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WESTGATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2015-2016

Westgate’s Mission Statement

The Westgate Learning Community, in a cooperative setting, empowers and advocates the development of skills, knowledge and behaviors for lifelong learning in an ever-changing global society.

9601 220th Street SW

Edmonds, WA 98020-4598 Office Phone 425-431-7470

   

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Office Fax 425-431-7473 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Absences…pg 8 Accidents/Illness…pg 5 Adjusting Classes after Start of School…pg 12 After School Play Dates and Social Plans…pg 5 Arrival and Departure…pg 4 Arrival and Dismissal Times…pg 4 Assemblies…pg 8 Attendance and Tardiness Policy…pg 9 Bicycles…pg 4 Bus…pg 8 Daily Guidelines for Success…pg 7 Daily Schedule…pg 4 Directory Information…pg 6 Dress Standards… pg 6 Early Dismissals / Release of Students… pg 8 Emergency Contacts for Students … pg 5 Equal Educational Opportunity… pg 2 Family Vacations…pg 9 FERPA…pg 7 Forming Classes at Elementary Level…pg 11 Grading/Conferences…pg 9 Halls and Walkways…pg 8 Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying…pg 11 Homework Guidelines…10 Immunization…pg 5 Internet Information…pg 6 Library Books…pg 6 Lost and Found…pg 6 Lunch and Breakfast Program…pg 5 Medication…pg 5 Notification of Threats of Violence or Harm…pg 11 Parent / Staff Organization – PSO…pg 6 Personal Belongings…pg 6 Pesticide Use…pg 7 Safety Patrols…pg 4 Seven Habits…pg 8 Staff Directory…pg 3 Student Alcohol and Drug Use Policy…pg 11 Student Insurance…pg 6 Tardies…pg 8 Tips for Academic Success…pg 12 Transportation to School and Parking…pg 4 What to Do if you have a Problem or Concern…pg 10 Visitors and Volunteers…pg 6

We encourage you to become familiar with the sites below for updated information throughout the year: Westgate School Website - www.staff.edmonds.wednet.edu/wg

Edmonds District Website – www.edmonds.wednet.edu

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

“The Edmonds School District will work to provide equal educational opportunities and treatment for all students without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, creed, ethnic origin or physical, mental or sensory disability. All students should be able to learn in an environment that is free of bias and harassment, including sexual harassment. District educational programs, activities, curriculum, and services will help students develop a sense of worth and respect for the worth of others”.

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- School Board Policy #82

Staff Directory 2015‐2016  

Please dial 425.431 and then the extension number 

 

