What Makes a Quality
School?------------------------------2
Daily Class
Schedule--------------------------------------------3
Staff
Directory----------------------------------------------------4
School
Calendar--------------------------------------------------5
Absence and Early
Dismissal---------------------------------6
Accidents or Illness -
Insurance-Student------------------6
Adult Crossing
Guards------------------------------------------6
Bicycles-------------------------------------------------------------6
Classroom
Visits--------------------------------------------------7
Conduct/Discipline-----------------------------------------------7
General School
Rules----------------------------------------7
Cellphone Policy…………………………………………8
Electronic and Entertainment
Devices……………….8
Objects not Permitted on
Playground-------------------8
Activities not Permitted on School
Grounds----------8
Playground Rules and Proper use of
Equipment--- 8
Playground
Supervision-------------------------------------8
Curriculum---------------------------------------------------------9
Dress and Grooming of
Students---------------------------9
Drugs and
Alcohol-----------------------------------------------9
Due
Process-------------------------------------------------------9
Dress and Grooming of
Students---------------------------9
Emergency
Information---------------------------------------10
Evacuation
Procedure-----------------------------------------10
Field
Trips---------------------------------------------------------10
Gang Activities and
Symbols-------------------------------11
Hartford Board of
Education--------------------------------11
Hartford Community
Education----------------------------11
Head
lice----------------------------------------------------------11
Homework
Policy-----------------------------------------------11
Immunizations and Health
Services----------------------11
Lunch and Breakfast
Programs-----------------------------12
Medication for
Students-------------------------------------12
Parent Rights and Custodial
Issues-----------------------12
Parent-Teacher
Conferences--------------------------------13
Parent-Teacher
Organization/PTO-------------------------13
Parking
Facilities------------------------------------------------13
Parties for
Students-------------------------------------------13
Pets at
School---------------------------------------------------13
Privacy of
Records---------------------------------------------13
Public
Health-----------------------------------------------------14
Recess Periods and Appropriate
Dress------------------14
Report
Cards-----------------------------------------------------14
Retention of
Students----------------------------------------14
School and Classroom
Assignments---------------------14
School
Materials------------------------------------------------15
School
Supplies-------------------------------------------------15
Searches and
Seizures----------------------------------------15
Severe Weather School Closing
Policy------------------15
Special Education
Services----------------------------------15
Support
Services-----------------------------------------------15
Volunteer
Help--------------------------------------------------16
Hartford School District
Policies
Harassment
Policy----------------------------------------16
Arson
Policy--------------------------------------------16-17
Criminal Sexual Conduct
Policy------------------17-18
Weapon
Policy-----------------------------------------19-20
Americans with Disabilities
Policy------------------------20
Non-discriminatory
Policy------------------------------------20
Consent
Form---------------------------------------------------21
WOODSIDE ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Quality Schools, Quality Choices
A Tradition of Excellence
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to Woodside and the 2006-2007 school year!
This is your official Woodside Elementary School Handbook. We hope you find
this handbook useful throughout the school year. Information in the
handbook will be discussed, taught, and reinforced at school. We ask that
you take the time to read and discuss this Handbook with your child. Please
review carefully the responsibilities and general conduct expectations
outlined on pages 7 and 8 as well as the remainder of the Handbook. It is
also important that you review the information
with your child from time to time throughout the year
in an effort to help your child be a productive member of our school.
We are especially proud of our fine students, our warm,
caring and friendly staff, and our beautiful building. At Woodside we use
the saying “Learning Together to Build a Better World”. With this in mind,
we will make every attempt to have this year be a successful one for every
student. This also means we will need to enforce standards and rules to
assure that learning is able to happen. We want to decrease the potential
for learning being disrupted by choices some students may choose to make.
It is essential that learning is recognized as a priority at Woodside.
We will be using Choice Theory and Quality School
concepts developed by Dr. William Glasser as a framework to help students
learn. It is important that as a school and community, we have a common
language when working with the students. On the next page, are terms and
definitions we will be using. It is our hope that over time, at age
appropriate levels, your child will be able to explain how these terms work
in their every day lives.
We must be a team and work together so that all of the
students are successful. Thank you in advance for sharing your child, all
your hard work, your cooperation, and your support!
Sincerely,
The Woodside Staff
WHAT MAKES A QUALITY SCHOOL?
IN A QUALITY SCHOOL:
·
There must be a warm and caring environment.
·
Students are always asked to do the best they can do.
·
Students are always asked to do useful work.
·
Students are always asked to evaluate their work so there
is continuous improvement of the work and the system.
·
Quality work always feels good and is never destructive.
CHOICE THEORY AND QUALITY SCHOOLS CONCEPTS
All Behavior is driven by Five Basic Needs
Survival: The need for food, water, shelter and
to feel safe and secure.
Love and Belonging: To know others care about us
and to give and receive love. It is being accepted, welcomed, included,
nurtured, involved, accepted and appreciated.
