USD 207 Elementary School Handbook 2014-2015 Rules and Procedures Bradley Elementary Eisenhower Elementary MacArthur Elementary 913-651-6915 913-651-6663 913-651-6517 Mrs. Michaela Culkin Mrs. Cindy Wepking Ms. Gayle Bertram mculkin@usd207.org cwepking@usd207.org gbertram@usd207.org
Student Policy Attendance The Fort Leavenworth School District requires all students to regularly attend classes in which they are enrolled. However the district understands that some absences cannot be avoided. Kansas state statute is very clear that a student is considered truant when the student is absent from school for all or a significant part of three consecutive school days, or five school days in a semester, or seven school days in a school year, whichever occurs first, without a valid excuse. When a student is absent from school an attempt will be made to contact the parent or guardian to determine the reason for the absence. Excused/Unexcused Absence Student absences will be classified as excused for the following reasons: personal illness; professional appointments unable to be scheduled outside the school day (e.g., doctor and dental appointments); serious personal injury or family problems; school related activities (e.g. athletic events); matters of a family nature. All other absences will be considered unexcused. It is a student s responsibility to obtain the necessary information from the student s teachers with respect to making up the schoolwork lost during any absence. There are limitations on the number of school absences that can be excused. Absences in excess of 10 days per year must be accompanied by a doctor s note in order to be excused. At any point when school educators have determined in their professional opinion that the number of excused absences (for any reason) is adversely affecting a student s academic and learning progress or when the well-being of the student is compromised due to excessive excused absences, school educators may require a conference with the parents. Tardies While we understand on rare occasion factors out of our control might cause a tardy or two in a school year, we also recognize the importance of arriving to school on time. Students arriving tardy to school causes a disruption for their classmates, who may already have begun the daily routine or lessons. Please make every effort to show up to school on time each day. A pattern of tardiness or excessive tardies will result in notification letters sent by the school administration. Leaving Building Early Students will not be excused from school without a request from a parent or guardian. When the student is picked up, the parent must sign the student out at the office before leaving and sign the student back in upon returning to school. Because it is a disruption for the classroom teacher and students, picking a student up prior to the end of the school day should only be done for necessary appointments. This should not be done as a means to avoid normal traffic or for convenience. A pattern of early pick ups or excessive early pick ups will result in notifications letters sent by school administration. Security Measures Because of concern for the safety of our students, the following measures have been established: All visitors must come to the office to sign in and to receive a Visitor s Pass. Visitors may be asked to show identification. All outside doors are locked from the outside during school hours. Please press the button in the vestibule to alert the office for entry into the building. School administrators or their designees are authorized to request from parents or students evidence to verify the validity of the reason given for an absence. If your child is absent or you know your child will be absent, PLEASE call the school office. If it is after hours please leave a voicemail. The attendance clerk will attempt to contact the parents if a student is not reported. Page 2 The district will keep you advised of any changes to these security measures. Medication at School All medications taken during the school day must be registered with and administered by the school nurse. Students are not allowed to bring medications (over the counter or prescription) to school to administer themselves. An exception may be made for students using inhalers, only after consulting with the school nurse. If your child needs to have medications available at school, please see the nurse to complete the State of Kansas approved parent consent form.
