Elementary School Panthers
Where all students will learn and
succeed
AND ALL MEANS ALL
Reviewed July 2009
PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK
2009-2010
Table of Contents
Academic Standards……………………………………………………………………………….............. 1-2
·
Report Cards
- Grading Scale
Acceptable Use for Internet……………………………………………………………………………….. 2
Alcohol, Controlled Substance, Look
Alikes……………………………………………………………… 2
Asbestos Materials………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Attendance………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3-5
- Computation
- Acceptable Reasons For Absence
- Unacceptable Reasons For Absence
- Perfect Attendance
- Make Up Work
- Homework Requests
- Pupil Absence For Vacation
- Excessive Absences
- Consideration For Absences After the 10th
Absence
Building Policies…………………………………………………………………………………………… 5-7
- Dress Code
- Party Invitations
- Class Parties
- General Rules Of Conduct
Bus Conduct……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7-8
- Expectations
- Consequences
- Gross Misconduct
Bus Passes……………………………………………………………………………………………….... 8
Use of Video Cameras on School Busses……………………………………………………………….... 8
Cafeteria…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8-9
Calendar…………………………………………………………………………………………………….25
Discipline………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9-10
Explosives, Incendiaries, Firearms, and Look Alikes……………………………………………………… 10-11
Fee Waiver………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11
Harassment/Sexual Harassment/Discrimination………………………………………………………….. 12
Health/Safety……………………………………………………………………………………………..... 12-13
- Immunizations
- Physical Examinations
- Emergency Information
Homework Policy/Homework Voucher………………………………………………………………….... 14
Integrated
Medication at School………………………………………………………………………………………. 15-16
No Child Left Behind Act and RTI…………..……………………………………………………………. 16
Parent Advisory Committee………………………………………………………………………………. 16
Parent/Teacher Conferences………………………………………………………………………………. 16
Pediculosis (Head Lice)…………………………………………………………………………………… 16-17
Placement, Promotion, Retention…………………………………………………………………………. 17
Police Assistance………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
Publication of Student Directory Information…………………………………………………………….. 17
Recess……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16-17
Records Access-Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act…………………………………………….. 18-19
Residence………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20
Routine Dismissal Procedures…………………………………………………………………………….. 20-21
School Hours………………………………………………………………………………………………. 21
School Program……………………………………………………………………………………………. 21
School Safety……………………………………………………………………………………………… 21
Search and Seizure………………………………………………………………………………………… 22
Security Cameras………………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
Signature Page……………………………………………………………………………………………... 26
Student Assistance Program……………………………………………………………………………….. 22
Suspicion-Based Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy……………………………………………………….. 22
Testing and Assessment…………………………………………………………………………………… 22-23
Title I……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23
Transitional Program of Instruction………………………………………………………………………. 23
Vision and Hearing Screening…………………………………………………………………………….. 23
Visitors…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23
Wellness Plan……………………………………………………………………………………………… 23
Withdrawals and Transfers………………………………………………………………………………… 24
The School Board and School
Administration reserve the right to amend this Parent-Student Handbook.
Parents will be promptly
notified if changes are made.
Board
of Education
Belief Statements
CHARACTER COUNTS! in
school, at home and in our community.
All students will become responsible,
productive citizens of good character.
Best educational decisions will be made within
financial means.
All grade levels are of equal importance.
With appropriate instruction, all
students can learn.
Application of knowledge and problem solving
is an essential part of education.
Education is a team effort between school,
community, students and parents.
Education is NOT limited to the classroom, to
the school, nor to the school year.
Technology will enhance the educational
process.
A school environment that is caring,
supportive and promotes mutual respect
is the most conducive to learning.
curriculum that allows
children to develop skills in order
to become
life-long learner and productive
contributors to
society.
INTRODUCTION
Welcome
to
Putnam
County Elementary offers a fully certified teaching staff and a well-trained
support staff, all of whom are also certified, as well as a fully certified
administrator. These dedicated
professionals fulfill a very real commitment to the students. Careful planning, preparation, and
instructional practices are focused toward providing the best possible
education for our students.
The
climate in building is purposefully geared to the needs of the students who
attend the school. Great care is taken
to provide a climate that is developmentally appropriate as well as
academically challenging.
Parents
are encouraged to visit their child’s school at least once during the school
year. A parent’s presence at school is
one of the most effective ways of letting the child know that he/she is
important and that his/her education is a top priority. Visiting, even if only briefly, also helps to
build a positive and mutually supportive relationship with the child’s
teacher(s); this can be of tremendous benefit to the child, the parent, and the
school. For the safety of all, any person entering the building during the
school day is to stop in the office before proceeding to a classroom or other
areas of the building.
This
handbook has been prepared as a source of information to assist the parents and
students of
After
reading this handbook, keep it in a convenient place for future reference. If there are any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact the building principal.
Please take a moment to sign the statement on
the last page, pull it off the handbook, and send that sheet to school with
your child. This will help us in our
efforts to be certain that each family has received a copy of the handbook.
The
faculty and staff of
Sincerely,
Mr. Michael McCann, Principal
ACADEMIC STANDARDS
Academic
excellence is the goal that all instruction, both formal and informal,
targets. Curriculum and instructional
practices are evaluated in a continuous manner so as to provide the best
opportunity for each student to reach his/her potential. Report cards are issued every nine weeks
(quarter) of the school year in an effort to keep parents informed of the
student’s progress.
Formal
parent/teacher conference times are set aside in the school calendar each
semester and teachers contact parents as needed throughout the school year in
an effort to build a partnership in support of the student’s effort and
progress. Parents are encouraged to
contact their child’s teacher any time if there are questions or insights they
might wish to share.
Students
in grade three, students receive a report card at the end of each
quarter. Indication of the student’s
progress with regard to ACADEMICS is marked in
In grade
four and grade five, students receive a report card at the end of each
quarter. Indication of the student’s
progress with regard to ACADEMICS is marked in SPELLING,
The percentage scale for
ACADEMIC AREAS is as follows:
A
= 100% - 94%
B
= 93% - 87%
C
= 86% - 77%
D
= 76% - 70%
F
= Below 70%
Inc.
= Incomplete
The marking key for NONACADEMIC
AREAS is as follows:
E
= Excellent
S
= Satisfactory
U
= Unsatisfactory
The marking key for CONDUCT and
EFFORT/WORK HABITS is as follows:
X
= Very good/Outstanding Achievement
/ = Indicates need for improvement
No
mark indicates satisfactory improvement
Report
cards are distributed on the last school day of the week following the ending
date of the grading period (quarter).
Signed report cards should be returned to the school on the Monday
following distribution. If a
parent/guardian wishes a conference with a teacher or teachers, the request
should be indicated by marking the box next to the parent/guardian signature
line on the back of the report card or phone the school (882-2800) for an
appointment.
The
missing work that resulted in an “Incomplete” must be made up by the end of the
following grading period. Whatever work
has been complete by the end of the following quarter will be evaluated and a
grade marked for the “Incomplete” at that time.
“Incomplete” will not be marked for the fourth quarter.