Power: Taking knowledge and using it to improve
the quality of our and other’s lives. To feel and believe we are capable
and successful. To be in control, contribute to a group, and to influence
people and events. Recognizing that improvement is continuous.
Freedom: Acting on our own without coercion.
Being independent and making choices and having the right to experience the
consequences of our choices.
Fun: Experiencing learning, playing, and
working. Sharing laughter with people but not laughing at them.
Your Scales are Tipped or You Are On Your Back
Wheels
When one or more of your needs are not being met,
you choose a negative feeling and/or behavior.
Total Behavior
We meet our needs by behaving. All behavior is
made up of: acting (doing), thinking and feeling (emotions), and physiology
(body talk). Choice Theory uses a car metaphor to explain the components of
behavior. Total behavior is like a front wheel drive car. The front wheels
are acting and thinking. The back wheels are feelings and physical
reactions. The idea is to drive on the front wheels. Changing what you are
doing and thinking can change your feelings in a positive direction and make
you feel physically better.
Questioning
WDEP: What did you want? What did you do?
Evaluate your situation. (Did what you want and what you did match up?)
Make a plan. (Change what you did to something else to get what you want.)
Quality
Students are given information to understand the
value or usefulness of what they are asked to do and how
the task or learning connects with prior
knowledge.
Students see things modeled and are shown
examples.
Students are provided with the tools/materials
they need and shown how to use them.
Students know the standards of quality in what
they have bee asked to do.
Students reach quality by self-evaluating,
improving, and feeling safe to take risks.
Self Evaluation
Students self-evaluate present knowledge. They
set personal learning goals. Students and teachers get information about
learning using a variety of assessment tools. Students and teachers
concurrently evaluate.
Internal and External Motivation
Internal motivation, generally speaking, is when
people do something because they enjoy what it is for its own sake.
External motivation refers to people being led to think in terms of what
they will get for doing
something (“do this and you’ll get that”).
DAILY SCHEDULE
(Some changes may occur.)
Staff
Reports---------------------------------------------- 7:55
School
Starts---------------------------------------------- 8:10
(Students who arrive late should be accompanied by an
adult and check in at the office before reporting to the classroom.)
Lunch--------------------------------------------
Lunch begins in the cafeteria at 11:05. Classrooms go to lunch in intervals
beginning with kindergarten and ending with fifth graders.
Afternoon
Recess--------------------------------------- 1:40 – 2:00
School
dismissed--------------------------------------- 3:00
Teachers
dismissed------------------------------------ 3:15
Teachers are at work each day by 7:55 and are on duty
until 3:15. Should you need to talk to them, you may contact them during
these times before and after class. If you need more than a few minutes
of a teacher’s time, please make an appointment at a mutually convenient
time.
MORNING ARRIVAL— Students who do not ride the
bus should not arrive before 7:50 am. Adult supervision on the playground
or for breakfast is not available until that time. Bus students should
report to breakfast or move to the playground after departing the bus.
MORNING DROP OFF FOR STUDENTS WHO DO NOT RIDE THE
BUS—Parents are reminded to use the curb areas to drop students off
only. The curb areas near the school are not parking areas. If you need to
leave your vehicle, please park in the marked areas of the parking lot.
Also, please do not just sit in these areas. Vehicles need to be able to
pull in, drop off, and pull out.
WEATHER SIGN - When students arrive in the
morning and the sign (sad face) to come inside is posted outside on the
sidewalk, students need to go directly to their individual classroom doors
to enter the building. Only students who are eating breakfast should use
the doors to the gym.
DISMISSAL FOR CHILDREN WHO DO NOT RIDE THE BUS--Parents
are reminded to be prompt about picking children up at 3:00 p.m. We have
designed a one-way pick-up system in the parking lot for grades K-2 and the
old bus circle for grades 3–5. As you enter these areas, stay to the right
side and enter the line. Parents are asked to remain in their cars and
continue to move forward until students have been released to their car. We
tell children not to run out in the driving areas because we want them to be
safe. It is very important for drivers be patient when they want to leave
these areas. Safety comes first!
We will continue to follow procedures that have been
put in place to keep our children safe and to get vehicles in and out in a
safe and efficient manner. With everyone choosing to follow the safety
procedures, we eliminate the chances of an accident happening and someone
being hurt, plus, vehicles can go through the areas in a timely fashion.
