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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Renton Park Elementary School is a community of learners, families and staff. Together we strive for excellence as we teach, care, guide and inspire. Our Beliefs We Believe That ...
Download 2005 - 2006 Handbook The Renton Park Elementary staff is committed to establishing a learning environment that is safe and fosters optimal learning opportunities for all of our students. One of our main goals is to help develop responsible and independent citizens. As part of our Student Learning Improvement Grant the staff and parent representatives have developed "The Renton Park Way." These guidelines establish how we behave and what we are about. We have developed specific area procedures as well. These expectations should be taught at school and reinforced at home. Thanks for your support as we continue to strive for excellence. BE SAFE SHOW RESPECT BE RESPONSIBLE
PLAYGROUND RESPONSIBILITIES Safe Behaviors: 1. Cooperation Unacceptable Behaviors: 1. Tackling, fighting, wrestling Student Responsibilities: 1. Play in designated areas only. INDOOR RECESS We will make efforts to have children outside undercover or in gym areas. If not possible: 1. Classroom doors must remain open.
There may be occasions when parents have a problem or concern about a student’s progress in school, or a question about some practice at Renton Park Elementary. In cases such as this, it is helpful if parents know how to get the problem resolved, the concern shared, or the question answered. The school staff wants to respond to parents in ways that are helpful, that show our mutual interest in the child, and that resolve the problem. Generally, it is recommended that parents take the problem to the staff member closest to the topic involved. In cases of academic progress, the child’s attitudes about school, assignments, class activities, etc., the teacher is the one to contact. This can be accomplished by a phone call or a note sent to the school. The teacher will contact the parent and will respond to the parent with information, suggestions, or other appropriate data. Concerns about discipline or problems students have with others while going to and from school, or on the bus, general school policies, playground rules, etc., can be directed to the principal. She is also the one to contact if a parent cannot resolve a concern with the teacher. Above all, it is important to contact the school whenever there is a problem or a concern. We want to assist parents and children. Difficulties can often be resolved quickly when the staff is notified and made aware of the concern. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance. Students’ dress and grooming should be in keeping with prevailing community standards. The primary responsibility for dress and grooming resides in the home. However, we reserve the right to prohibit clothing which interferes with the learning environment. Halters and tank tops should not be worn. Other tops should be long enough to be tucked in comfortably. Clothing which advertises a product or concep that is not compatible with our positive standards is not allowed. "Sagging" will not be allowed, nor bandannas, or chains attached to the pants. Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 may ride bicycles to school. Bike riders must have parental permission to ride to school. The serial number must be registered in the school office. A special sticker will be given upon registration. A chain or standard lock which can attach the bike to the rack must be provided and students are required to wear a helmet. Students whose bikes were registered last year must re-register this year. Bikes must always be walked while on school grounds. For the safety of all our children, we reserve the right to revoke riding privileges if rules are not followed. A note must be brought to the office and a pass issued (from the office) if a student is to ride the bus or depart at a stop that is not the usual departure point. Pets, glass containers and oversized objects are not allowed on the bus. Further bus rider information will be distributed at the beginning of the school year. District transportation information Recognizing that students have individual needs, we believe that homework should be assigned at the discretion of the teacher. The classroom teacher will exercise professional judgment as to the needs of each student, the out-of-school resources available to each student, and the probability of student academic success. These homework activities will be a reflection of specific classroom and district curricula. The recognized purposes of homework is the practice of learned skills, completion of unfinished assignments and the extension and enrichment of curricula. If your child has an excused absence, they will be allowed 2 days for each day absent in order to make up any work. We encourage parents to call the office to request homework to be picked-up at the end of the day or sent home with a sibling or neighbor. Please mark your children’s coats, hats, lunch boxes and other personal items with their names. Many items are turned into the lost and found each year. With your child’s name on the article, we can find the right owner and return it to him/her. Our lost and found is located in the main entry hallway for those items not claimed. The office cannot loan money to students for lunch. Options to students who forget their money or lunch include unused and unopened cold packs and milk, or peanut butter and bread. Parents may also purchase lunch tickets. If your child forgets his/her lunch repeatedly we will send a notice home with your child so you are informed. If you need assistance, please contact the office. Our library is full of wonderful books! Students are allowed to check out 3 books at a time. Students and parents are responsible for library books and other instructional materials loaned to students. Report cards and transfers will be issued when books are paid for or returned in good condition. Come and see our wonderfully