-1-
ACCEPTABLE
USE POLICY FOR INTERNET USE
All use
of the Internet shall be consistent with the District’s goal of promoting
educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and
communication. Rules and guidelines for
the use of the Internet are aligned with Authorization
for Internet Access, 623.0E2 of the School Board Policy Manual. Each student, teacher, or community member
must sign the Authorization, agreeing
to follow the District’s rules as a condition for using the District’s Internet
connection. The failure of any user to follow the terms of the Authorization for Internet Access will result in the loss of
privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action. The authorization form must be signed each
year and no student may access or use the Internet without a signed form on
file in the school. The use of the District’s
Internet is a privilege, not a
right, and
inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The Building Principal will make
all decisions
regarding whether or not a user has violated this Authorization and may deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time;
his or her decision is final.
ALCOH0L, CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, LOOK
ALIKES
Students
are prohibited from bringing any kind of alcohol, controlled substances, or
look-alike substances to school or any school function.
"Look-alike substance"
means a substance other than a controlled substance which:
(1)
by overall dosage unit
appearance, including shape, color, size, markings or lack thereof, taste,
consistency, or any other identifying physical characteristic of the substance,
would lead a reasonable person to believe that the substance is a controlled
substance or
(2)
is expressly or
implied represented to be a controlled substance or is distributed under
circumstances which would lead a reasonable person to believe that the
substance is a controlled substance.
For the
purpose of determining whether the representations made or the circumstances of
the distribution would lead a reasonable person to believe the substance to be
a controlled substance, the court or other authority may consider the following
factors in addition to any other factor that may be relevant:
(a)
Statements made by the
owner or person in control of the substance concerning its nature, use or
effect
(b)
Statements made to the
buyer or recipient that the substance may be resold for profit
(c)
Whether the substance
is packaged in manner normally used for the illegal distribution of controlled
substances;
(d)
Whether the
distribution or attempted distribution included an exchange of or demand for
money or other property as consideration, and whether the amount of the
consideration was substantially greater than the reasonable retail market value
of the substance.
-2-
ASBESTOS MATERIALS
State statutes require school districts to update parents and employees
annually on the presence of asbestos-containing materials throughout its school
buildings.
In accordance with AHERA regulations, the buildings of Putnam County CUSD
No.535, have been reinspected for asbestos-containing
building materials by an accredited inspector. Also, an Asbestos Management
Plan has been prepared by an accredited Management Planner. Both the Inspection
Report and Management Plan are on file in the Office of the Superintendent and
are available for public review during normal business hours. Copies of these
reports are available upon notification.
ATTENDANCE
Regular
attendance is required at PCES, as mandated by law. Students who are irregular in attendance
develop insecurity about their place in the school environment; this insecurity
often forms the basis for poor academic achievement and behavior problems. Being on time for school is also a part of
regular attendance. Tardiness, too, can
play a part in both poor academic achievement and behavior problems. Students are required to be in class on time
so that the student’s day can begin in a positive and confident manner.
In the
event of illness or other excused absence, parents/guardians are to call the
school absentee reporting line, 882-2800, for their son/daughter by 9:00 A.M. on the day the
student is absent. It will be assumed
that the student is truant unless a parent/guardian calls before 10:00
A.M. on the day of the
student’s absence.
When
there is the possibility of a student being absent for more than one day, the
parent/guardian should inform the school of this possibility and no further
call will be necessary. A physician’s
note is required to return to school after any of the following: contagious
diseases, rashes, surgery, illness requiring a physician, and excuses from
physical education class. In order to
preserve the instructional time of PCES students, children other than enrolled
students, are not allowed to attend classes at the elementary buildings.
ATTENDANCE
COMPUTATION
Tardy Arriving after 8:25 A.M.
Full Day Attendance (Grades 2 - 5) In School At Least 5 hours
Half Day Attendance (Grades 2 - 5) In School At Least 2 ½ hours
ACCEPTABLE REASONS FOR ABSENCE
- Student illness
- Illness in the family of such nature that the student’s help is
needed at home
- Death in the family
- Medical and/or dental appointments that cannot be arranged
outside the school day
UNACCEPTABLE REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Oversleeping Missing the bus Hunting/Fishing
Shopping Unexplained “personal reasons”
When it
is necessary for a student to be released from school before regular dismissal
time, the parent/guardian must send a dated, signed written note explaining the
reason for the early dismissal to the office.
The student may then be picked up by the adult designated in the
note. The student will be picked up in
the school office.
-3-
PERFECT ATTENDANCE RECOGNITION
Students will be recognized for
“Perfect Attendance” at the end of the school year.
“Perfect Attendance for the Year”
is an exclusive achievement with stringent requirements. Students must be in attendance the full day
every day of the school year.
Additionally, students may accumulate no more than two incidences of
tardiness for the entire school year.
Students are recognized for “Perfect Attendance for the Year” at the
awards ceremony in the spring.
MAKE UP WORK
Excused
absences require that the student make up any work missed. It is generally allowed that the student will
receive a day to make up work missed for each day of absence.
Unexcused
absences require that the student do the work missed in a timely manner upon
return to school. Usually, the student
will spend recess time completing the work.
HOMEWORK REQUESTS DURING EXCUSED ABSENCES
Requests
for homework will be honored for students who are absent. Requests should be made by contacting the
school before 8:25 A.M. Assignments
will be sent home with a sibling, relative, or neighbor who attends in the same
building, or the parent/guardian may pick up the
assignment at 3:45 P.M.
PUPIL ABSENCE FOR VACATION
Families
who must take students out of school for a vacation other than the school
holidays provided in the official school calendar are asked to inform the
building principal. Requests for
homework in this situation will be honored where feasible.
Homework
assignments are based on classroom instruction and student practice. It is usually not helpful to give a student
assignments based on instruction and practice when the student is not able to
be present for the classroom instruction and to participate in the
practice. Students will be given an
opportunity to make up missed assignments upon return to school.
If the
class is engaged in a unit of study that cannot, for all practical purposes, be
duplicated, parents might consider daily activities for the student that will
help to maintain basic skills. Some
examples would be activities such as keeping a written journal about the
vacation, reading a book or books about the places being visited, computing the
day’s mileage, maintaining a data collection on the number of license plates
observed from a given list of states, and/or plotting a map of the journey.
Since
it is often not possible to duplicate the classroom instruction and interaction
preparatory to making the homework assignment, parents/guardians are encouraged
to avoid long absences when possible.
EXCESSIVE ABSENCES
To encourage students to attend school and class regularly, our attendance policy restricts students to a maximum of ten absences per semester. The eleventh absence per semester is considered excessive and may result in a loss of credit. All absences, excused and unexcused, will be included in the count.
The procedure outlined below has been developed to inform students and parents about possible attendance problems and to correct any problem before it results in a student losing the opportunity to receive credit.
Step 1: When a student has accumulated five (5) absences, excused or unexcused in one semester, a notice will be sent to the parents upon the occasion of the fifth absence.
-4-
Step 2: Upon the seventh (7th) day of absence in the same semester, a notice will be sent to the parents from the principal’s office. The principal will contact the parents and take appropriate steps to resolve the problem. These steps may include a family conference, referral to a truancy officer, or a referral to community supportive services. In addition, students will be required to provide verification of further absences.
Step 3: On the tenth (10th) absence each semester, a notice will be sent to the parents from the principal’s office. The principal will consider the reasons for these absences and appropriate remediation conditions may be assigned. If these remediation conditions are not met, every absence after the 10th, that is not deemed excused by the administration, will be considered unexcused and results in loss of credit for that day.
Out of school
suspensions count as unexcused absences toward this ten-day total.
