Parent/Student Handbook

ATTENDANCE

Regular school attendance is a key factor in your child’s success. Children need to be present every school day unless there is a real need to be absent. We do not want ill children at school, but minor sniffles should not keep a child at home. If the family oversleeps, we would rather have your child come in late than miss the entire day.

PLEASE NOTE: We are required to contact parents whenever children are not present and we do not receive a call from you explaining their absence. This is to ensure that he/she is not lost between home and school. It is imperative that you call school between 7:50 and 9:05 A.M. when your child is not going to school. You may leave a message on the attendance voice mail at 428-7260 before 7:45.

Family vacations when school is in session are a concern. Please consider carefully before taking your child out of school. If you must travel during school time, plan to discuss your child’s absence with the teacher several weeks ahead of time.

BOOK CARE AND USAGE

Students who lose or misuse books and/or school property or materials will be charged a replacement fee. This includes, but is not limited to textbooks, classroom materials, and L.M.C. books and materials.

CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL

Cancellation of school takes place only during extraordinary circumstances such as extreme weather, equipment failure, or public crisis. The school district is aware of the hardship that can be caused by an abrupt cancellation. Therefore, school will not be canceled unless a significant safety risk has been created by unusual circumstances.

School closings and early dismissals will be announced on the radio. Announcements will be on: WBBM 780 AM, WGN 720 AM, WKKD 1580 AM/96 FM, WBIG 1280 AM, and WSPY/WAUR 930 AM/107.1 FM. PLEASE DO NOT CALL SCHOOL. In case of emergency, it is imperative that the school phone lines are free.

DISCIPLINE

All classrooms have established standards of acceptable behavior. We support teachers in their efforts to spend their day engaged in instructional activities, not in matters of discipline. Parents can assist us by becoming partners in setting consistent behavior goals and limits that extend beyond the school day. We need your support and we appreciate your efforts in helping us provide an effective learning environment for your children. Please refer to the discipline section of the District 204 Parent-Student Handbook for general rules of conduct.

Legislation requires schools to inform parents about their school’s standards of behavior. Teachers will explain their management system during Curriculum Night, and will send home their classroom rules. Remember that our behavior goals are all aimed toward having a school environment in which teachers have the right to teach and students have the right to learn. Rules are designed to establish and maintain a positive learning climate and a safe school environment.

DISTRICT 204 HANDBOOK

Indian Prairie School District 204 provides a Parent-Student Handbook containing information pertinent to the entire district. This handbook will be discussed in each classroom during the first week of school. It is important that you familiarize yourself with the district information.

EQUIPMENT

Wheatland School has ample playground equipment. All toys, sports equipment, and audio/video games should be left at home. Carrying such items to school on the bus could present a safety concern. The school is not liable for loss or damage to items that students bring to school.

FAMILY EMERGENCY INFORMATION

It is of the utmost importance that the registration forms and your child’s health card be updated as changes occur. Items may include work numbers, emergency contacts, changes in health status, etc. WE NEED THIS INFORMATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF YOUR CHILD. Please call the school office to update this information as needed.

GYM SHOES

Each child is requested to have a pair of white or non-marking soled gym shoes at school for the exclusive use of physical education classes. For safety reasons, students without proper gym shoes will not be allowed to participate in physical education class.

HOMEWORK

Homework is an important component of your child’s education. It is an extension of the learning that takes place during the school day. Homework can provide practice and enrichment that reinforces classroom learning and can provide opportunities for independent study, research, and creative thinking. Parents can help their children by arranging a quiet, comfortable place to work and assisting in completing homework on time and returning it to school.

Students unable to attend school for two or less days will receive make-up work upon their return to school. An appropriate due date will be determined by the teacher. For extended absences (three or more days), parents should call the office and arrange to pick up the homework. Please be considerate and give the teacher ample notice of your plans. If a physician has determined that the absence will be longer than two weeks, a homebound tutor will be arranged. Contact school to make arrangements.

When your child will be absent due to an extended vacation, please notify the teacher at least one week in advance. Some class work may be assigned. The remainder will be completed when the child returns to school. A special vacation project booklet will also be assigned. Students will be asked to present a report to the class upon their return to school.

LOST AND FOUND

It is recommended that all personal items and articles of clothing be clearly marked with your child’s name. All unclaimed items will be placed in the "Lost and Found" basket at school.

LUNCH PROGRAM

District 204 elementary schools have thirty-five minute lunch periods, including recess. A hot lunch option is planned for this fall. We expect students in the lunchroom to respect the rights and property of others and to display good manners at all times. The exchange of food items between students is not allowed.

MEDICATION

DISTRICT PERSONNEL WILL NOT ADMINISTER MEDICATION DURING SCHOOL HOURS EXCEPT WHEN SUCH DOCTOR PRESCRIBED MEDICATION IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR THE CRITICAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE STUDENT. If you have any questions regarding district policy, contact the school nurse or health aide.

