West Kingston Elementary
STUDENT AND PARENT
HANDBOOK
2011-2012
Dear West Kingston School Families,
Welcome to West Kingston Elementary School. We are very proud of our achievements and reputation. Our dedicated faculty and staff remain steadfast in making certain that all West Kingston students perform to their highest potential. In that spirit, we hope that you will find the information in this handbook helpful as we work together to support your child this year. I ask that you review this handbook with your child because it contains useful information about our expectations, procedures, schedules, and contact information.
Throughout the year, I encourage you to support your childĂs education by reading with him/her daily, creating a homework routine, and organizing a quiet space for homework. The value of these three simple supports cannot be overstated. Additionally, consider getting involved in our school as a member of the PTO or the School Improvement Team.
I will be in your childĂs classroom often to witness his/her growth throughout the year. I look forward to meeting you personally to tell you about the excitement for learningĂ that I will see in the classrooms this year.
This will be a fantastic year.!
Sincerely, Mrs. Kim Mather, Principal
Mission Statement West Kingston Elementary School provides an environment where individual life experiences and talents are discovered and appreciated. It is our mission to challenge and support children to maximize their individual learning capacities. To succeed, we need the entire school community to participate in this mission. |
Start time: 8:49 Ending time: 3:17 Students may enter the building at 8:42. Students arriving after 8:49 will be marked tardy. Students may not arrive at school earlier than 8:40 because there is no supervision. |
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Lunch Prices 2011-2012
$2.45 lunch (3 choices daily) $0.50 milk $1.25 breakfast
Payment for multiple lunches is encouraged through
Reduced Cost/Free breakfasts and lunches are available for qualified families. Forms are available through the main office |
Updated information will be on…
in Wednesday Newsletters throughout the year.
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PARENT PROCEDURES
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL
Park in designated areas. When delivering children to school, please use the outside lane and allow children to cross only at the marked crosswalk. Parking is not allowed along the sidewalk because it is designated for school buses and emergency vehicles.
Parents/guardians are encouraged and welcome to visit our school upon prior notification and approval. It is district policy however - for the safety of students and staff - that all parents sign in using our Visitor Computer in the office and to obtain a VISITOR TAG. Children can be escorted by their parent to the main lobby, but cannot be escorted to their classroom door by their parent. (Please refer to policy #1250 for additional information.)
MEETING WITH TEACHERS
Please make an appointment with school personnel to ask questions that you may have about your childĂs education. We encourage you to use email, notes, or a teacherĂs telephone extension. Extensions and email addresses are listed at the end of this handbook.
MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Medications
Parents/guardians are requested, whenever possible, to schedule administration of medication outside of the normal school day. Parents of students needing medication during the school day are required to bring the medication to the school nurse with an authorization/waiver signed by your physician. Non-prescription medications need only have the parent authorization section of the waiver form completed. All medication must be in a pharmacy labeled and/or prescription container and/or manufacturerĂs container. At the time the prescription is filled, the parent/guardian shall have the pharmacist dispense an extra labeled container for use at school.
No student shall have in his/her possession any medication while on school property. All medication shall be dispensed by a School Nurse -Teacher. When the School Nurse -Teacher is unavailable and the dispensing of the medication cannot be delayed, then non-prescription medication may be dispensed under the supervision of the principal. No medication shall be dispensed without following this procedure. Never send your child to school with medication.
(Please refer to Policy #5140.)
Peanut Free Classrooms
By state law, several classrooms and cafeteria areas are designated as “nut free” due to severe nut allergies of students in our schools. If your child is in a “nut free” classroom, they will not be allowed to bring any food containing nuts in the classroom at anytime (the school nurse will notify those classroomĂs families). However, food containing nuts may be eaten in the cafeteria.
