Family and Student Handbook

PLEDGE FOR AXIS STUDENTS  

1. Respect: I will try my best every moment to respect myself and all members of the school community: staff, faculty administrators, parents, students, and visitors. I will treat all others as I wish to be treated. I will respect school property, and I will help keep it clean and help take care of it. I will do my best to make respectful choices and use respectful words. 

1. Responsibility: I understand that expectations and agreements are important for my success and the success of the school. I will try my best to follow the agreements I have made with my school, teachers, and classmates. I will put forth my best effort in learning and behavior. I will be prompt (on time), prepared, and have a positive attitude and growth mindset. I will do my classwork and homework. I will try to get enough sleep each school night and follow the AXIS dress code. I will be accountable for my choices. 

1. Strength of Character (Intentional model): I understand that my intentions and choices (behaviors and words) affect others and myself. At AXIS I will learn about many things including character. I will do my best to show strength of heart, strength of mind, and strength of will.  

• Strength of heart: empathy, kindness, and gratitude 
• Strength of mind: honesty, curiosity, active learning, positive attitude and growth mindset 
• Strength of will: grit, perseverance, and self-control
•  

All visitors and parents must report to the main school office upon entering the building. AXIS strives to provide a safe environment, and this is accomplished through the following ways: 

• All parents and visitors must sign in at the main office when entering the school. 
• All parents and visitors must leave their valid driver’s license when checking in to the building, and they must wear an identifying badge while at the school. Those not here on official business will be asked to leave the premises. 
• For security reasons, parents will be notified if a student is absent and the parent has not notified the school.  
• Please email attendance@axiscolorado.org and your child’s teachers to notify the school of an absence. 
• The school grounds will be monitored before and after school while students are arriving and departing.  

• Siblings and preschool children are not allowed to accompany parents when they volunteer in the classroom, unless they have special permission from the teacher.  
• Children who are not AXIS students are considered visitors and must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times.  
• Potential and current AXIS parents are welcome to observe a class. 
• Visitors who fail to abide by school guidelines for visitors may be requested to leave school property and may be subject to future restrictions regarding school visits. Law enforcement may also be contacted. 

The following regulations govern students who ride the AXIS buses. Students will be responsible for knowing and following these rules. 

At the bus stop: 

1. Students must be at the bus stop no later than five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. 

1. Students must be out of the roadway either on the sidewalk or on the shoulder of the road as the bus approaches the stop. 

1. If a student causes damage to personal or public property at a bus stop, the student and his or her parents/guardians shall be responsible for it.  

On the bus: 

1. Students must cooperate with the bus operator and follow directions the first time they are given. 

1. Students must stay seated and face forward with their feet in front of them. They must display courtesy and respect for the driver and other passengers. 

1. Students must keep the noise level down. Screaming or other loud distractions will not be permitted. Students must be silent at railroad crossings. 

Should unplanned closures due to bad weather or emergencies require the closing of the AXIS facility, notification will be made via the AXIS website, Facebook page, and an AXIS email alert. Parents should ensure their email is up to date in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. In all cases of bad weather, parents should exercise their own judgement whether to have their child in school. If the school is not delayed or closed, the administration will determine whether student tardiness or absence will be excused. Any determination by the administration which negatively affects a student may be appealed to the Head of School, and then to the AXIS Board of Directors.  

Given that AXIS is located in the Poudre School District (PSD), if PSD is closed it is highly likely AXIS will be closed as well. Because AXIS students come from all over northern Colorado, AXIS may close school even if PSD remains open. When school is cancelled, all after school and evening activities will be cancelled as well.  

For additional details please visit the Inclement Weather Procedures page of this website. 

For the safety of all please refrain from cell phone usage while driving in the pickup and drop off lines. 

All drivers must be on the student’s authorized pick-up list in order to pick up the student after school. This list is kept and referenced by the teacher. If you wish to update this list, please do so with the teacher. Students must stay with their teacher until picked up. Please make sure the teacher sees you before you take your child. 

• Please only allow your child(ren) to get into your car on the curbside. 

