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General Information
Parent Handbook 2009-10Each family will receive a copy of this handbook on the first day of schooll. If at any time parents have questions or concerns about the content of the handbook, they are invited to contact the school principal for more information.
Sward School:
“A Place of Accomplishment and Pride”
Home of the Sward Eagles!
General School Information
TAKE HOME TUESDAY
During the school year there will be many home-school communications announcing special events, informational items, etc. Students will bring these items home every week on TUESDAY. Parents should expect communication from the school each and every Tuesday. In the event of an emergency, notices will be sent home on that day.
In an effort to reduce the amount of paper utilized, we have adopted the “youngest and only” policy for sending home school communications. Informational items which are considered “family” in nature will be given to the youngest child in the family or to the only child in the family. Items which require individual responses from students will be given to every student.
SCHOOL SECURITY
To insure your child’s safety, ALL PARENTS AND VISITORS can only enter the building by using the intercom buzzer system located at the main doors on Brandt Avenue. ALL PARENTS AND VISITORS are required to identify themselves with a photo ID, register their visit in the school office, obtain a pass upon arrival (to be worn while on school property), and sign out when they depart.
SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT
The School Code of Conduct is designed to enhance the primary purpose of Sward School which is to provide all students the rights and privileges of a public education. All students attending this school are required to abide by the following rules whenever they are on school property.
1. Follow directions the first time given.
2. Keep hands and feet to oneself.
3. Respond with respect when engaged in conversation.
4. Treat peers and adults with courtesy and dignity.
Please refer to the inside front cover of this handbook for specific information about helping your student become a responsible learner. Your child’s teachers will be using this checklist as a means to assist all students in becoming more attuned to their own success at Sward School.
ABSENCES
When your child is absent from school, please call the school office at 423-7820 before 9:00 a.m. to report the absence. A message can be left on the school answering machine prior to 8:00 a.m. Please be sure to state your child’s name clearly and give the reason for the absence.
Parents may request homework for students who are absent for two or more consecutive days when calling in the absence. Homework will not be prepared for students who are absent for only one day. Teachers will collect the homework and have it in the school office for parental pick up no earlier than 3:00 p.m. on the second day. Students are given two days for each day absent to hand in make up work for full credit.
When your child returns to school following the absence, please send a note verifying the absence to the classroom teacher. Students should not return to school until free of fever for 24 hours.
PRE-PLANNED ABSENCES
The school calendar is established in advance of the school year. Parents have access to this information in the spring. While we realize the value of family time, the planning of vacations while school is in session is strongly discouraged.
In the event that students will be absent from school, parents must notify the principal, in writing, before the absence. Assignments, including completion dates, will be given after the return of the student.
ASSEMBLIES
During the school year, honors assemblies and special programs are presented. At all times, a student’s behavior should be respectful and courteous. An indication of the cultural level of the school is the conduct of its student body at an assembly. Whether or not guests are present, each student is personally responsible for the impression made by the school as a whole. Appropriate behavior will be reviewed by the child’s teacher before and during an assembly. Inappropriate behavior will result in a loss of assembly privileges.
HONORS ASSEMBLIES
The faculty and staff of Sward School are proud of the academic and service oriented accomplishments of our students. At the end of every quarterly marking period an honors assembly is held to recognize those students who have performed above expectations in accordance with Honor Roll guidelines. Parents will receive an explanation of the available awards for each grade level at the Open House event.
Notification of these assemblies will be sent home in advance. Parents, family and friends are always welcome to attend.
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance and promptness are expected and essential for good performance. The principal, social worker, and school nurse will monitor students’ absences. In the case of excessive absences, legal guardians will be notified in accordance with district attendance policies.
HALF-DAY/FULL-DAY CREDIT
The student school day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. In order to receive full-day credit for attendance, a student must be present for 5 hours or 300 minutes. For half-day credit, 3 hours or 180 minutes.
BIRTHDAYS
Recognizing a child’s birthday is important for a child’s developing self-esteem. Every school day, as part of the morning announcements, children with that birth date will have their names spoken over the PA system. Children are then invited to the office to receive a Birthday Pencil from the principal.
