MUSKEGON HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL ACADEMY
SYSTEM
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary
55 E. Sherman Boulevard
Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
Parent and Student Handbook
2014-2015
“Success is the only option”
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 55 E Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)830-3600
Page 1
Letter from the Principal
August 2014
Dear Parents:
Thank you for choosing Muskegon Heights Public School Academy for your child’s education!
We have been busy preparing for the .2014-2015 school year. Our motto exemplifies our
belief that success is the only option for our students. The administration, faculty and staff
work collaboratively to create a school community which fosters a love of learning. At Martin
Luther King Jr. Elementary School we pride ourselves in offering differentiated instruction for
all subjects and grade levels. We believe that all children can and will learn and we teach to
that belief. The cross-curriculum instructional model, ties all areas of learning together. A
well- rounded education is what each child needs to succeed in the world today and at Martin
Luther King Jr. Elementary School that is just what they receive.
The Parent and Student Handbook is designed to serve as a resource guide that includes
general information regarding school policies and procedures. We encourage you to read
this handbook thoroughly and discuss it with your child. Feel free to contact me if you have a
question that is not answered within this document.
We look forward to education your pursuit. Working together, we can realize our shared
vision of excellence in education.
Sincerely,
Mr. Shawn Hurt
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 55 E Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)830-3600
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Mission
Muskegon Heights Academy will provide a safe learning
atmosphere that promotes positive behavior and
educational excellence.
Vision
Muskegon Heights Academy will become a Model
School of Excellence preparing students to become
productive members of society.
We Believe.....
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All students can and will learn.
All students are entitled to a high quality, rigorous education.
We are responsible for making a positive impact on each student we encounter.
Holding high expectations for our school and community is very important.
Providing emotional, social, and academic support to students and families is
essential.
Building relationships with all stakeholders is vital to our success.
All students and families are valuable.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 55 E Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)830-3600
Page 3
Statement of Diversity
The Muskegon Heights Academy admits students of any race, color, or national and ethnic
origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made
available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or
national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, and
other school-administered programs
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 55 E Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)830-3600
Page 4
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
Leadership Team
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Principal - Mr. Shawn Hurt, 231-830-3601
Secretary - Ms. Jan Cantu, 231 - 830-3658
Behavior Specialist – Mrs. Jeanette Casson, 231-830 - 3603
Curriculum Specialist- Mr. Alina Fortenberry 231-830-3652
MANAGEMENT
The Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System is a self-managed district that
operates under the leadership of Superintendent Alena Zachery-Ross and Muskegon Heights
Public School Academy Board of Education. Contracted services for finances and human
resources are provided by Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, and Access Point.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 55 E Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)830-3600
Page 5
Admission, Re-enrollment, Transfers
Admission
Muskegon Heights Academy is open to all children, on a space-available basis within each
grade. The school does not discriminate on the basis of intellectual or athletic ability,
measures of achievement or aptitude, disability, proficiency in English, or any other basis
prohibited by law.
There are no admission requirements or tests administered to determine whether or not
admission is granted. Test may be used to determine group placement once students are
enrolled. Applicants will be placed on a waiting list if all enrollment slots are filled. Students
will be admitted from the waiting list as places become available in each grade. Preference is
given to siblings of admitted students.
Re-Enrollment
Parents must re-enroll their child to secure placement at Muskegon Heights Academy for the
next school year. Re-enrollment packets are sent home in January and must be returned by
the spring deadline. Students whose re-enrollment packets are received after the deadline
will be added to the waiting list and admitted on a space-available basis.
Transfers
The school asks that, whenever possible, parents provide at least two weeks’ notice if a
student must transfer from Muskegon Heights Academy for any reason. Such notice will allow
the school to process the necessary transfer paperwork, including having the student’s
records transferred. It will also enable the school to fill the vacant seat with another student
from the waiting list.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 55 E Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)830-3600
Page 6
Student Records and Confidentiality
All student information is protected by the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act for the
purpose of protecting student confidentiality.
Every student is required to complete and submit the following as part of the registration
process (all forms are available in the necessary language translation, upon request):
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Application for Enrollment
Admissions Profile
Birth Certificate
Copy of Social Security Card
Copy of Immunization Records
Physical
Proof of Residency
Parent Request for Transfer of Records
Education Testing
IEP (If applicable)
Transportation Information (If applicable)
Free and Reduced Lunch Form
Permission to Photograph
Volunteer Form (for parents)
 Medication Permission Forms, that will permit the school to dispense specified
medication to the student, are filled out during the school year on an as needed basis.
