24-25 Family Handbook

Mental Health Services

As noted in our handbook, Innovations Academy recognizes that when unidentified and unaddressed, mental health challenges can lead to poor academic performance, increased likelihood of suspension and expulsion, chronic absenteeism, student attrition, homelessness, incarceration, and/or violence. Access to mental health services at the IA and in our community is not only critical to improving the physical and emotional safety of students, but it also helps address barriers to learning and provides support so that all students can learn problem-solving skills and achieve in school and, ultimately, in life. The following resources are available to your child:

Available on Campus:

• School-based counseling services – your child is encouraged to directly contact our counselor by coming into the Solution Center during school hours and making an appointment. Our school counselor supports students by providing individual sessions, group or parent consultations whenever a student is having a difficult time due to academic stress, transition to changes in their environment, or social concerns, including isolation. Counseling services, whether provided by our school or by an outside provider, are voluntary.
• Special education services – if you believe your child may have a disability, you are encouraged to directly contact Lisa Smith, our special education coordinator atLSmith@InnovationsAcademy.org.
• Prescription medication while on campus – if your child requires prescription medication during school hours and you would like assistance from School staff in providing this mediation to your child, please contact our health clerk in the front office at 858-271-1414.

Available Nationally:

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline – This organization provides confidential support for adults and youth in distress, including prevention and crisis resources. Available 24 hours at 1-800-273-8255.
• The Trevor Project – This organization provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13 and 24. Available at 1-866-488-7386 or visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/.
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America – This organization is a community- based mentorship program. Community-specific program information can be found online at https://www.bbbs.org or by calling (813) 720-8778.

Physician’s Recommendation for Medication

If your child needs medication to be administered during the school day, please have the doctor  complete the Physician’s Recommendation for Medication form and return it to the office, along with the medication(s). For more information, please email Tina McGinnis at records@innovationsacademy.org

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 23-24 Independent Study Contract and Information for Any Absence (quarantine, illness, travel) can be obtained at the front office

A new law was passed (AB130) that now governs how Independent Study works in public schools. When your child is absent (especially for longer than 2 days) you will need the following things:

1. Read this document (Independent Study  Assignments and Instructions)
2. Follow this link to sign the Master Agreement and other required documents to keep the records of work done to turn in at the end of the absence. It is linked in the document in #1.

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3-day Student Paperwork

• Summary-of-Learning 3-day
• Innovations Academy Independent Study Reference Guide
• Documentation Workshop ideas 

School Drop Off And Pick Up

• Morning drop-off at the back gate between 8:00 and 8:25 a.m.  
• PLEASE DO NOT get out of your car at all. Children should be able to get themselves out. If not, please park your car in the lot or on the street to help them out and walk them up to the gate. 
• After 8:25 a.m. the back gate is locked, and students will then enter through the front entrance 
• Dismissal is at 3 p.m. There are multiple ways to pick up your child 

1. Drive up and wait patiently in the line with your students SafeID number PLEASE DO NOT GET OUT of your car, children should be able to get themselves in. 
2. Park off campus and walk into the building to pick up your child. This gives you time to walk and talk together as you return to your car Bring your SafeID number for this also 
3. If your child is capable, let them be a walker. “Walkers” are children who leave campus on their own with permission from their parents. Communicate with your child’s teacher in writing so they can dismiss them a few minutes early. “Walkers” will exit the building with a special pass and walk home, to the bus, to their bike to ride home or to their parent who meets them somewhere off campus. 

• Though dismissal is at 3 p.m., it takes until 3:30 to get everyone through the car line. Students remain in classrooms until their SafeID number is called. 
• There is a car line that goes down the block towards the north. It would be helpful if everyone got in that line. If you are coming from the south and insist on turning left into the parking lot, be patient and safe with others. 
• Our staff will not be managing drivers except to protect pedestrians. We are assuming all drivers have driver’s licenses and can maneuver their cars safely and respectfully. 
• Our staff will be helping children, and their parents cross the driveway. Treat them respectfully and give priority to pedestrians when entering the driveway.
  We can create a community that is respectful, safe, and supportive. If you are in a rush, think twice about how that is impacting your driving. Please do not text and drive. Instead listen to music that you love and enjoy observing your surroundings. 

 

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 Extended Care

Before and After Care Available:
We contract with Champions, which is a before and after care program for interested families during the 23-24 school year, M-F- after school.  www.discoverchampions.com