School Safety

General Information

The information that follows is for quick reference only. It is simply to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. For complete information, as well as information on additional topics, please be sure to consult the following documents:

• The Covington Elementary School Parent-Student Handbook


• The District 123 Discipline Policy Handbook.


• The District 123 Calendar and Handbook.

These and other publications are available in the school office and may soon be available online. Of course, you are always welcome to contact your child’s teacher and/or the school office for answers to your questions.

Arrival and Dismissal from School

School Hours

Student attendance hours are from 8:30 AM to 3:20 PM. Students are expected to arrive at school no earlier than 8:20 AM. Staff supervision is not available until 8:25 AM.

Late Arrival

If a student is going to be late for school (because of a medical appointment or any other reason) parents should notify the school by phone or by note ahead of time.

Upon late arrival to school, parents are to come into the office and sign the child into school. This is the only way in which a tardy may be excused. Unexcused tardies may result in appropriate discipline.

Exceptionally late student arrival may result in a half-day absence being recorded if the student does not meet the required daily minutes of attendance for that day.

Late Pickup After School

If a parent, or another person picking children up after school, is ever late children will be taken to the office.

If something happens which causes a parent to be late picking up children, please call the school office to let us know, so we can reassure your children who would be waiting in the office.

Frequent late pickup may result in the need for a parent conference with the principal and/or involvement of outside agencies.

Attendance

Reporting Student Absence

When it is necessary for a child to be absent, the parent or guardian is required to call the school before 8:30 AM or before 12:30 PM for afternoon absences. Before 8 AM, voice mail is available to take a message. When you call, please give the following information:

• The name of the person calling and that person’s relationship to the student.


• The student’s name, grade and teacher.


• The reason for the absence.


• Request for homework. (See section below.)

Failure to comply with notification will result in a call being made by the school to verify student absence within two hours of the beginning of school, as required by law. This causes unnecessary concern and work for office staff, who often have to resort to calling emergency contacts listed on the student’s emergency card.

Absences Greater Than 1 Day

When a student is absent more than one day, a call from the parent or guardian must be made each day, unless the school is informed of an extended illness.

Excessive absence for any reason may affect a student’s school achievement and the student’s ability to be promoted to the next grade level.

When a student has many absences for medical reasons, the principal may require a written explanation from a physician.

Make Up Work

It is the responsibility of the student to make up work missed during an absence. The teachers will provide, when possible, make-up assignments for students homebound for more than two days; however one day’s notice is necessary to assemble the assignments when parents make this request.

Parents may also request that the current day’s schoolwork and homework be sent home with a classmate or sibling on the day of the student’s absence.

Absences Due to Contagious or Communicable Diseases

Any student absent because of a contagious, communicable or blood borne disease must have a note from a physician stating that he or she is no longer contagious before returning to school. The lack of a note from your child’s treating physician may result in exclusion from school. Please consult the school nurse for more specific information.

Special Absences

Occasional absence for religious observance does not affect a student’s eligibility for “perfect attendance.”

“Take Your Child To Work” days are excused absences, but will affect a student’s eligibility for “perfect attendance”. If a child participates in this activity, he or she will not receive this award at the end of the year.

Early Dismissal

Early dismissal during school hours should be avoided if at all possible. When absolutely necessary, a note (or phone call, in case of emergency) from the parent stating the time and the reason for the special dismissal must be sent to school. Students are never dismissed without such communication.

Parents must come to the school office to meet their child and sign the child out when a student is being dismissed during school hours.

Cell Phones, Pagers, Electronics, Toys, Etc.

Due to the potential for disruption, theft, damage, or loss, the following items are expressly prohibited in school:

• Cell Phones


• Pagers


• Electronic Games and Toys


• Portable Music Players


• Laser Pointers


• Trading Cards


• Pokemon Cards


• Magic Cards, or any type of trading card game


• Valuable items which may be lost or damaged


• Other items which distract from the school atmosphere

This prohibition applies to both possession and use of such items.

