Parents, this is some information we believe you will find helpful. We understand that you are busy; these guidelines that will help you save time and facilitate communication with the school.

* To visit the school:

o We ask that all visitors report to the office upon entering the building, sign in and pick up a visitor’s badge.

* To report an absence:
o Student attendance is very important at Sumner Academy. We have a very high attendance rate with over 97% of our students present each day.
o If your son or daughter must be absent from school, it is important that you call the office before 9:00 am to report the absence. We become very concerned about any student who is absent if we have not heard from a parent. The number to call is 913-627-7200. You may call before school personnel are available and leave a message on the school voice mail.

* To arrange to pick up a student during the day:
o Please call school early in the day if you will need to pick up your son or daughter. The student should come to the office before classes begin to pick up the pass. If we receive notification later, we will get the pass to the student during a passing period. We will not, however, interrupt a class unless it is an emergency.
o We will release a student only to the parent, guardian or other adult indicated on the student’s information card.

* If you would like to visit a classroom:
o Arrange a mutually agreed upon date and time with the building principal for the requested visit or observation. Please give at least 24 hours notice.
o Check in at the office when you arrive and sign in, you’ll be given a visitor’s pass.
o Please note that principals have the right to decline the request for classroom observation or visit if it is determined that such a visit would cause undue disruption in the educational process.
o Only parents or guardians will be allowed to visit the classroom; siblings and outside visitors will not be allowed.
o The principal or his/her designee may be present during the classroom visit in order to accommodate follow-up discussion or clarify questions that may arise.
o All aspects of individual student confidentiality must be preserved and respected.
o Tape recording devices are prohibited.
o Note taking is permissible only if the administrator is also taking notes.

* When your son or daughter has a problem in class:

o Contact the classroom teacher as soon as the issue arises. He or she will be able to answer your questions or address your concerns most directly. Remember that teachers are in the classroom most of the day; a phone call will most likely go to voicemail. Please leave a time and number when the teacher can return the call. Communication by e-mail is also an option.

o If the issue can’t be addressed through a phone conversation or e-mail, arrange to meet with the teacher. Please schedule this in advance (at least 24 hours) and you or the teacher may want to include a counselor or administrator at the meeting.

* To get messages and deliveries to students:
o All deliveries and messages to students must go through the office. Please do not put your son or daughter in an awkward position by making a delivery directly to the student.
o Only messages from parents or guardians will be accepted.
o Classes are not interrupted for deliveries or messages, the students is called to the office at the end of the class period to retrieve their message or item.

o Food will not be delivered to students during class. Food brought for a student’s lunch must arrive prior to the period in which the student eats; the class will not be interrupted to call a student to pick up lunch.