Name Title Ext

Alexander, Dawn Para 3760

Allemeier, Lisa Grade 2 3774

Amos, Tory Learning Support 3742

Busse, Julie Psych/Cnslr 1085

Chang, Jan Grade 1 3785

Curtis, Jamie Grade 1 2411

Dearmon, Shelly Grade 3 3801

Dockweiler, Deidre ISES Teacher K-3 3766

Dominguez, Ed Music 2044

Dreimiller, Sharon Grade 2 3775

Engbert, Carrie Kindergarten 3863

Gasperini, John Transition/Cnslr 3786

Guiberson, Katie Grade 6 3804

Hall, Randy SLP 1124

Hall, Sami Para

Hamilton, Lisa Grade 3 3808

Harb, Suna Para Ed ISES 3815

Head, Stacey Para Ed ISES 3784

Hedger, Kim Grade 1 3856

Hirsch, Natasha Para Ed ISES

Icasiano, Wendy Grade 3 3768

Jonart, Amy Grade 3 3767

Jung Lathrop, Susan Principal 7474

Kelly, Carole Music 4184

Kerr, Celia Para 1804

Khilef, Joan Para

Kominsky-Scott, Susie Grade 4 3860

Kosovich, Caitlin Kindergarten 3755

Lee, Erin Para 3804

Lindemuth, Kim Grade 2 3866

Loughton, Patty Evening Custodian 1461

Marshall, Amy Para Ed ISES 3816

McCoy, Kevin Head Custodian 3788

McKenzie, Tami Kindergarten 3762

Cook 3789

Mearns, Michelle Para 1:1

Name Title Ext

Nelson, Vickie Strings Music 1362

Nicholson, Mark Admin Support Assist 3756

Nogales, Elizabeth Kindergarten 3749

Orvis, Martha Learning Support 5816

Ridley, Chuck Grade 4 3776

Robinson, Cheryl Nurse (W/Th AM) 1064

Roppo, Pam Grade 5 3782

Roseburg, Karyn Grade 2 3764

Roy, James Grade 6 3531

Shnider, Sandi ISES Teacher 4-6 3779

Shook, Katie Assist Principal 1960

Sorge, Cassy Grade 5 3793

Stadnicki, Stefanie Learning Support 2655

Stoneman, Dorriene Office Assistant 3751

Taylor, Vicki Para Ed 1380

Torgerson, Lauren Para

Trang, Maryanne Para

Walton, Matthew PE 3821

Wang, Jamie ELL Specialist 1689

White, Sari Office Manager 3750

Wittmann, Teresa Library Media S 3758

Yoo, Sera Grade 1 3805

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

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WESTGATE ELEMENTARY

BELL SCHEDULE 2015-2016

FULL DAY SCHEDULE 8:20 Student Patrols On Duty Breakfast Program Begins Students Wait in Flex Areas 8:30 First Bell Rings Students Excused to Classrooms 8:40 School Day Begins 10:15 4‐6 Recess 11:35 K‐1 Lunch 11:45 2‐3 Lunch 12:05 K‐3 Recess  12:15 4‐6 Lunch 12:35 4‐6 Recess 2:00 K‐3 Recess 3:07 Bus Bell 3:10 Dismissal 

EARLY RELEASE SCHEDULE

8:20 Student Patrols On Duty Breakfast Program Begins Students Wait in Flex Areas 8:30 First Bell Rings Students Excused to Classrooms 8:40 School Day Begins 9:45 ALL SCHOOL RECESS Lunches served* 11:37 Bus Bell 11:40 Dismissal  School lunches are provided on half days except the last day of school. 

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL SCHEDULE

School hours for students are 8:40 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Students may enter classrooms at 8:30 a.m. Before that time, they should go to the flex space and wait quietly, unless they participate in the school breakfast program. Students are not allowed to arrive at school before 8:20 a.m., as there is no supervision until this time. Students are not allowed on the playground before school starts.

SAFETY PATROLS

Safety patrols assist in providing safe conditions for students before and after school. All students must follow the directions and safety measures practiced by these safety patrols. Patrols will be at the assigned crossings listed below at 8:20 a.m. daily and from 3:10 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. We request that pupils not be allowed to cross before patrols are on duty.

96th Street and 220th

96th Street and 224th

In front of the School Building

We urge you to work with us by instructing your child to take the safest and most direct route to and from school. Please talk with your child about the rules of safe walking and safe bicycling.

It is an honor and a privilege for a boy or girl to be selected for the Westgate Elementary School Patrol. They must maintain exemplary behavior and demonstrate academic effort. Usually patrol membership is limited to students in the 5th and 6th grades.

BICYCLES Students in grades 3-6 are allowed to ride bicycles to school. Bicycle riders must wear safety helmets and obey the traffic rules that apply to vehicles. It is the parents’ responsibility to decide whether or

not their child has enough skill and judgment to ride safely. The school assumes no responsibility for bicycles that are brought to school. Bikes must be walked on school property at all times and locked in the provided bike racks during the day. The bike racks are located at the north side of the gym. Skateboards, roller-blades, or scooters, etc. are not allowed on school grounds. Students violating bicycle rules may lose the privilege of riding their bike to school.

TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL AND PARKING If you are driving your student to school, please note the “Bus Only” areas of the parking lot. To avoid congestion, please drop your student off at the drive through, pulling all the way forward. Use the parking lot to turn around to exit. The back parking lot is open at the beginning and end of the day to provide more parking spaces, as needed. Please note that you must exit the drive through with a “Right Turn Only” onto 96th Avenue before and after school. If you are parked in one of our lots, you must come and pick up your child in front of the school and then walk with him or her to your car. It is unsafe for children to walk freely in our parking lots due to congestion and limited visibility.

