New Family/Student FAQs

New Family/Student Information Page
 
Where may I find information concerning the following?
 
After School Childcare Program
Athletics – Eligibility
Athletics – Physicals
Athletics – STAR Sportsmanship
Athletics – Summer Information
Calendar
Community Service
Contact Information
Course Scheduling (MS/US)
Daily Schedule
Dismissal (LS)
Dress Code
Drop-Off (LS)
Edline
Extended Day (LS)
Forms
Immunization Forms
Lunch/Snacks
Parents’ Association
Schedule/Packet Pick up
 School Supplies
Student/Parent Handbook
Summer Reading
Supply Drop-off (LS)
Textbooks
 
 
After School Childcare Program

The YMCA of Calhoun County conducts the on-campus after school childcare program for our students.  The program provides safe and affordable childcare for your child.  Detailed information about the program is accessible via this link to YMCA of Calhoun County: http://ymcacalhoun.org/pages/?pageID=14

 
Athletics – Eligibility
 
Any student transferring to The Donoho School after the beginning of the seventh grade year and who plans to participate in athletics…
 
…is not eligible for financial aid during the first year of enrollment. (AHSAA Handbook, page 52, Bylaws - Administration, "SECTION 11. RECRUITING. A student that transfers to a member school and receives any financial aid shall remain ineligible at that school for one year.") 
 
…must move into a residence within the Anniston city limits or remain ineligible for one year.
 
…must adhere to all of the school’s policies concerning deficiencies which may be found in the Student/Parent Handbookunder Requirements for Athletic Competition or Practice, which is accessible via the following link: http://www.donohoschool.com/uploadedFiles/pdf/Student-Parent-Handbook/Student_Handbook_2011-12_Final.opt.pdf.
 
 
 
Athletics – Physicals
 
Physicals are offered on campus once a year for students who play a sport or participate in cheerleading; students unable to attend that day are required to obtain a physical from a personal physician. 
 
All information and required forms related to physicals for athletics may be found on our website via the following link: http://www.donohoschool.com/pages/?pageID=68.
 
Physicals are valid only for one year from the date administered.
 
**Please note that student-athletes will not be able to practice or play until all forms are complete. 
 
 
 
Athletics – STAR Sportsmanship

Students in grades 7-12 who are participating in athletics MUST complete the STAR Sportsmanship Initiative, approved by the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Central Board of Control and meet all other established requirements in order to be eligible for high school interscholastic athletics, including cheerleading.   This information is also found on our website at http://www.donohoschool.com/athletics/?pageID=29.
 
To further emphasize the importance of good sportsmanship, all students and spectators must adhere to the school’s policies concerning sportsmanship, which may be found in the Student/Parent Handbook under Sportsmanship, which is accessible via the following link: http://www.donohoschool.com/uploadedFiles/pdf/Student-Parent-Handbook/Student_Handbook_2011-12_Final.opt.pdf.
 
 
 
Athletics – Summer Information
 
Students in grades 7-12 wish to participate in athletics should call the upper school at 256-237-5477, or email Athletic Director Shannon Felder at sfelder@donohoschool.com.
 
 
 
Calendar
 
A calendar of daily activities is available at the following link: http://www.donohoschool.com/calendar/.  
 
An overview of the school year is available at http://www.donohoschool.com/uploadedFiles/documents/Calendars/Calendar_12-13-Rev2.pdf.
 
 
 
Community Service
 
Each student in grades 9-12 must earn fifteen (15) hours of community service for each of his/her four years of high school enrollment. 
 
Detailed information may be found via the following links:
http://www.donohoschool.com/pages/?pageID=64
and
http://www.donohoschool.com/uploadedFiles/documents/cmtyservice/guidelines.htm.
 
 
 
Contact Information
 
Contact information for school personnel may be found via the following link: http://www.donohoschool.com/directory/.
 
 
 
Course Scheduling (MS/US)
 
Students in grades 7-12 with questions concerning course scheduling should contact
Jacqueline Gaines, at 256-237-5477, or jgaines@donohoschool.com.
 
 
 
Daily Schedule
 
Bellschedules for the academic school day may be found under Bell Schedules in the Student/Parent Handbook, which is accessible via the following link: http://www.donohoschool.com/uploadedFiles/pdf/Student-Parent-Handbook/Student_Handbook_2011-12_Final.opt.pdf.
 
Please help us protect academic time each day as much as possible:

• Students will be counted as tardy to school after 8:00 A.M. each day. Tardy students must report to the school office prior to entering class; administrators may detain tardy students until the next regularly scheduled period begins.
• Repeated unexcused tardies will result in disciplinary action.
• Teachers will not be available to discuss individual students immediately before or after school.  Please leave a message with the secretary or email the teachers to schedule a conference or obtain the answers to any questions.
• Please leave “forgotten” items in the LS office with the child’s name clearly labeled on them; these items will be delivered to the students during a break.
• Office personnel will go to classrooms to get students for check out or messages. 
• No one except school personnel should be in the school hallways between 8:00 A.M. and 3:05 P.M.

 
 
 
Dismissal (LS)
 
Policy regarding traffic at the lower school has been designed to ensure the safety of our students, comply with city ordinances, demonstrate courtesy to our neighbors, and maintain an efficient traffic flow.  We ask that everyone comply with the following procedures for afternoon dismissal:

• Parents should wait in the loading line in the afternoons; children will be escorted to vehicles. 
• Two loading lanes are used in the afternoons except in inclement weather. 
• Please do not park in the loading lanes.
• Place the placard that that you received in your packet on the back of your visor each day to expedite loading.  Please position your visor so the placard is easily visible.
• If you are picking up children from both departments (early childhood and intermediate), please wait until 3:05 pm to enter the loading line.  Intermediate students will not be released from class until 3:05 pm unless a parent parks and signs the student out in the office.

