• General Information
  • This webpage contains school information and procedures that are followed in order to keep our school safe while providing an exceptional environment for learning. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the office.

    BUILDING SECURITY

     

    For the safety of students each door at Joy Elementary School is locked at all times. To enter our school from 7:30 am-3:30 pm, parents and visitors must ring the door bell located at the main entrance. Once let in all parents and visitors must go directly to the office to sign in and receive a visitor’s tag.  When you arrive in the office, school personnel will call the teacher letting them know that you have arrived before you will be allowed to walk to the classroom. Parents and visitors who have not prearranged a visit at least 24 hours in advance may not visit a class. While we understand there are days you may need to walk your child to class we prefer you not do this, walking them into the foyer area is okay; however, to ensure student safety we like to stick with pre-arranged visits.

     

    CELL PHONES


    Joy Elementary has a no cell phone policy. We ask all adults before entering the office area to turn off their cellphone. The purpose of this policy is for student safety and to limit interruptions during learning opportunities. Students are not allowed to have cell phones at school for any reason unless it is approved by the principal. Approval will be given for extreme situations only.


    EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

     

    During registration, you are asked to provide us with phone numbers of people that could be called in case of an emergency. When these numbers change during the year, please inform your child’s teacher and our school’s secretary at 873-2090, so that we will always have the most up-to-date information on file. There is nothing more unsafe than to not have a direct line to our students' parents.

     

    ENTERING CLASSROOMS AFTER DISMISSAL

     

    From time to time we understand that students will forget their homework or other items they need at home. Students are not allowed to go back to their classroom(s) after dismissal at 3:00 pm. When students are in the building after 3:00 pm, they will onlly be in the building during supervised times (i.e. clubs, sports, safe harbor) and the like. If it is an emergency, the child may go to the office and ask the secretary to call to see if the teacher is in their room. Only if the teacher is in their room will a child be allowed to go and get their things.

     

    LOST AND FOUND

     

    Our school has lost and found tubs which are located in the hallway next to the library. If your child is missing any items, please encourage him or her to check the tubs. We periodically empty these tubs and donate the items to a local worthy charity.

     

    NEWSLETTERS

     

    Our school publishes a monthly newsletter, The Viking Chronicle, which provides information of interest to Joy parents and students. It also contains a monthly activities calendar with information on all of the special activities going on for the month at Joy Elementary. The Viking Chronicle is sent home with students on the first Wednesday of each month. It may also be viewed online athttps://www.mcas.k12.in.us/domain/121.

     

    Your child’s teacher will also provide you with information in a regularly published newsletter or online through their website. Teachers will share information about their newsletter or website during the first few weeks of school.

     

    PARENT-TEACHER MEETINGS

     

    We encourage parents to meet with teachers to discuss their child’s academic or behavioral success whenever any questions or concerns arise.  All meetings with teachers are required to be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. To schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher, please call (219) 873-2090. When prompted dial the teacher’s extension number.  If the teacher is not available, please leave your name, a telephone number, and a request for a meeting. Your child’s teacher will contact you as soon as possible.

     

    PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOOTWEAR

     

    In order for students to participate in physical education classes, proper footwear must be worn. This should be tennis/athletic shoes with Velcro or shoe laces. No sandals, clogs, crocs, flip-flops,slip-ons, or boots should be worn. This is to ensure participation and safety for all children. Students who do not have proper shoes will not participate in class.

     

    RECESS

     

    All grade levels have recess at least one time per day for 20 minutes. School personnel supervise each recess. All students will go outside for recess unless the temperature is below 20 degrees wind chill factor or if it is raining. We also have indoor recess if the playground black top is icy or snow covered. Please make sure your child dresses appropriately for outside recess. To play in the snow, students must have heavy winter boots on to keep their feet warm.  

     

    We recognize that there are occasionally times when, as a parent, you believe it would be in the best interest of your child not to participate in a physical and/or outdoor activity due to a minor illness or injury that might be aggravated by participation. We will accept a parent note requesting your child’s non or limited participation for one day. A doctor’s statement of non-participation, however, is required beyond one day.

     

    TARDINESS

     

    When a child is late to school for any reason including prearranged appointments, he or she must check in at the office prior to going to the classroom.  Students are considered tardy if they are not in their room when the second bell rings at 8:45 am. A parent or guardian must accompany the student to the office to sign the student in. 
     DR. APPOINTMENT PICK UP
     
    To ensure the safety of your child, in the event there is an early release to a Dr. appointment, the parent must pre-arrange this with the Principal's secretary. The child's legal guardian must come in and verify their identity, and sign the child out. The child must also return with a written doctor's excuse.