Whittier English Parent Handbook 16-17 (1)

Whittier Elementary School Home of the Vikings Parent/ Student Handbook 2016-2017 Viking Values Respect Responsibility Ready Safe Principal: Dr Fernanda M Brendefur Assistant Principal: Erika Velasco Whittier Elementary School 301 N 29th Street Boise, Idaho 83702 PHONE ~ (208) 854-6630 FAX ~ (208) 854-6631 Whittier Elementary School 301 North 29th Street  Boise, ID 83702  Phone: (208) 854-6630  Fax: (208) 854-6631 Dear Parents and Guardians, Welcome back to a new and exciting school year We are excited to begin working with your students and providing them with the best educational experiences possible This handbook contains important information about school expectations, schedules, policies, and available services Please take time to review the entire handbook with your child Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding anything in our handbook Go Vikings! Sincerely, Dr Fernanda M Brendefur Principal Erika Velasco Assistant Principal Whittier Elementary Daily Schedule First Bell:9:10 Tardy Bell:9:15 Kindergarten 9:15-12:00 1:00-3:45 A M Recess 10:00-10:15 Kinder 10:15-10:30 1st & 2nd 10:30-10:45 3rd 10:45-11:00 4th & 5/6 combo class 11:00-11:15 6th Lunch Schedule 1st -11:55-12:40 2nd -12:10-12:55 3rd -12:15-1:00 4th -12:30-1:15 th & 6th -12:45-1:30 P.M Recess 2:00-2:15 1st & 5/6 combo class 2:15-2:30 4th & 5th 2:30-2:45 Kinder & 2nd 2:45-3:00 3rd & 6th Dismissal for All Students 3:45 Whittier Elementary 2016-2017 School Year Calendar August 24 First Day of School - *Early Release K-12 September Labor Day - No School K-12 September 21 Open House (5:30pm-6:30pm) October - State In-service Days - No School K-12 October 28 End of First Quarter – No School K-6 November No Kindergarten classes - Parent Conferences November No K-6 Elementary classes - Parent Conferences - Evening conferences will be held Wednesday, Nov and Thursday, Nov November No School K-12 Nov 21 - 25 Thanksgiving Holiday Break - No School K-12 December 21 *Early Release K-12 Dec 22 – Jan Winter Holiday Break - No School K-12 January School Resumes January 16 Martin Luther King Jr Day - No School K-12 January 20 End of First Semester - *Early Release K-6 February 17 No School K-12 February 20 Presidents' Day - No School K-12 March Kindergarten Registration 3:30 - 5:30 p.m March 24 End of Third Quarter - *Early Release K-6 March 27 - 31 Spring Break - No School K-12 May 29 Memorial Day - No School K-12 June Last Day of School - *Early Release K-12 *Please remember that we are a late start school All early release times will be at 1:45 p.m Home of the Vikings Whittier Elementary School Field Trip Permission Form (Student’s Name) _ has permission to attend field trips during the 2015-2016 school year These trips will be learning experiences that will supplement their classroom learning Parent Signature Teacher’s Name Please sign and return to your child's teacher Whittier Elementary Attendance Policy Attendance is important! Why?  Kids who come to school every day get better grades  The school district gets funding based on how many students are in school  We like your kids and we want to see them everyday! What happens when kids come to school?  Your child will get a better report card  He or she will have more time with friends  Your child will be better able to keep up and be ready for the next grade What happens when kids don’t come to school? ♦The elementary schools in the Boise District are currently participating in a new attendance policy modeled after the secondary schools The policy was set by the Board of Trustees in June 1997 and states that “all students are required to be in attendance at least ninety (90) percent of the time school is in session during each semester The Board may deny a promotion to the next grade to any student who is not in school at least ninety (90) percent of the days that school is in session.” This means that students who miss more than nine (9) days in a semester or eighteen (18) days during the school year may be denied a promotion to the next grade level As part of this policy, you and your child will be notified when total absences reach five (5), eight (8), and ten (10) days during the semester (Extraordinary absences may be taken into consideration by the building principal in administering the policy.) As a part of this policy, if a child exceeds 10 days in a semester, he/she will be withdrawn from school pending a parent conference and the case may be referred to Attendance Court, which is a function of Ada County Juvenile Court System _I will help my child be at school every day and on time Parent/Guardian signature _I will be at school every day and on time Student signature Please sign and return to your child’s teacher Thanks! Positive Behavior Intervention Supports The following matrix outlines our expected behaviors in each area of the school setting The matrix is based on our overall Viking Values of Ready, Respectful, Responsible, Safe SETTINGS & ROUTINES READY VIKING VALUES Arrival/ Departures All students are outside before school, unless they have a pass Assemblies Enter and exit orderly Cafeteria Line up in an orderly manner Eyes and ears on the speaker Be ready to order Electronics are put away and of Show me a V for Viking Hang coats and backpacks on hooks Electronics are put away and of Face forward in line Electronics are put away and of Exit school when dismissed Classroom Be on time Keep toys home Come in quietly and be seated Hallways/Stairs Need a pass to be in the hallway Playground Bring appropriate clothing Electronics are put