Couch R-I School District

Welcome Students

At Couch R-I School District, you will experience…

• caring, professionally trained educators
• prevailing belief that every student will be successful, whatever it takes, no excuses
• safe, supportive, and well-managed learning environment
• motivating lessons and rigorous activities designed to achieve mastery
• high expectations for intellectual development, positive citizenship, and quality student work

Couch High school is a cooperative enterprise on the part of the students, teachers, support staff, parents, and administration that work together for the common interest of all. Remember to treat each other and our school with dignity and respect. We welcome everyone in the community to share, with PRIDE, our school’s progress.

Message from the High School Principal

Welcome to the Couch High School 2024-2025 school year. It is my hope that you will take advantage of all the educational programs and extracurricular activities CHS has to offer. I expect our school to stimulate your interest in lifelong learning and our teachers and staff to provide positive support and high quality instruction.

The Couch Board of Education approved this handbook with the hope that students and parents would have a clear understanding of our expectations for student success. The policies and procedures contained in this handbook are designed to assist students in getting the most from their educational experience.

Student success requires a collaborative effort between the educator, student, parents and community. Beyond academic obligations, the promotion of civic responsibility and character development are crucial to the success of our students. My expectations for all students include:

• attending school on a daily basis
• putting forth academic effort to produce quality work
• exhibiting a positive attitude, while respecting others
• practicing self-discipline; and taking pride in school

If you have any questions after reading this handbook, please do not hesitate to contact the school. Together we can make a positive impact in each other’s lives and take our school and students to the next level of greatness!

Sincerely,
Anthony Collins
Anthony Collins
High School Principal

Message from the Elementary Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students;

On behalf of the family at Couch R-1 School District, we would like to welcome you to the new school year at Couch R-1 Elementary. We look forward to working with the children at Couch R-1 Elementary. We, the administration, faculty and staff, are committed to providing a high quality, well-rounded education in the safest of environments to our students. Each child’s educational success is dependent upon the hard work of the educator and child, along with the cooperation and support of the parent/guardian/community. Couch R-1 Elementary stands committed to the achievement of this mission.

As we continue to create 21st-century leaders, we must strive to keep technology as an instructional resource at our school. With the integration of technology into the classroom, children are taught using a project based method of instruction which encourages, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. All classrooms are set up with Chromebooks for every child to complement their learning experiences.

We encourage our parents and community members to be involved in our school activities. We believe that when support extends beyond the classroom walls, children can achieve even greater success. Our teachers and staff are focused on making learning a positive experience, helping children become successful and responsible citizens.

As a parent you are your child’s most important teacher. Here are some things you can do to help your children be successful:

1. Show you care. Your child needs hugs and words of support. Ask your child about school each day.
2. Read, read, read! Read with your child or have him or her read every day. Make it fun-- talk about what you've read.
3. Make home a place for learning. Help your child practice reading, writing, math and science skills. Stimulate your child's creativity.
4. Promote healthy habits. Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and exercise and eats balanced meals. Schedule regular check-ups.
5. Be a role model. Your child learns from you. Be positive about education and show you enjoy learning.
6. Encourage independence. Allow your child to make mistakes and learn to accept their consequences. Give your child responsibilities, such as household chores.
7. Create a study routine. Set a time and quiet place for your child to work every day. Go over homework together.
8. Get involved. Meet with your child's teacher, attend school events and help out at school if you can.
9. Build success. Help raise your child's self-esteem by setting reachable goals and praising your child's efforts, not just results.
10. Make school important. Insist on good attendance and punctuality.

We are looking forward to an exciting year. TOGETHER we will make this a great year for the children of Couch R-1 Elementary.

Sincerely,
Rachel Wiggs
Rachel Wiggs
Elementary Principal

Message from the Counselor

To the Students of Couch High School:

At Couch High School, we believe that the education of all students is important, regardless of their plans following high school. We realize that a large number of our graduates will choose to attend a community or 4-year college/university, others may go directly into the workforce or the military, and still others may seek additional training at a post-secondary vocational school or technical school. The state A+ Schools program is designed to ensure that no matter which option is chosen, all high school students will be provided selections of courses, career counseling, technology and/or workplace skill development opportunities appropriate to their career goals.

