Connection's Day School | Program Descriptions

ACADEMIC PROGRAM INFORMATION AND EXPECTATIONS
The Mission of Connection’s Day School is to integrate school, family and community in order to provide the highest quality academic and therapeutic programs.

These programs are designed to enable students to become successful learners through a sense of belonging, mastery, generosity and independence.

DAILY SCHEDULE
Students arrive to school between 8:40 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. During the regular school year, departure is at 3:00 p.m. daily with the exception of Thursday when students are dismissed at 2:00 p.m. During the summer term should hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

MATERIALS
Connection’s Day School will supply all curriculum materials necessary to complete daily academic assignments. Students are expected to be respectful of materials and will be expected to reimburse Connection’s day School if materials are damaged, destroyed, or lost. Students are expected to supply their own personal school materials (paper, folders, pens/pencils, etc.)

HOMEWORK
Students may be given homework when determined appropriate by the teacher and therapist. At that time, homework will be assigned at least one night per week at the teacher’s discretion. Homework will be assigned regularly for students preparing to transition or who are transitioning to their home school. Homework that is not turned in on time or is incomplete will impact students’ course grades.

QUIZZES & TESTS
Students may be given quizzes and/or tests when determined appropriate by the teacher. In addition to other forms of assessment, at least one quiz or test will be given in a t least one subject area per marking period. The number of quizzes and/or tests given will be increased at the teacher’s discretion. The content, length, and format of quizzes and tests will be determined on an individual basis. Study time may be provided during the school day.

CREDIT
Credit is awarded to secondary students. Student graduation requirements (including courses and credits) are determined by the student’s home district. Credit is awarded for successful completion of course requirements on the following basis: .25 per quarter (.50 per semester) for all courses and physical education.

GRADES
Student work is evaluated by the following system:
            A = 90 – 100%                                   F = 59 and below
            B = 80 - 89%                                       I = Incomplete
            C = 70 – 79%
            D = 60 – 69%

INCOMPLETE
A student who receives an Incomplete in one or more subject areas will be allowed 10 days to make up missing assignments. Make-up work will be provided to the student and parent. Students will need to complete all make-up work at home as assigned homework (in addition to any regularly scheduled homework). If students have available time during the school day, they may have an opportunity to work on make-up work. Ten percentage points will be deducted from each make-up assignment. An Incomplete NOT made up by the deadline will be posted on the student’s report card/transcript as an F.

REPORT CARDS
Report cards are issued at the end of each 10 week quarterly grading period. Parent-Teacher conferences are held at the end of 1st and 3rd quarters. Report cards will be mailed home at the end of 2nd, 4th and summer quarters, and when parents are unable to attend Parent-Teacher conferences.

TRANSCRIPTS
Transcripts are sent to each student’s home district at the end of first semester (January), second semester (May), and summer (July). Graduating 8th and 12th grade students will receive their diplomas from their home school district.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education is required for all students. Students are encouraged to actively participate unless medically excused. In such a case, students may earn physical education credit through classroom – based program participation. Students are also encouraged to supply appropriate gym attire (clothes and shoes), although only gym shoes are required.

SPEECH/LANGUAGE AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Speech/Language and Occupational Therapy is available to students with documented articulation and/or receptive/expressive and motor skill deficits. Speech/Language and Occupational Therapy will be provided in accordance with the student’s IEP.

THERAPEUTIC PROGRAM INFORMATION
The Clinical Staff/Therapists at Connection’s Day School (CDS) are here to provide individual, group and family therapy for each of our students.

Therapists also serve as the Primary Contact Person for outside service providers within the community such as: Therapists, Psychiatrists, DCFS Caseworkers, Probation Officers, SASS Workers, etc.

Dr. Kristen Pollina is the Clinical Director of CDS, and Dr. Ruth Tompkins is the SEDOL Diagnostic/IAES Program Coordinator. Both Dr. Pollina and Dr. Tompkins are Licensed Clinical Psychologists. The rest of the Clinical Staff is comprised of Licensed Master’s-Level Therapists and Graduate Students in Clinical Psychology who are at various points in their training for their Master’s or Doctoral Degrees.

These Therapists are available throughout the day for Individual Therapeutic Sessions. When a Therapist comes to take a student for a session, s/he will always ask the Staff Member who is with the Student, if it is an appropriate time to take that child – if it is not, the Staff Members will let the Therapist know what time would be better.