STAFF
Donna
Johnson---------------------------------------------------
Principal 621-7301
Lilia
Arreola---------------------------------------------------------
Secretary 621-7359
FACULTY
Donna
Hillman-----------------------------------------------------
Preschool 621-7342
Ronda
Kaucher-----------------------------------------------------
Kindergarten 621-7334
Laura
Bloom---------------------------------------------------------
Kindergarten 621-7333
Dave
Evick-----------------------------------------------------------
First Grade 621-7327
Pat
Schrum----------------------------------------------------------
First Grade 621-7329
Debbie
Stull---------------------------------------------------------
Kindergarten/First Grace 621-7328
Linda
Tapper--------------------------------------------------------
Second Grade 621-7338
Gail
Thyfault--------------------------------------------------------
Second Grade 621-7337
Christine
Potter----------------------------------------------------
Second/Third Grade 621-7336
Judy
Fox-------------------------------------------------------------
Third Grade 621-7318
Wendy Spangler
-------------------------------------------------- Third
Grade 621-7317
Sue Danielson
-----------------------------------------------------
Fourth Grade 621-7310
Crystal
Fisher-Prediger------------------------------------------- Fourth
Grade 621-7309
Amy
Klein------------------------------------------------------------
Fifth Grade 621-7314
Michael
Willmer----------------------------------------------------
Fifth Grade 621-7313
Chris Jarvis
---------------------------------------------------------
Art 621-7324
Roberta
Woodruff--------------------------------------------------
Library 621-7331
Laura
Busch---------------------------------------------------------
Music 621-7325
Sara
Bjorkman------------------------------------------------------
Physical Education 621-7306
Pushpa
Maharajan-------------------------------------------------
Special Education 621-7326
Shirley
DeBoer------------------------------------------------------
Migrant-Bilingual 621-7320
Jan
Glassmire-------------------------------------------------------
Reading Consultant 621-7322
Kathy
Hughes-------------------------------------------------------
Intervention Specialist 621-7339
Deborah
Schwartz-------------------------------------------------
Intervention Specialist 621-7330
PARAPROFESSIONALS
Linda
Cardenas------------------------------------------------------
Classroom 621-7335
Anna
Kellogg---------------------------------------------------------
Special Education 621-7316
Sarah
Sprung---------------------------------------------------------
Preschool 621-7342
Virginia
Wheeler-----------------------------------------------------
Classroom 621-7316
Mary
Williams--------------------------------------------------------
Computer Lab 621-7308
Shirley
Zimmerman------------------------------------------------
Classroom 621-7330
KITCHEN
621-7303
Diana Meador
Angela Morsaw
Marge Weeden
MAINTENANCE
621-7304
Bill Jordan
2006-2007
SCHOOL CALENDAR
(Calendar subject to change)
This is a tentative calendar. The final calendar will
be provided
through Woodside Newsletters and the HPS Newsletter.
September 12, 2006 Woodside Open
House
September 26, 2006 School
Pictures
November , 2006 Parent Teacher
Conferences-Evening
November , 2006 Parent Teacher
Conferences-Afternoon & Evening
November , 2006 ½ Day of School
November , 2006 No School for
Students
November 23 & 24, 2006 Thanksgiving
Holiday-No School
December , 2006 Winter
Vacation-No School
January , 2007 School
Resumes
January & , 2007 Early Release-
Dismissal at 2:00 PM
January , 2007 Records Day-No
School
March , 2007 Parent Teacher
Conferences-Evening
March , 2007 Parent Teacher
Conferences-Afternoon & Evening
March , 2007 ½ Day of
School
March , 2007 No School for
Students
April 3-7, 2007 Spring
Break-No School
April 10, 2007 School
Resumes
April 6, 2007 Good Friday –
No School
May 28, 2007 Memorial Day –
No School
June 5, 2007 Early Release
– Dismissal at 2:00
June 6, 2007 Last day of
school – ½ Day of School
ABSENCE AND EARLY DISMISSAL
Regular school attendance is vitally important to
steady academic progress. “Miss School-Miss Out” is the theme we stress as
we remind children to make every effort to be in school each day. Healthy
children make regular school attendance possible. When illness occurs, it
is wise to keep your child home. School policy requires a phone call or a
note to explain an absence. This is a lesson to your child that you value
attendance at school. It is also appropriate to send us a note to explain
student tardiness.
Over-all, early dismissal is discouraged. However
students may be excused from school for necessary appointments: doctor,
dentist, etc. It is important for the child to attend school for every
minute possible, so please only take students early for very important
reasons. Please report to the office first and sign out the child.
We will give you a slip to give to the teacher so the child can be released
to you. Students are not released to anyone who is not designated by the
parent.
It is also important to send a note that morning so the
office and the teacher know your child is leaving. The approximate time and
the name of the person picking your child up should be included in the note.
Telephone requests for children to be sent home will be
carefully screened. The safety of your child is of extreme importance to
you and to us.
ACCIDENT OR ILLNESS (STUDENT)
In the event a student is injured or becomes ill at
school, he/she is taken to the school office. We cannot issue aspirin or
other medication to a student. TREATMENT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
PARENT. Emergency cards are used to contact parents/guardian or friend in
case of illness or injury. In the event of a school related injury needing
medical attention, parents will be notified immediately. It is vital that
we have up-to-date information on emergency cards. Let teacher, the office,
and the bus garage know if you move, change phone numbers, or emergency
contact phone numbers.
STUDENT INSURANCE
Hartford Public Schools carries insurance to cover
students injured at school. The insurance is SECONDARY to
family health insurance, which means the school
insurance only covers costs not covered by your family health
insurance.
