HANDBOOK CHANGE HIGHLIGHTS
2024-2025
The Board of Education approved changes to the CR Hanna Student Handbook. Here are a few changes that we would like to highlight to all parents.
PLANNED ABSENCE/VACATION
Vacations during school time are discouraged. According to Section 122:26-2a of the Illinois School Code, removing a child from school for the purpose of taking a family vacation is not a "valid cause" for absence. However, the Orion School District realizes that there are times throughout the year when a planned absence is necessary. Students will be allowed to have eight (8) planned absences during the school year, which includes five (5) mental health days. The mental health days are not in addition to but included in these eight days.
Any planned absence beyond eight (8) days will be considered an unexcused absence. Work missed during planned absences within the eight (8) day period will be accepted and given full credit provided the students and his/her parents have met the guidelines established in the Make Up Work section of the handbook.
MAKE-UP WORK
Excused Absence:
If a student’s absence is excused or if a student is suspended from school, he/she will be permitted to make up all missed work, including homework and tests, for equivalent academic credit. A student is allowed one day for each day of excused absence to complete missed assignments. If it is not turned in after the grace period, the student will receive a zero. If a student is absent for part of a school day, previously assigned work is still due that day.
If your child is absent and you would like to pick up his/her assignments, please contact the C. R. Hanna Office by 8:45 AM. Requests for assignments after 8:45 AM may not be honored. These assignments will be available in the school foyer AFTER SCHOOL on the day of the request. The outer doors of the school close at 8:00 PM. Homework can be sent home with other students upon request. In addition, teachers can request that a test be made up on the first day back in school if the student was notified of the test date prior to the absence.
Unexcused Absence:
Students who are unexcused from school will not be allowed to make up missed work. (School Board Policy 7:70, Attendance and Truancy)
Vacations:
There are two ways parents can request homework for vacations:
If a parent would like to request homework prior to a vacation, the request must be made to the classroom teacher at least one week prior to the scheduled vacation. If it is made less than one week prior to the vacation, the teacher will not honor the request. The requested work will be given to the student the day before the scheduled vacation. Once a student is given their assignments for a vacation leave, the assignments will be due on the day they return from the vacation. If these assignments are not turned in, they will be counted as a zero in the gradebook and no additional days will be allowed. All assessments that took place during the vacation period will be given to the student on the day the student returns to school.
If a parent does not request the work ahead of time, the student will be given the missed work on the day he/she returns. The student has three days to complete all work (no matter the length of the vacation). Any work not returned within three days will be counted as a zero.
STUDENT WATER BOTTLES
Water bottles are allowed within the classroom. Bottles should be filled with water only. Other drinks such as carbonated drinks, energy drinks, coffee, “Charged”, etc. are not allowed. This rule may be modified during special occasions as determined by the classroom teacher or administration. Students will not be allowed to take water bottles into the lunchroom. If your child is allergic to milk or is required an alternative drink, a doctor’s note needs to be provided.
For cold lunch students, the water bottle must be able to fit into their lunchbox.
