More New Buildings to Open This Year
Our construction project is moving along, and APS opened two more community learning centers this fall. These new buildings will be schools during the day and learning centers for the community during evenings and weekends. Come visit and see what all the excitement is about!

• Resnik CLC ― opened December 2006
• Voris CLC ― opened January 2007
• David Hill CLC ― opened August 29, 2007
• Helen E. Arnold CLC ― opened August 29, 2007
• Jennings CLC opened December 2007
• Mason CLC opened December 2007
• Betty Jane CLC ― opened December 2007

Open Enrollment Dates to Change This Year
Please note this important change: traditionally, APS held its open enrollment period during the month of March. This year, the open enrollment period will be moved up and will run from January 7 to February 8, 2008. Miller South open enrollment will begin in December and run through January 11, 2008.

• School Day
• Registration
• All-Day Kindergarten
• Transportation
• Dress Codes and Uniform Schools
• Meal Program
• School Supply List
• Immunizations
• 2007-08 School Closing Dates
• School Directory
• 2007-08 Testing Dates
• School Safety

School Day (Back to Top)
The school day will begin and end as follows:

Elementary Schools: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with the following exceptions:	Betty Jane Learning Center – 7:50 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. Glover – 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Miller South – 8:10 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.
Middle Schools:	Akron Opportunity Center – 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Goodrich – 8 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Goodyear – 8 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Hyre – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Innes – 8:10 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Jennings – 8:10 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Roswell Kent – 8:05 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. Litchfield – 8 a.m. to 2:55 p.m. Miller South – 8:10 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Perkins – 8 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Riedinger – 8 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.
High Schools:	Akron Early College – 7:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Buchtel – 8 a.m. to 3:12 p.m. East – 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Ellet – 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Firestone – 8:10 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Garfield – 8:04 a.m. to 3:24 p.m. Kenmore – 8:10 a.m. to 3:24 p.m. North – 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (7:15-8:05 a.m. is zero period)

Registration (Back to Top)
Students attending an Akron public school for the first time this year or who have moved recently within the district may register at their new school or the Administration Building (70 N. Broadway, room 16).

Simply bring the following documents to enroll:

• Birth certificate
• Proof of residence (such as a utility bill)
• Immunization record
• Custody papers (if applicable)

If the student is transferring to another school within the district and there is no change in custody, proof of residence is necessary.

All-Day Kindergarten (Back to Top)
Akron Public Schools offers all-day kindergarten. You may register at your child's school.

Transportation (Back to Top)
Questions regarding your child's transportation should be directed to your child's school after Wednesday, August 15, 2007.

Dress Codes and Uniform Schools (Back to Top)
The following universal dress code guidelines apply to all high schools:

• Shorts/skirts must be longer than fingertips;
• Droopy pants/shorts are not permitted;
• No bare midriffs;
• No see-through material;
• No tank tops; shoulders must be covered;
• No torn clothing;
• Clothing may not disrupt the educational process; no inappropriate language/drugs, etc.; no gang-, violence- or cult-related apparel;
• Clothing must be unobtrusive;
• No laser pointers;
• No head apparel (hats, headbands, scarves, picks, combs);
• No outerwear; if a jacket has a lining, it is not appropriate; and
• No chains.

Each school may add to or modify this list. For complete dress code regulations, check with your school. The principal makes the final decision on appropriate/inappropriate apparel.

Some parents prefer a school where uniforms are worn. We have 11 elementary schools and one middle school to choose from: Barrett, Crouse, Erie Island, Findley, Margaret Park, Mason, Perkins (middle), Portage Path, Rankin, Robinson, Schumacher and Stewart.

Meal Program (Back to Top)
Meal program information will be mailed to students beginning the week of August 6. Meals are available beginning on the first day of school. Information for new students is available at that time at their respective schools. If assistance is needed prior to that date, contact Child Nutrition Services at 330/761-1335. Prices are as follows:

Elementary (K-5) student lunch	no cost to any student
Miller South student lunch	$1.25
Middle/high school student lunch	$1.75
Reduced-price lunch (Miller South/high school)	$ .40
Breakfast (where available)	no cost to any student
Milk	$ .50

School Supply List (Back to Top)