The student MUST report any injury immediately to
the aide or classroom teacher. An accident report and
insurance claim form must be completed. Hartford
Public Schools will NOT ACCEPT A MEDICAL BILL
CHARGED TO THE SCHOOL. The insurance company will
not pay claims for medical treatment for students
who are injured while fighting.
ADULT CROSSING GUARDS
Children ARE NOT to stop at the stores to and
from school unless accompanied by a parent. For safety and security reasons
we ask that this practice be carefully observed.
There will be adults helping children cross the street
on MAIN STREET directly in front of Red Arrow, and the
corner of CENTER STREET AND BERNARD STREET. These are the areas of
heavy traffic. Please direct your children to cross at these designated
spots.
BICYCLES
·
Students must be in the third grade or above to be eligible to
ride their bicycles to school.
·
For student’s safety, only one student should be riding the
bike – no passengers.
·
Bicycles should be walked across the corners having a crossing
guard. Students should be encouraged to obey traffic signs at all times.
·
Bicycles are to be parked in the bicycle racks and not on the
sidewalks or the lawn.
·
Bicycles should be parked as soon as students arrive at
school, and are not to be ridden around the playground or building during
recess and noon hours.
·
For security reasons a lock should always be used by the
bicyclists.
CLASSROOM VISITS
We encourage and welcome parents and the community to
come see us in action. It is helpful if you can make arrangements with the
teacher ahead of time. For the safety of the children, visitors are
required to check in at the office. We will guide you or give directions
for the building. Visitors or volunteers are asked to wear a badge during
their visit. With prior permission from the principal and teacher,
arrangements may occasionally be made for a student to bring a guest to
school for a part of a day. Instruction and school activities may not be
disturbed by this visit.
CONDUCT/DISCIPLINE
We believe that all students can choose to behave
appropriately while at school. We will not allow students to stop teachers
from teaching or prevent other students from learning.
Each classroom establishes expectations and rules.
There are also expectations and rules for out of class behavior: in the
halls, media center, computer lab, bathrooms, and cafeteria and on the
playground and sidewalks. Consequences are a result of choices that
students make. The choice of behavior is the student’s.
If a student chooses to create an unsafe environment,
disrupt learning, and show disrespect, one or more of the following may be
implemented:
*Intervention to help stop behavior
*Conference with the student to create a plan
*Contact with parents
*Student receives a Behavior Referral Form (A
citation may be issued with a consequence listed. If a citation is issued,
a parent must sign it before the student is allowed to return to class. )
The Woodside staff is committed to respectful, trustful
relationships with each other and with our students. This respect and trust
helps determine our methods and techniques of dealing with each other.
GENERAL SCHOOL RULES
Respect, responsibility, consideration and safety
form the basis of all the school rules.
RESPECT
The feelings, rights and
property of other students and adults.
Help keep school property
clean and safe.
The leadership and authority
of all staff members.
RESPONSIBILITY
Stay in assigned areas.
Keep hands, feet, and objects
to yourself.
Refrain from fighting,
hurting others, and using profane language.
Use appropriate language.
Walk quietly and use a quiet
voice in the school building (loud talking disturbs class activities).
Be kind; do not hurt others.
Be attentive, quiet and
courteous during special programs.
Threats, intimidation and/or
extortion are never appropriate or acceptable.
SAFETY
Follow the established safety rules
to keep everyone safe.
Violence, threats, intimidation and/or extortion of
other students are strictly prohibited and are subject to the same levels of
consequences as other serious infractions. Violence is any mean look,
gesture, word, or action that hurs a person’s body, feelings, friendships,
reputation, or property.
Bullying is a form of violence that is intentional,
repeated, and involves an imbalance of power between the people involved.
Bullying can take the form of a look, gesture, word or action.
Interventions for bullying will take place at the earliest possible level.
Students who feel they are being bullied or students who witness others
being bullied are required to report the incident as soon as possible. They
may meet privately with the principal, parapros, or the teacher to report
bullying. The names of witnesses will be kept confidential.
CELLPHONE POLICY
Students may possess a cellular phone or other
electronic communication devices in school, on school property, at after
school activities and school-related functions. During school hours
(including arrival and dismissal times) and on school vehicles, the devices
must be turned off and stored in backpacks or purses. Electronic
communication devices capable of wireless and unfiltered connection to the
Internet are prohibited. The school district will not be responsible for
lost or stolen devices. Students found to be using any electronic
communication device in violation of board policy, or for any illegal
purpose, shall be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of
Conduct.
ELECTRONIC AND ENTERTAINMENT DEVICES
Students are asked to please leave radios, CD/tape
players, pagers, games, cameras, trading cards, etc. at home. If items are
found during the school day, these items will be held until dismissal and
students will be reminded not to bring the item(s) to school again. In the
case of a second offense, items will be held until a parent collects them.
If the above listed items must be brought to school, they will be held in
the office for safekeeping. The school cannot be responsible for items that
are kept in a student’s backpack or other locations.
OBJECTS NOT PERMITTED ON THE PLAYGROUND
The following objects may not be on the playground:
gum; candy; food; toy guns; guns; whistles; knives and other sharp objects.