away and of Electronics are put away and of Keep toys at home Use quiet voices in the hallway Treat other as you want to be treated Bathro Have a bathroom pass Electron are put a and of Permission needed to use electronics Have supplies ready Be ready to learn ERESPONSIBL RESPECTFUL Stand in bus line or waiting area Enter and exit buses orderly Sit on your bottom Use an inside voice Clap and laugh when appropriate Listen and respond politely Treat oth the way want to treated Pick up and put away the equipment you use Respect diferences Hats only worn outside Include others Be on time to school Keep your belongings with you Be a positive examples for others Be a positive example for others Clean up your space Stay in your seat Raise your hand to be excused (1st and 2nd) Put your lunch bag in the classroom container, before going to recess Do your best work! Keep your work area clean Walk to the right Hats only worn outside Line-up quietly when the bell rings Teacher will be on time to pick up students Be involved in an activity Be a good sport Return t class qu and prom SAFE Keep your hands, feet and body to yourself On the bell, go to your designated area Keep your hands, feet and body to yourself Follow directions the first time given Keep your hands, feet and body to yourself Hold tray with all possible digits Keep your hands, feet and body to yourself Walk in the classroom Face forward and walk quietly in line Keep your hands, feet and body to yourself Keep your hands, feet and body to yourself On Double Whistle Stop-Look-Listen Use both hands when carrying your tray Walk safely to the playground Positive Behavior Intervention Supports-Continued Our PBIS matrix is taught to every student in each classroom during the first week of school This year we will be continue working on creating a system where rewards and consequences will be defined The following consequences are subject to change once that process has been completed If rules are not followed, and the offense is minor, a student may receive any or all of the following: Warning Time Out Natural Consequences Detention for 30 minutes Conference with School Personnel Notice to Parent More serious offenses include fighting, defiance of school staff, bringing a weapon to school, bullying, harassment, criminal acts or any other act for which the student could be charged by law in school or out of school Consequences may be: Parent Conference at School Conference with Resource Officer In school or out of school suspension Expulsion BUS CONDUCT In order to ensure safety for your child while riding the bus we ask for your help in reminding your student(s) to follow all the rules of the bus In the event that rules are not followed consequences will be given The following consequences will be given to students who are given a bus conduct report from a bus driver: *In case of physical aggression a student will be suspended from bus even if it is the first offense 1st Offense: Verbal warning from Principal or Assistant Principal & Call home to parents, Copy of Conduct Report sent home 2nd Offense: Loss of morning, lunch and afternoon recess, Call home, Copy of Conduct Report sent home 3rd Offense: Call home, Bus Suspension - days, Copy of Conduct Report sent home 4th Offense: Call home, Bus Suspension - days, Copy of Conduct Report sent home 5th Offense: Call home, Bus Suspension for the remainder of the year Go-Wash Leave Keep yo hands, f and bod yourself We appreciate you taking time with your child to discuss respectful and responsible behavior on the bus Student Attire We depend on your good judgment to help your child in selecting appropriate clothing for school Some examples of inappropriate clothing include: short shorts – shorts should be fingertip length or longer, low riding pants, tank tops/narrow shoulder straps, midriff tops, see-through shirts, clothing with unacceptable messages, and clothing with advertisements for alcohol, drugs or tobacco Hats or any type of head covering may be worn OUTSIDE the building Students who arrive at school with inappropriate clothing will be asked to make arrangements to get more suitable clothing TOYS AT SCHOOL Please reinforce with your students that we not allow toys at school, this includes recess If staff sees a toy the first time, it will be taken by the teacher and kept until the end of the day Repeat offences can be turned into the office and returned to parents or students at the administration’s discretion CELL PHONES/ OTHER ELECTRONICS AT SCHOOL Electronics are only to be used at the teacher’s discretion in the classroom for educational purposes At all other times during the day electronics need to be out of sight, this includes in the hallway and at recess Students are allowed to have cell phones only to place emergency phone calls on the way to and from school Cell phones must be turned off and kept in student backpacks Students who violate this policy will have their devises confiscated until it is picked up by a parent The school is not responsible for lost or stolen devises WEAPONS AT SCHOOL Students may be suspended or expelled for bringing a weapon – real or toy - to school, even if the student is young and he or she did not intend to use the weapon to hurt anyone Please discuss the importance of this with your child HEALTH REQUESTS At Whittier, one of our primary goals is to ensure the physical and emotional safety of your child, inclusive of health related issues After consulting with other schools in the Treasure Valley and our District Office, we have implemented a new policy regarding parent requests