The following is a list of items you may wish to purchase for your child ― these items are not required. Your child’s teacher may provide a more detailed listing of needed supplies. Please monitor to replenish supplies as needed.
Kindergarten Backpack Box of crayons - 16 count Glue sticks Large eraser Pocket folder Zippered pencil pouch Plastic school box Box of tissues	Third Grade Backpack Box of crayons Glue sticks #2 pencils with erasers Large eraser Washable markers Plastic school box Packet of notebook paper (wide-ruled) Pocket folders Ruler with standard and metric units Zippered pencil pouch Box of tissues
First Grade Backpack Box of crayons - 24 count Glue sticks #2 pencils with erasers Large eraser Washable markers Plastic school box Pocket folders Zippered pencil pouch Box of tissues	Fourth Grade Backpack Box of crayons Glue sticks #2 pencils with erasers Large eraser Washable markers Colored pencils Plastic school box Blue or black ballpoint pens Pack of notebook paper (wide-ruled) Pocket folders Ruler with standard and metric units Box of tissues
Second Grade Backpack Box of crayons Glue sticks #2 pencils with erasers Large eraser Washable markers Plastic school box Pocket folders Zippered pencil pouch Box of tissues	Fifth Grade Backpack Box of crayons Glue sticks #2 pencils with erasers Large eraser Washable markers Colored pencils Plastic school box Blue or black ballpoint pens Pack of notebook paper (wide-ruled Pocket folders Ruler with standard and metric units Protractor Box of tissues

Immunizations (Back to Top)
If your child is in school this year, you must make sure he/she has received all the immunizations required by law. Following is a rundown of immunization requirements for students in grades K-12:

Chicken Pox

• Grades K-1 — One dose is required to be administered on or after the first birthday (this immunization will be phased in over the coming years for additional grades).

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTP/DTaP/DT/Td)

• Kindergarten — Five doses of DTaP, DTP or DT or any combination are required if the fourth dose was administered before the fourth birthday.
• Grades 1-12 — Four doses of DTaP, DTP, or DT or any combination are required. If the child is seven years old or older and the third dose in the series was Td (adult), a fourth dose is not needed.

Poliomyelitis (OPV/IPV)

• Kindergarten — Four doses are required if a combination of OPV or IPV was administered. If all OPV or all IPV doses were administered and the third dose was administered before the fourth birthday, a fourth dose is required.
• Grades 1-12 — Three doses of OPV or IPV or any combination are required.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

• Grades K-12 — Two doses of the MMR vaccine are required. The first dose must be administered on or after the first birthday. The second dose must be administered at least 28 days after the first dose.

Hepatitis B

• Grades K-8 — Three doses of Hepatitis B are required. The second dose must be administered at least 28 days after the first dose. The third dose must be given at least 16 weeks after the first dose and at least 8 weeks after the second. dose. The last dose in the series must not be administered before age 24 weeks..

Additional information may be found on the Ohio Department of Health's Web site.

Where to get immunizations:
Schedule an appointment with your health care provider to complete all required immunizations. The Akron Health Department provides immunizations at a walk-in clinic. No one is denied services due to an inability to pay.

• Merriman Road Clinic
  66 Merriman Road, 2nd Floor
  Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
  8:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  $7 per shot; no appointment necessary

All visits require a parent/guardian to accompany children and to bring shot records, if available. For more information, call the Akron Health Department at 330/375-2430 or APS Student Services at 330/761-2741; or log on to the Ohio Department of Health’s Web site.

School Safety (Back to Top)
Making our schools safe and secure
Making Akron Public Schools safe and secure is one of our highest priorities. Here are some of the prevention and safety/security measures used in our schools.

Prevention activities:

• Bullying Prevention: Bullying behavior affects ALL students. This educational program gives students strategies on how to change their bullying behavior, how to react if they are a "victim" or "target" of bullying behavior, and what "bystanders" should do when observing or witnessing this behavior. It also trains staff in appropriate ways to interact with bullying behaviors in their classrooms. The program is designed to meet the unique needs of each school and works with students at each grade level.
• CHARACTER COUNTS!^SM: This national coalition focuses on integrating the six pillars of character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship) into the community and the schools through role modeling and special programs. Character development is part of Akron Public Schools Strategic Plan.
• Conflict Resolution: Conflict resolution curriculum materials teach students the skills to solve conflicts peacefully. The materials used in Akron Public Schools are provided by the Peace Education Foundation and have a parent component titled "Fighting Fair for Families." Fighting Fair teaches parents the same skills and vocabulary taught to students and provides more effective family communication.
• Peer Mediation: A minimum of 15 peer mediators are trained in each school in the Akron district. When students are unable to solve problems on their own, peer mediators provide a format for students to solve problems peacefully.
• Do The Right Thing: This program is sponsored by the Akron Police Department and recognizes 10 students per month for "doing the right thing." Students are nominated by parents, teachers and community members. Some of our students have been recognized nationally for "doing the right thing."
• Safe and Drug Free Schools programming: Funds from the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Community Act are used to provide staff development, student/parent and community training, and curriculum materials in areas such as drug awareness, early intervention, prevention, conflict resolution, peer mediation, character education, student assistance services, school climate and school safety.