PARTIES

PTA provides fall, winter, and spring classroom parties/activities and treats for all classrooms. Individual birthday treats are not permitted. Please deliver birthday party invitations to the children’s homes. Invitations may not be passed out at school to avoid disappointment and hurt feelings.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT/SEX EQUITY/DRUG FREE SCHOOLS

The Indian Prairie Board of Education has formally adopted policies concerning sexual harassment and sex equity. Use of tobacco is prohibited on school district property and all schools are designated as drug free zones. Copies of these policies are on file in each school and the Board of Education Office.

SUPPLIES

District supply list items are the responsibility of the students to replace throughout the school year. Additional supplies may be requested by the teacher for special projects and activities.

TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS WITH STAFF

Telephones have been installed in all classrooms to facilitate communications between home and school. Each staff member has an individual phone number and a voice mailbox. We ask that you review the following guidelines when you place a call to a staff member, so that classrooms are not interrupted and important messages are received in a timely manner.

• Teacher hours are 8:15 A.M. to 3:50 P.M. daily. You may be able to reach teachers in their classrooms between 8:15 and 8:55 A.M. before school begins and from 3:35 to 3:50 P.M. after school. In the event that the teacher is not available to answer the phone, your call will go to the teacher’s voice mailbox and you may leave a message. You may also choose to push 0 (operator) button to be redirected to the school office.
• Be careful NOT to leave any urgent message on the teacher’s voice mail as staff members may not have an opportunity to check messages until after school or late in the day. For example, do not call at 1:00 P.M. and leave a message such as: "Please tell Johnny not to take the school bus tonight because his dad will pick him up after school." If Johnny’s teacher is not able to check voice mail until after school, Johnny will be on his way home on the bus and dad will be waiting at the back door.
• If you choose to call a teacher directly while class is in session, please feel free to do so. The phones will not ring in the classroom but you will be able to leave a message on the teacher’s voice mail box any time the teacher is not available to answer the phone.
• You may continue to call the school office directly at any time to ask us to relay your message to the teacher. It is imperative that you use the office to get an important and timely message to the teacher.

If you have any questions about our telephone system, please call the school office. We look forward to this improved method of keeping this important line of communication open between home and school.

THREATS AND SAFE SCHOOLS

With the recent publicized episodes of violence in some schools across the nation, we intend to take irresponsible threats seriously. We caution all students that threats may result in serious disciplinary consequences. Police investigation, arrest, suspension, and recommendation for expulsions may be warranted.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

If you must drive your children to school, be certain to drop them off and pick them up at the southwest door. This door will be supervised from 8:55 – 9:05 A.M. and 3:35 – 3:45 P.M. Follow the procedures below to ensure student safety. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and consideration for the safety of our students, staff and parents.

• THE FRONT PARKING LOT IS RESERVED FOR SCHOOL BUSES ONLY FROM 8:35 – 9:10 A.M. AND FROM 3:15 – 3:55 P.M.
• USE THE SOUTHWEST PARKING LOT ONLY TO DROP OFF AND PICK UP YOUR CHILDREN.
• ENTER THROUGH THE EAST DRIVEWAY OF THE SOUTHWEST LOT AND EXIT THROUGH THE WEST DRIVEWAY.
• CHILDREN SHOULD EXIT THEIR CAR AS CLOSE TO THE CROSSWALK AS POSSIBLE.
• IF POSSIBLE, BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACES ALLOWING YOURSELF AN IMPROVED VIEW OF THE PARKING LOT AND THE CHILDREN.

TRANSPORTATION BY BUS

The school bus is an important component to elementary school life. Proper behavior on the bus is essential. The only adult present is the bus driver. We routinely discuss bus safety rules with the children. We ask that parents also impress their children with the need for order on the school bus, especially the need to remain seated and to talk in a quiet voice. Please review the District 204 Handbook concerning bus conduct with your child. The Handbook contains an entire section on Student Transportation including GUIDELINES FOR PROPER CONDUCT, SAFETY REGULATIONS and DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS.

For safety reasons, STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RIDE ANY BUS OTHER THAN THEIR ASSIGNED ROUTE. Questions concerning bus routes may be directed to the transportation supervisor at the Laidlaw bus terminal: 904-0900.

The following information pertains to all students and is very important. Please follow these policies carefully.

• We assume that all students will ride the bus to and from school.
• If your child is not riding the bus, we must have a note from you stating this fact. Send the note to school informing us who will be responsible for picking up your child. All students are to be picked up at the southwest door after the designated adult has signed them out in the office. Your child will be put on the bus unless we have a written note from you. We cannot accept this change verbally from your child.
• If you plan to pick up your child on a regular basis (everyday or once a week/every week) complete a special form in the office and you will not need to write a daily or weekly note.
• For safety reasons, no student will be allowed to ride a bicycle to school.
• Students who are being driven to school should not arrive prior to 8:55 A.M. There is no adult supervision at the southwest door until this time.
• Students are to be picked up after school at 3:35 P.M.

VISITORS

All visitors, including Wheatland parents, are required to report to the office. Everyone must sign in and out and wear a visitor’s badge. Visitors will need to enter through the front main door since all doors are locked from the outside during the school day.

All visitors are requested to make prior arrangements before visiting a teacher and/or classroom. It is important that classroom instruction not be interrupted for individual concerns. You are welcome to visit at anytime, but please inform the teacher in advance.