Lower School Handbook - Colorado Academy

Please note: Although the return of the non-prescription form is mandatory for all students, parents may
choose to decline authorization by signing in the waiver box at the bottom of the form. In this case, no
doctor’s signature is required.
Doctors’ authorization for prescription medication can be faxed to the school (303-914-2575), and we can
fax a blank form to your doctor’s office on request. Forms are available for download on the CA website.
SNOW DAY/SCHOOL CLOSURE POLICY
The school is committed to being open every scheduled school day if it is safe to do so. On the very rare
occasion that CA closes due to inclement weather, the closing will be posted on the school home page
(www.coloradoacademy.org). Additionally, the closure will be announced on the following Denver media: 850
KOA Radio and Television Channels 2, 4, 7, 9 and 13. In addition, a school closure message will be recorded on
the following number: 303-986-1501. These messages should be in place by 6:00 a.m.
Please remember that, even if CA is holding classes as usual, it is always within each parents’ judgmen to
decide whether it is safe or prudent to send or drive their child to school. The same would hold true of a
decision to pick up a child earlier if weather deteriorates during the school day. We ask that you notify the
Lower School if you choose to keep your child home due to weather, just as you would in the case of
illness.
SCHOOL TELEPHONE
Students may use the telephone in the Lower School lobby with teacher permission for necessary
communications with parents. However, parents are asked to support the staff in its efforts to discourage
students from making social arrangements that require phone communication during the school day.
Lower School students are not to carry or use cell phones at school.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Behavior in the Colorado Academy Lower School is based on respect for the rights of others, kindness,
awareness, safety, and pride in our school. Behavior is governed by two rules: you cannot hurt yourself,
and you cannot hurt others. More than that, however, our expectations of student conduct are aligned with
the concepts of character development that underlie all of our guiding principles for students. As adults,
we are striving for integrity in our students; for children we simplify those expectations and emphasize the
following characteristics:
• Respect – Uses good manners. Is considerate and polite to others.
• Responsibility – Takes care of self and belongings and can be counted on by others.
• Honesty – Truthful in the things we say and do.
• Kindness – Nice to others.
• Good Citizenship – Doing things which are helpful to your family, your school, or your
neighborhood.
Occasionally, students will need to be reminded about expectations and consequences of behavior.
Learning takes place best in the context of an orderly, respectful, and safe environment, and faculty and
staff work to create that. Inappropriate language, misbehavior, and safety issues are three things that
interfere with learning in classrooms. Teachers are the primary adults who monitor the behavior of
children in classrooms. They set the tone of the class and expectations for behavior. Both expectations and
consequences are age and developmentally appropriate. Teachers may seek the assistance of the Lower
School Principal to help resolve issues such as:
• Student disrespect for faculty or other adults assisting in our school.
• Blatant defiance from a child when asked to do something by an adult.
• Children physically fighting or hurting other children.
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