District 123 schools no longer allow students or their parents to share edible birthday treats/snacks. This practice has been eliminated based on the wellness of all our students. Instead of edible treats, many parents have begun to share the happiness of their child’s birthday in a way that lasts. Parents have donated a book to the school’s or classroom’s library with their child’s name inscribed inside the front cover. Another idea is to donate a board game, such as Connect Four, Uno, or Sorry, to the classroom’s indoor recess games. Non edible, inexpensive treats, such as stickers, novelty erasers, etc., may also be a good idea.
Party invitations may only be distributed at school if the entire class is invited. Students’ addresses will not be released to parents for the purpose of mailing party invitations.
CELL PHONES
Parents or legal guardians who desire that their child possess a cellular phone on school grounds must complete a cell phone agreement form available in the school office, read and understand the school's guidelines concerning cellular phone usage, and sign the agreement contract. Upon completion, the agreement will be reviewed by the principal. Parents or legal guardians will be contacted regarding the result of this administrative review. The possession and use of cellular phones will not be permitted on school grounds until the process is completed.
Students with permission to possess a cellular phone must:
1. Have the device turned off and stored in their book bag during normal school hours.
2. Have the device turned off and concealed when on school grounds, a school bus, or during a school sponsored activity.
3. Only use the device at times and locations designated by the Principal.
Students violating these guidelines will be subject to disciplinary action including loss of privilege to bring these items to school.
CLUBS and ORGANIZATIONS
Extracurricular activities are a unique way for children to explore and learn new skills, talents, and interests. Each club or organization must have a faculty sponsor willing to organize and supervise the group’s activities. Each year teachers may volunteer to sponsor a club or organization with the approval of the principal. The following list shows an example of clubs that have been sponsored in the past. There is no guarantee that these clubs will be active each school year. Also, there may be new clubs formed during a school year which are not listed below. While it is not possible for every child to participate in every club or organization, attempts will be made involve as many children as possible.
STUDENT COUNCIL
The student council is comprised of student representatives from each class in grades 4 and 5. In the fall each classroom elects three students as representatives. Meetings are held once a week during recess periods.
Each year, the student council sponsors projects which have impact on our school, the local community, and the nation. Past projects have included: food drives for local food pantries, fund raising for children’s burn camp, assistance to the Park Lawn organization, collections for soldiers overseas, and school supply drives for children in less fortunate circumstances.
COMPUTER CLUB
Interested students in grade 5 may join the computer club which meets one day per week from 3:20-4:00. The computer club members work with computer programs and accessories in depth more than the regular computer class time will allow. Students are introduced to and learn to use the latest technology available to the school in creating projects of interest.
CONCERT CHOIR
Select students from grades 4 and 5 make up the concert choir. These students have demonstrated the ability to sing in pitch and have a desire to further develop their vocal skills. The concert choir members are chosen by the music teacher. Rehearsals are held during the school day at lunch/recess time. Students are required to purchase a choir shirt and wear the approved uniform at all performances.
BOYS’ CHOIR
At the discretion of the music teacher, the formation of the Boys’ Choir is open to boys in grades 1, 2, and 3 through an audition process. The Boys’ Choir rehearse one day per week during lunch time. Students are required to purchase a choir shirt and wear the approved uniform at all performances.
SAFETY PATROL
Interested and responsible students in grades 4 and 5 are selected to assist those students who walk to and from school each day. The patrol guard are stationed at the street corners around the school to help other students cross the busy streets before school begins and during dismissal. Parents and other adult drivers are urged to use great caution when driving around the school during these times. The safety of all of the students rests on each driver’s shoulders. New for 2008-09: Parent Patrol Guards may be sought to assist the student
patrols at the busiest intersections around the school. Please look for more information on this topic soon.
DRAMA CLUB
At the discretion of the supervising teacher(s), students in grades 4 and 5 may audition for acting/singing parts in a Winter or Spring production. Plays are selected by the sponsoring teacher(s) each year. Students rehearse after school and those selected to participate must adhere to strict attendance rules. In-school and evening performances will be noted on school calendars.