Consideration of absences after the 10th absence
Each absence after the 10-day limit will be recorded as unexcused unless deemed excused by the administration. Students with an unexcused absence will receive no credit for work assigned or completed on those specific days unless parents produce official documentation of an appointment to the principal’s office on the day they return to school – doctor, dental appointment, court papers, or other as deemed excused by the
administration. ABSENCES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FOR VALID MEDICAL REASONS WILL BE BLOCKED AND COUNTED AS ONE DAY ABSENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS POLICY
It is within the sole discretion of the elementary school administration to determine whether the student’s absence is excused or unexcused. If a student is absent from school without valid cause, then such truancy will result in loss of credit. Parents and guardians must provide reasons for student absences to the administration. The principal is the only person who can excuse absences.
BUILDING POLICIES
1. No one is allowed to leave the building or the
school grounds without the permission of the principal or other designated
employee.
2. Chewing gum or eating candy during school hours is not
allowed, except as a classroom activity, snack or party.
3. Use of vulgarities and obscene language and gestures is not
conducive to the best educational atmosphere and will not be tolerated anywhere
on school grounds or at any school activities.
Violations, as determined by school administration, will result in
disciplinary action.
4. All members of the school community must treat each other
with respect at all times.
Disrespectful, demeaning or discourteous behavior directed at school
personnel will not be tolerated.
Violations will result in disciplinary action and could be interpreted
as gross misconduct. Failure to obey a
reasonable request could be considered insubordination
5. Threats against other students or adults will not be
tolerated. Violations, as determined by
school administration, will result in disciplinary action.
6. Fighting or encouraging others to fight will not be
tolerated.
7. Possession or use of explosives, firearms, or any other
object that can reasonably be considered a weapon shall be prohibited on school
buses, in school buildings, or on school grounds at all times, or at
school-sponsored events. This includes
any object that may be classified as a weapon or any part of a weapon such as a
used bullet shell or cartridge.
8. When it is believed to be in the best interest of the
student for educational or behavioral reasons, recess may be withheld at the
discretion of the teacher and/or principal.
9. Personal belongings such as baseball cards or collections
of cards, DSs, MP3 Players, or toys, etc., should not be brought to school
without permission from the teacher.
Such items will be held in the office until the
-5-
student or parent picks them up.
No betting, trading, or buying/selling of any items is allowed in
school, on the playground, or on the buses.
Toys, trading cards or other nuisance items confiscated from students
will remain with the principal until a parent or guardian picks up the
item(s). Parents will be notified that
the item(s) will be held for two weeks, after which time the school will not be
responsible for the item(s).
10.
Students and their parents are encouraged to select responsible
styles of dress that are appropriate for a healthy educational environment and
that support the achievement of the educational goals of the community.
While the responsibility for appropriate attire at school rests with the
student and his/her parents, students should maintain an appearance that will
not impair or endanger their health or safety.
A complete list of attire that is inappropriate for school and which
might cause a disruption of the educational process would be impossible, but
the following examples will serve as guidelines:
a) Clothing students
wear should cover them from at least the shoulder to mid thigh. Short
shorts, halter or tube tops, transparent clothing, bare midriffs
and items with holes in inappropriate places are not allowed.
b) Coats, jackets,
capes, and hats are not to be worn in the building during the day; additionally
sports bags, book bags, etc, may not be carried during the day.
c) Clothing that
displays or communicates drug or alcohol advertisements/names, profane
language, vulgar statements, hate messages, sexual innuendo,
tobacco ads, suicide or
other violent messages are not allowed.
d) Any clothing,
symbols and so forth that relate to gang symbols, gang membership, etc.,
may not be worn.
e) Shoes must be
worn.
Students
who dress in an inappropriate manner will be allowed to correct the situation
and parents will be notified of the school’s concern.
11.
School property, including, but not limited to, desks and
lockers, is owned and controlled by the District. School authorities are authorized to conduct
administrative inspections of school property as a means of protecting the
health, safety and welfare of the District, its employees, and students,
without notice to or consent from the students or parents and without a search
warrant. This policy is in agreement
with the Illinois School Code.
12.
Smoking, possession of tobacco products, alcoholic
beverages and drugs, or being under the influence of same, is prohibited at any
time, at any school in the District, on school grounds or school buses. This rule also applies at any
school-sponsored activity at home or away.
13.
Using or possessing electronic signaling and cellular
radio-telecommunication devices, unless authorized and approved by the Building
Principal is prohibited. Electronic
signaling devices include pocket and all similar electronic paging devices.
14.
The classroom teacher with approval of the principal may
distribute invitations to personal parties only when they include every student
in the classroom or all of the boys or all of the girls in the classroom. Invitations to personal parties may not be
distributed directly by students or parents at school. The distribution of party invitations during the school
day can often cause problems in the classroom for the teacher as well as for
the students. We encourage parents to
distribute party invitations outside of the school day.
15.
School parties and activities are planned for the school’s
students. While the help and support of
parents with these parties is encouraged and greatly appreciated, it is also
necessary to restrict attendance at school parties (Halloween, Christmas,
Valentines Day) to our students, staff, and parents. Younger siblings, or other children, should
not attend school parties held during the school day.
GENERAL RULES OF CONDUCT
The
-6-
pillars of character as the standard for student conduct and
behavior. Students are expected to know and
follow the six pillars of character. The
pillars of character are:
Trustworthiness Responsibility Caring
Respect Fairness Citizenship
BUS CONDUCT
Students
who do not live within walking distance of their school building are provided
with bus transportation contracted with First Student transportation
service. Students are required to
follow all rules posted in the front of each bus as follows:
1. Follow the driver’s instructions.
2. Do not eat, drink, or smoke on the bus.
3. Keep all harmful materials (drugs, tobacco, alcohol,
weapons, etc.) off the bus.
4. Keep all parts of your body and all objects to yourself and
inside the bus.
5. Keep the noise level down and remain seated facing forward.
6. Keep the aisle clear and do not litter, write on, or damage
the bus.
First
Student consequences:
1)
Verbal warning 2) Assigned seat 3) Written referral
Drivers may skip steps depending upon the
severity, or repetition, of rules violated.
These
rules can be summarized and the safety of the students can be substantially
heightened by following the four basic rules that follow:
1. Obey the driver. 3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
2. Stay in your seat when the bus is moving. 4.
Keep noise level down at all times on the bus.
Please
be advised that the rules for safe and efficient transportation of the students
are fully supported by school district administration and the Board of
Education. Guidelines regarding the
consequences to be used for notice of misconduct are as follows:
1st
offense – student is notified of the offense, counseled, and may receive a
detention or missed recess(es). Warning is sent home for parent notification
with response requested.
2nd
offense – student is notified, counseled, and will receive a detention or
missed recess(es).
Warning is sent home for parent notification with response requested.
3rd offense – student is notified, counseled,
and given a 2-9 day bus suspension. Parent is notified of offense and written
report is sent home with parent response requested.
4th
offense – student is notified, counseled, and given a bus suspension up to ten
days, and bus expulsion for
remainder of
semester may be recommended to the Board of Education. Parent is notified, written report sent
home, with parent
response requested.
5th
offense – student is notified of the offense, counseled, suspended, and bus
expulsion will be recommended to the Board of Education. Parent is notified, written report is sent
home, and parent response is requested.
