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AFTER SCHOOL PROCEDURES
Children are to go directly home after dismissal from school. No one will be allowed to remain on the school grounds unless supervised. If a teacher retains a child after school, the teacher will notify the parents. If severe thunderstorms are in the immediate area during dismissal time, students will not be allowed to leave until the storm passes or unless accompanied by an adult.
BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Eagle’s Nest Club is located in Room 14. Hours of services are from 6:30 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. and from 3:10 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Kindergarten Plus program begins immediately following morning kindergarten and ends at 3:10 p.m. Eagles Nest will be open on in-service days but closed during winter break, spring break, one week in July, and all school holidays.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
The following are expectations for behavior at school:
- Respect Yourself
- Respect Children
- Respect Adults
- Respect Environment (School and Property)
- Respect for Safety Rules for games and playground equipment will be outlined by teachers in accordance with good safety measures.
Children will not be allowed to engage in any kinds of rough or dangerous games. We discourage any equipment or toys from being brought to school.
BICYCLES/SKATEBOARDS, ETC.
Bicycles must be walked when on the school grounds. For safety, students in kindergarten and grade one are discouraged from riding bicycles to school. Students are encouraged to lock bikes in the school racks. Students may use a skateboard or roller blades getting to and from school, however, the skateboard and roller blades will need to be left on the racks outside the classroom. A secure area is not provided to store these items during the school day. Roller blades must be removed before entering the building.
DRESS AND APPEARANCE
All students should dress appropriately for school, keeping in mind the activities for the day, the weather, and the health and safety of the individual. Student dress should not distract or disrupt the orderly process of education. Sturdy tennis shoes are needed for physical education. All concerns regarding school dress and appearance will be referred to the parent. Caps and hats are not to be worn inside the school. Although it would be impossible to describe every inappropriate article of clothing in detail, we have tried to establish general guidelines. Unacceptable dress includes clothing that is transparent or revealing, or inappropriate for the particular activity. Examples include, but are not limited to, swimwear, halter tops, tank tops, spaghetti straps, crop tops, nylon running shorts, and shorts or skirts that are more than a finger tip's length above the knees. Unacceptable dress also includes clothing advertising alcohol beverages, tobacco, drugs, gang symbols, defamatory, vulgar, offensive, or obscene language.
DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
A copy of the Littleton Public Schools policy on drug and substance abuse is included in the Littleton Public Schools Student-Parent Handbook or can be picked up from the school office. We encourage you to be familiar with the contents of this policy.
If we become aware of any violations of any of these policies, we will contact parents when deemed necessary to establish appropriate discipline. If you wish additional information on our school, please contact the school office, 303-347-4400.
EARLY ARRIVAL
Supervision of students begins at 8:20 a.m. Students are NOT to be at school prior to 8:20 a.m. unless they are participating in a school activity. Please monitor your child’s departure time so that he/she will not arrive at school before supervision is available.
EMERGENCY CLOSING
In the event of an emergency or severe weather conditions, please tune in to local radio or television stations for information on changes in school schedules. Stations will be contacted no later than 6:30 a.m. for late starts and school closures, and as soon as possible for early dismissals.
- Delayed Start/Storm Schedule: When a “Delayed Start” has been announced, we will start at 9:10 a.m., a delay of thirty minutes. There is also a thirty minute delay in bus pick up times. Dismissal for all grades, including morning kindergarten, will be at the normal time, unless notified otherwise. Please note: During inclement weather, bus pickups may be delayed by congested traffic even though a delayed start has not been declared.
- Early Dismissal: If the decision to close school early is made by 9:10 a.m, we will dismiss all classes at 11:00 a.m. If the decision to close school early is made by 10:00 a.m., classes will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. and we will notify afternoon kindergarten parents that there will be no afternoon session. If the decision to close school early is made by 11:00 a.m., classes will be dismissed at 2:10 p.m. and we will notify afternoon kindergarten parents that there will be no afternoon session. When all district schools are closed, all school-sponsored activities are cancelled. Unless the weather is extremely cold, students will be outside during recesses and at noon. We use a general figure of 20 degrees, depending upon the wind and sunshine, to establish an “inside” day. On an “inside” day, individual teachers may take students out for 5 to 10 minutes for some fresh air and exercise. If your child has medical reasons for staying inside, please send a note to the school stating the reasons. Please discuss with your child the need for warm clothing (boots, hats, gloves, coats, etc.). You may want to send an extra sweater to school with your child to keep at his/her desk.