Dealing with threats:

• All threats (bomb threats or threats by students) are taken very seriously. Akron Public Schools works closely with the Akron Police Department to deal with threat situations if they arise.
• All schools are provided with guidelines on how to handle threats by students or calls made to the school.

Safety/security measures:

• Police in secondary schools
• Metal detectors
• Door buzzer entrance systems
• APS security department
• Crisis intervention team
• Grief counseling
• Electrical measures:
• Two-way radios
• Cell phones
• Video cameras
• Security cameras in parking lots and on school buses
• Liaison with Metro, Akron Police Department and The University of Akron

Although we have a variety of measures in place, we need the assistance of our parents, students and community members. If you hear of any situation or discussion regarding bomb threats, guns or fights, call the school, APS security or the police department immediately.

Providing a safe learning environment for our students
All of us – students, parents, educators and community members – should do our part to make our schools safer. Here's how:

What students can do:

• Refuse to bring a weapon to school and report others who do.
• Immediately report crime to school authorities or police.
• Report suspicious student behavior to teachers or counselors.
• Learn to manage your own anger without resorting to violence.
• Settle arguments peaceably.
• Be a role model for younger students.
• Welcome new students and help them to feel at home in your school.
• Don't tease other students or call them names.

What parents can do:

• If you keep firearms in the home, ensure that they are securely stored.
• Take an active role in your child's school by talking with teachers and principals.
• Be a role model for your children and their friends.
• Show your children how to settle conflicts peacefully.
• Insist on knowing your child's friends, whereabouts and activities.
• Make your home an inviting place for your children and their friends.
• Be sure your children know that you will not tolerate violence from them or their friends.
• Set clear limits on behavior in advance.
• Discipline children fairly and consistently.

What we do:

• We established a "zero tolerance" policy for weapons and violence.
• We spell out penalties in advance, including ways for students to report crime-related activity without fear of retaliation.
• We offer training in anger management for students and staff.
• We encourage teachers to report threats and signs/discussions of weapons or gang behavior.
• We established a Code of Student Behavior for students.
• We insist that students not resort to name-calling or teasing and continually encouraged them to demonstrate respect for their peers.
• We invite parents to discuss their children's progress and any concerns they have.

What the rest of us can do:

• Adopt a school.
• Promote a sense of community within school and the larger community through involvement in school programs and activities.
• Work with schools and police to establish safe corridors for students traveling to school.
• Provide job opportunities and internships for students.
• Provide flexible work hours to allow employees who are parents to meet teachers.
• Work with police and schools to identify truants and return them to school or alternate facilities.
• Report crimes and gang activities to police immediately.

– tips provided by the Ohio Department of Education

Code of Student Behavior
It is our goal to provide all Akron Public Schools students an education in a safe, well-organized environment. We also expect our students to share the responsibility for maintaining a positive learning climate in our schools. A student's primary responsibility is to respect the rights of others.

We believe it is important to have clearly stated rules and regulations so that our students know what is expected of them. That is why we developed the Code of Student Behavior.

The Code outlines:

• student rights and responsibilities;
• violations and penalties for violations;
• procedures for suspension and expulsion;
• attendance procedures;
• policy on corporal punishment;
• liability of parents for student misconduct;
• driving privileges and student behavior; and
• limitations on the disciplining of handicapped students.

We offer workshops in the Code of Student Behavior for all school staff. A copy of the code is sent to all parents in August. We encourage parents to review it with their children. To receive a copy of the Code of Student Behavior, contact Student Services at 330/761-2734. To view the online version, click here.

↓ Click on "Other APS Links" below for the complete links list.