-7-
GROSS MISCONDUCT
Any student who commits an act which endangers
others or who abuses the rights of others will be dealt with individually. Removal of bus privileges for the year and/or
suspension from school attendance may result for such misconduct.
Normal
school attendance as outlined by the Illinois
School Code is required of students; students suspended from riding the bus
must attend school or be considered truant.
BUS PASSES
Supervision
of students throughout the school day up to the point at which the buses leave
the school is clearly the responsibility of school personnel. Buses are provided for transportation to and
from school only, and students are assigned to their bus according to where
they live in the community. Only students enrolled in PC schools my
ride the buses. Buses are never
knowingly loaded over the stated capacity because it is neither legal nor
safe. Walkers are supervised and
dismissed from the school grounds when the bus traffic has passed, in order to
provide safe passage for those walkers.
When a
parent calls the school and asks that a student be permitted to ride a
different bus home, or asks that a student who is normally a walker ride a bus,
it is necessary to determine whether there is room on the requested bus for
that student. If the request is made
late in the day it is sometimes very difficult to coordinate the request and be
certain that the student or students are safely where they are requested to be.
All requests for bus passes or any
alternative means of leaving school other than the usual, designated routine
must be in writing. The student must bring a written note to school that
morning. The note must be dated, must
indicate specifically the request, and must be signed by the parent/guardian. In the event of a
family emergency situation where the parent/guardian cannot be at home to
receive the child in the usual routine, a phone call to the office will be
accepted.
USE OF VIDEO CAMERAS ON SCHOOL BUSES
Most
buses are equipped with video cameras.
Videotapes are viewed to investigate an incident reported by a bus
driver, administrator, supervisor, student, or other person. They may also be viewed at random. Viewing of videotapes is limited to individuals
having a legitimate educational or administrative purpose and may include both
video and audio portions of the tapes.
In most instances, individuals with a legitimate educational or
administrative purpose will be the Superintendent, administrator (including
building principals), transportation director, bus driver, sponsor, coach, or
other supervisor. Videotapes will be
reused or erased unless it is needed for an educational or administrative
purpose.
CAFETERIA
Lunch and breakfast meals can be
purchased by the day, week, or month.
Students are not permitted to charge breakfast or lunch. Breakfast and lunch money and instructions
are sent to the office every morning, along with attendance. All record keeping for the hot lunch program
is maintained in the office. Putnam County
Elementary School
Students
are not permitted to charge meals.
However, no child is ever allowed to go without lunch. A notice of the charge is sent home in the
event it is necessary to provide a lunch.
Students who bring a cold lunch are encouraged to avoid “junk food” and
other non-nutritious items. Carbonated
beverages are not permitted in the cafeteria.
-8-
For
safety reasons, glassware should not be used.
Trading of lunches and/or lunch items is not permitted.
The cafeteria is a public dining room. Students are required to use their “dining in
public” behavior, which includes appropriate table manners and noise control in
the cafeteria. Students eat at tables in the cafeteria. Noise must be kept at a conversational level
so the Cooks can hear the requests of the students they are serving.
Free/Reduced Meal Applications
Free and reduced lunch and breakfast applications, along with letters
containing guidelines are available during registration and throughout the
school year in each school's office. A parent/guardian wishing to apply must
complete and return the application to their student's school office.
Verification of income may be requested and a letter of approval or denial will be sent by the mail
to the parent/guardian.
DISCIPLINE
This
handbook identifies anticipated standards of acceptable behavior and outlines
the general consequences that will occur when those standards are not met. These are guidelines to be interpreted by the
staff members in the Putnam County School Buildings. Each incident will be considered according to
the individual merits of the case.
School
rules published in this handbook are subject to such changes as may be needed
to ensure continued compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and
are subject to such review and revision as becomes necessary for the routine
operation of the schools.
The General
Rules of Conduct and Building Policies have been carefully prepared
to provide the maximum benefits to the maximum number of students based upon a
valid educational philosophy. It is the
responsibility of the Principal, by direction of the Board of Education through
the Superintendent, to operate the school to the optimum educational benefit of
the individual students.
Discipline
is a person’s ability to control his/her own behavior, sometimes with guidance
and/or direct assistance from another person.
At
At PCES,
students are expected to show consistent ability to control their
behavior. When children are ready to
begin their formal education, they have reached the point in their growth and
development where it is reasonable to expect that the youngster does know the
difference between right and wrong behavior, and behaves accordingly.
At
-9-
In addition to
the rules outlined in the handbook, the principal may establish certain rules
and regulations not inconsistent with those established by the Board of
Education and the Superintendent of Schools.
School
may be closed unexpectedly due to severe weather, power failure, or other
reasons. Parents are advised to listen
to local radio stations for information about the closing of school during
inclement weather conditions. If there
is no radio broadcast, consider that school will be in session. Please do NOT call the school office. School phone lines must remain open
for instructions and staff communications.
When
weather conditions are such that by delaying the start of school either one or
two hours the buses can then safely complete their routes, it will be announced
as early as possible on the radio stations.
When such an announcement of delayed start is made, school opening will
be delayed that amount of time and no students are expected in the building
before the delayed opening time.
All announcements concerning adjustments in
the school schedule due to inclement weather will be made on the following
stations/channels:
Radio Dial Location AM FM
WLPO/WAJK LaSalle 1220 99.33
WLRZ
WIZZ Streator 1250 98
WKOT Ottawa 96.5
WZOE
WGLC Mendota 100.1
WRBY Henry 100.5
WIRL
Television
Channels
WHOI
WEEK
WMBD
EXPLOSIVES, INCENDIARIES, FIREARMS, WEAPONS, AND LOOK ALIKES
To bring any
kind of explosive material or look-alikes to school, whether they are intended
to be exploded or not, is prohibited.
The same is true for firearms, ammunition, knives, lasers, look-alikes,
or any other weapons, whether concealed or not.
No student will be in possession of any object that could reasonably be
considered as a potential hazard to another person or another person’s
safety. Any student
who uses, possesses, distributes, purchases, or sells an explosive or firearm
or any object that can reasonably be considered as a weapon may be recommended
for expulsion for at least one calendar year.
Under the terms of the School Code, it is mandated that the
recommendation for expulsion be for at least one year when a firearm, weapon,
or explosive is involved in the misconduct.
The Board of Education can expel a student for up to two years for any
conduct that is in violation of the Student Code. On a case-by-case basis, the Board may modify
the length of suspension or expulsion. A
student who is determined to have brought a weapon to school, any school
sponsored activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school,
shall be expelled for a period of not less than one full year, except that the
expulsion may be modified. For the purpose
of this section, the term “weapon” means
-10-
possession, use, control, or transfer of any weapons
as defined by Section 921 of Title 18, United States Code,
firearms as
defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners Identification Act or use of a
weapon as defined in Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code; other objects if used
or attempted to be used to cause bodily harm include, but are not limited to,
knives guns, firearms, rifles, shotguns, brass knuckles, billy clubs or
look-alikes thereof. Such items as
baseball bats, pipes, bottles, locks, sticks, pencils, and pens may be
considered weapons if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily harm.
FEE WAIVERS
The
Superintendent will recommend to the Board for adoption what fees, if any, will
be charged for the use of textbooks, consumable materials, extracurricular
activities, and other school fees. Students will pay for loss of school books
or other school-owned materials.
