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- Digital Tools for Parents/Guardians
- Student Chromebooks & Digital Safety
- Calendars - Subscribe Now
- Communications Overview
- Counseling & Social Work
- School Safety
- Transportation & Carpool
- School Supplies
Digital Tools for Parents/Guardians
CCS Website

Available on all CCS webpages, use the Find it Fast tool to quickly access commonly visited sites or easily search the website for answers to your questions. Whether searching for School Board information, curriculum updates, mental health resources or more - our website is designed to be easily searchable for your convenience.

The CCS website is fully ADA compliant and designed to support all families. You can select your preferred language at the top of any page for instant translation. By clicking the accessibility button, you’ll also find tools to support vision impairments and other needs.
Lunch Menus

Create a Home Button:
- From your mobile device, visit EZSchoolLunch.
- With the correct screen displayed, use the square button with upward facing arrow to select "Add to Home Screen."
- Save with desired name, such as "Menus."
- The daily menu will now be available just like any other app on your mobile device.
- (See full phone home screen instructions)
Additional Food Services Links:
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Load funds to student accounts EZSchoolPay
- Free/reduced lunch application EZMealApp
Attendance - School Dismissal Manager

All Carmel Clay Schools use School Dismissal Manager to report absences and late arrivals. Using the online tool is preferred to help manage absences and eliminate large quantities of calls to front desk staff.
Only elementary schools also use School Dismissal Manager to report changes to afternoon dismissal.
Middle schools and the high school use School Dismissal Manager to report appointments during the school day.
Middle school and high school students do not report dismissal information.
Canvas Parent/Observer Account

All students and teachers at Carmel Clay Schools use the Canvas learning management system. Parents/guardians function as Observers, allowing access to coursework without the capability to directly participate.
Parent/guardian resources are only available in an Observer account. We encourage families to log-in together to access student accounts when needed.
PowerSchool Parent Portal

All Parents have a PowerSchool login to view and access various school information including transportation, grades, attendance, required forms, and resources. All middle and high school students (and incoming 6th graders toward the end of 5th grade) have a student account. Required parent/guardian resources are only available in the Parent Portal. We encourage families to log-in together to view the Student Portal when needed.
The PowerSchool app is a lite version of the portal. For full access to all information, we advise adding the web portal to your phone's home screen. (see instructions to add home screen buttons)
Student Chromebooks & Digital Safety
Returning students should power on and connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi to allow for automatic updates. Students should bring their Chromebook to school daily, including the first day. New students will be issued a Chromebook at the beginning of the year.
All students must use protective case to help limit future damage.
Families are encouraged to select nightly charging area to ensure Chromebooks are ready for use and remembered to each day.
Learn About Digital Safety
Visit our Digital Safety site to learn how Carmel Clay Schools keeps students, staff, and the community safe in the digital world. You'll find valuable information, including:
- Our Comprehensive Approach: Discover how CCS defines and implements digital safety through people, processes, and technology, including our data governance strategies.
- Student Digital Citizenship: Understand the lessons students receive on appropriate online behavior, internet safety, privacy, and cyberbullying, aligning with Common Sense Media's curriculum.
- Protecting Personal Devices: Get practical tips for parents and guardians on securing personal mobile devices, such as checking privacy settings, using strong passwords, and enabling multifactor authentication.
- Fortifying Your Home Network: Learn how to enhance your home network's security with advice on updating hardware and software, changing default passwords, and enabling automatic updates.
- Understanding CIPA Requirements: See how CCS meets federal requirements for online safety instruction under the Children's Internet Protection Act.
Empower yourself with the knowledge to create a safer digital environment for your family!
Calendars - Subscribe Now
There is always something happening at Carmel Clay Schools and we want you to be able to select which calendars are important to you!
We have created a helpful, old-fashioned printable calendar for your family's bulletin board or kitchen cabinet door. Download and print your own copy to never miss a holiday, A/B day, or late start. Plus, we have handy QR codes to link directly to the sites you regularly use, including lunch menus and School Dismissal Manager.

Subscribe to Calendars
By subscribing to a calendar, you are assured future changes are automatically synched to your device. Even if you do not wish to subscribe, we encourage all families to familiarize themselves with the calendars, their locations on our site, and important information.