• Please refrain from conferencing with teachers at pick-up time. 
• Students are not allowed to run across the parking lot to get into cars that are parked in the lot. You must drive through the pick-up lane or park and walk to pick up your child. 
• Please cross the street at our designated crossing areas where we have crossing guards to help you and your children safely cross. 

Afternoon Pick Up Procedures Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 

Afternoon Pick Up Procedures Early Dismissal Thursdays 

Afternoon Pick Up Half-day Kindergarten 

MONDAY FOLDERS 

Folders with class/school assignments and school communication are sent home every Monday. Parents and students are expected to review information sent home in a timely manner and return folder on Tuesday. 

CLASSROOM CONDUCT 

Individual teachers handle all matters of classroom discipline. AXIS implements positive behavior practices. If a child is repeatedly not meeting expectations and guardians will be notified. Severe misconduct will be referred to the office, and parents and guardians will be notified. Student office referrals can result in an in-school suspension, out of school suspension, or expulsion depending on the nature of the conduct. 

CAFETERIA CONDUCT  

All students are expected to eat lunch onsite calmly and with manners. All trash is to be thrown away in the proper receptacle. It is the responsibility of each student to make sure the cafeteria and other areas of the campus remain litter free. Glass containers are not allowed for safety.  

COMMON AREA CONDUCT 

All students are expected to follow agreements and expectations across all school areas: hallways, bathrooms, yard, and gym. All teachers and staff at AXIS support with ensuring students meet behavior expectations across all areas of the school. Please see the previous section on bus conduct. 

FOOD ALLERGIES 

Parents are responsible to inform the office and their student’s teachers of any food allergies their child might have. AXIS has a nut-free table where children with nut allergies should sit during lunch and breakfast time.

GUM 

Gum is not allowed. 

ELECTRONICS 

Cell phones, cameras, MP3 players, CD/DVD players, and video games for students in any form are not allowed at school or at school related events unless specifically authorized by staff for the particular event. 

TOYS 

Toys, game cards, or collectable cards are not allowed at school without specific teacher permission.  

PERSONAL VALUABLES 

School is not responsible for personal items especially valuable ones. Students are strongly encouraged to leave valuable items, including cash, at home.   

PARENT-STAFF COMMUNICATION 

It is AXIS’s expectation all specific inquiries from parents, either via email or by phone, will be responded to within two business days. 

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES 

Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled twice each year (fall and spring, see school calendar). Students are encouraged to attend these conferences. If a parent wishes a conference with a teacher or specialist at any time during the school year, the parent should not hesitate to contact the teacher or specialist to schedule an appointment. 

ASSESSMENTS 

The school administers a variety of assessments to measure student learning and to improve curriculum and instruction, this includes assessments required by law. We strive to implement a balanced system that provides an understanding of how well the student and the school are achieving.  

Common assessments include: 

• Assessment for learning occurs during teaching and learning and focuses on ongoing improvement. Teachers check student understanding through in-class work, homework, quizzes, etc. These assessments are ongoing, so teachers can modify lessons to make sure students are learning. Students receive feedback on a regular basis about how well they are doing, where they are in their learning, and where they are going. 

• Assessment of learning gathers information about how well students have mastered what they should know at their grade level. The CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success) is given once a year in April and is this kind of test. This state-mandated assessment program measures what students have already learned relevant to the Colorado Academic Standards and provides accountability to parents and the community. Students are also given universal screening assessments, which help to ensure students are on track and responding to instruction at an expected level which may include NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress), STAR, and DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators Basic Early Literacy Skills).. 

Volunteers are an integral part of AXIS. We always appreciate any help from family, friends and community members who want to bring additional resources to the school. Research shows there are a number of benefits with parent and family involvement. When families are involved in their children’s education, grades and test scores go up, children become more likely to pass and attend better schools after high school, and they tend to have fewer discipline problems. AXIS provides a rich array of volunteer opportunities which address the educational needs of all students and support educational and school community needs. Community members are encouraged to volunteer and support learning to facilitate positive community involvement, partnership, and collaboration. 

