WASHBURN PUBLIC SCHOOL

School Year 2016-2017

Washburn Elementary School Parent and Student Handbook

Elementary Principal’s Message My goal as the principal of Washburn Elementary School is to make sure all of our students feel safe, respected, and have an educational experience in which they thrive. It is also my goal to work with staff and families of our school to assure it is a terrific place to learn, work, and grow together as we move into the future. At Washburn Elementary, we will always strive to help ALL students be successful in all aspects of their education. Please do not hesitate to stop by the school or give me a call if I can assist you in any way.

Jerad Voglewede, Elementary Principal WASHBURN PUBLIC SCHOOL MISSION

The mission of the Washburn Public School is to provide a quality education addressing the academic, physical, social, and emotional well being of each student.

WASHBURN PUBLIC SCHOOL VISION

We envision our students to be respectful and responsible citizens who make positive contributions to society.

WASHBURN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GOALS     

To produce students who will be kind, caring, and respectful of other people, property, and rights of others. To graduate students who are able to think logically and critically enabling them to solve everyday problems. To instill and enhance self-esteem by providing experiences and activities which are positive and rewarding for students. To produce students who respect and enjoy learning and working with others. To provide a learning atmosphere so students with all

GRADING PROCEDURES: Grading shall be that system of measuring and recording students’ progress and achievement which enables the student, parents, and teachers to: A. learn the student’s strengths and weaknesses B. plan an educational future for the student in the areas of the greatest potential for success C. know where remedial work is required The Washburn Public School district is on a nine week grade reporting system. Grades Kindergarten to 6 will use Powerschool grading program. The recommended grading guidelines are: For Grades K-3: 4—Exceeds Grade Level Expectations 3—Meets Grade Level Expectations 2—Approaching Grade Level Expectations 1—Not Yet Reaching Grade Level Expectations For Grades A B C D F

4-6: 94-100 87-93 80-86 75-79 Under a 75

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ability levels have the opportunity to excel. To provide excellent role models for all the students. To provide a caring environment that will instill in the students the desire to strive to do their best. To provide an atmosphere of consistent and fair discipline. To motivate the students to develop and progress academically to the best of their ability. To equip students for life in the information age by keeping up with advanced technology. To develop students and staff who are a community of life long learners.

ATTENDANCE

Regular timely school attendance is not only required by law but is clearly very important to the educational process and to the development of appropriate lifelong work habits. Regular school attendance is a parent-child responsibility and the school is required by law to report apparent abuses. Students are expected to be in attendance every day school is in session unless they are unable to attend because of illness, family emergency, etc. Please notify the school should your child have an absence. The automated PowerSchool system will call about 9:00 A.M. any parent whose child is absent. If not able to contact, a written note from the parent needs to accompany the student when he/she returns. The student will be given two days for the first day missed and one day for each additional day missed to do the make-up work. Failure to do make-up work on time will result in a grade of “F” for the time missed. State law recommends a student be in attendance 160 days of the school year. If a student misses more than twenty days of school or class periods he/she will be required to make time up after school. Students leaving school before 10:00 AM or before 1:30 PM will be counted absent a full-day or half-day. Students arriving to school after 9:30 or 1:00 will be marked absent a half-day for the morning or afternoon.

SERVICES AVAILABLE

School Counseling Program Elementary school counseling and guidance is first a developmental and preventive program and second a remediation service. The elementary counselor is an advocate for the orderly development of all students in the areas of academic achievement, social relationships, personal adjustment, and vocational awareness. The elementary counselor provides the following

CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY

We are proud of our school and feel that most students, patrons, and taxpayers share that view. Part of a child’s education is to learn responsibility and respect of the property of others. Cost of willful damage to the building, equipment, books, or the property of others will be the responsibility of the students and/or parent.

CELL PHONES/Electronic Devices

Cell phones ( if necessary) are to be kept in the hallway in the student's backpack, unless used during class with the approval of the teacher. If used during the school day, it will be confiscated and turned into the office. Parents can then pick it up there. POLICY FHCO In the case of devices like a Kindle students can use them to read as they would a book if approved by their classroom teacher.

CLOTHING

North Dakota weather is unpredictable. The students should be dressed according to the season. Snowboots, snowpants, handgear, and headgear are required in grades Pre-6 . Please label your child’s winter clothing. This will cut down on the Lost and Found. If the student is not to go outside during the day because of illness, we ask that a written note accompany the child explaining why. The note should be given to the child’s teacher. After three days a doctor’s note will be necessary to continue this procedure.