Birthday Treats
Due to the many food allergies, including those that are life-threatening, we do not allow birthday treats to be brought to school for distribution to the whole class. An alternative to a birthday treat might be stickers, or pencils, or a book for the class or school library with a bookplate honoring your childĂs special day. If teachers do request snacks, they will be very specific about the ingredients. All food brought to the class must include a list of the ingredients and be approved by the school nurse. Please see the SK district Wellness Policy.
Party Invitations for Classmates
We allow invitations to be distributed in the classroom only if ALL classmates are invited.
Infectious or Communicable Diseases
Please notify the school if your child has any infection/communicable disease such as Strep Throat, Lice, Chicken Pox, FifthĂs disease, etc… This is a responsibility that must be practiced by all families.
ATTENDANCE AND TARDY POLICY
Students arriving after 8:49 are marked as tardy. When a student is late, a parent must accompany the student to the office and sign him/her in. Students who are late due to bus delays are not considered tardy. It is important for students to be in class at 8:49 a.m because meaningful instructions and routines are given at the start of the day. (Please refer to policy #8415)
Truancy Policy
The objective of this policy is to guide schools in the establishment of school procedures that will increase the attendance of students. Research tells us that achievement in school is related to regular school attendance.
Truancy Protocol:
1. At the first unexcused absence or tardy, the student will be warned of the policy and the need for regular school attendance.
2. For any subsequent unexcused absences or tardiness the student may face consequences as determined by the school administration. Consequences shall be designed and carried out so that they have the intent and effect of increasing attendance, not absence.
3. When truancy becomes habitual, and school and community responses of fewer consequences are unsuccessful, a referral may be made to Truancy Court. Prior to referral to Truancy Court, it is required that early intervention steps be taken and documented.
Excused Absences: Absences which the school district approves, such as:
1. Religious Holiday.
2. Illness (chronic or long term illness may require documentation).
3. A death or funeral in the immediate family or for close relatives.
4. A court appearance or other legal proceedings.
5. School ordered suspensions.
6. Professional appointments.
Absenteeism
Repetitive, excused absences and tardiness also affect educational progress. Where there is a pattern of excused absences or tardiness to a degree that threatens educational progress, there is reason to intervene. Schools will follow up with such cases according to the policy protocol.
Vacations During School Calendar
We discourage families from scheduling vacations outside of the regular school vacations, holidays and summer break. Teachers are not responsible to send work. Quality learning time is lost. Consistent student attendance is essential to productive learning as mandated by “No Child Left Behind.” (Family vacations are not excused absences; we request that vacations be taken during school breaks. (Please refer to policy #5113 for additional information.)
ATTENDANCE FOR NECAP (New England Common Assessment Program)
State Testing - OCTOBER 3 - 25, 2011; for grade 3 & 4 students ONLY.
MAY 2012, Grade 4 (Science).
Please do not schedule vacations or appointments for your children during these times, because it is very important that all students participate in testing.
Participation in NECAP is a state and federal mandate. NECAP assesses each studentĂs acquisition of grade level expectations in Reading, Math, and Science. NECAP results provide our school with essential information about how our programs and instruction are working. We plan school improvement activities based on information provided by NECAP results. The school is committed to providing a positive, relaxed atmosphere, as well as appropriate and frequent breaks for all of our NECAP test-takers. Families can reinforce positive messages at home and provide extra snacks for their child during those testing days. The school will notify you of the exact testing schedule.
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER?
Please resist the temptation to stop by a classroom without an appointment.~ Please leave messages for teachers and staff in the office and they will be delivered at an appropriate time.~ If you need to speak to a teacher, please leave a message on voice-mail; send an emaiL, or a note to the classroom teacher. The teacher will reply as soon as possible.
Annual Parent/Teacher conferences
One time per year, formal Parent/Teacher conferences will be scheduled by the office. There will be no school that day and you will be notified in advance.
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE PRINCIPAL?
Mrs. Mather can be reached at 360-1130 to schedule a meeting time with Ms. Elliott or Mrs. Bridges.. If you prefer to ask your question via email, she can be reached at kmather@skschools.net.