The A+ Schools Program is dedicated to the following goals: all students will graduate from high school, all students will complete a high school curriculum that is rigorous and challenging and identifies learner expectations, and all students will proceed from high school graduation to college, post-secondary vocational/technical school or a high wage job with workplace skill opportunities.

For the new school year, the A+ Program will continue to have Career Day, job shadowing experiences, participate in Career/Job Fairs, and provide tutoring opportunities during and after school. I hope that you take advantage of some or all of the activities that will be taking place.

Students who have signed an A+ Agreement and have met all the requirements will be eligible to be reimbursed for two years of tuition at any Missouri public community college or vocational/technical school. These schools will provide training and skills that will increase your earning power and job satisfaction for a lifetime or will allow you to transfer to a four year college or university where you can earn a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Our main goal is to help each one of you and for all students to graduate with direction and confidence to enter the workforce in a high-wage job or go on to further education and training. I will be more than happy to discuss the A+ Program with you or your parents. This is an excellent program for any student because it is based on your efforts instead of financial need. I hope that each one of you will take advantage of the program. I look forward to working with you during this new school year.

Sincerely,
Destini Thompson
Destini Ball
Counselor/A+ Coordinator

Couch School District Mission Statement

The mission of Couch R-I School District is to provide experiences that will enhance the skills and talents students possess in order to prepare them for life.

Philosophy of Couch R-I Schools

The Couch R-I School District recognizes that the purpose of education is to help the student realize his/her self-worth and thus leading them toward becoming a productive member of a democratic society. A strong emphasis must be placed upon the fundamentals of academic, physical, and technical skills as well as social and democratic values. The district adheres to the belief that cooperation among parents, educators, students, and community is essential for success.

Each student is a unique individual; therefore, we believe that education should provide an opportunity for the maximum development of each individual within the limitations of his/her capacities. We believe that the student must take responsibility for his/her education as an opportunity to enhance his/her skills and talents as a guide to becoming a productive member of society. Students should internalize ownership of the knowledge and skills they gain while attending Couch R-I School.

We recognize the role of the educator is to provide an environment in which individuals can be challenged to the maximum level of their capacity, as they acquire knowledge and skills to solve problems which will help them to become productive members of society. We recognize that the role of the parents/guardians is to encourage their child each day to give his/her best effort to maximum education.

Couch School Song

Onward we march together
Faithful may we ever be
No thought of time or weather
Hearts filled with hop and ecstasy
Bravely we’ll fight our battles
Happily we’ll meet success
But the things for which we strive
Are honor and happiness

Hep – Hep – Hep
Three cheers for old Couch High
Voices ring
Hep – Hep – Hep
Just see our colors fly
While we sing
Forward march
Let this our motto be
Vic-to-ry

Through all kinds of weather
We will job along together
True and loyal we shall ever be.

Standard Complaint Resolution Procedure For Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

This complaint resolution procedure applies to all programs administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education under the No Child Left Behind Act.

A complaint is a formal allegation that a specific federal or state law or regulation has been violated, misapplied, or misinterpreted by school by school district personnel or by Department of Education personnel.

Any parent or guardian, surrogate parent, teacher, administrator, school board member, or other person directly involved with an activity, program, or project operated under the general supervision of the Department may file a complaint. Such a complaint must be in writing and signed; it will provide specific details of the situation and indicate the law or regulation that is allegedly being violated, misapplied, or misinterpreted.

The written, signed complaint must be filed and the resolution pursued in accordance with local district policy:

• The principal shall schedule a conference with the student and any staff members involved to attempt to resolve the problem. Parents/guardians may be involved in the conference, or a later conference for parents/guardians may be scheduled at the discretion of the principal.
• If the problem is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student and/or parents/guardians, a request may be submitted for a conference with the superintendent of schools. The superintendent shall arrange a conference to consider the problem, and to inform participants of the action that will be taken.
• If the student and/or parents/guardians are not satisfied with the action of the superintendent, they may submit a written request to appear before the Board of Education. Unless required by law, a hearing will be at the discretion of the Board. The decision of the Board shall be final.