Do not bring roller skates, roller blades, or skateboards, steelies or
slingshots. Playthings we deem unsafe for children will be taken from the
child. The office will notify the parent and ask that a parent pick up the
item.
ACTIVITIES NOT PERMITTED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
These activities are not permitted on school grounds:
fighting; wrestling; tackle football; throwing stones; swearing; vulgarity
and/or obscenity in words and/or actions; using names offensive to the
individual; bouncing balls against the building; making and throwing
snowballs is not allowed. Students may not ride or bring skateboards or
rollerblades to school. No trading or selling of belongings is allowed on
school property. Children are required to go home immediately after
dismissal unless they are waiting for the school bus. Playing on the
playground at this time is not permitted.
PLAYGROUND RULES AND PROPER USE OF EQUIPMENT
In order to maintain responsibility, respect, and
consideration on the playground, students are expected to:
Ø
Be responsible for any small allowable toy he/she brings to
school.
Ø
Use equipment properly and safely.
Ø
Stay within playground boundaries. Play area is the grassy
area behind the school and the blacktop area behind the school.
Ø
Refrain from having food, drinks, or gum during recess.
Ø
Refrain from throwing or kicking sand, stones, sticks, snow or
snowballs.
Ø
Stop playing when the bell rings or whistle is blown. Return
equipment to its proper place.
Ø
Tell the supervisor if he or she is in need of help. Ask
permission before entering the building.
Ø
Report all accidents to the playground supervisor, your
teacher, or the office.
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION
Our playground is well supervised during recess
periods and lunch hour. Children who walk to school or who are driven to
school in cars are NOT to arrive before 7:50 A.M. Parents are expected to
plan carefully regarding children’s arrival time. Playground supervision
begins at 7:50 A.M. Students who participate in the breakfast program are
to remain the cafeteria until 7:50 A.M.
The decision to be indoors or outdoors is made by the
Woodside Aides based on weather conditions. Decisions are made with great
consideration as they affect all who are involved with recess.
The students are brought into the building when it
rains and when the temperature and wind chill factor
combined equals a temperature of 10 degrees above or
less. This provides necessary supervision and keeps
students warm and dry. The playground can go from dry,
wet, muddy, frozen, and sloppy from one day to the next. We remind students
not to put themselves in areas that might have standing water. We are
fortunate to have areas outside that students can utilize and not get wet.
CURRICULUM
The teachers and the Curriculum Director do research
and study in the preparation of curriculum for each subject areas. After
approval by the Board of Education, the curriculum is implemented by the
teachers at each grade level. Teachers will be happy to discuss any areas
of the curriculum with parents. If there are any questions before
conference time, please call for any appointment with the teacher.
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
The possession, use, distribution, selling or
attempting to sell illegal drugs, or other controlled substances or look
alike substances on school property is forbidden. Students who violate this
school policy will be subject to disciplinary sanctions up to and including
expulsion. If it is determined that a student has a drug and/or alcohol
problem the school will provide the student and his/her parents with
information about any available drug and alcohol counseling, rehabilitation,
and re-entry programs.
DUE PROCESS
All students shall be afforded due process regarding
suspension and/or expulsions for misconduct. This shall include being
notified of the charges, and having the right to respond to the charges, and
having the right to appeal the decision. Due process safeguards shall be
implemented as follows:
Notification of Policy and Regulation
Students will be given copies at the time of
enrollment. Other rules and regulations concerning students will be
announced as needed.
Notification of Charge
Before imposing any disciplinary action involving
suspension, a student will be verbally informed of that nature of the
misconduct and the disciplinary action being considered. Written notice
will be given to the student and his/her parent(s).
Notification of Parent(s)
Parent(s) will be notified as soon as possible by
telephone and by written correspondence when a student has been suspended.
In the case where an immediate suspension is not deemed
necessary, but where it is determined by the principal that discipline
should take the form of a suspension, a reasonable effort will be made by
the administration to verbally contact the parents prior to the suspension.
In cases where the parent(s) can not be contacted, the suspension shall
begin the second day following the decision to suspend.
It is understood that the parent(s) or guardian(s)
shall have the right to copies of the charge(s) and the right to request a
conference with the principal to exercise all other rights of due process on
behalf of the students where the student is a minor child. A student or
parent/guardian dissatisfied with a suspension decision may appeal by
following the procedure below: Notify the administrator involved and a
review of the decision will be conducted.
Appeal the decision to the next administrative level
(superintendent) for review.
Appeal to the board of education for review.
DRESS AND GROOMING OF STUDENTS
Dress and grooming are generally considered to be a
personal and family concern and it is expected that all students and their
families will exercise good judgment in this matter. Clothing and personal
appearance directly influence a student’s behavior and attitude. Students,
whose dress or grooming jeopardizes personal heath or safety, interferes
with the educational function or orderly operation of the school, may
be sent home for more appropriate dress or grooming.