Class Placements
Our students are placed into their next yearĂs classrooms very carefully and thoughtfully. Classes are heterogeneous (classrooms with all ability levels). The teachers make placement decisions as a committee. Grade level teachers, resource teachers, and the principal make placement decisions based upon information gathered throughout the course of the year.
To make balanced classes student placement decisions will consider the childĂs academic abilities, learning style, work habits, individual needs, school behaviors and peer relationships.
Due to population trends, it is sometimes necessary to have split grades. Split grades are two grades housed in one classroom. The split classes have a full-time certified teacher and an additional certified part-time teacher. The student make-up of a split class is heterogeneous, just as in other classes in the school. One of the benefits of the split classes is the low student-to teacher-ratio (maximum 12:1) allowing for increased opportunities for individualized attention for enrichment.
All parents will have the opportunity to inform the school of their childĂs special learning needs through the use of the Student Information Form (available in the office in April and due by May 1st). The faculty values your insight and will take this information into consideration in our placement decisions.
Notification of a studentĂs placement for the upcoming year will be placed on the last report card of the current school year. Unanticipated personnel and enrollment changes, which occur during the summer, may affect and change a childĂs assignment. Parents and students will be notified as soon as changes are confirmed.
(Please refer to Policy: Section 8000 / 8125 for additional information).
STUDENT DISMISSAL PROCEDURES (3:17 p.m.)
Dismissal times should be honored. Instruction occurs until 3:17. We are reluctant to dismiss children “just a little bit early” because it disrupts the very important end-of-the-day instruction, like homework reminders.
**New Procedure (for the 2011-2012 School Year)**
Parents who pick up their children will enter the building through the LEFT HAND side door by the music and art rooms. Parents will meet their child/ren in the cafeteria. Please remain on the “north” side of the room, by the lunch window, so that bus students can pass through the cafeteria. As soon as you have signed your child/ren out with the staff member, exit the building the same way you came in, by the music and art rooms. Stay on the right hand side of the sidewalk so that the students in the bus lines can get to their awaiting buses expeditiously.
Students are expected to follow their normal routine at dismissal time. Bus students must ride their assigned bus unless the office has been notified in writing of any change. A dated note using your childĂs full name must be signed by a parent and presented to the teacher. Teachers will forward the note to the office for recording. Parents will need to show an ID in order to sign their child/ren out. No child will go home with another person unless there is written consent on file. A dated and signed permission letter may be sent to the office at the beginning of the day if your child is going to be picked by a relative or friendĂs parent. Those IDĂs will also be checked.. The same is true for children going to a friendĂs home via a different bus. If there is no written permission,
children will not be permitted to board another bus or leave with different people.
Students may not be pulled out of bus lines by anyone without checking in at the office.
For childrenĂs safety, telephone calls cannot be accepted as permission to dismiss children with anyone not listed on the emergency card. Please be prepared to show identification to school personnel when dismissing a child from school. Routines and procedures for dismissing students are put into place for the safety and protection of your children. Please assist us by abiding by them and not asking us to make an exception.
Early Dismissal from School
If your child has an unavoidable daytime appointment and must leave school early, a note must be provided. Using your childĂs full name, send a dated and signed note to your childĂs teacher if you plan to pick up your child early from school. Teachers will forward the note to the office for recording. When you arrive at the school, your child will be called to the office for dismissal. We cannot accept phone calls as sufficient notice for early dismissal. Please be prepared to show identification when you arrive to pick up your child. We will not release any child to a person not listed on the Emergency Card. For this reason, we suggest you list several persons to pick up your child in an emergency or in case the child becomes ill and you cannot be reached.
Remember to update the office if phone numbers are changed. Please come to the school office and add additional names if it becomes necessary.