We understand your time is precious and valuable. We are happy with whatever amount of time you can contribute. Volunteering doesn’t take a huge time commitment. As little as an hour or two a semester makes a big difference. Volunteer opportunities can include help during the school day in the classroom, at lunch/recess, or as a chaperone during filed trips. Additionally, there are summertime projects, at home projects, and performing arts productions available. 

All volunteers during the school day must report to the main office, sign in, and receive their visitor badge, and then report to the classroom or area where they will be volunteering. All volunteers/chaperones (including but not limited to drama or music activities, field trips, or other events) must arrive at the school’s front office during regular hours to complete the Raptor check prior to attending/chaperoning the event/activity. Volunteers and chaperones will also be subject to a background check. Volunteers should log their hours at the main office.  

*Please note, siblings are not allowed to accompany parents in the classroom or on field trips. 

The information below includes brief information about key components of our Educational Program. For more details, please view our website. 

Language Immersion 

AXIS implements a 50/50 language immersion model, known as the Utah Model, used in over 240 public schools in Utah. Half of the student’s day is taught in English and the other half is taught in the child’s partner language: Spanish, Chinese, or French. 

Core Knowledge 

AXIS International Academy is a Core Knowledge school, as we implement the Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence and work to implement the key strategies recommended by the Core Knowledge Foundation. Core Knowledge is a content-rich curricula that spans across preschool through 8th grade and across all subject areas: literacy, writing, literature, social studies, science, math, art, and music. This scope and sequence provides a strong foundation of knowledge of the world and these subjects for all children.

Literacy and Language Arts 

In English, reading and writing are taught to our students through the content-rich Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum. Literature, social studies and science are integrated into the CKLA program. CKLA also teaches cursive, and handwriting is taught in the lower grades through Handwriting Without Tears. Each partner language also has an evidence-based language arts program. 

Social Studies 

AXIS students learn about character, ethics, empathy, and self-esteem through the Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence Social Studies strand. You can read more about Core Knowledge and social studies units on our website.

Science

During partner language science, students engage in hands-on activities and experiments based on the scientific method. Unit-level phenomena encourage students to make connections with the world around them. Investigations that align to the Colorado Academic Standards and Next Generation Science Standards keep our students engaged and challenged. 

Math 

AXIS uses the Singapore Math curriculum: Math in Focus in both English and partner languages. Singapore Math is a top approach to math instruction. You can read more about Singapore Math and its approach on our website. 

Art and Music 

All students benefit from the arts, especially students needing more concrete, visual, and kinesthetic experiences for successful learning. The arts at AXIS are not only about producing tangible artifacts, but also skill development and problem solving. Music, like literacy, allows students to experiment with rhythm, words, tempo, and melody. Musical notation and reading the meaning in the music dovetails strongly into moving from text to meaning in literacy. AXIS students will participate in music programming six times per month and art six times per month. The Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence allow outlines content for music and visual arts so our students will be learning about famous artists and composers and their works of art and music.   

Physical Education 

All students benefit from physical education, and AXIS students will have PE twice a week. Please try to remember to have your child wear tennis shoes on PE days for comfort. Check with your child’s afternoon teacher for the PE schedule. Exceptions to participating in the physical education class will be made for students with temporary or chronic illness which would be adversely affected by exercise or climatic conditions. If your child has a chronic illness for which an exception should be made, please provide written documentation from a licensed physician. It should also have been noted in the proper place on the registration form and/or yearly Health Inventory Form. Should a student require other accommodations, alternate physical education assignments can be arranged (i.e., written work). 

Home School Program

AXIS recognizes the importance of choice in school, and home schooling is another option some families choose. AXIS offers a full day of language immersion, 8:00am-3:10pm, each week in the student’s choice of partner language: Chinese, French, or Spanish. Language-learning research supports immersion as the best model for learning a second language. In an immersion classroom, the use of English is only used in cases of safety. Immersion teachers speak the partner language only and use visuals, physical response, movement, songs, games, and many other strategies to engage students in language learning. 