Fees
for textbooks, other instructional materials, and driver education are waived
for students who meet the eligibility criteria for fee waiver contained in this
policy. In order that no student be denied educational
services or academic credit due to the inability of parent(s)/guardian(s) to
pay fees and charges, the Superintendent will recommend to the Board for adoption
what additional fees, if any, the District will waive for students who meet the
eligibility criteria for fee waiver. Students receiving a fee waiver are not
exempt from charges for lost and damaged books, locks, materials, supplies, and
equipment.
The
Superintendent shall ensure that applications for fee waivers are widely
available and distributed according to State law and ISBE rule and that
provisions for assisting parents/guardians complete the application are
available.
A student shall be eligible for
a fee waiver when:
1. The student is currently
eligible for free lunches or breakfasts pursuant to 105 ILCS 125/1
et seq.; or
2. The student or student’s family is currently
receiving aid under Article IV of The Illinois
Public Aid Code (Aid to Families with
Dependent Children).
The
Building Principal will give additional consideration where one or more of the
following factors
are present:
1. Illness in the family;
2. Unusual expenses such as fire,
flood, storm damage, etc.;
3. Seasonal unemployment;
4. Emergency situations;
5. When one or more of the
parent(s)/guardian(s) are involved in a work stoppage.
The
parent(s)/guardian(s) shall submit written evidence of eligibility for waiver
of the student’s fee.
The
Building Principal will notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) promptly as to whether
the fee waiver
request has been granted or denied.
A
Building Principal’s denial of a fee waiver request may be appealed to the
Superintendent by submitting the appeal in writing to the Superintendent within
14 days of the denial. The Superintendent or designee shall respond within 14
days of receipt of the appeal. The Superintendent’s decision may be appealed to
the School Board. The decision of the Board is final and binding.
Questions
regarding the fee waiver request process should be addressed to the Building
Principal’s office.
-11-
HARASSMENT/SEXUAL
HARASSMENT/DISCRIMINATION
“Harassment of, or threats to students, employees of
the District, or the Board of Education on or off school grounds is not
allowed. Any conduct, including teasing, bullying, and harassment directed
against students which causes them to be fearful of attending school is not
allowed. Any student who teases, bullies, or harasses another student will be
subject to disciplinary action, which may include, but not be limited to,
suspension or expulsion.”
Sexual Harassment:
It is Board Policy to not discriminate on the basis
of sex, marital status or pregnancy in District-operated or District-supported
programs or activities. In addition, Board Policy prohibits sexual harassment
or sexual intimidation of students by other students and District employees.
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or
physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
A. Submission to such conduct
is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's
education or school-related activities;
B. Submission to or rejection
of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic or other
decisions affecting that individual; or
C. Such conduct has the purpose
or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's academic or
school-related performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive
educational environment.
Individuals engaging in such prohibited activity shall be subject to
disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from this institution as
determined by such administrative or Board action as is required by Illinois
Law or by Board Policy.
This policy applies to acts of sexual harassment by any member of one sex
against a member of the opposite or the same sex at all levels of the school
community (i.e., supervisor-subordinate, faculty-student, employee-peer, student-student). If you feel that you have been
discriminated against, harassed or intimidated on the basis of sex, please
contact the Principal or Superintendent.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Heath Examinations and
Immunizations
Students entering
preschool and kindergarten must have a physical examination before entering
that grade. Lead screening is a required part of the health examination
for children age six years or younger. Kindergarten students are also required to have
an eye examination.
All children in kindergarten and the second grade shall have a dental
examination. Each of these children
shall present proof of having been examined by a dentist by May 15th
of the school year.
-12-
A complete record of required dental exams, vision exams, physical exams, and immunizations will be kept on file for each student. Students are excluded from school beginning October 16th if requirements for health examinations, immunizations, and vision examinations have not been met.
Immunizations
must be obtained as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health Rules
and Regulation (Title 77, Part 665, Section
665.240). The student’s immunization
record must be maintained in the office of the school in order to prove
compliance with the law. Students must
be in compliance with all health exam and immunization requirements in order to
attend school. Children who are not in compliance
may register for school but may not attend beginning the first day of classes
until such time as they are in compliance.
Please check with the secretary or principal of the school if you have
questions regarding immunization and health requirements.
Current
Illinois Department of Public Health Rules and Regulations require the
following immunizations:
1.
DPT
2.
Oral Polio
3.
MMR/Measles
4.
Hepatitis B series (for Pre-school and entering 5th graders)
5.
Varicella (chickenpox)
vaccine
6. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Safety
Safety
is a top priority for students at
Parents
of students who are injured or who become ill at school will be contacted to
come for the student. The Registration
Form contains a section which provides the office with EMERGENCY INFORMATION,
part of which must be the phone number of a person who lives in Putnam County
and could come to school for your child in an emergency. Current information is imperative; PLEASE KEEP THE OFFICE INFORMED OF ANY
CHANGES. In the event of an
emergency, the schools will always try to contact the parent/guardian
FIRST. If the parent/guardian cannot be
reached, the EMERGENCY INFORMATION section on the registration form will be
followed.
If a
student is injured at school, it is the responsibility of the student’s
parent/guardian to request an insurance claim form from the office. Claim forms must be filed with the insurance
company within thirty (30) days from the date of the accident.
HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
Parents
are encouraged to visit their child’s school and classroom. The development of a positive and mutually
supportive relationship with a child’s teacher can be of great benefit to the
child, the parent, the teacher, and the school.
Formal parent/teacher conferences are held District-wide twice each
school year. In addition, elementary school
teachers hold conferences on an “as needed” basis, either in person or by
telephone. Parents are encouraged to
contact their child’s teacher regarding academic progress, behavior, or other
concerns. In the interest of maintaining
open, two-way, communication, parents are encouraged to contact the teacher
first whenever there is a concern. To
maintain a strong academic focus, parents should avoid classroom visits during
any testing times.
-13-
HOMEWORK POLICY
The Elementary School’s “Homework
Policy” is intended to (1) foster informative and supportive communication
between school and home, (2) continue the development of individual
responsibility, and (3) increase academic performance.
When an assignment is incomplete or not turned in on time the steps listed below will be followed:
1st Incident The student uses his or her Homework Voucher. (See below.) The assignment is turned on the following school day and no credit is lost.
2nd Incident A note is sent home informing parents of the incomplete or missing assignment. Parents sign the “Homework Note” and return the note to school. The assignment is turned in the following school day and partial credit is lost. The student is assigned a recess detention.
3rd Incident The classroom teacher contacts parents to work together to improve the shared concern and a recess detention is assigned.
4th Incident Partial credit is lost on the assignment and the student is assigned a recess detention. Student also looses a special activity. (Technology, media, school assembly)
5th Incident The principal contacts parents to assist in improving homework completion by the student and a second recess detention is assigned.
6th Incident A conference including the student, parent, teacher, and principal is arranged to determine a plan to help the student improve their homework completion.
The procedure outlined above begins from step one at the start of each nine-week grading period.
Generally, students will
not be assigned more than two recess detentions (Stay in for recess) for late
or incomplete homework during any single grading period. This time will be reserved for students, who
for various reasons, would benefit from additional help from the classroom
teacher.
Homework Voucher
Students are awarded a “Homework Voucher” at the beginning of each month. Vouchers extend the due date of an assignment by one day but are not intended to allow a student to skip an assignment.