If a Staff Member feels a Student needs to be seen, or if a Student is asking to be seen, the Staff Member will call the Student’s Therapist and the Therapist will get to that Student as soon as s/he can. If a Staff Member determines that it is an emergency, and the Student needs to be seen immediately, s/he will call either Dr. Pollina (319) or Dr. Tompkins (307) for assistance.

If a Student shares information about the following three issues, Staff Members must share this information with her/his Therapist immediately:

In addition, if a Student reports any distressing and/or concerning event to a Staff Member this information will be passed along to the Student’s Therapist as soon as possible.

Therapists facilitate Group Therapy within the Students' homerooms every day.
11:15 - 12:00 for Badgers, Eagles, Cougars & Bears / On Thursdays: 11:15 -11:55
12:10 - 12:55 for Hawks, Wolverines, Buffaloes & Falcons / On Thursdays: 12:00 – 12:35

Specialty Groups are also offered during these times. These groups include: Art Therapy, Music Appreciation, Personal Management, Drug and Alcohol Education, Substance Abuse Group and Family (Substance Abuse) Issues Group.

Dr. Michael Greenbaum is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist from Counseling Connection (the Parent Company of CDS) who serves as the CDS Medical Director. All Therapists consult (in-person) with Dr. Greenbaum on a monthly basis. However, if a Therapist has any immediate medical concerns they are welcome to contact Dr. Greenbaum anytime.

All Therapists offer Family Therapy for the Parents/Guardians of each of our Students. In addition, Dr. Pollina and Dr. Tompkins host Parents’ Support Group Meetings in the evenings (please see the Current Events page of this website for the schedule), where guest speakers and educational programs are utilized to explore a variety of topics relevant to Parents.

BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION SERVICES (BIS) PROGRAM INFORMATION
OUR MISSION
To establish and maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect and excitement about learning for all children, especially those with emotional and behavioral disorders. These are students that often lack the basic academic, behavioral, and social/emotional skills needed to be successful within, and outside, of school.

PROGRAM GOALS/RESPONSBILITIES

Providing education for all school Staff Members regarding a school wide, behavioral management system which focuses on prevention of problematic behaviors, and early interventions, in order to ensure a positive learning environment.
Ensuring building wide compliance with the school discipline code, rules boundaries and limitations.
Working with students who are referred to the Behavioral Intervention Services Office in quick, clear and appropriately manner.
Coordinating follow-up communications (processing) with the referring staff member and/or parent.
Entering and reviewing information into the school’s data base for teachers, administration, and therapists to review.
Providing professional support to all staff members around issues of school climate and management.
Maintaining a collaborative environment, with the guidance and administration team, to focus on the most successful ways serve our students and support our staff.
Participating in school events both athletic and educational.
Presenting at Parents’ Support Group events to educate Parents/Guardians on behavioral interventions, behavioral contracts, and maintaining a structured, nurturing environment in the home.
Completing any additional responsibilities as assigned by the administrative team.

CAAEL PROGRAM INFORMATION
A POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE FOR HIGH-RISK YOUTH
Research shows that students who participate in athletic or activity programs achieve higher grade point averages, miss fewer days of school, and are more self-confident. Through wonderful organizations such as the IHSA, hundreds of thousands of Illinois students represent their schools in athletic and activity programs ranging from basketball to debate.

THE PROBLEM: LIMITED ACCESS FOR HIGH-RISK YOUTH
Each year, thousands of Illinois’ high-risk students, those excluded from the educational mainstream due to severe behavioral and emotional problems, are unable to participate in these positive, life-enhancing experiences.

THE SOLUTION: THE CAAEL NETWORK
The Chicago Area Alternative Education League, a not-for-profit organization, provides a full spectrum of interscholastic academic and athletic programs for troubled youth attending Illinois’ Alternative Schools. CAAEL coordinates over 500 highly motivating academic and athletic activities for high-risk youth who attend 50+ alternative schools in the greater Chicagoland area. CAAEL student athletes attend school at a 90%+ rate.

CAAEL CO-ED ATHLETIC LEAGUE/EVENTS
Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Bowling, Cross Country, Spelling Bee, Chess, & Academic Bowl

SPORTSMANSHIP
All CAAEL activities are designed to place major emphasis on sportsmanship. At the completion of every contest, each team selects two individuals from the opposing team to receive sportsmanship ribbons in recognition of outstanding leadership and positive attitude. Team plaques and sportsmanship T-shirts are also awarded for every division in each sport.