45am-11:15am) and Afternoon (3:00pm-3:30pm)

HARRISON FORMS

  • This is an observation tool instructors complete for each student. Observations are related to student motivation, creativity, advanced reasoning, problem solving, leadership, advanced skills and spatial ability. Forms are provided to the Instructor and will aid them in observing and reflecting on your child throughout the week. Once the program session is completed, the forms will be sent to the GT Instructor at your child’s school. You will then be able to access that information from them.

FUTURE PARTICIPATION IN INSIDE OUT

  • Please remember that students are invited to Inside Out by the GT Resource Instructor, or a teacher, based on the classes that are being offered during the current session. Keep in mind that your child may or may not be given a recommendation form for upcoming sessions. Recommendations are determined by the child’s strengths/abilities; therefore, not every session will offer a class that fits the needs of your child.
  • Connect with your child’s GT Resource Instructor at school to discuss classes and your child’s needs.
  • It is important to be aware that our program offers certain classes each session as well as new classes depending on teacher proposals that have been submitted and meet the expectations and rigor of Inside Out.
  • Due to one or both of the above situations, there is a possibility that participation in a particular session will not be feasible.