remodeled kitchen! We are now part of the "bulk" food program, in which food is served on washable plates. We are really excited about this change and we hear that students are happy with this program. Renton School District Food Services has a program which makes it possible for students to purchase lunch tickets in blocks of twenty (20). This system has been very successful and will be continued again this school year. Tickets will be issued to students, but kept on file with the Food Service Cashier. This will prevent loss of the tickets by students. Students will receive verbal warning when five lunches are remaining to allow ample time for renewal. Make checks payable to Renton School District #403. Be sure to include your child’s name and school on your check. Tickets may be purchased in blocks of 20 ONLY. Ticket prices are as follows: Elementary Student Lunch $30.00 Daily Prices: Breakfast (815 - 8:35 a.m.) $1.00 Students may purchase ice cream ($.60) after they eat their lunch. Additionally, pepperoni is available in our school store ($.50). Fruit juice drinks ($.60) and bottled water ($.50) may be purchased from the vending machines in the cafeteria. The PTA sells popcorn ($.25) and cookies ($.35) to students and staff once a week. Students should only bring money to school for a specific reason. It would be appreciated if the parents of primary students would label the purpose of any money brought to school as young children sometimes forget. Money and valuables not need at school are best left at home. No live or breakable things can be transported by bus. Pets are not to come to school except when special arrangements have been made in advance with your child’s teacher. Dogs can become quite a nuisance when on the school grounds. Even the most gentle dog may become excited when surrounded by a group of children. Dog fights have occurred and there is always the danger of being bitten while trying to separate them. If we know whose dog is on the playground, we will try to contact the owner to come and pick it up. Otherwise, we may find it necessary to call the Humane Society. We are proud of our school, but like all schools it is at risk for some damage. A very few people can cause a great deal of damage on weekends and evenings. You can help by treating our school with respect and by reporting vandalism. If you see someone abusing the school or grounds, please call our security department at 425-204-4444 or the Local Police Department- 911. Recess breaks provide students with the opportunity to exercise and socialize with peers. Students need to come to school with the proper clothing to play outside at all times, regardless of weather. Students well enough to attend school should be well enough to profit from the fresh air and exercise provided by recess. We have several supervisors as well as student helpers on the playground each recess. There are many activities in which students can participate and our P. E. specialists review game rules each fall. We have a parent volunteer program as well. If you are interested in helping with a game, turning jump ropes, etc., please contact the principal at 204-2950. Individual pictures will be taken in October and class pictures will be taken in the spring. Parents are under no obligation to purchase pictures. We also have a student memory book available in the spring. Our 5th graders help us operate our school store, which is open daily during the lunch hour. The store regularly stocks school supplies. Occasionally we carry items for use on the playground or school spirit items. Most items cost between $.25 and $1.50. Proceeds become part of our Associated Student Body account which helps cover costs of field trips, assemblies, and special projects decided upon by Student Council. Toys and trinkets need to remain at home. This includes all types of trading cards. Occasionally students are asked to bring toys or trinkets to school for show and tell or a special project. These are to remain in the child’s backpack except for the instructional use of the toy. Students may bring their own playground balls for use during recess (although we provide a wide variety). We ask that they check with a playground supervisor or the office to verify that it meets safety standards for the Each room in the building has a telephone line with voice mail capabilities. All staff members have access to telephones, however, they must be switched to voice mail during instructional time. Please leave messages for teachers on their voice mail. Messages for students should still come through the office to ensure that they are delivered in a timely manner. Students may use our phones for business and emergency calls only. Students should make arrangements for after school activities, going to a friend’s house, etc., prior to coming to school. They should make an effort to remember library books, musical instruments, lunch or lunch money, etc. We at Renton Park Elementary School believe that technology should integrate into the entire curriculum and at all levels of sophistication. By this we mean that except for instruction as to the operation of specific programs and computer models, that technology should not be singled out as a separate subject. We envision technology being used as a vehicle to network with other schools around the world, create literature and music, research and write reports, experience the arts, explore science, investigate math, and see the world. We will continue to provide and encourage participation in staff development and training as well as share information and best practices. We will continue to pursue the possibilities of a technology specialist. We also see technology at all levels of sophistication as a vehicle to support instruction, so we would expect every classroom in our building to have a presentation station installed, to have a telephone, to have at least one reliable computers with Internet access, and other Multi-media resources available. We would expect our physical education instructors to have dependable PA systems, available in both gymnasiums-- systems which could also be used for evening community or school meetings. Band and Orchestra is available 2 times per