Coat Weather Chart for Recess

Feels Like Temperature

What the Students Must Wear

Lower than 40 degrees 40-49 degrees 50 degrees or higher

Coats Sweatshirts or Coats (Students can choose.) Short or long sleeve, sweatshirt, or coat (Students can choose.)

interventions to help the student succeed. 3) Retention of elementary students shall be considered only after appropriate intervention strategies have been used without success. 4) When it appears that a student may be considered for retention, the Child Study Team or RTI team shall convene to review records and data and to assess whether the student will benefit from the instructional program in the next higher grade or retention. 5) The Principal will make the final decision. POLICY FBE

SCHOOL BUS COURTESY

A student who rides the bus must realize that riding the bus is a privilege and carries certain responsibilities required for the safety, comfort, and well being of all students riding the bus. The following guidelines apply to all bus students:  There will be no pushing, shoving, or fighting on the bus.  Keep arms, legs, hands, and head inside the bus.  When boarding, go directly to your seat (may be assigned)  Do not throw objects from the bus or in the bus.  Remain in your seats while the bus is in motion and until completely stopped.  Talk inside the bus must be as a conversational tone.  Older children should help look after the safety and comfort of the smaller children.  Items of food and beverage taken on the bus must be disposed of properly.  A school bus is school property and should be free from vandalism.  The bus driver is in complete authority over each passenger and will use appropriate discipline measures as required for the general safety of all passengers  Students are expected to dress appropriately for winter riding conditions,  If students do not plan to ride the bus, they must notify the bus driver, preferably before 6:45 of that morning. Discipline on the bus is the bus driver’s responsibility. Once the driver has exhausted all avenues for improving a child’s behavior, the respective building principal will be notified. Disciplinary action at this level may include parent meeting, suspension, or expulsion from school transportation

LUNCH AND NOON HOUR SCHEDULE Lunch K-1 begins at 11:00 2-3 begins at 11:10 4-6 begins at 11:25

Recess 11:20-11:45 11:30-11:55 11:45-12:10

Parents: Please contact the school if you plan on eating with your child. Eating lunch should be a pleasant experience for all students. These are some guidelines to be followed: 1. Wait quietly in line. Voice level 1. 2. Keep your conversations quiet. Voice Level 1. 3. Use acceptable table manners. 4. Keep food in the lunchroom.

STUDENT CONDUCT

Because we care about your children and about ourselves, we will see that no child is prevented from having an opportunity to learn and that no teacher is prevented from teaching. Our goal is to provide a productive learning/living environment, while at the same time promoting a positive sense of self-worth, dignity, cooperation, and self-discipline for everyone. We strongly believe that it is in your children’s best interests that we cooperate in developing appropriate school behavior. Parent-principal-teacher conferences regarding student behavior will be a time of sharing ideas, information and suggestions and developing a plan to positively effect the targeted behavior problem. A spirit of trust and cooperation is essential. Without the cooperation of the parent and school, remedies are often unsuccessful. POLICY FHDStudent Discipline POLICY FHC-Student Conduct POLICY FHDA-Suspension and Expulsion

PROMOTION AND RETENTION

If it is decided that a student is to repeat a grade, the records must support that decision. It is strongly suggested that if retention is being considered, the retention take place as early as possible in the child’s school career. Decisions regarding promotion or retention will be a cooperative effort between parent, child, teachers, and principal. Steps taken will be: 1) Teacher will notify the parent as early in the school year as practical. 2) The Child Study Team or RTI team will meet to develop

PLAYGROUND RULES AND CONSEQUENCES

1. Out-of-Bounds:Baseball field, grass on the south side of building. 2. One person on the swing at a time. 3. Do tag games on ground level. 4. For your safety, no rough play or tackle football. 5. Ask permission from the teacher on duty to go across the street to retrieve equipment. 6. No profanity. 7. Keep gum, candy, seeds off the playgrounds. 8. No sliding on the ice in the winter unless teacher supervised. 9. Keep snow on the ground, no snowballs. 10. Be respectful of all people and their belongings. 11. No baseballs on the playground. 12. Skateboards, roller blades, and scooters need to be parked during the school day. 13. Help each other keep these rules! When these playground rules are not followed students will stand by the wall, lose recess, or complete a fix-it plan. A fix–it plan is part of the Above the Line Behavior system that the Washburn School has in place. Students will be responsible for developing a way to fix their rule violation that is approved by the recess person, teacher, or principal. If a student is unable to complete a fix-it plan they will be given a consequence that relates to the rule violation. Consequence examples include loss of recess, call to the family, detention, etc. If rules are repeatedly broken by a student an alternative behavior plan will be put in place.

FIRE AND TORNADO DRILLS

Teachers will inform students regarding the manner and place of exits in case of a fire or tornado drill. An announcement will be made over the intercom in the event of a tornado. The signal for a fire will be the ringing of the continuous fire alarm. When the alarm is given, all persons will walk quietly in single file to the area specified. Students should not stop for books or coats or talk to anybody until all are at the specified area.