Cell Phone Policy

District policy states that students are not to bring cell phones to school without the written permission of the principal. Written permission may only be obtained after a personal meeting with the student’s parent regarding the reasons a cell phone is needed.

Since all classrooms and instructional areas are equipped with telephones, which may be used in the event of an emergency, exceptions to the cell phone policy are rarely granted.

Dress Code

Appropriate dress and appearance on the part of the students fosters a safe environment, which is conducive to learning and promotes productive behavior.

Students may not wear clothes that are distracting to other students, disruptive to the educational process, or which may somehow threaten the health or safety of other students. The school’s principal is the final authority for judging the appropriateness of a student’s appearance.

Examples of inappropriate clothing and appearance include, but are not limited to:

• clothing which contains messages of profanity, vulgarity, nudity, or violence


• clothing which contains symbols or references to drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol


• styles, symbols, or colors of clothing which are gang related


• revealing styles such as bare midriff, low necklines, tank tops, “spaghetti” straps, halter or tube tops, spandex/formfitting, sleeveless jerseys or “muscle” shirts


• torn or ripped clothing


• short skirts/shorts or breakaway pants/shorts


• unusually long, oversized, or baggy pants, or pants that are falling from the waist


• accessories or fads such as hats, sunglasses, bandannas, headbands


• any hat worn inside the school building


• expensive or large jewelry or long wallet chains


• writing on hands or arms or legs


• unusual body piercing


• hair which is bizarre in its coloring, length, or cut


• “Flip-flop” sandals, high heels, or other footwear which may be hazardous


• “healys” or any other shoes with wheels.

Students may wear shorts of an acceptable length during the warm weather. Shorts of an acceptable length are no shorter than mid thigh. Another rule for determining appropriate length is to stand with the arms and hands fully extended at the student’s side. If the material of the shorts/skirt does not extend past the fingertips, the garment is too short.

Students in violation of this policy will be required to change into appropriate clothing. If a student does not have other clothes to wear, the parent may be required to bring appropriate clothing to school before the child may return to class. Repeated violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action.

A Note About Body Piercing

It is understood that ear and body piercing have become more acceptable in mainstream society and at younger ages. However, such piercings often cause safety concerns and disruption in the school environment. Parents are HIGHLY DISCOURAGED from allowing their children to have piercings during their elementary years.

Students wearing earrings or other jewelry in piercings will be required to remove them if they are a safety concern or cause disruption.

Students may not be allowed to wear this type of jewelry during physical education or recess, and may be required to remove them for certain activities. Failure to comply may result in discipline, up to suspension from school for insubordination.

Health, Nursing Service, and Illness During School

The school has either a school nurse or other qualified personnel on duty daily when students are in attendance. The nurse attends to routine and minor medical needs of students.

Emergency Sheet

Parents must complete an “Emergency Sheet” for their children at the beginning of each school year. This sheet contains information for the school on what action should be taken in case of accident or illness.

Medication

If it becomes necessary for your child to take any form of medication (prescription or nonprescription) at school, a signed permission form from a physician and a parent must be presented to the school nurse stating the diagnosis, medication, and dosage. All medication must be brought to school by an adult and will be kept in and dispensed through the office. The medication form is available from the office.

Student Illness

Students who become ill during the school day should report to the school office. If there is any indication of serious illness or injury, every attempt will be made to contact the parents or guardian immediately.

If it is necessary to send the student home, the school nurse or appropriate personnel will contact the parent or guardian to make arrangements for the child to be picked up. In the event the parent cannot be reached, other emergency contacts listed on the card will be called.

Homework Policy and Work Completion

We firmly believe that it is important for our students to learn that school is the most important undertaking of their young lives. We believe that it is important for children to understand that the lessons learned in school not only apply to the school setting, but also to life in general.

Keeping these two beliefs in mind, we state clearly that we believe homework to be an integral part of the student’s education from Kindergarten through twelfth grade. Homework is more than an extension of the classroom. Homework reinforces classroom learning and enhances personal responsibility for learning.