1) From any of our online calendars available to view on the district page or individual school calendar webpages - select the subscribe button.
2) From the District Calendar there are multiple options for our schools and events. Select and subscribe to the calendars you wish to add to your device.
3) This process also works on mobile.
Communications Overview
Mass Email Communications
Carmel Clay Schools utilizes SchoolMessenger and Finalsite for sending mass communications, including school-wide and district-wide announcements. These messages are delivered directly to your email inbox. While the option to unsubscribe from these emails is available, please be aware that unsubscribing from one message will unsubscribe you from all mass communications from your school and the district. We understand email fatigue is a genuine concern, and our staff works diligently to limit, consolidate, and prioritize information to reduce message volume.
Preferred Language for Mass Messages
Large-scale messages can be delivered in your preferred home language, as selected during annual registration. To update your preferred language setting, please log into PowerSchool and follow these instructions.
Individual and Classroom Communications
For individual or classroom-specific messages, teachers typically use standard email or Canvas messages. Parents are strongly encouraged to register for a Canvas Observer account to ensure they receive these important updates regarding their student's classroom activities and progress.
Emergency and Time-Sensitive Notifications
Carmel Clay Schools utilizes SMS text messages and phone calls for urgent or time-sensitive information. This includes, but is not limited to, school closures or delays, unverified student absences, and critical safety updates. Parents and guardians are automatically enrolled in receiving these important messages.
Counseling & Social Work
Counseling & Social Work Homepage
| Elementary Services | Middle School Services | High School Services |
| College & Career Planning | Mental Health Resources | Parent Resource Center |
Systems of Support
TIER ONE:
- Skills for Success
- Mental health literacy/suicide prevention work
- Body safety lessons
- Bullying lessons
- Conscious discipline/supportive approaches
- Neuroscience
- Support from school social workers, school counselors, and SROs
TIER TWO:
- School social workers and school counselors
- Supportive plans for students who are struggling with social, emotional, and/or mental health issues
- Mental health crisis response/support
- Includes ensuring the psychological safety of staff and students
TIER THREe:
- Partnership with Ascension St. Vincent
- Specialized mental health supports
- Risk assessments (suicide or threat) with students
- 504 or special education testing/support
School Safety
Visitors & Volunteers
All visitors to Carmel Clay Schools must check in using our visitor management system, scanning their driver's license or state ID for a record check and wearing an issued badge while in the building.
Anyone volunteering for building or PTO events, or who may interact with students, must complete a background check. We encourage all parents and guardians interested in volunteering to complete this process proactively. Background checks are valid for three years, and you'll be contacted when it's time to renew.
Background Check Info & Application
Safety Over Convenience/Courtesy
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Do not hold doors for others entering a school behind you. If staff, they will use their badge. All visitors should be directed to use the buzzer to check in with the front office.
- All staff must wear their ID and visitors must wear badges. Our staff are trained and encouraged to engage with all visitors to ensure they are in the right place with the right permission.
School Resource Officers
In partnership with the City of Carmel, Carmel Clay Schools has 21 fulltime School Resource Officers, including one at each of our 15 buildings. Thank you to Carmel community for the support to fund the SRO Unit through the School Safety Referendum.

School Resource Officers are specially trained Carmel Police Officers. Every SRO has been hand-picked from the department to work with children to protect and mentor.
Learn more about the role of an SRO:
Anonymous Reporting
Carmel Clay Schools urges all families to download and familiarize themselves with the STOPit app today. Last school year, the app was downloaded 3,500 times.
STOPit offers 24-hour anonymous monitoring for any danger or threat, whether to the school community or a peer. Reports go directly to school and district administration and Carmel Police Department School Resource Officers. Reports are truly anonymous unless a name is provided.
Lockdowns vs. Shelter-in-Place
Understanding lockdowns and shelter-in-place, and why they are used, will help families better understand our procedures and be informed in the event you are ever notified of their use.
Lockdown:
- No one is permitted to enter the building.
- Students and staff are trained and empowered to take action as needed.
- A lockdown is called when there is an immediate danger. In rare cases, a lockdown may be called to quickly clear hallways in a medical emergency.
Shelter-in-Place:
- Shelter-in-place means students and staff should remain indoors and not exit the building.
- Classroom instruction continues as normal.
- Visitors will be prohibited from entering.
- Typically called due to nearby police activity.
- Shelter-in-place may be used to bring attention to a situation in the building.
Reminders:
- Parents will be notified and updated via email, call, or SMS. We do our best to notify families, and update accordingly, as quickly as possible in the event of either a Lock Down or Shelter-in-Place.
- Lockdowns may quickly shift to a shelter-in-place or vice versa.
- Phone lines and parking lots should remain clear for emergency response.
- Please do not report to school unless instructed to do so.
Transportation & Carpool
Bus stop and times will be available on PowerSchool approximately one week before the first day of school.
Elementary Updates to Carpool Drop-Off
Carpool drop-off begins at 7:25 am on regular bell days and 8:05 am on late start days. Students may not be dropped off before this time.
Traffic Patterns
Review your school's Traffic Patterns to ensure a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal. Always follow the guidance of staff onsite. Help us allow all students to arrive safety and on time. Students should be ready to get out of the car when parents pull up. Please have coats on, breakfasts eaten, and hugs given before pulling into the lot. Parents should never get out of the car, our staff will be available to assist when needed.
Please DO NOT use nearby streets or neighborhoods to drop off or pick up students. The City of Carmel has implemented restrictions and CPD will enforce fees.
Transportation FAQ
Does CCS have a Transportation App?
No. On average, less than 1% of our daily 700 routes run late! A transportation app is a large investment requiring equipment installation on every bus and system-user fees and education. At this time, our team manages delays of 10 minutes or more through text and email.
CCS No-Bus Zones
Carmel Clay Schools addressed a critical bus driver shortage by implementing No-Bus Zones for the 10% of students living closest to our schools. This solution allows us to provide consistent and reliable transportation to 90% of our 16,000 students daily. While No-Bus Zones are expected to continue, our team reevaluates them annually, adjusting routes based on ridership needs when possible.
Can the district pay more to recruit more drivers?
Our 3-tier drivers (driving for elementary, middle and high school) currently earn $175-$180/day and work roughly 5 - 5.5 hours/day ($31.82-$32.73/hour). On average it takes 4-6 weeks to complete the necessary CDL training, enhanced background checks, and paperwork to drive a bus. Our drivers have a very specific daily schedule that allows for early mornings and afternoon work and a break in the middle. We want (and have!) the best drivers who are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our students. If you or someone you know is looking to join the team, email or call 317.844.8201.
School Supplies
Carmel Clay Schools provides school supplies to students. This allows the district to purchase in bulk, ensuring efficiency and cost savings, and that only necessary items are acquired. Families are responsible for one annual materials fee, which varies based on course selection. Materials fees are typically distributed in October.

Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, all Carmel Clay Schools (CCS) families must complete an annual registration packet on PowerSchool. This required process centralizes important paperwork, confirms student demographics, and collects annual forms, replacing multiple beginning-of-year forms.
Please log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal starting June 16 to complete your packet.