EXPULSION
Expulsion is mandatory for serious violations in a school building or on school property and for students declared to be habitually disruptive. Serious violations include the following:
- Carrying, bringing or possessing a deadly weapon. A deadly weapon is defined as any firearm, knife (including small pocketknives), bludgeon, or other weapon, device, instrument, material or substance, whether animate of inanimate, which in the manner it is used or is intended to be used, is capable of producing death or serious bodily injury.
- Selling drugs or controlled substances.
- For children age ten or over, committing an offense that would constitute a crime of violence as defined by state law if committed by an adult such as robbery or assault.
Students who are “habitually disruptive” are subject to mandatory expulsion under certain circumstances. If a student initiates conduct in the classroom, on school grounds, on school vehicles or at school activities which is willfully and overtly disruptive more than five times during the school year, he/she will be expelled. If a student is disruptive three times in a school year, the student, his/her parents, teacher and the principal will meet to develop a discipline plan to assist the student in controlling his/her behavior.
FIELD TRIPS
Various field trips will be taken during the year. Parent or guardian permission slips must be signed in advance. Students may remain at school at the discretion of the teachers for reasons of discipline, failure to complete classroom activities, or failure to return permission note. The cost of the field trips will vary depending upon the number of students participating, the distance from school to the field trip site, and admission charges (if any).
HOMEWORK
The school staff recognizes the following general reasons for the assignment of school work to be done at home: · To develop and improve study skills as well as teaching individual responsibility. · To provide independent work opportunities. · To reinforce skills taught in class. · To meet the need for extra study or drill. · To provide additional time for work completion. · To acquire the skills and concepts missed because of absence. The amount of homework given will vary depending on the grade level and the needs of the student. Homework may be assigned Monday-Thursday. Long term projects or studying for tests may require work to be done over the weekends. Homework will be given to students based on an average of 10 minutes per grade level (i.e., K and Grade 1--10 minutes, Grade 2--20 minutes, etc., up to a maximum of one hour at Grade 5).
LIBRARY
At any one time, a student is allowed to borrow the following: kindergarten—one book; grade 1--three books; grades 2-5--four books, magazines or vertical file material. Because of our computerized circulation system, we are now able to be more flexible with the number of books each student may check out particularly in the case of research assignments. A reference book is usually borrowed for overnight use.
MAKEUP WORK
Students who are absent from school will make up the work on the basis of “one day for each day’s excused absence.” Example: if a child is ill on Monday and returns on Tuesday, makeup work will be completed by the close of school on Wednesday. Parents who want makeup work for an absent child are asked to notify the office by 10:00 a.m. Teachers will have makeup work ready for pickup in the office by 3:10 p.m. the same day. Teachers will not provide work in advance of a planned absence. Makeup work will be provided for students upon their return to school. While students are away from school, parents are encouraged to have students reinforce skills by:
- Reading daily
- Keeping a written journal of daily events
- Practicing math skills appropriate for the grade level
MEDICATION
If your child requires medication of ANY KIND (including Tylenol, cough drops and all over-the-counter medications) the following procedure is to be used:
1. Obtain from the school office district medication forms which require written order of a physician and written parent permission.
2. Bring the medication to the school office with completed forms and written instructions. The physician’s written orders must include: student’s name, name of drug, dosage, purpose of medication, time of day medication is to be given, anticipated number of days it needs to be given at school, possible side effects, and special instructions for administering medication and storage. If prescription medicine, the medication must be in the prescription bottle.
3. Parents are responsible for bringing the child’s medications to the school.
4. All medication will be kept locked in the school office.
5. The responsibility for going to the office to take the medication lies with the student.
6. Students are not to have any medication with them.
7. If the pills need to be split in half, please ask your pharmacist to do this. School personnel may not cut pills.
8. If your child’s dosage changes, new permission forms need to be completed and the container must match the new instructions.
9. Students may not carry medications (including inhalers) unless this has been authorized in writing by the physician and parents have provided a written request to the school principal.
NONDISCRIMINATION
Littleton Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, nor on the basis of age against persons whose age is over forty (40). Inquiries concerning any of the above should be directed to the Executive for Human Resources, 5776 South Crocker Street, Littleton, Colorado 80120; phone (303) 347-3365; or to the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1961 Stout Street, Third Floor, Denver, Colorado 80294, phone (303) 844-5695.
