For Parents |
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Below you will find a rather lengthy document that is the Student/Parent Handbook for Willapa Elementary. If you click on one of the topics below it immediately will jump you down the page to the appropriate section; or just scroll down the page until you find a topic of interest. You will also find five common school forms in a PDF format that you can print out and use if the ones sent home with students are misplaced.
Parent Letter School Calendar
August 20, 2008 We welcome you, the parents, as partners in the education of your children and look forward to working with you toward this goal. To insure the safety of our students when you are visiting our building, please always check in at the office. We, the staff at Willapa Elementary, strive to help each child achieve success at school. We will do this by helping each child solve problems and by protecting each child’s right to learn. We look forward to a good year and are happy to have an opportunity to work with you. Please go over the information in this handbook with your child. Complete, sign and date the last two yellow pages and return them as soon as possible with your child. KEEP THIS PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK TO REFER TO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. Sincerely,
MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to create a safe and caring environment where all students experience success. All children are unique and have the right to develop their greatest potential. GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS All staff and students at Willapa Elementary will work together to maintain a learning environment, which helps everyone reach their fullest potential. Everyone will be treated with dignity and respect. Any behavior or action that helps someone grow and mature will be encouraged. To maintain a learning environment, staff will keep students focused on our school “Guidelines for Success:”
Everyone must know that Willapa Elementary is a safe and supportive place to be. You should always show respect for yourself, others and school property. This means showing concern for others and taking care of school and personal property.
All through your life you must decide how you will act. Therefore, we expect you to make acceptable choices whether anyone is watching or not. This is called “being responsible.” It isn't’t always easy to make responsible choices especially if someone else is not being responsible. It is important for you to remember that you are in charge of yourself. We know you can make good choices!
It is important for everyone at Willapa Elementary to be safe. Any behavior that can hurt someone else will not be allowed. As you work, move and play at school, think about how your actions will keep you and others safe.
The best way to learn something new is to practice until you can do it. If you are unwilling to try, you cannot practice, and you cannot learn. When you first try to do something, it is often difficult. If you keep trying, it gets easier and easier. This is called perseverance.
Cooperation includes being polite, treating people with respect, accepting differences between people and encouraging others to do their best.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES I want the best possible education for myself and I realize that this can happen. Therefore, I will be responsible for the following:
DISTRICT DISCIPLINE-REFERRAL PROCEDURE Direct (Immediate) Referral Flagrant violations of district and/or school regulations should be referred directly to the administration. Such violations will result in immediate discipline in the form of detention, exclusion from class, suspension or expulsion, to be determined by the principal or designee. Some examples of such violations include:
Progressive Referral - Progressive referrals are used when a continued lack of personal responsibility is demonstrated by the student. Prior to initiating the referral, teacher contact is initiated and documented with the parent. Other types of discipline will have been attempted and documented. These might include student conferences, sending progress reports, detention, and/or one-day exclusions from class. The bulk of this type of referral will most likely stem from problems initiated in the classroom. The following may serve as some examples:
The intent and purpose of the progressive referral is to:
HARASSMENT OF ANY KIND AND BULLYING No one should be subjected to harassment at school for any reason. Therefore, it is the policy of the Willapa Valley School District that all students will deal with all persons in ways which convey respect and consideration for individuals regardless of race, marital status, national origin, creed, religion, gender, age or disability. Harassment in the form of name-calling, taunting, gestures, intimidation, conduct, jokes, pictures and slurs are prohibited.
"Harassment, intimidation, or bullying" means any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, including, but not limited to those that are perceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristic in RCW 9A.36.080(3), or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional written, verbal, or physical act:
Such conduct directed at an individual or group that demeans that person/group or any persistent annoyance or repeated attack on anyone’s person or his emotions will be considered harassment. Harassment is prohibited and shall be grounds for disciplinary action, ranging from short-term suspension to expulsion. Disciplinary action for students guilty of harassment will be dependent upon, but not limited to, the student’s attitude, intent, the effect on other students, and/or staff, mitigating circumstances, and the student’s disciplinary history. Based on these factors, discipline may be imposed, up to and including suspension or expulsion.
HARASSMENT – RACIAL The Willapa Valley School District shall provide equal educational opportunities and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities programs without regard to race. The working and educational environment shall be free from racial harassment. Racial and other harassment in the form of name-calling, taunting, gestures, intimidation, conduct, jokes, pictures and slurs is prohibited. Such conduct referencing or directed at an individual or group that demeans that person/group on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, creed, age, disability or other extraneous factors is prohibited and shall be grounds for disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion from school. Disciplinary action for students guilty of racial harassment will be dependent upon, but not limited to, the student’s attitude, intent, the effect on other students, and/or staff, mitigating circumstances, and the student’s disciplinary history. Based on these factors, discipline may be imposed, up to and including suspension or expulsion. A course in cultural and racial diversity may be required as part of the disciplinary procedure for students.