WEAPONS POLICY

The Washburn School Board determines that possession and/ or use of a weapon by a student is detrimental to the welfare and safety of the students and school personnel within the district. Violations of the weapons policy will be handled in accordance with school board policy. POLICY FHCG Carrying, bringing, using or possessing any dangerous or deadly weapon in any school building, on school grounds, in any school vehicle or at any school-sponsored activity is prohibited.

STORMS AND INCLEMENT WEATHER

Should inclement weather develop, parents and staff will be notified through the Instant Alert Emergency Notification System. KFYR radio will also be notified. Morning school closing will try to be made before 7:00 am on such days that weather conditions may require. On days when buses are operating, parents are to use their own discretion as to whether to send their children. In some cases it may be necessary to send buses out ahead of schedule in order to get pupils home as safely as possible during bad weather. When buses are sent out early, it does not mean that the students in town will be let out early - many times they will be kept until the regular time. When school lets out early every attempt will be made to notify parents.

TRANSFERS

Students who transfer to another school district need to stop at the elementary office to give the secretary the needed information. The new school needs to send a form for records to be sent.

VISITORS

We encourage parents and grandparents to visit our school. The first two weeks of school, the day before a holiday, or the last week of school are the only times we ask that you not visit. Please call the classroom teacher in advance of your intended school visit.

SPLIT SECTION CLASSROOMS

Assignment of students shall be based on the student’s individual needs as determined by the principal working in cooperation with school specialists and the student’s teachers. The principal will make the final determination of assignment to teachers and classes.

DRESS CODE

The Washburn Public School has a common sense dress code. It has been proven that students work and act better when they are clean, properly dressed, and groomed. We feel that it is the parents’ duty to guide their children as how to dress and be groomed. Students will be allowed to wear shorts ( not too short) from the start of school until October 1 and from May 1 until school is completed. Please wear appropriate tank tops with 2 inch wide shoulder straps. Shirts and pants should cover undergarments and midriff. Flip-flops should not be worn at recess. The school will not tolerate clothing with slogans or pictures considered to be in poor taste. Check with the principal if in doubt about such clothing. Students will be sent home to change clothes if they are wearing inappropriate clothing or wear school issued t-shirts.

DUE PROCESS

When a disciplinary situation comes to the attention of the Principal and is of sufficient magnitude to warrant a possible suspension from school, the student will be notified of the charge, given opportunity to refute the charges, and a decision will be made on the merits of the evidence. A suspension is the deprivation of a student’s rights to an education for a short period of time. A student may be suspended for insubordination, habitual disobedience, bullying, violence, or disorderly conduct. The same offenses may result in expulsion if they are of sufficient severity. An expulsion is the deprivation of a student’s right to an education for a period longer than ten days. The maximum length of time would be to the end of the current term. If expulsion proceedings are initiated appropriate procedural safeguards will be followed to protect the rights of the student involved. POLICY FHDA

BULLYING It is the policy of the school district that all students have a right to learn in an environment free from any type of harassment, intimidation, or victimization. The school district intends to extend the best efforts to accomplish this goal and expects all of its employees and students to do the same. We have recently implemented OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program. This is a researched based bullying prevention program. Please read more about this program on our school’s website. https://sites.google.com/site/olweusbullyingprogram/ home NDCC 15.1-19-17. Bullying - Definition. As used in sections 15.1-19-17 through 15.1-19-22: 1. "Bullying" means: a. Conduct that occurs in a public school, on school district premises, in a district owned or leased schoolbus or school vehicle, or at any public school or school district sanctioned or sponsored activity or event and which: (1) Is so severe, pervasive, or objectively offensive that it substantially interferes with the student's educational opportunities; (2) Places the student in actual and reasonable fear of harm; (3) Places the student in actual and reasonable fear of damage to property of the student; or (4) Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the public school; or b. Conduct that is received by a student while the student is in a public school, on school district premises, in a district owned or leased schoolbus or school vehicle, or at any public school or school district sanctioned or sponsored activity or event and which: (1) Is so severe, pervasive, or objectively offensive that it substantially interferes with the student's educational opportunities; (2) Places the student in actual and reasonable fear of harm; (3) Places the student in actual and reasonable fear of damage to property of the student; or (4) Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the public school. 2. "Conduct" includes the use of technology or other electronic media.

Bullying, on school grounds, bus; school-sponsored functions will not be tolerated and will be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion of student. Every report of bullying shall be investigated by the administration to whom it is reported.

services: a. classroom guidance b. individual and group counseling c. consultation with teachers, peers, parents, administration and outside agencies d. referral to other specialists e. test interpretation f. information service

TITLE 1 BASIC SKILLS

Washburn Elementary School has Title 1 Services for reading and math.