 For children entering kindergarten, evidence of current immunizations must be
provided before students can attend school. All children should be current in their
immunization scheduled, specifically DTP, polio, Hib, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps,
Rubella, and Varicella vaccines. If you have questions, please contact your physician.
It is critical that the school be notified immediately of any changes in a student’s name (legal
documentation must be provided for name changes), address (proof of address change must
be provided), phone number, responsible parent, or any other information provided at the
time of registration. Such changes should be communicated in writing and addressed to the
Administrative Assistant.
Muskegon Heights Academy is dedicated to complying with all confidentiality laws protecting
the privacy of their students and their families. Information regarding a student’s progress will
be shared only with parents and guardians, appropriate members of the school’s faculty and
staff and any professional consultants retained for the purpose of measuring and/or
improving instructional quality. When information regarding student performance is made
public, it will be presented in such a way as to avoid the identification of specific, individual
students.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 55 E Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)830-3600
Page 7
School Uniforms
To help create an environment conducive to learning, students at Martin Luther King Jr.
Elementary are required to wear uniforms. This policy is designed to permit students to focus
their attentions on academics and on those aspects of their personalities that are truly
important.
K-6 Uniform
Black or Khaki pants, skirts, shorts or jumpers
Navy blue or light blue shirts with collars
(Young men should wear belts and have shirts tucked in)
Shoes of choice (NO flip flops or sandals)
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary
Daily Schedule
7:45 – 8:00
Arrival (bus schedule will be provided)
8:00 – 8:15
Breakfast in Classroom
Lunch as scheduled
8:15 – 3:45
Classroom Instruction
3:45 p.m.
Dismissal
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Breakfast and Lunch
Muskegon Heights Academy’s commitment to offering children a superior education
extends to the meals that we provide for students. The school aspires to the highest possible
quality in its breakfast and lunch programs, and is dedicated to meeting high standards of
nutrition, taste, attractiveness, and accurate delivery.
ALL Martin Luther King Jr. students will receive FREE lunch, provided they meet the a
Free and Reduced Price Meals requirements.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 55 E Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)830-3600
Page 8
Student Conduct
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary sets high expectation for student achievement. In order to
provide a learning environment where all students are able to achieve, it is necessary to
establish standards of conduct. The School’s Code of Responsible Behavior clearly defines
the behavior expectations and the sanctions that will be imposed if the policies are not
adhered to.
A complete copy of the Code of Conduct is available in the main office. Please read the
Code thoroughly, discuss it with your children and sign and return to your child’s homeroom
teacher the compact on the last page to indicate that you understand and agree to the
School’s rules and expectations. Students are also asked to sign the form, which will be cosigned by the Principal upon receipt. The Code will thus serve as a contract among students,
parents, and School staff.
Quality Assurance – Handling Complaints
Experience has demonstrated that open communication between parents and the school’s
staff is the key to maintaining a stable business relationship.
What to do if you have a problem………
1. Discuss the problem with your child’s teacher. Teachers will make themselves
available to discuss parental concerns regarding their child.
2. Discuss the problem with the Principal. Parental concerns or questions that cannot be
resolved by the teacher should be redirected to the school’s Principal. The Principal is
fully qualified and possesses the requisite leadership and decision-making skills to
solve most problems.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 55 E Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)830-3600
Page 9
Attendance
Tardiness
It is critical that all students be prepared to begin instruction on time. Students are expected
to arrive by 8:00 a.m. Students who are late miss valuable instructional time. Students are
expected to arrive to school on time and stay until the end of the school day.
Absences
Parents must contact the school office by phone whenever a child is going to be absent, and
send a written excuse to the teacher when the child returns to school.
The following reasons are sufficient cause for an excused absence: a.) illness, b.) death in
the family, c.) inclement weather, which would be dangerous to the life or health of the child,
d.) legal quarantine, e.) emergency conditions as determined by the Principal and f.) Prior
permission from the Principal and consent from the legal guardian.
In the event that extraordinary circumstances require that the student be absent from school,
an Authorized Absence Plan may be developed jointly by the teacher, the Principal, the
Parent Liaison, and the student’s parent or legal guardian. The plan will define the length of
the absence and the means by which the student will make-up the work he or she will miss.
The plan must be approved and signed by the Principal and the parent/guardian prior to the
student’s absence.