There are a few general guidelines that should be kept in mind by parents and students regarding homework:

1. Generally students should be able to complete homework assignments without assistance.


2. If a child consistently needs parents’ help to complete homework, because it is too difficult, the parent should contact the teacher.


3. Each teacher and grade level maintains a policy regarding homework and classroom work completion, incomplete and late assignments, etc. The policy is explained to the students and parents at the beginning of the school year.


4. Homework should generally last an average of

5-10 minutes per night for Kindergarten

10-20 minutes per night for first grade

15-25 minutes per night for second grade

20-30 minutes per night for third grade

30-40 minutes per night for fourth grade

40-50 minutes per night for fifth grade

1. At times, there may be more or less homework on a given day due to scheduling, special projects, etc.


2. Some students may take longer than others to complete similar tasks. This is normal and should not be cause for alarm.


3. If a student regularly takes significantly longer than the above guidelines, the teacher should be contacted for assistance.


4. If a student regularly comes home claiming that he or she has not received homework, the teacher should be contacted for assistance.


5. Do not be afraid to let a student make a mistake on homework. Perfection is not the goal of homework. Improvement in learning is the goal of homework. This is best achieved through hard work and learning from one’s mistakes.

Inclement Weather

If we are experiencing threatening wind, heavy rain or snow, or dangerously high or low temperatures, students may be allowed into the school building as early as 8:20 AM. Also under those same conditions, students will not be allowed outside for lunchtime recess. The decision whether or not to have students outside is made close to school arrival time and lunchtime as needed by the principal or principal’s designee.

Student Dress

Students should always come to school appropriately dressed for the expected weather (coat, hat or hood, boots, mittens, etc.) so that they are prepared to be outside.

Students without appropriate protection from the elements will not be allowed to participate in outdoor activities, including recess.

Dress & Weather Guidelines

The guidelines followed by Covington staff when determining whether a student is appropriately dressed are listed below.

When the outside temperature is:

• 70 Degrees or Higher - (No Wind) No jacket required; (Wind) Jackets may be required.


• 60-69 Degrees - Student must have a long sleeve sweatshirt, sweater, or light jacket and wear it at all times.


• 45-59 Degrees - Student must have a coat or jacket, no matter what other clothing they have, and wear it at all times.


• 20-44 Degrees - Student must have a coat or jacket, no matter what other clothing they have, and wear it at all times. Students may be required to wear a hat, gloves, boots and/or other appropriate articles depending on the wind, presence of snow, or other conditions.


• 19 Degrees or Lower (with no sun and/or a wind chill factor)- No outdoor recess will take place. On sunny days, with no wind chill, outdoor recess may be permitted for some grade levels for a specific period of time.

Local temperature and wind chill may be checked on the web page of the Science Center, which may be accessed through the District 123 home page at www.d123.org

Lunch Procedures

Purchasing School Lunches

Money for student meals may be deposited into student accounts in the following ways:

• A check may be sent to school with the student.


• A parent may pay by credit card in the school office.


• A parent may pay by credit card using the District 123 website located at www.d123.org.

Students are not allowed to pay cash at lunch time. All money must be deposited in student accounts. Students will access their accounts through the use of their school identification card, which is kept on file in the school.

In 2007-2008, meal prices are $2.00 per meal, with additional milk costing $ .45.

Checks or cash should be sent in an envelope marked with the following information to ensure proper credit to your child’s account:

Name

Homeroom

# of Lunches to be purchased

Amount Enclosed

Lunches from Home

STUDENTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PURCHASE A MEAL FROM THE SCHOOL!

As has always been the case, students are allowed to bring a lunch from home. Parents are encouraged to ensure that their child brings a well-balanced lunch that will meet the nutritional needs of a growing and developing child.

Please note that restaurant food is not allowed.