BAND
The band’s primary purpose is music education. The Band program begins in 5th grade. In May of 4th grade, students are given a listening and pitch test, and then watch a demonstration of all woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. The students then have the opportunity to “try on” one or two of the instruments. Band lessons start in the beginning of the fall of the child’s 5th grade year.
BAND LESSONS
Students are given small group lessons during the day at their ‘home schools’. Lessons are 30 minutes and are held once each week. Lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis so that the students do not miss the same class each week. Students are expected to make up class work they missed while at band lessons.
Fifth grade students are given a trial period of three months. After the beginners have progressed, early morning band rehearsals begin. District buses transport the students from their home schools to Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School and then back to their home schools by 8:50 a.m.
CONCERT BAND
The award winning District 123 Concert Band is composed of the best student musicians from the six schools in the district. The band rehearses three mornings per week and students receive one group lesson each week.
DETENTIONS (School Board Policy)
After school detention may be used with a student as a corrective disciplinary measure, provided that the student’s parent/guardian has been notified by the building principal or classroom teacher. Students who are detained after school shall be supervised by the building principal’s designee. Generally detentions for any given day shall not extend beyond 4:30 p.m.
Notice of the student’s detention shall be given to the parents within twenty-four hours of the day the detention is to be served. Parents shall be asked to provide transportation home for the student or indicate in writing that the student may walk home. In the case of all students who are assigned after school detention, if arrangements cannot be agreed upon, then an alternative disciplinary measure shall be substituted.
LUNCH DETENTIONS
Students may receive lunch time detentions (which are held during the student’s lunch/recess period) is the student’s behavior at lunch/recess warrants it or if the student has an excessive amount of missing homework. Students eat their lunch in silence while supervised by a staff member and remain in the room to complete work until the lunch period is over. Students will be given a notice to bring home to parents at the close of the school day the lunch detention is served.
DIRECTORY INFORMATION
The following personally identifiable information contained in a student’s educational record is designated as public information by law and may be released to the general public when approved by the building principal, unless the parent or guardian requests that any or all such information not be released:
a) student name, address, gender, phone number, grade level, birth date and place, parents/guardians’ names and addresses;
b) academic awards and honors;
c) information on participation in school-sponsored activities, organizations, and athletics;
d) period of attendance in the school.
This information will routinely be released to organizations such as the PTA. All elementary students’ names and home phone numbers will be given to the PTA for organizational needs. Unlisted or restricted phone numbers will be included for this purpose, unless the parent or guardian requests that those numbers not be released.
DISCIPLINE
One of the most important lessons education should teach is self-discipline. While it does not appear as a subject, discipline underlies the whole educational structure. Discipline is the training that develops self-control, character, orderliness, and efficiency. It is the key to good conduct and proper consideration for other people.
Specific expectations for each teacher’s classroom will be explained to students during the first few days of school. Teachers will also review these expectations with parents during the Open House which is usually scheduled during the first two weeks of school. These expectations for behavior will be consistent with the school code of conduct. Acceptable school behavior will not interfere with a student’s own learning, the right’s of other students to learn, and the right and obligation of a teacher to instruct the class. When a child does not meet these expectations, disciplinary action may be necessary. For more information please read the District 123 Discipline Policy Handbook.
DOCTOR or DENTIST APPOINTMENTS
Please make every effort to schedule medical appointments outside of the school day in order to minimize disruptions to the educational process. Should it be necessary to make an appointment during the school day, parents must write a note to the child’s teacher indicating the time for departure. At the appropriate time, parents must enter the building to sign the student out in the office. Parents must sign in students upon their return also, if applicable. Students will NOT be called out of class UNTIL the parent has arrived to the office to take the child out of school.
DRESS CODE
Student’s clothing should be conducive to the school environment. Students clothing should also reflect their respect for the school and what it stands for. This means that they should come to school well groomed and dressed in a fashion that is suitable to the classroom setting. Specifically, pants that fit and are worn appropriately and shirts with sleeves for boys and girls. Some current fashions (i.e., attitude t-shirts) are not appropriate for the school setting. Students may not wear hats, caps or scarves during the school day.
Students whose clothing is deemed inappropriate by the building principal will be required to change out of the inappropriate item. The school stores a collection of clean shirts and sweatpants in a variety of sizes for this purpose.