 
 
 
Dress Code
 
Specific information concerning dress code may be found in the Student/Parent Handbook under Dress and Appearance, which is accessible via the following link: http://www.donohoschool.com/uploadedFiles/pdf/Student-Parent-Handbook/Student_Handbook_2011-12_Final.opt.pdf.
 
 
 
Drop-Off (LS)
 
Policy regarding traffic at the lower school has been designed to ensure the safety of our students, comply with city ordinances, demonstrate courtesy to our neighbors, and maintain an efficient traffic flow.  We ask that everyone comply with the following procedures for morning drop-off (7:30-8:00 a.m.):
 

• Enter the school campus at the east end of the building only.
• The lane nearest the building is a NO PARKING LANE at all times.
• Do not leave your car unattended in the unloading line at any time.
• Moving traffic MUST remain in the lane nearest the building.
• Pull all the way to the end of the canopy before unloading students.
• Students may exit from the passenger side of the car ONLY.
• Do not pull out of line after unloading students. Every effort will be made to keep traffic moving.
• Please watch for cars turning right into the faculty parking lot.
• If you must park your car to enter the building, do so ONLY in visitor parking spaces.

 
 
 
Edline
 
Weekly progress reports and assignments for each class are posted to Edline by the teachers no later than 1:00 p.m., on Monday of each week. 


A link to Edline is found on the school’s home page on the Quick Links drop-down menu.
 
Periodic e-mails, texts, and phone messages (robo-calling) are utilized by the school to quickly distribute information regarding upcoming events, early dismissal, etc.
 
Parents are strongly encouraged to activate and utilize an Edline account.  Contact your school’s division office for more information.
 
 
 
Extended Day (LS)
 
The YMCA provides after-school care for lower school students.  Enrollment information may be obtained from the lower school office or by calling the YMCA at 256-238-9622.
 
 
 
Forms
All pertinent forms are available for your convenience on the school website (www.donohoschool.com/pages/?pageID=63).  These may be returned to the school office via email or as hard copies as soon as possible but no later than the first day of school.

• Required:
• Student Information and Emergency Dataform
• Student-Parent Handbook Agreement
• Technology Acceptable Use Policyform
• Submit if applicable:
• Physician’s Statement and Prescription Authorizationform (if student will be administered prescription medication at school)
• Grandparent Informationform (update as needed)
• Private Music Instruction Sign-Up form (if student will be enrolled in private music lessons – piano, guitar, violin, or voice) during the school day
• DPA Volunteer form

 
 
 
Immunization Forms
 
Alabamastate law requires that all students enrolled in school must have a current Alabama Department of Public Health Certificate of Immunization (blue card) on file in the appropriate school office PRIOR to attending school.  This form may be obtained from your personal physician or from the Calhoun County Health Department. 
 
 
 
Lunch/Snacks
 
Students may bring a lunch and/or snack from home each day, or lunch may be purchased through the lunch program. 
 
Menus are available on the school’s website via the following link: http://www.donohoschool.com/lunch-menu/.
 
Information relating to specific lunch and snack policies may be found in the Student/Parent Handbook under Lunch/Snacks, which is accessible via the following link: http://www.donohoschool.com/uploadedFiles/pdf/Student-Parent-Handbook/Student_Handbook_2011-12_Final.opt.pdf.
 
 
 
Parents’ Association
 
The Donoho School is pleased to have a very active parents’ association.  Information about its officers, policies and procedures, and activities may be found on the school’s website via the following link: http://www.donohoschool.com/pages/?pageID=59.
 
 
 
Schedule/Packet Pick up
 
MS/US students may pick up their schedules and locker assignments Friday, August 10, 2012, 8:00 am til noon.
 
LS students may pick up their homeroom and locker assignments Monday, August 13, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
 
 
 
School Supplies
 
Supply lists are available for students in grades PK3 through eight via the following link:
 
Students in grades PK3 through 6 may choose to purchase items individually, or order packets through the school’s office PRIOR TO JULY 1. 
 
Packets ordered through the school will be available for pick up at the Supply Drop-Off event.
 
 
 
Student/Parent Handbook
 
The handbook is updated each summer and may be found on our website via the following link: http://www.donohoschool.com/uploadedFiles/pdf/Student-Parent-Handbook/Student-Handbook-2012-13-FINAL.opt.pdf
 
Information about many items related to academics, athletics, attendance, daily life, fine arts, and other student activities may be found here. 
 
 
 
Summer Reading
 
The importance of reading cannot be overstated. Our students are encouraged to read at every opportunity - for information, for comprehension, for pleasure. To maintain their reading skills, students are required to read during the summer months and to complete projects on their summer reading during the first month of school.
 
Summer reading requirements are available via the following link: http://www.donohoschool.com/academics/?pageID=60.
 
 
 
Supply Drop-off (LS)
 
An opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, drop off school supplies for the year, and meet classmates is held prior to the start of school.  The Supply Drop-Off for the 2012-13 school year will be August 13, 2012, at 5:00 p.m.
 
 
 
Textbooks

A complete list of textbooks for grades 7-12 may be found on our website under Academics or via the following link:
 
The list of textbooks for students in grades 7-12 is arranged by grade level in course number sequence. Please note that all workbooks must be purchased new. Workbooks are displayed in blue highlight. New books to be used at Donoho are displayed in green highlight, but may be bought used if available.
 
Textbooks are provided by the school for students in grades P3 through 6.  ISBNs are available upon request from the school office.