The goal of the AXIS Home School Language Enrichment Program is to develop and grow language proficiency in the partner language across listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as developmentally-appropriate. Art, music, stories, and cultural artifacts from cultures that speak the partner language will be integrated into the curriculum.  

The home school classrooms are multi-age and mixed-language-ability students. Maximum enrollment is capped at 12 students based on the age and ability range of the students. Students may spend non-instructional minutes with same-age peers outside of the home school program. This may be done to support the teacher with opportunities for small group differentiation to meet the different needs of students, Non-instructional time will be less than 60 minutes and may include age-appropriate recess (or two) and/or specials class (art, music, or PE). AXIS teachers will be intentional with welcoming home school students, so they have opportunities to make friends with other same-age peers who are also learning the same partner language. AXIS teachers or staff will also pick up/drop off students at the home school room, so students will not be unattended or unsupervised at any time. Home school students eat lunch together in the cafeteria.  

GRIEVANCE POLICY 

AXIS International Academy (AXIS) believes that, as adults, we must model healthy and respectful communication for our students. AXIS is committed to promoting healthy communication among students, parents, teachers, and administrators, and encourages AXIS community members to express any concerns directly with the individual involved so that the school’s focus can be kept on student learning. In the interest of promoting the efficient resolution of grievances, the procedures below set forth the process for resolving conflicts and settling differences. This process is designed to support prompt and equitable resolution of disagreements at the lowest possible faculty or administrative level. AXIS and the grievant will agree to keep the details of the grievance confidential where possible.  

1. Address Issue with Those Directly Involved.  The grievant must first bring the concern to the attention of the individual(s) directly involved. A meeting should be scheduled where the concerns can be expressed in private and in an environment conducive to resolution. If the grievant brings the concern directly to the attention of the Head of School without first attempting to address the issue at the lowest level, the Head of School may re-direct the grievant to the appropriate level in the process. For those who have a grievance or complaint that is regarding discrimination or harassment, addressing the issue with the person directly involved is not required.  If you feel that you have been harassed or discriminated against, please contact the Head of School, or if the Head of School is involved, contact the Business Manager. The time frames below may be adjusted if both parties agree to adjust this timeframe and communicate this adjustment in writing.  
2. Address Issue with Head of School.  If a satisfactory resolution is not reached at the lowest possible level, and where the complaint does not involve the Head of School, the concern should then be brought to the attention of the Head of School. The complaint shall be in writing and be brief. The complaint shall detail (i) the date of the incident (if applicable); (ii) the School staff member involved; (iii) a description of the incident, decision, or practice that gave rise to the issue; (iv) the conflict resolution strategies that have been attempted thus far and when the others involved were addressed; and (v) the grievant’s requested resolution.  

The Head of School will schedule a phone call or an in-person meeting in order to address the situation, facilitate ongoing communication, and develop goals for conflict resolution. Within a reasonable time from the date on which the written statement was received, the School Leader will either issue a written response to the grievant or contact the grievant to schedule a time to discuss the issue.  The School Leader will continue to monitor the issue until either a resolution or an impasse is reached. The School Leader may wish to bring in another member of the leadership team, i.e. the Business Manager, to serve as a mediator in the discussion. 

3. Prepare a Written Grievance for the Board of Directors.  In cases when the concern has not been addressed at Steps 1 and 2 to the satisfaction of the grievant, the grievant may file a formal written grievance to the School’s Board of Directors. The written grievance must detail (i) the date of the incident (if applicable); (ii) the School staff member involved; (iii) a description of the incident, decision, or practice that gave rise to the issue; (iv) the conflict resolution strategies that have been attempted thus far and when the issue was addressed with those involved and the Head of School; and (v) the grievant’s requested resolution. The grievance may be filed in English or Spanish. If the grievant speaks another language, AXIS will work within reason to support the grievant in their native language. 

Current contact information for the Board can be found on the School website at www.AXIScolorado.org under the Board of Directors’ page. Within 21 days from receipt, the Board Chair, or his/her designee, will review the written grievance and provide a written response to the grievant either determining that the grievance warrants full review by the Board or declining to review the written grievance. If the Board Chair, or his/her designee, determines that the grievance warrants full review by the Board, the Board shall review the grievance at its next regularly-scheduled Board Meeting and, if possible, will issue a written decision to the grievant within 10 days of the meeting. If declining review, the Board’s written response to the grievant will explain the reasons for the determination. 