When the weather is hot and humid students may wear more comfortable clothes such as shorts and t-shirts. Tank tops, cutoffs, halter tops, and short shorts are not allowed. As a general rule, shorts may be worn between the dates of May 1st and October 1st. The length of shorts must be closer to the child’s knee than to the child’s hip in order for them to be worn at school. All undergarments must be covered at all times. Good judgment should prevail.
DROP OFF OF SCHOOL MATERIALS and LUNCHES
If school materials are dropped off during the school day, they should be delivered to the school office. Please be sure the materials are clearly marked with the student’s name.
If a student’s lunch needs to be dropped off, please be sure the child’s name and room number is clearly written or affixed to the bag. Lunches are to be dropped off on the cart in the vestibule of the main office.
EMERGENCY DRILLS
Sward School holds a variety of drills during the school year. Fire drills are held ten times each year to teach students the rules, routes and safety places in case of fire. Bus evacuation drills are held twice each year to teach all students the safety procedures for exiting a school bus in times of emergency. Students will also participate in other disaster and emergency drills, such as tornado and intruder, to learn the procedures and safety places in cases of other emergencies.
Participation in emergency drills is a necessary component of a student’s education. Feeling confident in knowing what to do in an emergency, whether at home or at school, is important in securing one’s safety. Parents are encouraged to address this issue with their child on a regular basis.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips are planned by the classroom teacher to enhance or extend learning beyond the classroom walls. Generally, chaperones are assigned to accompany and assist a small group of students on the field trip. The appropriate number of chaperones for the trip will be determined by the classroom teacher. Teachers ask parents to volunteer for chaperoning duties once each trip is planned. Often times, chaperones are selected on a lottery basis due to the number of parents available to chaperone. Teachers maintain a list of all chaperones completing service and try to include as many parents as possible throughout the year. Parents acting as chaperones are expected to actively participate in maintaining orderly conduct. For this reason, younger siblings are not allowed to attend field trips with the parent. (Note: Some children with medical needs require, by physician’s orders, that a nurse or the child’s parent be present on field trips.)
FUND RAISING
Sward School has one fund raiser per year. All of the proceeds from this fund raiser directly support Sward’s students via the Sward School Activity Fund. It is through this fund that awards pencils and certificates given out through the year at the Honors Assemblies are purchased, along with the appreciation
parties for the choir, the Patrol, the Student Council, and other clubs, etc., and all the little things it takes to make our school run.
HALLWAYS
Students should be in the hallways only with the supervision and/or permission of a teacher. Students are asked to be courteous at all times and to keep to the right side when moving in the halls. Running and shoving in the halls are never permitted.
HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework is considered an integral part of the education process. It is the opportunity for your child to practice the skills which have been taught during the day’s lessons. Parents must learn to make the distinction between assignments which are given as homework and class work that a student brings home because s/he did not finish it in class. Teachers will indicate on the student’s paper which type of work your child has brought home.
Students are expected to complete all given assignments to the best of their ability, by the stated due date and in a fashion which shows the appropriate care and concern for their own learning. Each teacher will formulate a specific policy for homework completion and will make it known to students and parents at the beginning of the school year.
As a general school policy regarding homework, the Sward team of teachers believes that students should spend a certain amount of time on school-related learning at home. The formula “10 minutes x The Grade Level” is a convenient guideline for parents to follow. ( Grade 2 = 20 minutes; Grade 5 = 50 minutes) If your child is spending this time at home on school-related learning, there will be dramatic achievement shown in school!
If no homework has been assigned it is recommended that a block of study time be set aside 2-3 times per week. Your child can use this time to review spelling words, practice flash cards, write a letter, or read about topics that are of interest to him/her.
LIBRARY BOOKS
Sward School does not charge for overdue books. However, if the books are not returned promptly, we will assume that they are lost and a replacement fee will be assessed. Please encourage your child to be responsible and returned borrowed materials on time. Students in all grade levels will have an opportunity to check books out from the school’s library every other week beginning in mid-September.