week for fifth graders. Except for special instruments, each
student is expected to provide and instrument. Renting is usually
a good idea. Our band and orchestra teachers will send notices
home early in September. Kindergarten | First Grade | Second Grade (list may change) Box of tissue Ruler Ruler Glue sticks (3 large)
For group pool: Crayons (24 pack) Protractor If your child came home from school and you weren’t there, would he/she know where to go and what to do? It is important that each parent discuss this with their child. Situations of this nature could occur due to school emergency dismissal or for other unforeseen reasons. (Mom or Dad working overtime, etc.). EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE DRILLS Fire drills are conducten monthly and emergency drills for both earthquake and emergency lockdown are held twice a year in order to assure a continued state of readiness. In the event of severe earthquake damage, we have a plan to insure that all students are released to an authorized adult. Students will not be allowed to walk home alone due to the unknown impact on the environment. An adult listed on the emergency sheet will need to pick up your child. The emergency information sheet you fill out at the beginning of the year will be used to release your child. Under no circumstances should parents attempt to enter the building. Keep in mind that if all parents are calling our school, phone calls will delay emergency care. There will be a designated student check-out station through which students must be released. It is imperative that we have the cooperation of the community to ensure that we know the whereabouts of all of our students. EMERGENCY INFORMATION If there is a change during the year in your home or work phone number, your employment, address, or emergency contact person, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SCHOOL OFFICE, and your child's homeroom teacher as soon as possible. We keep emergency data for each student. It is imperative for the welfare of your child that the office have current and accurate information. We MUST be able to contact you or an alternate person in case your child becomes ill or is injured at school. WEATHER EMERGENCIES In the event of unusually bad weather conditions, most local Seattle television and radio stations will issue emergency announcements regarding the status of school starting times. We ask parents not to phone the school office or school district. The television or radio is your most accurate source of information. One of several announcements could be: A. Renton Schools open and operating on regular schedule. B. Renton Schools open and operating with a two hour late start. C. Renton Schools are closed today. Decisions apply only to the day in which they are issued. If no mention is made of Renton, it means school will be open and operate on a regular schedule. If school open two hours late, morning kindergarten will be canceled. In case school is dismissed during the day, make sure your child has a back-up plan. Students who do not have an alternate plan must wait at school until their parents can be contacted. We ask parents not to phone the school office or school district. The radio is your most accurate source of information. Regular and punctual attendance is extremely important to your child’s success in school. We encourage you to help your child develop these good habits. Attendance is directly related with academic performance. However, when absences or late arrivals are necessary, please do the following: 1. Call our attendance line at (425) 204-2960 between 7:30 and 8:45 to report your childs absence. A short message giving the student’s name, teacher, the reason for the absence, and who is calling is all that is necessary. 2. Send a note explaining the reason for the absence or late arrival upon the child’s return, include the dates involved. 3. If you want assignments for your child, please make this request when you call. You may pick the assignments at the end of the day, or have it brought home with another child. This gives the teacher time to get everything ready. If we do not receive a morning call, we will attempt to reach you to verify your child’s whereabouts. This verification call is for your child’s protection and is required by the school district policy and state law. We will appreciate your efforts in keeping us informed. EARLY DISMISSAL If your child is to be dismissed before regular class time, send a note with the date of the early dismissal, the reason and signed by a parent. If an unexpected situation arises, call the school. When you come for your child, you are required to stop by the office and sign your child out. We will call your child from class upon your arrival. Students cannot wait outside. You are required to sign your child back in to school if they return to school later that day. This policy is for your child’s protection. EARLY ARRIVALS We have limited playground supervision before school. Parents should gauge their children’s departure time from home so that students arrive at school no earlier than five minutes before the first bell unless they are having breakfast at school. For the safety of all children, please consistently help us with this!! LEAVING THE PLAYGROUND Children are not allowed to leave the playground during school hours. GOING DIRECTLY HOME FROM SCHOOL All children in the Renton School District are expected to go directly home or to their appointed child care upon dismissal from school. Sometimes students walk to the house of a friend or play along the way. This is a worry to both parents and schoo and causes alarm. Please review this expectation to report directly to their destination with your child. Medication Policy School district personnel will assist students, parents, and/or guardians with the need to administer a medication while students are in custody of the school. Prescriptive and commercial drugs shall be allowed in school, on school property, and