Students may use only one voucher each month and may not accumulate more than one.
INTEGRATED
Putnam
County CUSD #535 is committed to providing students a safe environment. It seeks to prevent children from being
exposed to pests and pesticides.
Therefore, an Integrated Pest Management Plan has been adopted.
Even
though pest control practices may involve a variety of chemical and nonchemical
methods, insecticide baits and rodenticide baits are most commonly used at each
school rather than chemical applications.
However, there may be situations where chemical control of pesticides
may be used. If such a control is used,
parents and staff members can be informed of such prior to an application. A parent or staff member may contact the school building
principal if they want to be added to a registry for notification prior to
chemical application. Only those that
request such will receive advance notice.
The
school district is committed to use the least hazardous chemical control
methods after non-chemical control methods have been applied. However, written prior notice shall not be
required if there is an imminent threat to health or property. If such a situation arises, written notice
will be sent to those listed on the registry as soon as practical.
If there are any questions
pertaining to the Integrated Pest Management Plan, contact the school office.
-14-
MEDICATION AT SCHOOL
Illinois School Code, 105 ILCS 5/10-22.21 states, “It shall be the policy of the State of Illinois
that the administration of medication to students during regular school hours
and during school-related activities should be discouraged unless absolutely
necessary for the critical health and well-being of the student.”
It is
the policy of the school district that District personnel shall not assume
responsibility for administering medication to students. If it is required that a student receive
medication during the school day, the parent/guardian may visit school and
administer the medication; if that is not possible, the principal or his/her
designee may administer the medication provided the school is given written
instructions signed by the parent and the physician which contain the following
information:
1. Student’s name
2. Name of medication, purpose, and duration
3. Time to be administered and dosage
4. Possible side effects of medication
5. Statement from the parent that the school will not be held responsible for any results of the medication
6. How the parent/guardian wishes to retrieve the container(s) and/or any remaining medication at the end of the time during which it is to be administered.
All medication must be brought to and from school by the parent/guardian. When it is brought to the school, it must be in the original container, which should be clearly labeled. The name of the student and names and phone numbers of the physician and pharmacy shall be indicated on the container(s). All medications must be kept in the office for the student. A written record is maintained in the office as to dispensing of medication.
These instructions also apply to all over the counter medications, including but not limited to Tylenol, aspirin, cough drops, herbal supplements and vitamins. Due to the threat of Reye’s Syndrome, school personnel will NOT administer aspirin unless accompanied by a doctor’s prescription. Due to the unpredictability of possible side effects, school personnel will NOT administer eye drops, eardrops, or antibiotics.
Forms to complete the above requirements are available in the office of each school.
Asthma Medication and EpiPen
A
student may possess an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen®) and/or medication
prescribed for asthma for immediate use at the student’s discretion, provided
the student’s parent/guardian has completed and signed a “School Medication
Authorization Form.”
The
arising out of a student’s
self-administration of an epinephrine auto-injector and/or medication, or the
storage of any medication by school
personnel.
Nothing
in this policy shall prohibit any school employee from providing emergency
assistance to students, including administering medication.
-15-
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT AND RTI
The No Child Left Behind
Act of 2001, signed into law on January 8, 2002, is a reauthorization of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. This update vastly increases the federal
government’s role in the operation of public schools and imposes many new and
complex obligations on local school districts.
Of particular interest to parents is the assurance that all our teachers
are duly certified and highly qualified and that you have the right to request
information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s
teacher(s). You will also be notified if
your child is being taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who
is not considered “highly qualified” under the NCLBA guidelines. As well as its comprehensive provisions on
school improvement, teacher quality and instructional programs, NCLBA also has
numerous other requirements, such as regulations concerning student privacy,
military access to student directory information, community access to school
facilities and guidelines for the exercise of religious freedom in the
schools. As required by NCLBA, Putnam
County Community Unit School District No. 535 certifies that no policy of the
district prevents, or otherwise denies participation in, constitutionally
protected prayer in public elementary and secondary schools.
RtI/RESPONSE TO
INTERVENTION
PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Each
building has a Parent Advisory Committee (PAC).
This committee of parents meets on a regular basis with the building
principal for the purpose of direct two-way communication between the school and
the parents. The goal is to have parent
representatives of each village in
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Formal
Parent/Teacher conferences are held District-wide at two times during the
school year, as noted in the District calendar.
In addition to the District-wide scheduled times,
teachers in grades PreK-4 hold conferences on an “as needed” basis, either on
the phone or in person. PARENTS
ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THEIR CHILD’S TEACHER AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR IF THEY
HAVE A QUESTION OR CONCERN.
PEDICULOSIS
Pediculosis
(Head Lice) is an expensive and frustrating problem that everyone would rather
avoid. It has nothing to do with the
kind of parents or home a child has.
-16-
In
fact, head lice prefer a clean, healthy head to a dirty one. Head lice are passed from person to person by
direct contact or on shared objects such as hats, combs, towels, barrettes,
headphones, etc.
If head
lice are found on a student, all parents are notified that a case of head lice
has been found. The infected child must
be picked up by the parent and taken home for treatment. By Administrative Procedure 7:100-R, as
determined by the Board of Education, a student must be determined to be nit
free before reentering school.
PLACEMENT, PROMOTION, RETENTION
In
compliance with School Board Policy 7.30, the building principal shall assign
students to classes. Placement, promotion
or retention shall be made in the best interest of the student after a careful
evaluation of all factors relating to the advantages and disadvantages of
alternatives. The building principal
will direct and assist teachers in their evaluation of students and review
grade assignments in order to ensure uniformity of evaluation standards. No student shall be promoted to the next
grade level based solely upon age or any other social reasons not related to
the student’s academic performance.
In
accordance with the Illinois Education Reform Act and in compliance with School
Board Policy 6.280, both quantitative measures and qualitative assessment will
be used to determine placement/promotion/retention. Such decisions will be reached with the
support and involvement of the parents within the prescribed time frame. If a student is currently part of a case
study evaluation or receiving Special Education services, placement decision
shall be determined by the student’s educational team
POLICE ASSISTANCE
In situations
where a student refuses to cooperate with school staff in the proper execution
of their duties, or participates in conduct which is disorderly, or which also
may be a violation of criminal laws, the local police department may be called
upon to assist staff members.
No employee of the school district shall participate in or arrange for the interrogation of a student of the District, without the express prior approval of the principal or his/her designee. All such interviews at school by officers of the law will be conducted in a private office with the principal or designee present. Prior notice shall be given to the parent(s) of any student to be interviewed and parent(s) may be present at such interviews if he/she so desires.
PUBLICATION
OF STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION
Student
directory information is considered to be the student’s name and address, grade
level, birth date and place, parents’/guardians’ name and addresses,
information about participation in school sponsored activities, and period of
attendance in the school. From time to
time, a student’s picture or work may be used as part of the school or
District’s homepage. Throughout the
school year there are also times when a child’s picture, with or without name,
or their work may appear in a local newspaper or the school news letter. Parents/guardians may request that their
child’s picture, with or without name, or their work not appear in any such
publications. A parent or guardian must notify
the office in writing, at the
beginning of each year, if they DO NOT want their child’s picture, name, other
directory information or work published.