LOST and FOUND
Found articles are to be brought to the lost and found box located in the main lobby of the school. Students may check the box before and after school for lost items. Valuables such as jewelry and eye wear, if turned in, will be kept in the office. During scheduled evening parent events, a table in the main lobby will display all of the items collected at that point in time. Unclaimed articles will be donated to charity in June.
LUNCH/RECESS
Sward School maintains a closed campus policy during the school day. This means that all students are expected to stay at school to eat lunch and participate in recess. If parents want their child to go home for the lunch/recess period, the parent must come in the school office to sign out the child upon leaving and upon return of the child. Children will not be allowed to leave the building until this procedure is completed.
Children who leave the school for the lunch period may not return to school until the end of the period .
FAST FOOD LUNCHES
Parents are not to bring fast food lunches to school for their child. If parents want their children to eat this type of food, they may take their children out of school during the lunch period and return them to school at the end of the period.
LUNCHROOM PROCEDURES
Students in grades K - 2 eat lunch from 11:50 - 12:40; students in grades 3 - 5 eat lunch from 11:00 - 11:50. The lunch time is split into two parts for each grade level. Students have approximately 20 minutes to eat their lunch and approximately 20 minutes for recess. The students are supervised by paid lunchroom supervisors, usually called “lunch moms” because most of these supervisors are Sward parents. If you are interested in becoming a “lunch mom or dad”, please call the school office for information.
HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
Parents have the option of purchasing hot lunches for their child through the hot lunch program. The lunches are prepared daily at the Middle School by Arbor Food Management, Inc. Parents will receive a monthly menu at the beginning of each month. Each day there will be two entrees offered, along with a side dish, a grain/bread item and milk. Students will be asked in the morning each day which entree they are selecting; teachers will record this and students will be given a colored ticket which coordinates to their choice. Parents must purchase a 10 meal ticket ($20); students may not bring cash on a daily basis to purchase lunches. Parents may purchase lunch ticket(s) via the district’s website (www.d123.org). Students may purchase milk (chocolate or white) for 50 cents each day. For more information regarding the hot lunch program, please consult the district’s Apple Calendar.
FREE LUNCH PROGRAM
For students whose families meet the specific federal requirements,the school district serves free lunches each day. A list of these requirements and an application form can be obtained in the school office.
LUNCHROOM RULES
In order to maintain a pleasant lunchtime environment, the following student expectations have been established:
Students....
...will follow the Code of Conduct
...will behave in an orderly fashion
...will remain quiet when announcements are made
...will remain seated while eating
...will NOT toss or throw anything at any time
...will NOT share food
...will clean up after themselves (tabletop & floor)
...will wait to be dismissed
...will behave appropriately in line
RECESS
During the recess time, students are taken outside to the playground. Students should come prepared with appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. The following rules have been established for students to follow while on the playground:
Students...
...will follow the Code of Conduct
...will play safely
...will stay within their defined play area
...will NOT exclude other students from participating in activities
...will NOT play games of physical contact
Students will be permitted to remain inside with a note from a parent for one day only. If a student should require an indoor recess for more than that, a signed note from the family’s physician is required. Students who are excused from daily gym class will also be excused from outdoor recess.
INDOOR RECESS
On days of extreme cold or rain, students will have an indoor recess. Students should bring from home a game, book or quiet activity to play during this time. The school will assume no responsibility for the loss of or the damage to hand-held electronic games brought to school. Students are not allowed to bring to school CD/iPod/MP3 players. Other collectibles or valuables should not be brought to school.
Students and parents often inquire about bringing sports equipment from home for use during the lunch recess period. The school provides recess balls, basketballs, jump ropes and other appropriate equipment which enhances the safety of the students.
MEDICATION
If it becomes necessary for a student to take medicine during school hours, parents must provide a signed permission form from a physician. These forms are available at the back of this booklet and in the school office.
Due to recent changes in the school law and school board policy, both prescription and nonprescription medications are included under this policy. All medication will be kept in the school office and will be dispensed only by authorized school personnel. (Nonprescription medications include, but are not limited to, cough drops, aspirin, throat lozenges, Tylenol, etc.)
NEW SUPPLIES
Each teacher will provide a list of supplies for the grade she teaches. These lists will be distributed to students at the beginning of the school year. It is the responsibility of the student to keep these items refilled throughout the school year.
NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS
According to Illinois State law, a non-custodial parent has the same rights to students records as custodial parents. Also, non-custodial parents have the right to copies of notices, calendars, conferences, report cards and other communications unless a court issues an order limiting those rights. A non-custodial parent must annually request such communication in writing and include a correct address and telephone number. The cost of postage is the responsibility of the non-custodial parent. Arrangements are to be made through the building principal.
PETS
Due to safety and health concerns, pets should not be brought into school or on school grounds before, during or after school. In addition, dogs should not be walked on school grounds at any time when students are present.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Sward School provides physical education to all students in kindergarten through grade five on a daily basis. The objectives of the program are to develop physical fitness, useful physical skills, safety skills and habits, and the enjoyment of recreation. Students in ALL grades are REQUIRED to WEAR GYM SHOES. Since the school has no facilities appropriate for the changing of clothes to uniforms, parents are asked to dress their child(ren) comfortably and appropriately each day.
A written note from a parent will be accepted as an excuse for their child sitting out during gym class for one day. If more time is needed, a physician’s note will be necessary. Students who have a parent/physician’s excuse from gym class will also be excused from outdoor recess for the same length of time.
PHYSICIAN’S SURVEYS/QUESTIONNAIRES
There may be times when a student’s physician requires information regarding that student’s progress and/or behaviors in the school setting. A family’s physician may give surveys/checklists/questionnaires to the parent for the child’s teacher to complete. The district’s policy regarding this practice is based on a commitment to the child’s best interests and working collaboratively with all professionals involved in the child’s life. There are strict procedures in place to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of student information; teachers, administrators, and parents must abide by these procedures.
* all surveys/checklists/questionnaires must have the licensed physician’s name/address printed on it;
* the licensed physician must submit a written prescription for the completion of the document to the
building’s principal;
* once approved by the principal, the teacher will have seven school days to complete the document;
* document(s) will be mailed/faxed directly to the physician - never given back to the parent;
* parents must complete a “release of information” form (available in the school office) as the first step in the process
PLAYGROUND/BIKES
Students are not allowed to play on the playground equipment before school begins due to minimal supervision. Students in grades three through five may ride their bikes to school. Students must have a lock and chain to secure their bikes to the bike racks on school property. Once on school property, students must walk their bikes to the bike racks. Students in other grades must receive the permission of the principal in order to ride their bikes to school.
Students may not roller blade to school, nor may they ride razor scooters or skate boards. Students are encouraged to wear protective safety gear when riding their bikes to school, such as helmets.
READING RECOVERY
Reading Recovery®, first implemented by New Zealand psychologist and researcher Dr. Marie Clay, is a short-term, one-to-one intervention taught by specifically trained teachers. Teachers tutor the lowest achieving first-grade students for 30 minutes daily. The tutoring typically is provided within the school day as a pull-out program and consists of a 12- to 20-week set of customized lessons that supplement the regular education program provided by classroom teachers. The goal is to accelerate progress for children in first grade who are having the greatest difficulty learning to read and write.
SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
Students receive instruction at the Center, located at 89th and Brandt Avenue in Oak Lawn, once or twice a month depending on their grade level. Students are transported by school bus to the Center and back to school. Students usually spend about half of a school day at the Center actively involved in a wide variety of experiments and activities which support the District’s curriculum. The scheduled dates for each grade’s attendance to the Center are printed once per month in the Take Home Tuesday newsletter.
SMOKE-FREE ZONE
By mandate of federal law, all public schools and their surrounding property are smoke-free zones. This means that smoking is never allowed on school property, either in the school building or outside of the building.
SPECIAL EDUCATION & PST SUPPORT
Special education services are rendered to students who have identified special needs which interfere with the learning process. Specific areas for special education services include learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, speech and language problems, chronic health problems and developmental disorders.
Students who may be experiencing unusual and consistent difficulties in class often receive support through strategic interventions implemented by the classroom teacher. The interventions are designed to remediate the particular difficulty, be it academic or behavioral. If, after time, these documented interventions do not result in the desired outcome, the teacher and/or parent can make a request for further consultation. This is accomplished through the school’s Problem-Solving Team (PST). There are several options available to the Team when working for a particular student; each student is looked at as an individual with needs special only to him/her. The Team tailors its recommendations to the student.