All coats, boots, mittens, etc. must be marked
with your child’s name. Please put a loop at the top of your
child’s coat on the inside so that he/she can hang the coat up. To
preserve the carpet, children are not allowed to wear boots in the
classroom. If your child wears shoe-boots, please send a pair of shoes with
him/her to wear while in the classroom.
Major factors involved in determining whether clothing
is acceptable for school are: neatness, cleanliness and appropriateness.
·
At all times, clothing should be clean, neat and sufficiently
modest to avoid distracting others.
·
Shorts and skirts are expected to be clean, neat, and
fingertip length.
·
No hats.
No “dew rags”. No bandanas.
·
No short shorts. No halter-tops.
No tube tops. No crop tops (stomach shows).
No T-strap tank tops.
·
Clothing with derogatory slogans and designs are not
acceptable.
·
Rubber soled shoes must be worn when participating in gym
class.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Parents should remove all drawstrings from coats and other clothing. In
recent years there have been several accidents in the United States where
drawstrings have caught on playground equipment and bus railings causing
severe injury and even death. For children's safety, eliminate
drawstrings. We also recommend that high-heeled flip flops not be worn to
school or on the playground.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Each August we ask parents to fill out an emergency
information form. This form, when completed and current, provides us with
names and telephone numbers of persons who can assist the school in properly
caring for a sick or injured student. WHENEVER FAMILIES MOVE OR CHANGE
PHONE NUMBER, IT IS URGENT THAT THE SCHOOL BE NOTIFIED.
EVACUATION INFORMATION
In the event of an emergency such as a gas leak, bomb
threat, threat of violence, fire, derailment of a chemical railroad car,
truck accident, or an airplane crash in the area, Woodside Elementary will
be evacuated to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Students will
remain at the church until it is declared safe to return to the building or
until it is decided to send them home. If students are sent home,
announcements will be made on local radio and TV stations. The district
auto-dialier will begin calling student emergency numbers with a message to
parents. A message will also be posted on the district emergency number at
621-7020 giving parents instructions.
Parents or designated adults may pick up the children
at the Catholic Church after signing students out. Buses will also take
students if so directed by our emergency information. It is extremely
important that parents keep the office up-to-date with any changes in
emergency information such as phone numbers.
FIELD TRIPS
A field trip is an educational experience outside of
the classroom or building, involving the use of facilities other than school
owned. To participate in a field trip, the student must bring a permission
slip signed by the parent to the classroom teacher. This not only gives
permission for the students to leave the school property but also informs
the parents as to that day’s activities including the date, cost,
destination, departure and arrival times. Dismissal is at 3:00, as usual.
Chaperones are requested NOT to ask for early dismissal for their
son/daughter. All students must ride with their classmates and teacher to
the field trip location. Parents wishing to take their children home from
that location must provide a written, signed statement to the teacher prior
to leaving the site. Because of insurance limitations only the students and
parents may ride the buses on field trips. Please arrange child-care for
other siblings.
Children on field trips represent their school,
parents, and themselves. Their attitude and behavior must be represented
accordingly.
Our belief is that all students should attend field
trips, however, on occasion a student may be denied the opportunity to
attend a field trip because of chronic and extreme misbehavior. This
decision will be made between the classroom teacher and the principal then
parents will be notified. The student will be provided with suitable,
non-punitive assignments for the day and arrangements will be made for
supervision within the building.
Please be aware that
smoking is not permitted on field trips and all school related activities.
GANG ACTIVITIES AND SYMBOLS
Gang presence in all areas of the state is increasing
and our community is not immune to their activities, recruitment, and
related crime. For that reason gang activity, recruitment, drawings,
symbols, and colors are not permitted in our schools. The staff will
contact the parents of any child who engages in such activities. We
recommend that parents take signs of gang interest very seriously. It is
important that parents are aware of gang symbols, drawings, and lettering.
The earlier parents take action when a child shows an interest in gangs, the
more likely gang involvement can be prevented. Parents need to closely
monitor their children and their friends. The time children are free of
adults is the time they are likely to come in contact with people who may
introduce them to drugs, alcohol, gangs, and other self-destructive
behaviors. Parental supervision is the best prevention.
HARTFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION
The residents of the school district elect members to
the office of the Board of Education. Members of the Board of Education
make decisions that affect you and your child. The board usually meets
twice a month at 7:00 p.m. in the boardroom in Central Office. These
meetings are public and you are always welcome to attend.
HARTFORD COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM
Community Education is Hartford people working together
to identify needs to improve the quality of life in our community of
Hartford. The following are some examples of programs and activities
offered:
·
Adult high school completion program
·
Adult basic education and English are a secondary language
program
·
The offering of college classes
·
Enrichment programs (aerobic dancing, painting, golf)
·
Recreation
The Community Education office is in the high school
building. For further information, call 621-7009.
Mr. Fendon Dankert is the director of the Adult
Education Program.