STAYING AFTER SCHOOL

Occasionally students are asked to stay after school to finish incomplete work, get special one-to-one help, or as a consequence for behavior. Parents will be notified. If it is necessary for a child to stay after school, it is normally for no more that 30 minutes. If staying after school involves transportation arrangements, standard practice is to have the child notify parents in advance so that other transportation arrangements can be made.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

The Washburn Public School will hold two conferences a year. Report Cards will be sent home with students at the end of each quarter. The final report card will be given out to students on the last day of school.

PET PRACTICES:

We do not allow anyone to bring a pet of any kind to school. As a point of further clarification, this means students or adults will not be allowed to bring animals of any kind onto the school grounds. This is for the safety of our children.

PHONE CALLS

Unless it is an emergency, students and teachers will not be interrupted for phone calls. Messages will be taken and given to the student or teacher. Please make arrangements where children should be after school. Students must receive permission from their teacher in order to make a phone call. Permission will be denied if the request is to make arrangements for social activities after school.

FIELD TRIPS

Classroom teachers will have the option to take their students on a field trip during the school year. Classroom teachers are responsible for finding chaperones and determining the number they will need to supervise the class.

HOMEWORK

Time is usually provided for coursework to be completed during school hours. Students who make good use of their time will usually get their work done in school. However, there may be times when it becomes necessary to take work home in order to meet deadlines, do extra practice, or to prepare for tests. In these instances, it is the student’s responsibility to complete their assigned work at home and on time. Students unable to attend school due to illness or family trips are asked to make up work by arrangement with the classroom teacher.

ILLNESS POLICY

If your child has a contagious disease such as pink eye, impetigo, head lice, etc., please notify the school as soon as possible. If it is necessary to send a child home because of illness, you will be notified to come and pick up your child. Please be on guard if your child shows any of the following symptoms and use them as a guideline for determining when to keep your child home. 1. Watery, inflamed eyes, or crusty eyelids 2. Deep and severe couch/heavy nasal discharge 3. Fever 4. Vomiting or diarrhea 5. Rash or unusual skin condition 6. If a doctor diagnoses an infection and places the child on a prescription medicine, the child should not return for at least 24 hours (ear infection included).

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The health and safety of your children will be the major consideration when making decisions about the appropriateness of going outside during extremely cold or wet conditions. Other considerations will be other needs of children such as fresh air, exercise, work breaks, and unstructured play time for social development. Students should come to school dressed appropriately to be outside during the weather expected that-

day. The Washburn Elementary School has developed a guideline which states that outdoor recesses will not normally occur when the wind chill drops below –15 degrees F. (Keep in mind that actual time outside during recess breaks is 20 minutes with the recess staff given the judgment to bring children in if deemed necessary.) Based on the openness and protection of the recess area, this guideline will exist.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Washburn School has a well-supplied central library managed by a qualified full-time librarian and aide. Students are responsible for lost or damaged books. Two weeks are given for checkout of books.

The Washburn School District #4 supports the provisions of Title VI of the Civil rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which commit all schools to the elimination of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and handicap to those programs and activities offered to its students. It is the expressed intent of the Washburn School District #4 to provide equal opportunity for all students, free from limitations of race, color, national origin, sex, and handicap. Named as compliance administrator of this policy shall be Brad Rinas, Superintendent of school, of the Washburn School District #4, PO Box 280, Washburn, North Dakota 58577, telephone number 4623221.

LOST AND FOUND

BEHAVIOR AT ATHLETIC EVENTS

LIBRARY POLICY

Lost and found items are usually placed in a box near the school office. By the end of any school year the items accumulated will be donated to charity. Parents are invited to go through the box to find missing items.

MEDICATION

Under most circumstances, prescription and non-prescription medication should be administered to or by students before or after school, and under parent or medical supervision. If a student must take or receive prescription or non-prescription medication while on school property his/her parent must first submit written authorization. For non-prescription drugs, the registration form is sufficient. For prescription drugs, a

special form must be used. This form is available in the elementary office. All medication given will be documented in the office. In an emergency, a telephone call will be permissible and then our prescription form must completed and be placed on file. Policy FEAA

1. Come to watch the game and cheer for the team! 2. Pop, popcorn, and candy are allowed in the gym. Put your trash into the trash cans. Keep your area clean. 3. Leave at quarter breaks and halftime, when the players are not playing ball. 4. Walk on the sides by the bleachers. Walk in the hallways. 5. If you are causing a disturbance, you will be asked to sit by your parent or by the principal. 6. Be a Cardinal cheerleader!

CUMULATIVE RECORDS

Each student has a cumulative record of school progress. Immunization records, report cards, test results, attendance records, and other pertinent student data are recorded in this file. Student records are necessarily confidential but open to parents for inspection. POLICY FDA