Whether students receive special education support services or intervention plans from the PST Team, the parent is a vital team member. Only with the parent’s understanding of the child’s needs and the parent’s support of the school’s program, will the educational program be successful.
STUDENT PROGRESS
District 123 uses a combination of conferences, report cards and mid-quarter notices to inform parents of their child’s progress in school.
Parent-Teacher Conferences - Our school calendar lists the days on which all teachers hold scheduled conferences. Parents schedule a 20 minute conference with their child’s teacher several weeks in advance. Parents and/or teachers may request a conference at any other time when circumstances make it necessary and desirable.
Report Cards - Students in grades K through 5 receive reports at the end of each quarter. Dates when your child is expected to bring home his/her report card are listed in the district calendar. All report card envelopes are to be signed by the parent and returned to school within a week of receiving them.
Mid-Quarter notices -Teachers complete mid-quarter progress notices for students in grades 3 through 5 who are showing deficiencies in particular subject areas at 5 weeks into the marking period. These notices are mailed to parents. Teachers complete these notices four times a year. Parents should contact the teacher upon receiving a notice so that action plans can be developed to bring about better student achievement. Parents are advised to sign and return the notices to the teacher to complete the circle of communication.
Promotion Policy
The district has developed guidelines which reflect minimal standards of student achievement necessary for student promotion at the end of each year. Parents will be given these guidelines in writing early in the school year so that expectations for student achievement are clear to everyone. Parents will be notified by the principal via mail after the first semester if their student is performing below minimal standards and is in danger of retention. It is the parent’s and student’s responsibility to work with every available resource in order to assure that child’s successful completion of the school year.
SPECIAL RELEASE OF STUDENTS
Taking a child out of school during school hours should be avoided if at all possible. When absolutely necessary, please send a note with your child on the day of the request. The note should state the time and reason of the special dismissal. Parents must come to the office to meet their child when he/she is being dismissed during school hours. Parents must sign their child out of school whenever the child is released on a special dismissal. ALL TEACHERS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO EXCUSE NO CHILD FROM THE CLASSROOM, FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEAVING THE SCHOOL BUILDING, WITHOUT A WRITTEN REQUEST FROM THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN. ONLY WHEN THE PARENT HAS COMPLETED THE PROCEDURE SET FORTH WILL THE CHILD BE CALLED TO THE OFFICE TO MEET THE PARENT.
STUDENT MESSAGES
Only emergency messages will be delivered to students during the school day. Parents should call the school office as early as possible with an emergency message for their child. Every effort will be made to deliver the message at the appropriate time. Parents must make arrangements for play dates and after school activities, including picking children up after school or an activity, well in advance so the child knows what to expect at the end of the school day.
STUDENT PLACEMENT
The process of class placement begins in the spring and continues into the summer. Parents are invited to share their thoughts on their child’s learning needs related to learning environments, friendships and any other related issues. This DOES NOT include requests for specific teachers.
In addition to teacher selection, relevant issues related to social dynamics, which support or inhibit learning, are also considered in our placement decisions. It is important that parents let the school know if there are any things we should be aware of which could impact your child’s school success. Because of this lengthy and complex process, if you would like your input to be considered, you must provide this information in writing to the principal by May 1st.
TARDINESS
In order to maximize the educational opportunities, classes need to begin promptly. Therefore, it is imperative that students arrive to school and be standing in their class lines upon the first bell ringing at 8:25. Classes enter promptly at 8:30. Entrance doors are closed and locked at 8:35. Any student arriving to school after that time must come to the main doors of the school for entry. Students arriving after 8:35 will be marked tardy; tardies are recorded by the classroom teachers.
Chronic tardiness, whether it be a couple of minutes or several minutes, has a negative impact on students of all ages. Chronically tardy students begin their school day rushed and scattered. The first few minutes of school is very important as the teacher is taking attendance and the daily lunch count for those students ordering a hot lunch that day. On Science Center days, students and teachers have only enough time to complete these two tasks before they board the school bus at 8:40. Students who miss this bus must sit in the school’s office for the three-hour period while the class is at the Center. Promptness pays!