RECESS
Weather permitting, students have recess outside daily. When the weather is inclement, including a
wind chill factor of 20 degrees or lower, recess is held in the school
gym. While it is clearly not the
desire or intention of school staff to usurp the parent in determining if a
coat, hat/scarf, boots, and mittens/gloves are necessary on any given day, it
is also a fact that children often come to school without adequate clothing for
an extended play period outdoors. It is always better to have
-17-
the option of leaving a coat in a locker or coat closet than to be
outdoors inadequately clad and run the risk of becoming ill and, as a result,
not being able to participate in class for the rest of that day and/or missing
school for several days.
RECORDS ACCESS - FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND
PRIVACY ACT
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords
students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:
1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within
45 days of the day the District receives a request for access.
A parent/guardian or eligible student should submit to the Records Custodian,
Principal, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the
record(s) they wish to inspect. The District official will make arrangements
for access and notify the parent/guardian or eligible student of the time and
place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by
the District official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall
advise the parent/guardian or eligible student of the correct official to whom
the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records
that the parent/guardian or eligible student believes are
inaccurate or misleading.
A parent/guardian or eligible student may ask the District to amend a
record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the
District official responsible for the record, clearly identity the part of the
record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.
If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the
parent/guardian or eligible student, the District will notify the
parent/guardian or eligible student of the decision and advise the
parent/guardian or eligible student of their right to a hearing regarding the
request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures
will be provided to the parent/guardian or eligible student when notified of
the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable
information contained in the parent/guardian or eligible student's education
records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to
school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a
person employed by the District in an administrative supervisory, academic, or
support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health
staff); a person or company with whom the District has contracted (such as an
attorney, auditor, or collection agent); or a person serving on the Board of
Education. A school official has a
legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education
record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities.
Upon request, the District discloses education records without consent to
officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education
concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of
FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is: Family
Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education,
Notification
of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights
Amendment (PPRA)
PPRA affords parents certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys,
collection and use of information for
-18-
marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to:
• Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that
concerns one or more of the following protected areas ("protected
information survey") if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a
program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) –
1. Political affiliations or
beliefs of the student or student's parent;
2. Mental or psychological
problems of the student or student's family;
3. Sex behavior or attitudes;
4. Illegal, anti-social,
self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
5. Critical appraisals of
others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6. Legally recognized
privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
7. Religious practices,
affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents;
8. Income, other than as
required by law to determine program eligibility.
9. Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a
student out of :
a. Any other protected information survey,
regardless of funding;
b. Any
non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of
attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to
protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing,
vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or
required under State law; and
c. Activities
involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from
students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to
others.
• Inspect, upon request and before administration or use:
1. Protected information surveys
of students;
2. Instruments used to collect
personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or
other distribution purposes; and
3. Instructional material used
as part of the educational curriculum
These rights transfer from the parents to a student who is 18 years old
or an emancipated minor under State law.
The
·
Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing,
sales or other distribution.
·
Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or
in part by ED.
·
Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as
described above.
Parents who
believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:
Family Policy Compliance Office
-19-
RESIDENCE
Education of Homeless Children
Each
child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has
equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, as provided to
other children and youths, including a public pre-school education. A “homeless
child” is defined as provided in the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and State
law. The Superintendent shall act as or appoint a Liaison for Homeless Children
to coordinate this policy’s implementation.
A
homeless child may attend the District school that the child attended when
permanently housed or in which the child was last enrolled. A homeless child
living in any District school’s attendance area may attend that school.
The
Superintendent or designee shall review and revise rules or procedures that may
act as barriers to the enrollment of homeless children and youths. In reviewing
and revising such procedures, consideration shall be given to issues concerning
transportation, immunization, residency, birth certificates, school records and
other documentation, and guardianship. Transportation shall be provided in
accordance with the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and State law.
The
Superintendent or designee shall give special attention to ensuring the
enrollment and attendance of homeless children and youths who are not currently
attending school. If a child is denied enrollment or transportation under this
policy, the Liaison for Homeless Children shall immediately refer the child or
his or her parent/guardian to the ombudsperson appointed by the Regional
Superintendent and provide the child or his or her parent/guardian with a
written explanation for the denial.
Whenever
a child and his or her parent/guardian who initially share the housing of
another person due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar hardship
continue to share the housing, the Liaison for Homeless Children shall, after
the passage of 18 months and annually thereafter, conduct a review as to
whether such hardship continues to exist in accordance with State law.
Change of Residence Due To Military Service
If a pupil's change of residence is due to the military service
obligation of a person who has legal custody of the pupil, then, upon the
written request of the person having legal custody of the pupil, the residence
of the pupil is deemed for all purposes relating to enrollment (including
tuition, fees, and costs), for the duration of the custodian's military service
obligation, to be the same as the residence of the pupil immediately before the
change of residence caused by the military service obligation. A school
district is not responsible for providing transportation to or from school for
a pupil whose residence is determined under this condition.
ROUTINE DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
PLEASE NOTE- We remind you that it is illegal to pass a school bus, from either direction, if the stop arm is extended and/or the lights are flashing. Students will enter and exit school using the New North Door (North/Flagpole). Parents may drop off students in the morning at the New North Door ONLY. Parents may park in the front parking (North/Flagpole) lot only when buses are nor present. Sufficient parking is available on the west side of school, also. A crossing guard will be on duty at the corner both in the morning and the afternoons.
Bus riders will be supervised by staff members and dismissed at the appropriate times through the New North Door. Walkers will be dismissed from the New North Door at approximately 3:15. Students who routinely ride a bus home, but who are being picked up by the parent/guardian that day, will be dismissed with walkers.
-20-
Any
changes to a student’s regular dismissal procedure should be noted in a signed
and dated note or in an emergency situation, by telephone, before 2:30 PM. Again, due to space constraints, students
cannot be routinely dismissed from the classrooms or office. Your understanding and cooperation is much
appreciated. All parents must stop by the office for a Pick Up Pass if picking up a child
directly from the classroom.
SCHOOL HOURS
The
office is open from 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Teachers are in the building
from 7:45 A.M. to 3:45 P.M.
daily. Lunches are scheduled for 11:00 (third
grade), 11:30 (fourth grade), 12:00 (fifth grade). Recess is scheduled after lunchtimes whenever
possible, or later in the afternoon as necessary.
Students
who are transported to school by bus arrive at various times, with the last bus
arriving at approximately 8:05 A.M.
Students who are walkers should not leave home until 7:50 A.M. so that
they arrive by 8:00 A.M. This provides
ample time for these youngsters to arrive in time for class to begin at 8:10
A.M. Students will be considered
tardy as of 8:25 A.M.
SCHOOL PROGRAM
SCHOOL SAFETY
In
order to provide as secure an environment as possible, PCES is part of the
Putnam County District #535 Safe Schools Plan.
This plan includes not only school staff but was developed in
conjunction with local law enforcement and emergency personnel. Plans have been developed to cover a variety
of emergency situations. Drills are
conducted at various intervals throughout the school year to establish routine
and minimize panic in the event of a fire, inclement weather, or other emergency
situations requiring that students be moved to positions of optimum
safety. Evacuation plans are posted in
each room of the elementary building which clearly designate
the route(s) to be taken to a position of safety. Teachers are required to escort the students
and to take attendance upon reaching their designated position of safety in
order to be certain that all students are accounted for. Teachers will walk their class through the
evacuation plan in a practice drill at least once before unannounced drills are made.