HEAD LICE
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Frequently, remind your child not to borrow combs and not to wear other’s
hats and scarves. Check your child’s head two or three times a week so you
know there are no nits or lice present. During September and October,
classroom teachers check heads every two weeks on Friday. If we spot a
problem, we send home a written notice, which includes a form to complete
and return to school. This form asks for the name of the head lice shampoo
used and the date you used it. We check heads on Friday so parents have the
weekend to do the shampoo routine. School policy permits us to exclude your
child from school if this information is not presented to the school.
Beginning in November, we check heads once a month, on the first Friday of
the month. With mutual cooperation and support, we can handle this problem
when it arises. Please direct your children to use only their combs and
hats; they should not “trade” with other students. When a case of head lice
is evident, the child will be brought to the office with work to do. If the
same child continues to have lice and/or nits, parents will be asked to come
to school to do a head check with a school employee before the child is
re-admitted to class.
HOMEWORK POLICY
Moderate amounts of homework will be given for
reinforcement of process, for related and/or supplemental activities, or for
the completion of an assignment thoroughly explained and begun during
class. No homework will be assigned if it entails a new concept for which
no instruction has been offered.
Parents are advised to work with the teacher to make
sure assignments are completed on time. Provide a quiet place to study and
a set time to complete homework so procrastination may be avoided. Our
teachers are fair and try to be very reasonable concerning homework. They
make every attempt to make sure homework is useful and worth learning.
IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTH SERVICES
State law requires that students have current
immunization records at school or they will be excluded from school. An
immunization waiver for religious purposes is available for parent signature
and with the approval of the county health department. New students
enrolling in the district will have 30 days to submit updated records, if
they are in progress and some shots have already been given. Required
immunizations are:
Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, Tetanus: 4 doses
required and 5 preferred. If a dose was not given in the last ten years, a
booster dose is required. Most children will have five doses.
Hepatitis B Immunization: required for all new
entering students.
Polio: 3 doses required and 4 preferred. If
the last dose was not given after the 4th birthday, a booster
dose is required. There must be at least six months between the 2nd
and 3rd doses Measles, Mumps, Rubella: 2 doses
required. The first dose must be given on or after the first birthday. The
second dose must be given at least 30 days from the first, and at or after
15 months of age. NOTE: Chicken Pox
Vaccine is now required.
LUNCH AND BREAKFAST PROGRAMS
Hot lunch is served in the school lunch room beginning
the first day of the school year through the last full day of student
attendance in June. Students may carry cold lunches and eat in the lunch
room. Names on lunch boxes are very helpful. Milk may be purchased by
students carrying cold lunches. When you send money to school, please send
it in a sealed envelope, labeled with the student’s name, amount and purpose
of the money. Free lunch applications will be distributed at the beginning
of every school year and are also available anytime during the school year
in the school office. Complete the form, return it to the school and we
will forward it to the Central Office for approval. Parents will receive
written notice that free lunches or reduced lunches are being granted.
Breakfast is served from 7:40-8:10 and costs 85 cents. Those who qualify
for free/reduced lunch also qualify for free/reduced breakfast. Reduced
breakfast costs 40 cents.
|
|
MILK |
BREAKFAST
FULL REDUCED |
LUNCH
FULL REDUCED |
|
STUDENT |
.30 |
.85 .30 |
1.50 .40 |
|
ADULT |
.30 |
1.10 |
2.50 |
MEDICATION FOR STUDENTS
NOTE: CHANGES IN STATE LAW REQUIRE A CHANGE IN OUR
PROCEDURES. IF A CHILD MUST TAKE MEDICATION AT SCHOOL, THESE PROCEDURES
MUST BE FOLLOWED:
l Prescription
medications to be administered at school require an original copy of a
completed school medication form from the doctor and must include the
parent’s signature, before school staff are allowed to administer the
medication.
l Parents must also
provide a completed and signed consent form before over-the-counter
medication can be administered at school. We are no longer able to take
request to provide medication to a student over the phone, through parent
notes and or faxes. The consent forms will be available at the office and
copies are sent home with the emergency information sheets at the beginning
of the school year.
l Medication will be
kept locked in the school office (a small refrigerator has been purchased
for medication requiring refrigeration). Asthmatic students may keep their
inhalers with them if the doctor has indicated the need in his written
instructions.
l Two staff members
will be present to supervise administration of the medication. It is
recommended that medication be brought into school by parents, not sent to
school with the child if at all possible.
l
Medication left over at the end of the school year that is not picked up by
parents will be discarded.
l Prescription and
over-the counter medication sent to school must be in the original, labeled,
containers. If asked, the pharmacy may provide a second, labeled container
for the doses to be administered at school. The pharmacy may also provide
exact dosages eliminating the need for parents to divide or cut pills before
sending them to school.
For your convenience we have attached a
medication form to the back of this handbook.
PARENT RIGHTS AND CUSTODIAL ISSUES
Federal law provides that biological parents have all
rights to their children unless there is a specific court order stating
otherwise. Often times when parents divorce or separate, one of the parents
will come to school and request that the other parent not be allowed to take
the child from school. Because of the law schools cannot honor that
request. If there is such a court order, make sure the office has a copy
and is fully aware of the court requirements.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled twice each
school year. The dates are listed on the school calendar that is sent to
each home. We urge you to request an appointment with your child’s
teacher. In addition to these two regularly scheduled conferences, you may
phone your child's teacher at any time during the school year and make an
appointment. We encourage your support and cooperation.
PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION
Parents of Woodside students are invited and urged to
participate in our Parent-Teacher Organization. PTO meeting dates and times
are published at the beginning of the school year. This organization will
be as good as you help make it. Please join our PTO and support Woodside
Elementary.
PARKING FACILITIES
When leaving your vehicle unattended, please use the
marked parking spaces in the provided parking lot. The parking lot allows
for parking in an orderly, safe manner. You may have to wait patiently to
exit safely after school-wide events.
PARTIES FOR STUDENTS
The Woodside Staff plans class parties at Halloween,
Christmas and Valentine’s Day. The teachers usually send home notes asking
parents for assistance with these parties.
Some parents like to send a birthday treat to the class
to celebrate a youngster’s birthday. This is a lovely way to teach children
about sharing a celebration. Please send a note or call us so the teacher
can plan an appropriate time for the sharing of the treat. NOTE: Unless the
entire class is being invited, please do not pass out birthday invitations
at school because hurt feelings will be the result.
If the choice is made to have flowers or other items
for students delivered to school to acknowledge their birthdays or other
holidays, items will be kept in the office until a time that will not
disrupt class such as the end of the day.
PETS AT SCHOOL
Pets visiting school can be a delightful, valuable
component of a good curriculum and we enjoy this kind of experience.
Arrangements need to be carefully planned by the parents and teacher.
Timing, transportation, safety factors relative to students and pets are all
areas that require appropriate decisions. Please contact the teacher and
plan together so the pet’s visit will be happy, valuable and memorable.
PRIVACY OF
RECORDS, NOTICE OF RIGHT TO ACCESS
Parents and guardians of each student under 18 years of
age and each student who is 18 years of age or older have certain rights
respecting the records kept on the student by Hartford Public School
District.
These rights include:
(1)
The right to examine the student’s records. Requests for
inspections shall follow this procedure. The parent or guardian of the
child may request an appointment with the principal to view a student’s
records, during the school day.
(2)
The right to have the administration hear evidence that any
part of the record is inaccurate, misleading or violates a student’s privacy
or other rights, to have the record changed if the administration agrees
with the applicant’s evidence and to insert an explanation in the record if
the administration disagrees.
(3)
The right to have records which personally refer to a student
be kept confidential except either by consent of the parent or eligible
student, or when being used by school personnel for school business.
Certain official agencies may also request records. These are listed in the
Board of Education Policy on Privacy of Student Records.
(4)
The following information will be made available for
publication in directories, sport programs, and so forth: student name,
address, phone number, grade in school and birthday. If a parent or student
does not wish this information to be available for publication, notice must
be given to the principal by the Friday after Labor Day.
(5)
All rights and protections provided to parents of students
under this policy transfer to the student when he or she reaches age of
eighteen (18) or enrolls in a post-secondary school.
(6)
The right to obtain a copy of the Board of Education Policy
on Privacy of Student Records from the Superintendent.
(7)
The right to protest to: Department of
Health, Education and Welfare
400 Maryland
Avenue, S.W.
Washington,
D.C. 20202
If the school district is not complying with the Family
Rights and Privacy Act of the Department of HEW rules.
PUBLIC HEALTH
State law requires that students infected with chicken
pox, pink eye, impetigo, scabies, mumps, measles, rubella (3 day), ringworm,
strep throat, hepatitis, scarlet fever, meningitis must be excluded from
school. Because of the serious nature of these illnesses, parents must take
the child to the doctor or contact the health department. The number is
621-3143. If your child contracts any of these diseases, please call the
school so preventative measures can be taken and reports can be forwarded to
the health department.
RECESS PERIODS AND APPROPRIATE DRESS
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade have a
20-minute outdoor play period connected to lunch and another similar period
each afternoon. The fresh air and exercise are important to the child and
his physical needs. In most cases, if a child is well enough to attend
school, he is well enough to profit from going outdoors. When a child has
health needs that prohibit participation in these outdoor play periods, we
require a written statement from a doctor, explaining the reason for the
request and the duration of the need.
We urge parents to ensure the child is dressed
properly for outdoor play: rain gear, boots, mittens, scarves, hats,
sweaters, warm jacket, snowsuits or snowmobile suits. Putting your child’s
name on these items of clothing can prevent many unhappy, tearful moments
here at school.
Recess supervision will be under the direction of
the aides. For inclement weather, the indoor supervision of children will
be a joint responsibility between the classroom teacher and recess aide.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards are given four times a year: November,
January, March and June. For the second card marking, the envelope
containing your child’s card must be signed and returned to the school with
your child on the following day.
RETENTION OF
STUDENTS
There are times when it is in a student’s best
interests to give him/her an extra year to strengthen skills before
promotion to the next grade. This decision is preceded by tho