Tardies are recorded by the classroom teachers. Tardies will become a factor in determining which students earn recognition for perfect attendance each quarter. If a student accumulates 3 or more tardies within a marking period and has been present each day of that period, s/he will not be eligible for perfect attendance.
TELEPHONES
Use of the office telephone is restricted. Only in emergency situations will students be permitted to use the office telephone. (Forgotten homework and lunches do not qualify as emergencies!) Students may use the classroom telephones ONLY when approved by a staff member and ONLY in the presence of a staff member.
TEXTS/WORKBOOKS
Each student is given the appropriate texts and workbooks to use throughout the year for a minimal instructional materials fee. The condition of the textbooks has been checked by the teacher to be in good condition or better. Texts and/or workbooks which are damaged or lost will be charged to the parent at the current replacement cost. It is strongly recommended that all textbooks and workbooks be covered. (Please note: when covering a textbook, do not tape the cover to the inside of the book. When the cover is then removed, it rips the inside of the book and charges will be assessed.)
TRUANCY
A student absent from school without valid cause will be considered truant. Student absences which appear suspicious will be investigated by school authorities. Adults contributing to the truancy of a child are subject to legal action in accordance with the policies of the District and Illinois State law.
WEAPON-FREE ZONE
By mandate of federal law, all public schools and their surrounding property are weapon-free zones. This means that weapons, look-alike weapons, items that can be used as weapons are not allowed on school property, either in the school building or outside of the building. Please refer to the district’s Discipline Policy Handbook for more information regarding this topic.
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School SafetyWinter Safety
When the winter season arrives, it is time to give some thought to the possibility of weather that is so severe that the cancellation of school becomes a necessity. It is important for us to reiterate our general philosophy about closing schools because of inclement conditions and procedures that we will follow in the event the decision is made to cancel school on any given day.
A decision to remain open or closed is made on the basis of many considerations, but primarily on the SAFETY OF YOUR CHILDREN traveling to and from school and while they are at school.
The degree of safety is a judgement that we make as school officials and you make as parents. The general conditions of streets and sidewalks, school grounds and facilities as well as forecasts are all important factors in the decision. If school is open and you feel that it is unsafe for your child to walk to school, you should feel free to keep him/her home, with the understanding that your child will be marked absent from school.
On days when school is not cancelled, we would like to ask for your help by not sending your child(ren) to school too early. Arrival at school more than 10 minutes before normal starting time presents a supervision problem and a safety/health hazard, particularly during inclement weather.
Generally a decision about school closing is made quite early in the morning in order to take advantage of the most current weather information possible and to avoid closing when it is not necessary. If we decide to close, we immediately call the Emergency Closing Center, who in turn, passes this decision on to the radio and TV stations. The stations we would encourage you to listen to are:
AM RADIO: WGN-AM (720) WBBM-AM (780)
TV: CBS ch. 2, NBC ch. 5, ABC ch. 7, WGN ch. 9, FOX ch. 32, CLTV News
For parents who have registered with InstantAlert immediate emergency information will be forwarded.
Emergency Release of Children
There are occasions when weather conditions make it necessary to send the children home before dismissal. Arrangements should be made to have a place for your children to go should you not be home when these conditions occur. When possible, announcements relating to these conditions will be broadcast over local radio, television stations, and the Honeywell InstantAlert system.
Tornado Procedures
At certain times throughout the year, tornado warnings are broadcast, and understandably, parents become concerned about their children at school. Each school has a definite procedure to follow in protecting the children in the event of tornados. Each school is equipped with an NOAA Weather Radio which receives direct reports from the weather bureau, so that immediate action can be taken if necessary. In order to avoid confusion and keep telephone lines open, parents are asked to:
(a) avoid calling the school
(b) avoid coming to school to take children home during a tornado warning.
Children will be kept in school until the “All Clear” is given. Parents are advised to refrain from removing their child from school during an emergency.
However, if a parent must take their child, the parent must stop in the school office to secure the principal’s permission.
Children will not be released to parents other than their own without written parental authorization.
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