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How should I report my student’s absence from school?
Upon returning to school, students should provide a doctor’s note or a note from home explaining the nature of the absence. Notes documenting absences must include dates and parent or medical professional signature or stamp. Notes should be submitted to classroom teachers in grades Pre-K – 5 and to the school receptionist for grades 6 – 12.
How will I know if the school is closed due to bad weather?
NYOS Charter School follows Austin ISD to determine necessary closings or late starts due to inclement weather. Read more
Why is it so important to have all of this information about my student’s absence?
Did you know that for every day your student misses school, NYOS Charter School loses $50 in funding? This loss of funding can add up. For example, if you have three children who all miss one day of school, that’s a decrease in funding of $150 for NYOS Charter School.
A significant portion of NYOS funding is based on attendance information. We need to submit to the State documentation of our average daily attendance. If we do not do this accurately and according to their guidelines, our funding can be significantly impacted. By providing us with this information, you are helping NYOS keep a constant level of funding.
How many absences are allowed?
NYOS follows the attendance guidelines of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC §25.085). Students must be present 90% of each semester.
What if we have planned absences?
It is possible that students will have scheduled appointments (ex: orthodontist) and must miss a class. We request that parents provide the school notification in advance. It is also important to vary the time of absences that are routine so that a student does not miss the same class each time.
What is an excused absence?
For consideration of compulsory attendance requirements and class credit, NYOS counts all absences, but will consider and excuse from the count (for purposes of assigning credit and promotion) absences relating to observance of religious holy days, mandated court appearance, college visits for juniors and seniors, and temporary absence for the purpose of an appointment with a health care professional if the student comes to school the day of the appointment, either before or after the appointment.
Do tardies count?
Four (4) tardies = One (1) absence. It is important for students at all grade levels to be on time to all classes. Students in grades 8-12 who are more than 10 minutes late to a class are considered absent.
CELEBRATIONS
May I bring my student items like cake, balloons and flowers?
No. We do not permit deliveries of flowers and balloons during the school day. NYOS follows the Texas Public School Nutritional Policy that stipulates students may not share cupcakes, cookies, candy, etc. in the cafeteria during the lunch period and we do not allow these items during class time. Parents with students in grades PreK-5 may drop off a small birthday treat (pencils, stickers, cupcakes, cookies) before school. The items will be distributed to classmates during the last 15 minutes of the school day.
COMMUNICATION
What is the best way to learn about school events?
Go here to learn more about ways to stay connected with NYOS Charter School, including receiving our NYOS Notes and accessing our Parent Portal.
How should I communicate with teachers and administrators?
School email and phone contact information is posted on our website. Please provide teachers at least 24 hours to respond.
How can I find out about my student’s classroom performance?
We encourage parents to initiate conversations and questions with teachers through email or phone. Teachers will also notify parents when students are not performing at their expected potential.
Sign up for the Parent Portal on our website to gain instant access to student grades and attendance (grades 6th-12th).
Additionally, Google Classroom is a way to facilitate paperless communication between 6th through 12th grade teachers and students and streamline educational workflow. Within Google Classroom teachers can create classes, post assignments, organize folders, and view work in real-time.
Finally, a great way to stay in touch with your child’s PreK-5th Grade teacher is to utilize their preferred mobile app for info related to upcoming events and announcements. Some apps offer the ability to share photos or message with class parents. Ask your teacher what they use to get signed up. All apps are easy to use and improve your ability to connect and improve your child’s classroom experience. Examples of apps include: Classroom Dojo, Bloomz, and Smores Remind.
Student conferences are scheduled three times annually for grades PreK-5th and two times annually for grades 6th and 7th. All parents are expected to attend.
Conferences are required upon notification from teachers for students not performing well in grades 8th through 12th.
Interim Progress Reports are sent home with students after the first four weeks of each quarter and report cards are sent home at the end of each quarter. PreK-5 students receive progress reports quarterly if they are not meeting academic, behavioral or attendance expectations. Parents may request a conference or progress report at any time.
ELECTRONICS
Can students bring and use their own computers or electronic devices?
6th through 8th grade students are not permitted to bring their own laptop to school, but 9th through 12th grade students are permitted to do so. Elementary students may bring electronic devices to school, but they may only be used before or after school with teacher permission. All students must sign the NYOS Acceptable Use Policy.
LUNCH
How can I add funds to my student’s lunch account?
NYOS is using My School Account to manage student cafeteria accounts and pre-orders. My School Account offers free online and phone support, so please do not hesitate to contact them with any questions you may have. My School Account also offers a free and convenient app to allow you to manage your student’s account from anywhere. Go here to pre-order cafeteria meals for your student a week in advance.
May I bring lunch to my student?
Yes. Lunches may be dropped at the reception desk and the lunch will be delivered or the student will be notified to collect it. Parents are only permitted to bring a lunch for their own child, and cannot bring a lunch for another child.
MEDICINE
May students bring medicine to school?
Students are not allowed to have any medication with them (in classrooms, desks, lockers, or backpacks). All medications must be kept in the nurse’s office at all times. See our Student Handbook to review procedures and guidelines for all grade levels.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Is there a school organization in which all parents can be involved and support the school’s needs?
Yes. All families are encouraged to join the NYOS Parent Teacher Association (PTA). We believe that parent involvement is in direct correlation to student success. Go here to join the PTA today!
STUDENT DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP
How should I enter the campus when I am dropping off or picking up my student?
Kramer Campus: enter the driveway adjacent to the Grant AME Church and exit via the driveway near the Administration building.
Lamar Campus: enter at the west entrance off Yager Lane and exit either on Lamar Blvd or the east exit of Yager Lane.
What if I need to pick up students in multiple grade levels at the Lamar Campus?
7:15 AM - 7:30 AM drop off time for families with students enrolled at both the Kramer and Lamar campus. The NYOS bus will depart with Lamar students on board promptly at 7:35 AM.
Can students wait on campus after dismissal time?
No. Students should be picked up promptly at the end of the school day. Unless students are participating in a school-sponsored program and you have received notification of a scheduled tutorial, practice or event, students must be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of their school day. NYOS does not have staff that can provide supervision at the end of the day and safety is our utmost priority.
What if I want to pick up my student early?
Parents should not routinely pick up students early. If early pick up is necessary, parents must sign in at the campus reception desk. Parents may not go straight to the classroom.
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
Does the school offer extracurricular activities?
Yes. NYOS has many different clubs and sports available to students. See Elementary and Secondary.
Can anyone participate in sports?
Yes. NYOS wants everyone to participate in at least one school activity. We believe that sports support healthy learning and lifelong lessons in team work, skill building and perseverance. All students may join and participate in any sport offered at their grade level.
Are there fees for participating in clubs and sports?
Some clubs have associated fees and all sports require registration, physicals and fees. The sports registration fees at NYOS cover the various costs associated with the sports: facilities, uniforms, equipment, and sometimes bus transportation.