Disciplinary action for students guilty of sexual harassment will be dependent upon, but not limited to, the student’s attitudes, intent, the effect on other students and/or staff, mitigating circumstances, and the student’s disciplinary history. Based on these factors, discipline may be imposed, up to and including suspension or expulsion. Law enforcement may be contacted. For counsel and assistance in these resolving matters contact the principal or the Title IX/EEOC Officer. DEALING WITH STUDENT CONFLICTS Students will try and self-manage their own problems.
CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE STUDENT CHOICES Consequences can include:
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT PLAN Our goal is to be positive, reasonable and consistent with every child. A ticket for success (green slip) will be handed out for good behavior. They go hand-in-hand with our five “Guidelines For Success.” Tickets for success are put in a box. At the end of each month there is a Student-of-the-Month assembly. Thirteen slips are drawn at each assembly. The first twelve tickets drawn receive a “grab bag” prize, and the 13 th gets a stuffed animal. STUDENT DRESS Clothing which interferes with and/or distracts from the education process will be subject to approval by the administration. Clothing advertising alcohol and drugs are considered inappropriate. T-shirts and other articles of clothing of a vulgar, inappropriate, offensive or suggestive nature are not permitted. Shoes must be worn at all times. Hats, bandanas, head coverings, and/or sunglasses are not to be worn inside the building or classroom from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. HELP YOUR CHILD BE PREPARED FOR SCHOOL
Before School:
After School:
Early Release Departure:
It is essential for your child to attend school regularly and to be on time. We urge parents’ cooperation in this matter. However, a child is not expected to attend school if ill.
Telephone the school when your child:
Write a note to the teacher when your child
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL STUDENT INFORMATION IS UP TO DATE.
STUDENT PROGRESS Measuring and reporting student achievement are important to the instructional program. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled in November for Willapa schools. Report cards are issued at the end of each grading period. PARENT CONCERNS Parents/guardians are important partners and we expect concerns or complaints to be resolved quickly and carefully. Most complaints are resolved by addressing the persons closest to the situation. If you wish to meet with the teacher anytime during the year, please schedule a conference through the office. Please feel free to call the school if you have questions or concerns. Complaints concerning school-related issues including instruction, discipline, transportation, and/or building management, should first be directed to the person at the appropriate level, such as the teacher or bus driver. If you are unable to solve an issue at its point of origin, you should attempt to resolve it at the next higher level. Contacts should be made in the following order:
MEDICATION AT SCHOOL The Willapa Valley School District has a policy regarding medication administration at school. The school form must be completed by the physician and the parent in order for any medication to be administered at school. This includes oral, non-prescription (including cough drops) and prescription medications and inhalers. The medication must be in the original, correctly labeled container. Please get a copy of medication form from school and take it to your physician to be completed when the circumstance arises. EMERGENCY DELAYED START OR CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL Listen to the following FM radio stations to be updated on emergency situations:
The following television stations also update on emergency situations:
The Willapa Valley School Web Page at www.willapa.wednet.edu also provides updates on school emergency situations. Lunch Prices
**If you are planning to be a guest at lunch, please contact the office (942-3311) by 9:00 a. m. so sufficient food will be provided for all. Breakfast Prices
You may send any amount of money with your child for meals. Remember…it is $35 ($8 for reduced for grades 4 and 5 and free for grades Kindergarten though 3rd grade) for a month of lunches and $20 ($6 for reduced for grades 4 and 5 and free for grades Kindergarten through 3rd) per month for breakfast for each child. If you plan to pay by check, please make it payable to Willapa Elementary.
Breakfast – No charging is allowed for breakfast. Lunch – A maximum of three (3) charges are allowed for lunch. A letter will be sent home three (3) days prior to your child’s account showing a zero (0) balance. It is your responsibility to see that payment is made promptly. We do not like to see students go without eating lunch. If you are unable to send payment upon receiving notification of money due, please contact the Willapa Valley School District office (942-5855) to see if special provisions can be made to temporarily help out until payment can be made. Free/Reduced lunch applications are sent home with each child the first day of school. Hopefully, you will look it over carefully to see if your family qualifies for free or reduced price meals. All information is kept confidential at the district office. Qualifying for reduced price meals does not place the burden on the school district; it actually helps the district qualify for additional state and federal funds. Applications may be filled out any time during the school year.
WILLAPA ELEMENTARY ACCELERATED READING BOOK POLICY Parent Authorization and Promise To Pay Each child will be responsible for returning his/her book on time and in the same condition he/she received it, You will be sent a bill for the full replacement cost, including tax and shipping, of the book. The cost of an AR book ranges from approximately $7.00 to $30.00, depending on the book. By signing the final page in this handbook, the parent signature return form, you are agreeing to this form.
“Be the Best That I Can Be” (to the tune of “Yankee Doodle”)
I am special, I am me, There’s no one else quite like me; I make good choices, share my smiles, A thumb’s up kid I can be! (Chorus) Be the best that I can be, Special and terrific; Give myself a gentle hug And make life superific!
I am thankful for my friends, For family and for school; My attitude is gratitude, ‘Cause caring is so cool!! (Chorus) I care for you as you are, Our diff’rences are small; I’ll treat you as I want to be, A friend I’ll be to all!! (Chorus) “Make your choice the best, help the rest!” |
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Copyright 2005 Willapa Valley School Dist.