Allergies The district has experienced an increase in the number of students with allergies. Nut allergies have increased significantly. Peanut products are not served in our cafeterias and there is a nut free zone available in the cafeteria for students with nut allergies. Peanut products have not been banned from school buildings, but please consider the needs of children in your child s classroom when sending snacks and treats. The complete guidelines for addressing severe allergies are available on the district website. School Attire: Dress Code While the district supports an individual s choice to express him/herself by the clothes he/she wears, the district has the right to establish certain basic restrictions and expectations. The following items may not be worn: Shirts displaying drugs, alcohol, weapons, or inappropriate language Jeans that are ripped or torn in inappropriate places Necklines that display cleavage Tops that reveal midriffs Hats or bandanas Visible undergarments or camisoles Sleepwear (i.e. pajamas and slippers) Skirts or shorts that are too short, crop tops, spaghetti straps, or tank top shirts No rule can be established to cover all occasions. The administration reserves the right to determine appropriateness of school attire. To assist you in determining if an item is too short, use the following guideline: while standing up straight with the student s arms at his/her sides, the student s item of clothing should be beyond the end of his/her fingertips. Please note that flip flops are discouraged as they are not safe for outdoor activity. How to Contact a Teacher If you wish to contact a teacher, you may: Send the teacher an email. Leave your name and phone number for the office secretary to put into the teacher s mailbox. Leave a voice mail on the teacher s phone. Write a note in your child s AGENDA. The district expects teachers to return calls or emails within 24 hours. If you do not hear a response within that time, contact an administrator and he or she will assist in facilitating contact with the teacher. Grade Cards Grade cards will be sent home via mail at mid-quarter for students earning a D or U in any subject and sent or mailed home at the end of each quarter (9 weeks). At the end of the second and fourth quarters, the students will get a semester grade. Semester grades are the only grades recorded on students permanent record. The semester grades are determined by averaging the two quarter grades. Parent Access to Grades and Technology-Based Curriculum Parents will be provided access to a district internet site and given a unique code that will allows access to their child s grades for all assignments and tests in every class. Teachers will post assignment descriptions so parents can check to make sure their child is keeping up with class work. Parents who have used this type of system have found it helpful in assisting their children to stay on track and not fall behind. Please be mindful that teachers need time to grade major assignments; they will be recorded as soon as practicable once that process is complete. Please understand that every grade entered for a class may alter the overall grade from day-to-day, depending upon the number and weight of grades entered. Computer Usage and Ethics Parents, students and any other computer users will be required to sign the Acceptable Computer Use agreement. There are consequences for those who violate basic rules. Students who vandalize the system (gain access to another student s or teacher s files or who tamper with computer network operating systems) will be disciplined and will reimburse the district for the costs of computer consultants engaged to repair damages. Other computer users who vandalize the system may have their computer privileges revoked and will be required to reimburse the district for the costs of computer consultants engaged to repair damages. Page 3
HOW TO USE SKYWARD INTERNET FOR STUDENT GRADES/HOMEWORK 1. Call or drop by the school office and obtain your Login and Password, which are computer generated. You can change them when you log in. 2. On the Internet, go to www.usd207.org. 3. Click on Parent Info. 4. Click on Skyward Family Access. 5. Type in your Login. 6. Type in your Password. Telephone year; the day prior to winter break and Valentine s Day. In addition, curriculum-based special events that require parental assistance are permitted at the discretion of the classroom teacher. Parents requesting to bring treats for a special occasion may do so with the teacher s permission. No unique celebrations are allowed, including balloons delivered to the classroom, birthday parties in the classroom, etc. If you are not sure if your plans would fall into this category, you must contact your child s teacher before proceeding. Any deviations from the normal school routine should be cleared by your child s teacher. School Closings Every attempt is made to keep the schools open; however, there may be times due to inclement weather that require the closings of the schools for that day. You will receive notification no later than 6:00AM through both the Skyward Emergency Notification System and local television/websites in the event that the schools are closed. More complete information will be sent home prior to winter. It is important for you to know: a) Once school is in session, we do not close early. Fort Leavenworth has an early release plan, but ordinarily maintains normal hours of operation. Parents may pick up their children early due to weather concerns. Permission must be granted before a student may use a classroom phone. Students may use the office telephones, with permission of administrative or office personnel. Field Trips Field trips may be scheduled to enrich curriculum. Students who have turned in a written permission slip signed by the student s parent or legal guardian at least one day before the field trip will be permitted to attend. Lunchtime Visits Parents may eat lunch with their child in the cafeteria. Food may be purchased from the cafeteria, or brought in. As with other visits, parents must obtain a visitor s pass before going to the cafeteria. In addition, parents must comply with the nut free zone rules established for the cafeteria. Classroom Parties & Special Events USD 207 Board Policy permits two class parties each Page 4 b) The schools will not participate in delayed entry. We will either be open or closed for the entire day. Code of Conduct The USD 207 Student Code of Conduct is designed to offer a clear and consistent set of expectations, behavioral guidelines and consequences for our students, parents and staff. A copy of the approved District Code of Conduct can be located on the USD 207 website. A hard copy will be provided upon request. It is the district s goal to support our students through growth experiences in a positive manner, mindful that it is essential to provide increasing opportunities for students to accept responsibility for their own actions and well-being. An overview of beliefs and expectations are provided below. Respect others. (Disrespect and harassment will not be tolerated). Students are not allowed to use, possess or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol or to use or possess tobacco, matches or cigarette lighters in the school building, on the school grounds, or at a school sponsored activity.