Internet Use/Media Permission Slips/Permission to be photographed
Please be sure to sign and return the Internet / Media permission slips which will be sent home with your child if you are not granting permission for your child to participate. Students will not be allowed to use the Internet until this form is returned. Technology is used as a tool for instruction in our schools and photos are used for school purposes only.
School Insurance
School insurance is available at the beginning of the year. Notices are sent home to inform you of your options. You are not obligated to purchase this insurance.
Legal Custody
Anyone (parent, relative, friend) having a court order granting custody of a child must file a copy of said order with the principal of any school which the child attends. Changes in said documentation must also be submitted to the principal. Permission to release children to others must be in writing to the building principal and signed by the person having custody. No child may be released without this written permission. (Please refer to Policy: Section 8000/8410 for additional information.)
PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE
School Committee Policy requires that parents of all children be informed of the following requirement concerning child abuse or neglect: In compliance with Chapter 11 of Title 40 of the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island, employees of the school department are required to report any knowledge or suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the Rhode Island Department of Children and Ttheir Families no later than 24 hours after such knowledge is learned or suspicion is raised.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS AND PROCEDURES
RECESS
Recess is part of the daily routine for all children, it is important to their social and physical development. All children are expected to go outside unless there is written notice from a parent. Students are also expected to be dressed properly for the weather. Coats, hats, etc. should be worn during the cold months. Teachers and staff members may rescind the privilege for disciplinary reasons or if students are not dressed appropriately for cold weather.
Playground Equipment Expectations:
No jumping off platforms and/or stairs
Go down the slide
Do not hang over the rails
Do not push the swings ~ Do not pump the swings too high ~ Do not jump off swings
Do not throw the mulch or dig in it
One at a time on slides, crossbars, etc.
Return balls, jump ropes, etc. to proper container
Personal Property
Students are not to bring toys to school. Please encourage your child to bring other items for classroom sharing activities instead. We do not allow children to buy or trade personal items with other children and we will not mediate differences of opinion about ownership of items brought to school that are not labeled with a childĂs name. CD players, IPods, Game Boys, cell phones and other electronic devices are not to be used during school or recess. If devices are confiscated parents will be notified to pick up item from the principal.
(Aforementioned devices are sometimes allowed on buses for children who have long bus rides. Please contact your childĂs bus driver to work this out.
Lost and Found
Students should check the Lost and Found frequently. We will donate unclaimed, unlabeled items to a charity
Dress Code
Students will dress appropriately for school and the for the weather. Clothing should conform to reasonable standards of modesty and cleanliness. “The bottom of the tops should touch the top of the bottoms.” Tee shirts and other clothing with messages should be appropriate for elementary school children. Children should wear suitable clothing and footwear on the days they have physical education. No hats or hoods are to be worn inside the school building or classrooms.
Books and Student Planners
All students will be issued books and textbooks for different classes. Students in grades 3 & 4 may be issued a Student Planner at the start of the school year. If books, journals, etc. are lost or destroyed, it will be the responsibility of the student to replace it.
Forgotten Items
Forgotten items from home or the car (homework, lunches, band instruments, etc), may be left at the office. However, we encourage parents to refrain from rushing to school with the forgotten item. We suggest helping your child become responsible by allowing her/him to experience the natural consequence. This will help develop the necessary skills of responsibility and self-reliance.
Field Trips
All students who exhibit our schoolĂs behavioral expectations will be invited to attend any and all field trips.
Field trips, which enhance classroom learning, are planned throughout the year. Students must have a signed permission slip to attend a field trip. Telephone calls are not accepted as permission in lieu of a signed permission slip. Students who fail to bring a signed permission slip will be assigned to another classroom while the class is on the trip.
All students who exhibit our schoolĂs behavioral expectations throughout the year will be invited to attend any and all field trips.
All drop-off and pickup for field trips must be made at the school. Any exceptions must be submitted in writing and pre-approved by the principal.