If the issue cannot be resolved at the local level, the complainant may file a complaint with the Missouri Department of Education. If there is no evidence that the parties have attempted in good faith to resolve the complaint at the local level, the Department may require the parties to do so and may provide technical assistance to facilitate such resolution.

Any persons directly affected by the actions of the Department may file a similarly written complaint if they believe state or federal laws or regulations have been violated, misapplied, or misinterpreted by the Department itself.

Anyone wishing more information about this procedure or how complaints are resolved may contact local district or Department personnel.

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA)
Complaint Procedures

This guide explains how to file a complaint about any of the programs1 that are administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (the Department) under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA)2.

What is a complaint?

For these purposes, a complaint is a written allegation that a local education agency (LEA) or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (the Department) has violated a federal statute or regulation that applies to a program under ESSA.

Who may file a complaint?

Any individual or organization may file a complaint.

How can a complaint be filed?

Complaints can be filed with the LEA or with the Department.

How will a complaint filed with the LEA be investigated?

Complaints filed with the LEA are to be investigated and attempted to be resolved according to the locally developed and adopted procedures.

What happens if a complaint is not resolved at the local level (LEA)?

A complaint not resolved at the local level may be appealed to the Department.

How can a complaint be filed with the Department?

A complaint filed with the Department must be a written, signed statement that includes:

1. A statement that a requirement that applies to an ESSA program has been violated by the LEA or the Department, and
2. The facts on which the statement is based and the specific requirement allegedly violated.

How will a complaint filed with the Department be investigated?

The investigation and complaint resolution proceedings will be completed within a time limit of forty-five calendar days. That time limit can be extended by the agreement of all parties.

The following activities will occur in the investigation:

1. Record. A written record of the investigation will be kept.
2. Notification of LEA. The LEA will be notified of the complaint within five days of the complaint being filed.
3. Resolution at LEA. The LEA will then initiate its local complaint procedures in an effort to first resolve the complaint at the local level.
4. Report by LEA. Within thirty-five days of the complaint being filed, the LEA will submit a written summary of the LEA investigation and complaint resolution. This report is considered public record and may be made available to parents, teachers, and other members of the general public.
5. erification. Within five days of receiving the written summary of a complaint resolution, the Department will verify the resolution of the complaint through an on-site visit, letter, or telephone call(s).
6. Appeal. The complainant or the LEA may appeal the decision of the Department to the U.S. Department of Education.

How are complaints related to equitable services to nonpublic school children handled differently?

In addition to the procedures listed in number 7 above, complaints related to equitable services will also be filed with the U.S. Department of Education, and they will receive all information related to the investigation and resolution of the complaint. Also, appeals to the United States Department of Education must be filed no longer than thirty days following the Department’s resolution of the complaint (or its failure to resolve the complaint).

How will appeals to the Department be investigated?

The Department will initiate an investigation within ten days, which will be concluded within thirty days from the day of the appeal. This investigation may be continued beyond the thirty day limit at the discretion of the Department. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Department will communicate the decision and reasons for the decision to the complainant and the LEA. Recommendations and details of the decision are to be implemented within fifteen days of the decision being delivered to the LEA.

What happens if a complaint is not resolved at the state level (the Department)?

The complainant or the LEA may appeal the decision of the Department to the United States Department of Education.

Local education agencies are required to disseminate, free of charge, this information regarding ESSA complaint procedures to parents of students and appropriate private school officials or representatives.

Staff

Class Sponsors

Extra-Curricular Activity Sponsor

Counseling Department

Students are encouraged to make arrangements with the guidance office to meet with the counselor for individual counseling. Specific services of the counseling department are pre-enrollment, schedule changing, providing vocational, education, occupational information, helping with college planning, and providing contact with colleges and universities. The counselor also administers tests and interprets the test results to students and parents.

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