at school sponsored functions only when there is a valid health reason for such prescriptive and commercial drugs and when such drugs are in the container in which they were delivered to the student by the authorized person selling or dispensing same and have been registered with the nurse on written permission of the student's parent(s) or guardian(s). All prescriptive and commercial drugs not formerly registered in this manner may be confiscated until the parent(s) or guardian(s) have been contacted for verification of their authorization. If the verification is not substantiated, the student will be subject to disciplinary action. No medication shall be administered by injection except when the student is susceptible to a predetermined, life endangering situation. In such an instance, the parent shall submit a written and signed permission statement. Such an authorization shall be supported by signed, dated, and written orders accompanied by supporting instructions from the student's physician. A designated staff member will be trained by our school registered nurse before administering an injectable medication. Rules for prescriptive and commercial drugs Medication should be given at home whenever possible. State Law (RCW 28A.31.150 and 155 requires the following procedures:) Non prescriptive medication
Prescriptive medication
Emergency injectable prescriptive medications
The "Medication at School" form is available in the school office for your convenience. Please feel free to contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns at 425-204-2950. IMMUNIZATIONS The State of Washington requires that students be fully immunized before they can attend school. Immunization requirements are available in the school office and the district web site. RETURNING AFTER ILLNESS Be sure your child is feeling well enough to participate in the full school program, including recess and physical education, before they return after an illness. We recommend the student be free of fever for at least 24 hours before they return. COLD WEATHER DRESS Since we live in the Pacific Northwest and rain is inevitable students may be outside even if it rains a bit. Please be sure your child is appropriately dressed with warm outer clothing for recess. Umbrellas are not recommended because of the safety hazard they present to others. ILLNESS We will notify you if your child’s temperature is above normal. We will need to know where to send your child or who will pick them up from school. Be sure to have at least one emergency contact registered with our school for your child in the event you are not available. HEALTH INFORMATION Please keep us informed if your child has any health concerns we should be aware of, such as bee stings, specific allergies, etc. VISION AND HEARING SCREENINGS Vision and hearing screening is conducted annually for all students. SOME WAYS TO PROMOTE GOOD HEALTH FOR YOUR CHILD
Federal law and District regulations allow schools to release directory type information. Directory information is identified as: student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of athletic team members, diplomas and awards received, and most recent previous school attended. If parents do not want directory information released or published, they should notify the school, IN WRITING, each year, and state what information they wish to withhold. FEDERAL
FAMILY ECUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT PUBLICATIONS Occasionally the Renton School District uses pictures of students in educational publications. Please notify us IN WRITING at the beginning of each year if you do not want your child’s picture used. REPORTING PUPIL PROGRESS Pupil progress is reported on a formal basis three times each year at the end of each trimester. In addition to a written report, parent/teacher conferences are held in November. Conferences afford parents and teachers an opportunity to discuss the student’s intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth. A final written report is given to students on the last school day of the year. Parents may obtain progress data at other than the above times by calling in advance to arrange a conference with the teacher. You are encouraged to contact your child's teacher whenever you have any questions, concerns, or information to share about their progress. SCHOOL PARTIES Classroom parties are held twice yearly. The themes and dates are announced well in advance. PTA and room parents assist teachers with these parties. Parties are held at the end of the school day. If your child wishes to bring a snack to celebrate his/her birthday, please make arrangements with your child’s teacherat least 24 hours in advanced. Parties cannot infringe upon instructional time. SCHOOL VISITATION Parents and/or guardians are always welcome to visit their child’s class. School district policy requires that before visiting, parents call the office at least 24 hours in advanced so that arrangements can be made with the teacher. This will assure that you gain the most benefit from your visit. School district policy also requires a stay no more than 45 minutes and parents may not interrupt a teacher or the learning of any child. Also, we ask that you stop in the office before going to the classroom, sign in and put on a visitor badge. Our primary concern is to be alert to any strangers on school grounds. STUDENT COUNCIL At Renton Park we have an active Student Council with two representatives from each classroom, grades one through five. The students elect their officers and room representatives. The student council operates under the guidance of the principal. Its purpose is to provide students with means to promote worthwhile school projects and activities around the school, while providing a valuable leadership experience. STUDENT INSURANCE Information and application for student insurance is sent home during the first week of school. Parents who wish insurance coverage for their child must fill out the application and RETURN IT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. Please do not return it to school. |