PARENTAL CONCERNS
Parental concerns or complaints should be handled at the most immediate level; that is, between the parent and the teacher involved. If there should be a parent or citizen complaint to the principal concerning a teacher, the principal shall inform the teacher of the complaint. The substance of the complaint including names of the complainants shall be made available to the teacher. When a parent makes a complaint to a principal, parent shall be told that the teacher will be informed of the complaint. If either the principal, or the teacher, or parent determines that the complaint is of such a nature as to warrant a conference with the parent, a conference with the parent, teacher, and principal will be arranged.
PARTIES/BIRTHDAY TREATS
Parties will be held on Halloween and on Valentine’s Day. Students will bring four dollars ($4.00) at the beginning of the school year to cover the cost of the parties. Other parties must be approved by the principal prior to being held. Permission will be granted on a very limited basis only.
Treats are not to be brought for children’s birthdays. Invitations to home parties cannot be passed out at school.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
The school attempts to protect the property of the students but the school district carries no insurance covering loss or damage of the students’ personal property. Students are not to bring their own valuable personal property (i.e. toys, electronic games, cd players, etc.) to school since there is not a safe place for these items to be secured. Clothing items should be marked with the student’s name for easy identification.
PROGRESS REPORTS/CONFERENCES
Progress reports and parent-teacher conferences are means to share achievement, progress, and effort of students. Two official parent-teacher conferences are scheduled during the school year. Parents are encouraged to contact a teacher anytime they have questions or concerns about their child.
PUPIL RECORDS
All pupil cumulative records are kept in the school office. Parents may request to see their child’s records at any time.
RELEASE FROM SCHOOL
Before a pupil is permitted to leave the school grounds during the day, the child must secure permission from the office. If the child has a note from home, the teacher will retain such note. Parents should go to the office and the child will be called. Parents will sign the student out in the office. Under no circumstances are pupils to be excused directly from their rooms to go home.
REPORTING ABSENCES
If your child is absent, call the school’s attendance number, 303-734-3000 to inform the school of the reason for the absence. The voice mail operates 24 hours per day to assist you in reporting an absence. If your child is absent and we have not received a call, we will call you to check on the child. All attempts will be made to speak directly to a parent.
Regular attendance, and on time, is vital to the ongoing continuity of your child’s education. Therefore, such activities as ski trips, extended holidays, early vacation departures, etc., are discouraged.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
The Student Code of Conduct (Board of Education Policy JICDA) is posted in the front hall and in the Student Code of Conduct booklet distributed to all students last year and to new enrollees. Kindergartners will receive a copy of the booklet this fall. The Student Code of Conduct booklet outlines the student behavior and consequences policies and regulations adopted by the Board of Education that are necessary to implement the intent of the state law adopted n July, 1993. The intent of the law was to provide school officials with the tools needed to enforce the right of every student to learn in an environment that is safe, conducive to the learning process and free from unnecessary disruption. Special education students are subject to the law and district policies if a staffing team determines that their handicapping condition is not related to their misbehavior. Violation of this Student Code of Conduct can result in suspension or recommendation of expulsion. Specific discipline procedures for Lewis Ames will be sent home during the first week of school.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
- Gifted and Talented: Identified students in grades 3-5 will receive support from a G/T facilitator.
- Resource: Children identified with learning disabilities receive support in their classroom work by a resource team composed of a resource teacher, speech/language teacher, and psychologist.
- Literacy: Literacy specialists offer support for students in grades 1-3 in their growth to become better readers/writers.
If you feel your child needs support in any of these areas, please feel free to contact the classroom teacher or school office.
SUSPENSION
Students who are suspended from school are required to leave the school grounds immediately following a determination by the principal and the parents of the best method for transferring custody of the student to the parents. Suspended students may not attend any school activities. As an alternative to suspension of more than two school days, parents may be allowed to attend school with the student if the teachers and principal are willing.
TELEPHONE USE
Calls by students may be made during the day at the discretion of the student’s teacher or office staff. If an emergency develops during the day, the school office staff will call the parents.
VISITORS AND SECURITY
We welcome visitors and volunteers in the classrooms. Before going to a classroom, ALL visitors and volunteers must first sign in on the appropriate forms in the office and wear either a visitor or volunteer button at all times while in the building. For building security, the only entrance unlocked and available for entrance into the building is the main entrance. All other doors are locked and can only be used for exit from the building.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are sought, needed, and welcomed in a variety of programs at Lewis Ames each year. Ames has a strong Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) which coordinates the many parent volunteers. We would be unable to provide many extra programs for the children without the volunteer help of many parents. If you can help here at school or at your home, please contact the school.
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