The signal for a fire drill is the fire
alarm system. If needed, classes may
also be notified by either the intercom system or word of mouth. Classes are signaled to return to the
building with a whistle blast or hand signal.
The signal for an inclement weather drill is 2 short blasts of an air
horn. The signal for an ACTUAL ALERT is
a continual blast for 15 seconds. If
needed, classes may also be notified by either the intercom system or word of
mouth. Classes are signaled to return to
normal location/activity with an announcement on the intercom system.
Anyone
with information about possible school violence is urged to call the
-21-
SEARCH AND SEIZURE
School
authorities may search a student and/or a student's personal effects when there
are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will produce evidence
that the student is violating either the law or a school policy.
School
property, including, but not limited to, desks and lockers are owned and
controlled by the District and the District may make reasonable rules regarding
its use. School authorities are
authorized to conduct administrative inspections of school property as a means
of protecting health, safety, or welfare of the District, its employees and
students, without notice to or consent of the student and without a search
warrant.
If a
search conducted in accordance with this policy produces evidence that the
student has violated or is violating either the law or District policy such
evidence may be seized and disciplinary action taken. When appropriate, this evidence may be
transferred to legal authorities. This
policy is in agreement with the Illinois School Code.
SECURITY CAMERAS
All
Putnam County Schools are equipped with security cameras. Putnam County Schools
maintain 24-hour video security with cameras placed at entrances and in
hallways. Each school office has a
monitor located so that school personnel can easily observe school areas during
the school day. Videotapes are reviewed
when a safety or security issue is reported.
They may also be reviewed at random.
Viewing of videotapes is limited to individuals having a legitimate
educational or administrative purpose.
Those individuals with a legitimate educational or administrative
purpose are the Superintendent, building administrators, or educational
personnel. Videotapes will be reused or
erased unless needed for an educational or administrative purpose
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The
Putnam County Student Assistance Program exists to assist students with
problems related to academics, attendance, behavior, and health. The program
consists of a coordinator and several trained staff members working together, including the
appropriate use of the Flexible Service Delivery/Problem-Solving Model, to
develop an action plan to meet the needs of the individual student. Students may be referred to the program by
faculty, staff, parents, or they may refer themselves. This program is not part of the school’s
disciplinary procedures.
SUSPICION-BASED DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING
POLICY
Board Policy 7:241 – The Board of
Education recognizes that drug and/or alcohol testing of an individual student
may be appropriate when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the student
is violating the Board of Education’s policy prohibiting the possession or use
of drugs or alcohol while on school grounds or at a school-related
activity. The Board of Education authorizes
drug and alcohol testing of students based upon such reasonable suspicion of
drug and alcohol use. The Administration
shall establish rules and regulations to implement this policy (Board Policy
7:241 – R) in compliance with applicable laws governing drug and alcohol
testing of students.
TESTING AND ASSESSMENT
Regular and on-going classroom
assessment is used to monitor student progress and guide instruction. In addition to such local testing, students
in grades 3rd through 5th take the Illinois Standards
Assessment Tests. This testing is required by the State of
-22-
TITLE
I
Title I
is a federally funded program that provides instructional support for students
experiencing difficulties in reading and/or math.
TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION
Students who
demonstrate limited English proficiency are provided support services in the
Transitional Program of Instruction.
Students are tested to determine eligibility and services are provided
until the student demonstrates sufficient skill to exit the program and perform
successfully in the school setting.
VISION
AND HEARING SCREENING
Vision
and hearing screening shall be done, as mandated, for the children listed
below. Vision screening is not a
substitute for a complete eye exam and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child is not required to undergo this
vision screening IF an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed
a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the
previous 12 months and that evaluation is on file at the school. This notice is not a permission to test and
is not required to be returned. Vision
screening is NOT an option. If a vision examination report is not on file at school for your
child, your child in the mandated age/grade/group will be screened.
Required Grades for Hearing and
Preschool/Early Childcare/Daycares Hearing
and Vision
Kindergarten Hearing and Vision
1st Grade Hearing Only
2nd Grade Hearing and Vision
3rd Grade Hearing Only
8th Grade Vision Only
4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and HS Hearing and vision for all special ed., new to county
and teacher referrals
VISITORS
For
security reasons, all doors to the
WELLNESS PLAN
The Wellness Plan is on file in the
School Office and may be reviewed at any time upon request.
-23-
WITHDRAWALS AND TRANSFERS
When a family moves from the District, it is best if the school office is notified at least one day in advance. This allows time to complete transfer information for the student’s new school. The district observes the statutory regulations that require the forwarding, within 10 days of the receipt of request, an unofficial record of the student’s grades to the school to which the student is transferring. The school shall then forward written information relative to the grade levels, subjects, and record of academic grades achieved, current health records, and a most current set of standardized test reports, if applicable. The district, within 10 days after the student has paid all of his/her outstanding fines and fees, forwards an official transcript of the scholastic records of each student transferring.
The law requires that students take a Student Transfer Form with them. Upon receipt of a Release of Records form from the new school, which must be signed by the parent(s), student records will be sent to the new school.
Please
remember that all books must be returned to the teachers and any remaining fees
must be paid in the school office.
-24-
Putnam
School Calendar
2009-2010
July 29 and 30—Registration
August 13—Teacher Institute Day
August 14—First Day of School—11:25am Dismissal
August 17—August 21—2:05pm Dismissal—Teacher In-Service
September 4—11:25am Dismissal—Teacher In-Service
September 7—No School—Labor Day
September 11—First Quarter Midterm
September 25—11:25am Dismissal—School Improvement Day
October 9—No School—Institute Day
October 12—No School—Columbus Day
October 16—First Quarter Ends
October 30—11:25am Dismissal—School Improvement Day
November 3—Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00pm-8:00pm
November 6—Parent/Teacher Conferences 8:00am-Noon
November 9—No School—Veterans’ Day Observance
November 13—Second Quarter Midterm
November 25-27—No School Thanksgiving Break
December 18—First Semester Ends—2:05pm Dismissal
December 21-January 1—Winter Break
January 4—Return to School
January 15—11:25am Dismissal—School Improvement Day
January 18—No School-Martin Luther King Day
February 4-11—Parent/Teacher Conferences (each building will set
the date and time)
February 5—Third Quarter Midterm
February 12—2:05am Dismissal—Comp Time for Parent/Teacher
Conferences
February 15—No School—Presidents’ Day
March 1—No School Casimir Pulaski Day
March 2-12—ISAT Testing Grades 3-4-5-6-7-8
March 12—Third Quarter Ends
March 19—No School—Institute Day
April 2-9—Spring Break
April 21-22—Prairie State Achievement Tests
May25—No School—Institute Day
May 26—Report Card Day
May 27-28 and June 1-2-3—Emergency Days
-25-
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
Please
remove this page, sign it, and send it to school by Tuesday, September 22,
2009. This will assist the school office
in making sure that a handbook has been issued in a timely manner to each
family who has a child in either elementary building.
Please
read and review the handbook so that you and your child have needed information
in support of a happy and successful year for your child. Please feel free to contact the school if you
have any questions or concerns regarding information contained in this handbook.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Michael
McCann, Principal
My child, ,
and I have received, reviewed and understand the
Pint Student’s Name First
and Last
2009-2010 Parent-Student Handbook
__________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
Office
Use:
/
Date
Received Initials
-26-