to keep students in at recess If you request that a student stay in for recess, we will honor your request for up to consecutive days If the request extends beyond this time period, a note from a medical provider will be requested and required in order for the student to continue staying indoors Please note the following: The student might be required to stay with staff other than his/her teacher This requirement does not apply to students who have chronic conditions such as asthma The health office staff might communicate with you about the request EMERGENY/SAFETY PROCEDURES The safety of students, staff, and visitors is a top priority Students and staff regularly practice Fire, Hall Check, and Lockdown Drills You can help us in the following ways: *Sign in and obtain a Visitor’s Badge every time you volunteer during school hours *Make sure we have up-to-date emergency contact information Notify us immediately of address, telephone, employer, child care, or medical providers changes *Don’t call the school during an emergency as this disrupts communication with emergency personnel Local media will keep parents and the public informed If needed, we will escort students to an alternate assembly site, depending on the situation: *Whitewater Park Apartments (365 N Whitewater Park Blvd Boise, Id 83702) EXTRA-CURRICULUAR ACTIVITIES Students are encouraged to participate in after school sports and other activities offered at Whittier Students who participate in evening events or who come to watch sporting events must be accompanied by their parents or be under the supervision of another adult Please not send your children to evening or after school sporting events unsupervised This is for your child’s safety MEETING WITH TEACHERS If you want to meet with your children’s teachers, please don’t just drop in while volunteering or dropping off/picking up your children Please make an appointment so teachers can plan their day accordingly Please sign-in at the office and allow our office staff to call the classroom to make sure teachers are available to meet with you Teachers rely on the time before and after school and their prep periods to post concept and language boards, prepare materials, review curriculum, tutor students, etc Your understanding will ensure that students benefit as much as possible from the learning time available PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO) All parents are encouraged to join and attend meetings of Whittier’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Sign up to be on their email list or look for PTO announcements in Whittier’s monthly newsletter or Facebook page If you can’t attend PTO meetings we’d still love to have you as a parent volunteer TITLE I PROGRAM Whittier perates a schoolwide Title I program to benefit all of our students Title I funding pays for Title I Tutor salaries, additional instructional materials, equipment, and professional development Title I staff work closely with classroom teachers and other programs to help all children be successful in reading and math Title I Tutors may assist teachers with large group instruction, they might work with small groups of students, or one-on-one with a child Students also benefit from professional development, which teachers receive, and instructional materials purchased with Title I funds _I will help my child understand the importance of following all school rules I will tell my child what a weapon is and that no weapons, toy or real, should ever be taken to school Parent/Guardian signature _I will follow school rules Student signature _ Please sign and return to your child’s teacher Thanks! Whittier Elementary Homework Policy The Boise District is adopting a new homework policy this year This policy has been developed based on staff, parent, and community surveys and also book studies that were conducted over the past year Each individual grade level may have some variations to the policy, so please look for that information to come home However, these are the overall district guidelines *The purpose of homework is to practice and reinforce learned skills Homework will never be assigned on skills that have not already been taught *Grades can be affected positively or negatively in relation to homework habits *Reading every night is encouraged *A child’s right to playtime, downtime, and adequate sleep shall not be infringed upon by homework *Students are responsible for completing homework Students have until two weeks before the end of the semester to turn in missing assignments *Each grade level may have some unique aspects to their policy But, all grade level policies conform to these guidelines -Some of the above policies are adopted from Cathy Vatterott’s, Rethinking Homework: Best Practices that Support Diverse Needs and Tom Schimmer’s, Grading From the Inside Out I have read and understand the Whittier Elementary homework policy Parent Signature Student Signature _ ... as possible from the learning time available PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO) All parents are encouraged to join and attend meetings of Whittier? ??s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Sign up to... for PTO announcements in Whittier? ??s monthly newsletter or Facebook page If you can’t attend PTO meetings we’d still love to have you as a parent volunteer TITLE I PROGRAM Whittier perates a schoolwide... have any questions regarding anything in our handbook Go Vikings! Sincerely, Dr Fernanda M Brendefur Principal Erika Velasco Assistant Principal Whittier Elementary Daily Schedule First Bell:9:10