After review, if the Board determines an investigation into the grievance is warranted, the Board will begin investigation procedures. The investigation may be carried out by the Board or someone else appointed by the Board. Involved AXIS employee(s) must cooperate fully and promptly in any investigation.  

While any member of the public is always welcome to speak in an open board meeting, no grievance issue will be addressed by the Board without the grievant having first followed these proper procedures. Issues of employee or student privacy may be addressed in Executive Session, as is legally proper per CRS 24-6-402.  

AXIS recognizes that some grievances may require a different process depending on the nature and severity of the complaint (e.g., a sexual harassment complaint, serious safety issue, discrimination complaint, etc.).  

Additionally, AXIS will involve its attorney and/or Mountain States Employer’s Council, notify CSI, or contact CSI or the League for support when the grievance is determined to be significant and/or require additional counsel.   

4. Submit a Written Grievance to the Colorado Charter School Institute (“the Institute”) Executive Director. If the grievant is not satisfied with the School Board’s determination not to review the written grievance or the written resolution reached by the School Board after reviewing the grievance, the grievant may submit its concerns in written format to the Institute within five business days from receiving the written decision of the School Board. After review, the Institute’s Executive Director will publish his/her conclusions in writing within 15 calendar days from receipt of the written concern. The decision of the School’s Board will not be overturned unless there are compelling grounds that the School violated an applicable law, regulation, policy, or contract provision. The Institute can be contacted at (303) 866-3299 or csi_info@csi.state.co.us. It is important to note that CSI will ask the grievant if s/he has followed these steps outlined in this Grievance Policy.  

AXIS establishes a safe environment that provides nurturing structure. This is one of the four educational priorities listed in our mission, as our S is “Social, emotional, and cognitive skills development” and this includes appropriate skills and character traits. Research tells us these traits are malleable and can be taught. They are also critical for the child’s current and future success. AXIS strives to provide a nurturing and structured environment while developing appropriate skills, attitudes, and personal responsibility. Each parent/guardian, teacher, and child must take an active role in supporting this plan. Parents/ guardians and school staff must work together to create the proper learning environment and to set an example with positive actions and behaviors in order for students to learn to become global citizens of character operating with respect, responsibility, honesty, integrity, a positive growth mindset, and perseverance. 

AXIS implements what is known as Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports or PBIS. PBIS is well-supported by the research as the best behavior programming for children. In our PBIS system we set clear, value-aligned expectations for student behavior in all areas of the school: classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, yard, cafeteria, buses, and any other common area. The expectations are consistent teacher to teacher and classroom to classroom, which makes it more comprehensible for all children. The language or vocabulary of the expectations may vary dependent on the grade-level of the children. For more details about our PBIS system please visit the Educational Program section of our website

In accordance with state law, AXIS may charge fees that are reasonably necessary for and reasonably related to the actual cost of textbooks or expendable supplies not provided free of charge.  These fees are adopted by the AXIS Board and reviewed annually. 

AXIS International Academy Student Fee Schedule (Full-time Students) 

AXIS International Academy Student Fee Schedule (Part-time and Home School Students) 

Sibling Discounts 

Sibling discounts are available for families with more than one student attending AXIS. After the first student fee is paid, any remaining siblings would receive a 20% discount on the total amount of their student fees.  

Exemptions from Student Fees 

Students qualifying for free or reduced price lunch under the federal poverty income guidelines, including homeless and foster students, are eligible to receive waiver of all mandatory fees, fines and charges upon request.  Teachers and principals will make every effort to ensure that no student is denied the right to participate in field trips or other enrichment activities because of lack of funds. Students qualifying for a fee waiver shall receive it without unnecessary embarrassment or public exposure of their need. Families who believe they qualify for a fee waiver must contact the School Leader to make such request.  