This prohibition is in existence for nutritional, practical, and legal reasons. Under federal regulations governing school lunch programs, no “competing” products may be brought into the school during the lunch period. Restaurant food is considered a “competing” product.

But, I Forgot My Lunch!

Coming to school fully prepared, on a daily basis, is a very important value that we are trying to impart to all of our students. As such, we expect that all students will come to school either prepared to purchase a lunch, or with a prepared lunch from home.

Should a student find him or herself unprepared, attempts will be made to help the student with rectifying the situation. If a lunch must be brought to school during the day, it is to be brought to the school office. It will be given to the student when personnel are able to do so.

Parent Communication

Parent communication is always welcomed. Teachers are available for phone calls with parents during their instructional planning time. Messages may always be left on voicemail. Appointment times may also be arranged for times when teacher availability allows.

Teacher Communication

Teachers may communicate with parents by personal note, through classroom notes and newsletters, and by using the student’s assignment notebook.

If you need to get an important message to a teacher just before or after school, please call or come to the office and we will see to it that the message is relayed.

School Communication

The school sends home a weekly calendar listing upcoming events and other important information.

Electronic Communication

Parents wishing to communicate with staff via e-mail need to sign the appropriate form granting permission to send information about their child via the internet. Once that signed form is on file, all staff members have access to and are happy to communicate via electronic media.

Non-Custodial Parent Communication

Covington School makes every effort to communicate equally with both custodial and non-custodial parents. Parents should inform classroom teachers of such situations. Non-custodial parents who wish to receive written school communications must provide teachers with self addressed, stamped envelopes.

School Security and Safety

Building Access

To insure your child’s safety during school hours, we control access to our building through the main "security” door (#1) on the west side of the building. This is where all visitors must enter and exit.

For security reasons, staff and students are instructed not to admit even recognized parents into the school through any other outside side doors.

Before and after school and before and after lunch, students are admitted to or dismissed from the building by staff at assigned doors.

All parents and visitors are required to sign in at the school office and obtain a visitor’s pass before proceeding to their destination. At the conclusion of their business in the building, they must return to the office to sign out and return the visitor’s pass.

Suspicious Activity

Covington staff members are instructed to watch for any unusual or suspicious situations outside the building during school hours. Students are instructed to avoid and report strangers on or around school grounds. Staff and parents are strongly encouraged to report to the office the following situations:

• strangers seen on the grounds when children are outside


• cars slowing down, stopping or repeatedly passing the school


• any stranger who attempts to make contact with students on school grounds

Traffic & Parking Around The School

There is NO PARKING, STANDING, OR WAITING to drop off students on the west side of 52nd Avenue (on the east side of the school).

There is NO PARKING, STANDING, OR WAITING to drop off students in the south parking lot of the school (off of 52nd Court). This area is reserved for teacher and staff parking only during regular drop-off or pickup hours.

From 8:00 to 8:45 AM and from 3:00 to 3:45 PM, the traffic pattern around the school is northbound only on 52nd Court (on the west side of the school) and westbound only on 92nd Street (on the south side of the school).

There is Resident Permit Parking Only on 52nd Court (on the west side of the school).

The SPEED LIMIT around the school during school hours is 20 miles per hour!

Drivers must stop for the Crossing Guard’s sign and they must stop for children in the crosswalks.

Parents should not stop in the middle of the street to drop off students; they should pull over to the curb; and students should always get out on the curbside of the car and never on the street side.

Students should never cross the street in the middle of the block--even with parents watching. Always walk your children to the corner to cross with a Crossing Guard or Safety Patrol.

There is NO PARKING allowed within 30 feet of a corner crosswalk. When you park closer than this to a crosswalk, drivers are not able to see around the corner for children who may be about to cross.

Drivers need to be especially careful when pulling in and out of our parking lots. Please do not double park in back of or in front of another parked car in the lots. Do not stop to drop off students in the driveway or in the middle of the parking lot.

Police are patrolling and ticketing drivers who are in violation of the above safety rules.