A student shall not verbally or physically threaten, abuse, assault or engage in a fight with any student, school employee, or any other person. Group assaults (several students versus one student) will be viewed in the harshest of terms. A student shall not damage, destroy nor deface any school property or property belonging to any other person. Inappropriate display of public affection is not allowed at school or school-sponsored activities, i.e. hand-holding, hugging, kissing, regardless of gender. A student may not by comment, gesture or by physical contact sexually harass another student. Bullying behavior such as name calling, intimidation, uninvited physical contact and passing rumors will not be tolerated. A student must not use profanity. A student must not engage, or attempt to engage, in any conduct that is likely to disrupt, or that does disrupt, any school function or activity. Any violation of a school rule, which may also be a violation of existing law, may be reported to the Provost Marshall s Office. Harassment Policy USD 207 takes ALL harassment seriously in all forms (sexual, religious, physical, verbal, cyber, etc.). Our main goal is to make ALL students feel safe at school. If anyone feels that he or she is being subjected to harassment, he or she needs to do the following: State emphatically that the harasser needs to stop, that they are feeling uncomfortable. Report it to a teacher and/or administrator as soon as possible. Discuss the problem with parents and guardians. Frequently students struggle with the difference between telling on someone and reporting and incident. We can address harassment only if the behavior is reported. Nondiscrimination Policy USD 207 is committed to maintaining a learning environment free from discrimination, insult, intimidation, or harassment due to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability. Complaints about discrimination should promptly be reported, pursuant to Board Policy JCE. Retaliation against individuals making a good faith report of discrimination or harassment will not be tolerated. Page 5 Civility Policy Members of the staff will treat parents, students, and other members of the public with respect and expect the same in return. Bullying USD 207 takes bullying concerns seriously; Board policy GAAE and JDDC prohibit bullying. We can address bullying only if the behavior is reported. Students and parents should report bullying on the electronic "Bully Buster" form contained on the school s website or by contacting the principal directly. All bullying concerns will be investigated and prompt disciplinary action will be taken if bullying has occurred. Classroom Discipline The need for specific classroom rules depends upon the activity and setting of the educational experience. Classroom rules may vary from teacher to teacher. Parents or guardians: while we expect parents to support our academic and behavioral policies, we also need for you to be agents of support for your children to ensure that fairness and justice prevail. If you feel your child has been treated unfairly, contact the staff member involved or an administrator to discuss the concern. Prohibited Items Cell phones, toys, trading cards, tape players, electronic devices, personal laptops, ipads, other computer devices, skateboards, rollerblades and any shoes with wheels may not be brought to school for any reason because they create a safety hazard and/or are distracting to students. No student-owned toys or sports equipment, including all balls and super balls, are permitted on school grounds without special permission from the teacher for a PE activity. Students are discouraged from bringing any valuable items to school. The school is not responsible for any lost items. Bicycles The safe use of bicycles is of great importance, particularly because cyclists and pedestrians share the same walkways. A bicycle is like an automobile and is to be treated with the same regard for street rules and safety. Bicycles must be walked on and off school property during school days. Helmets must be worn. Always yield to pedestrians. Bicycles should always be locked at school and parked in the appropriate racks. If
procedures are abused at school, the student may be suspended from riding a bicycle to and from school for an indefinite period of time. Animals No pets are allowed on school grounds. Service animals are permitted as required by law. Requests for animals to be brought on school grounds should be directed to the building administrator. Homework Policy All homework assignments should be completed and handed in on time. Consequences for violating this rule vary among teachers. Teachers will provide students with written expectations and class rules at the beginning of the school year. Even though parents have access to their child s assignment completion and grades via our Parent-access Internet Site, please feel free to contact teachers via e-mail or a phone call to leave them a message at school if you have concerns or need the teacher s clarification. Staff is strongly encouraged to provide homework for students who are suspended. Loitering Before and After School Unless arriving early for band, choir, breakfast, or other supervised activity, students should not arrive before 7:45AM. Please arrange prompt pick-up after school for those not walking or riding the bus home. Page 6