If a student returns to school after an absence without a note of explanation from the parent,
a school official requesting a note b sent the following day. Failure to comply will result in the
absence being recorded as unexcused. Three (3) unexcused absences may be the basis for
the Muskegon County Truancy process to begin.
Early Dismissal
If it is necessary for a student to be dismissed from school before the end of the school day,
parents must notify the school office by 1:00 pm the day before the early dismissal. In such
cases, parents must inform the school of the specific time that the child will be picked-up and
the person who will come for the child. Only adults who are listed in the school’s records
as being authorized will be allowed to take students from the school in these cases.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 55 E Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)830-3600
Page 10
Parent Teacher Conferences
Formal parent/teacher conferences are scheduled twice a year (fall and spring) to facilitate
open communication between parents and teachers regarding students’ progress.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary maintains an open door policy, and parents are
encouraged to visit their children’s classrooms to see them in action. In order to keep
disruptions to a minimum, we ask parents to stop in the main office to sign in before
proceeding to the classroom. All visitors are required wear a visitor’s badge. Informal
conferences or conversations may be scheduled with teachers or school leaders at any time
throughout the year.
School Newsletters
Parents will receive monthly newsletters from the Principal with announcements of upcoming
events and school-wide activities.
Progress Reports and Report Cards
Progress reports will be sent home to provide specific information about student progress in
each subject. At the end of each quarter, parents will receive report cards with cumulative
data on their children’s performance and progress.
Textbooks and Supplies
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School furnishes textbooks and instructional materials that remain
school property. Parents will be required to reimburse the school for lost or damaged books, before
new books are issued. Supplies may be required and teachers will send home a list of such supplies.
*Health and Safety
Students’ health and safety is the school’s foremost concern. The following information
describes the precautions taken to protect the well-being of all students. If your child has any
specific health, safety, or security needs, please inform the school so that appropriate
accommodations can be made. Muskegon Heights Academy is regulated by the State
Department of Health Services. All facility inspection reports are available upon request.
Medication
The Administrative Assistant and the student’s teacher must be informed of any prescription
medication that a student is required to take at school. To dispense prescription medication
to students, the school must receive a written order from the student’s doctor and a
permission slip from the student’s parent. All medication must be brought to the school office
in its original prescription container, labeled with the student’s name, the name of the
medication, the date of expiration(must be up-to-date bottle), and the proper dosage.
Non-prescription medications
If, during the course of the school day, it is necessary for a student to receive common, nonprescription medication (e.g., Tylenol), the parent/guardian must fill out a Medicine
Administration Form. Parents/guardians must inform the school of any allergies to or
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 55 E Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)830-3600
Page 11
restrictions on non-prescription medication that their children might have. Parents/guardians
are required to notify the school Administrative Assistant in writing if your child has a chronic
illness that may affect his or her performance at school. The Administrative Assistant will in
turn notify the Head of School.
Accidents
The School Administrative Assistant or a trained staff member will administer initial
treatments of minor injuries. The student’s emergency contact will be notified immediately by
phone whenever medical treatment is administered to a student, and an Incident Report will
be kept in the student’s permanent file. In such cases, it is especially crucial that the
school has working phone numbers for students’ parents and for alternate contacts in
the event that a parent is unavailable. Please be vigilant in keeping the school’s
records for your child up-to-date.
Visitor Identification
To help ensure a safe and secure learning environment for your children, all visitors to Martin
Luther King Jr. Elementary are welcome during active business hours, required to sign-in at
the school office and to wear a visitor’s pass. .
Fire Drills/Evacuations
The school will have regular fire drills that take place during normal school hours. Specific
signals and procedures have been established for all types of disaster drills, and safety areas
have been designated. Teachers are equipped with instructions, and all drills will be
practiced with students on a regular basis. The entire school will practice weather and
security lockdowns. During these drills, no one will be allowed to enter or leave the school.
Please be patient and understanding of this important rule. Your child’s safety is our number
one concern.
Student Release
A legal document is required to support any questions of custody between divorced or
separated parents. Either natural parent is considered to have access to or request dismissal
of a student unless there is court documentation to indicate differently.
Solicitation
Solicitation of or by any student, parent, or staff member on school property for any cause
except those authorized by the Principal is strictly prohibited.
Money and Other Valuable Property
Students are encouraged to leave all money and other valuable property at home. The
School assumes no responsibility for the loss or theft of such articles.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 55 E Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
(231)830-3600
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