Families who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch prices, but are experiencing financial hardship, may contact the School’s Social Justice committee to apply for a student fee scholarship or discounted rates.  

There may be times during the school year when different media groups (newspapers, television, university, school production class, school public relations, etc.) will cover activities at AXIS with articles, video, or still-photography that may be published. In addition, AXIS may want to include school-oriented articles, video, or photography on our own website and social media pages. 

If parents DO NOT want their child(ren) to be photographed or videotaped for news media or school publicity purposes, please request an “opt-out media form” from the school office. Complete the form and return it to the office at your convenience, and AXIS will have a record of your wishes, valid for the current school year only. AXIS will make every reasonable effort to identify the primary subjects in photographs and to not publish photos containing students on the opt-out list. This policy relates to classroom activities or school events that are not already open to the public. Events and activities which are open to the public are not covered by this “opt-out” option. 

SCHOOL DRESS CODE/UNIFORMS 

Any accessory or clothing item that disrupts the educational process, therefore, is a violation of the uniform program. 

• School uniforms promote a positive learning environment. 
• Uniforms reduce distractions and judgements based on appearance. 
• Uniforms are affordable and save families money. 

Kindergarten – 5th grade students are required to be in a uniform during school hours. Uniforms can be purchased at any retailer (Target, Walmart, Land’s End, etc.), as long as they are in our school colors (white, red, gray and navy blue). All clothing must be plain without any brand names, insignia, manufacturers logos, pictures visible, etc. The approved uniform for all students is described below. A local monogram shop or Land’s End can monogram the AXIS logo onto the shirts, but it is NOT REQUIRED. 

Shorts/Pants 

Khaki or navy blue 

Pants must fit at the waist, no holes and may not be oversized or undersized. Shorts must be walking shorts straight-legged and knee-length. 

Allowed: Uniform pants, full-length pants, jegging pants, skinny pants, uniform shorts, walking shorts 

Not Allowed: Baggy pants, bell bottoms, denim/jeans, capri, spandex, or sweatpants. Leggings/tights may not be worn as pants. 

Dresses, Skirts, Skorts (encouraged) and Jumpers 

Khaki or navy blue 

Allowed: Polo dresses, skirts, skort at mid-length, and jumpers. Solid color leggings in school dress code may be worn under dresses, skirts, skorts and jumpers. 

Not Allowed: Denim, rompers, corduroy. 

Shirts 

Red, white, navy blue or gray 

Allowed: Long or short sleeve shirts with a collar (polo shirts) 

Not Allowed: Shirts without a collar including T-shirts and tanks.  

Belts 

Must be neutral colored, fit properly, and be worn through belt loops. Belts are encouraged in grades 2-5, but not required. D-ring belts can be a good option for younger children, as they can be easily loosened and tightened.

Shoes 

Neutral colors preferred and less distracting for students 

Allowed: Athletic shoes, boots, sandals with straps on the heel. 

Not Allowed: Shoes with rollers or wheels and/or lights and/or other distracting shoes. 

Personal Grooming 
 

Hair: Cleaned and neatly groomed 

Nails: Students may wear solid nail polish of any color. Nail polish should not be distracting. 

Make-up: To be used at parent’s discretion and not brought to school. 

Not Acceptable: 

• Clothing that exposes midsection 
• Visible undergarments 

• Clothing/Accessories/Personal belongings that feature alcohol, drug or gang references. 
• Hats or hoods of any kind are not worn in the classroom or during instructional times. 

Warm Clothing/Outerwear in Classroom 

Red, navy blue, gray or white 

Allowed: Fleece jackets, cardigans, sweaters, sweatshirts and vests (in school colors) may be worn over the uniform top in class. 

Not Allowed: Heavy coats/jackets and raincoats are not to be worn in the classroom during the school day unless permitted by the Head of School for special circumstances.  

Accessories 

Allowed: Neutral colored socks (knee-hi & ankle), tights/leggings to the ankle, bows, headbands. 

Not Allowed: Hair stenciling, excessive makeup, hair accessories in non-uniform color, other distracting accessories.