Parents who volunteer as chaperones for a field trip cannot bring younger siblings for safety reasons and for the supervision of our West Kingston students. Unfortunately there are times when we have limited space at our destination and cannot utilize or invite all the parents who graciously volunteer.
DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
Our focus is to model, recognize, and reinforce expected behaviors at all times; however we must also have structures in place to address behaviors that disrupt learning or may result in harm to others.
Behavior is never to infringe upon the rights of other students or adults, thereby disrupting the learning process or school environment. A teacher or supervisory adult may remove a student from the classroom or playground area when the student deliberately caused a discipline offense that violates the safety or civil respect of others: (Please refer to Policy: Section 8000 /8310, 8315, 8320, 8325 for additional information.)
Elementary School Discipline
General infractions will be handled using the following protocol:
1. Verbal warning
2. Time out within the classroom
3. Loss of recess.
4. Sent to PrincipalĂs office w/note or phone call to parent
5. Parent conference
6. Other: In-school suspension may be invoked by the Principal
*If an administrator is not available and the student must be seen immediately, he/she will meet with one of our discipline team members like a teacher, social worker, or school psychologist.
Bus Discipline
The policy governing suspension of bus privileges is published in the South Kingstown District Calendar & Handbook. Briefly:
First Offense: Verbal reprimand, letter to parents
Second Offense: Warning letter to parents
Third Offense: Five (5) school-day bus suspension and conference with parent, bus driver, student, and principal
Fourth Offense: Bus suspension for remainder of year
Bus students must see that their bodies, books and personal belongings are kept out of the aisles. Special permission must be granted by school authorities and the bus company to transport large items. Band instruments that cannot be kept on the studentĂs lap may not be permitted on the bus. School projects that cannot be kept on the studentĂs lap are not permitted. Students must ride their assigned buses, getting on and off at their assigned stops unless a note is written by a parent granting permission to ride a different bus with a friend. The office and the bus driver must see the note.
Suspensions and Expulsions
Suspension means an exclusion of a student from attendance at school, school property, and all school sponsored activities for disciplinary reasons. It may not be given for more than ten consecutive days, provided such suspension shall not extend beyond the end of the school year in which it is imposed. Suspension is determined by an authorized member of the administrative staff.
Listed are some examples of breaches of conduct that may lead to suspension/expulsion:
threats
striking or assaulting a student or member of the staff
use of obscene or profane language
deliberate refusal to obey a member of the school staff
truancy and unauthorized leave from school property
blackmailing, threatening, intimidating staff or students
possession of a weapon or alcohol, or dangerous drugs or narcotics
destruction of school property
disruption of school day by bomb threats or false alarms
There is a more complete list of examples of behavior which could lead to suspension/expulsion in the district policy. The policy states that building administrators will forward to the police information of a violation of the law, involving a felony, taking place on school property. (Please refer to policy: Section 8000 / 8305 for additional information.)
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
We routinely practice fire drills. We also conduct state-mandated Lock Down and Emergency Evacuation drills.
In the event of an actual emergency, the principal will determine if students and staff should be evacuated to another location outside of the school, (Camp Hoffman is our current evacuation site)..~ Parents will be notified by the district automated telephone system with important information. Please be sure to keep your contact information updated.update your telephone contact number.
School Cancellation Announcements
The superintendent will make the decision to close schools. A district-wide automated phone message will be sent to the telephone number listed on studentsĂ registration information forms. The following radio and television stations will be notified of school changes:
WPRI TV 12 WJAR TV 10
WSNE 93.3 FM WPRO 630 AM
WPJB 102.7 FM
If school is dismissed early due to inclement weather or emergency circumstances, any activity planned in the school that evening is canceled. When an after-school program is canceled due to inclement weather or other factors, the sponsoring organization is responsible for notifying parents of the cancellation.
Thank you for reading this handbook with your child. By reading this, you have made an important step in the education of your child. We know that parents who are interested and involved with their childrenĂs schools have children who THRIVE.
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