Students riding district buses area expected to wait in line in a controlled, safe manner. Bus drivers will instruct students in bus riding rules. Students who do not follow the driver’s expectations may be given Bus Conduct Notices and appropriate consequences may follow. Behavior that does not improve may result in the loss of bus riding privileges.

AFTER SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION CHANGES Anytime your child will be leaving campus in a way different than usual, a note from home is needed approving and explaining the change. If your student needs to ride a different bus than usual, a written note from the parent stating the request must be presented to the office and to the bus driver at the beginning of the day. The student will be given a temporary bus pass by the school office. Without this pass, the driver will not let the student on the bus.

If you have questions regarding bus transportation, please call the Transportation Office at 425-431-7230. Please also call that number for questions or concerns about schedules, stops, drivers, or items that may have been left on a bus.

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AFTER SCHOOL PLAY DATES / SOCIAL PLANS Play dates and social plans must be arranged and approved by the parents or guardians before students arrive at school. Students may not come to the office after school and make

calls to arrange activities. The office requests a written note from home when students will be accompanying other students to their homes to insure that the plans have been approved by both sets of parents and guardians.

INVITATIONS / SOCIAL PLANS Invitations to student parties or social events may only be distributed at school if an invitation is given to every student in the class. If a family chooses to invite only some students from the school, invitations must be sent outside of school.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH The Food Service Department of the Edmonds School District is a centralized food system. The elementary lunches are eaten in gym. Menus are sent home at the beginning

of each month with prices.

The lunch program is operated on a daily cash basis. Families can either pay by check or cash. Checks are made payable to Edmonds School District. Our food service person at Westgate will deposit the funds into your child’s account. You can check your child’s meal balance by logging into your Skyward account.

Free and reduced lunch application forms will be mailed to homes in late August. Extra forms will also be available in the school office. To maintain privacy and confidentiality, students qualifying for reduced lunches use the same means to pay for their lunch as other students. Each student has a code that they key, or they can use their ID badge to scan the code into the payment pad. If your child forgets lunch and doesn’t have funds on the account they will receive a cheese sandwich will be provided.

ACCIDENTS OR ILLNESS Our school nurse is in our building two mornings per week. Consequently, if a child is injured at school, staff members trained in first aid will most likely provide treatment. If we believe it is necessary, we will call 911. The parent will be notified immediately, and if we cannot reach the parent, the designated emergency contact will be called.

If your child becomes ill at school, the office staff will take the child’s temperature and determine if the child should be sent home. The parent will be notified to pick up the child. If we cannot reach the parent, the designated emergency contact will be called. For their comfort and well-being, children who are sick must be sent home. Our health room is not adequate for sick care.

EMERGENCY CONTACT UPDATE It is extremely important for parents to update

all emergency contact information the first week of school. The forms sent home at that time should be completed and returned by

the second week of school. In case of an emergency or illness, we want to notify you immediately. If any of that information

changes during the school year, please inform us immediately; this includes change of home or business address or

telephone number, change of family situation and change of person to be notified in event of an emergency.

IMMUNIZATION Washington State Law requires that all students have a completed Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) on file at the school they attend. A student may be exempted from immunization for medical, personal or religious reasons but it must be documented on the CIS. A list of vaccines required for school attendance is available in the school office or on-line at http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/schools/vaccine.htm

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL Sometimes children need to have medication administered during school hours. District and state policies require us to follow these guidelines:

1. We must have written doctor’s instructions and written parent permission. Forms are available from the nurse, school office, or online.

2. Medication must be in the original prescription container, which shows the student’s name, the name of the medication, and the prescribed dosage and time.

Please call our office if you have any questions regarding medication at school. You may also contact our school nurse, Cheryl Robinson, at 425-431-1064.

More detailed information includes: Medication forms and policies are posted on-line at www.edmonds.wednet.edu under the parent and community link and school nurses/health services. Unlicensed school personnel may administer oral over-the-counter or prescription medications, and emergency auto-injectable medications, if a licensed health professional (LHP) and parent or legal guardian completes Medication Form H-145. Medication needs to be provided in an original labeled container. The label needs to include the child's name, medication name, dose and when to administer. Instructions need to be specific and not depend on staff judgment. Arrangements need to be made with the school nurse when a student needs topical medication or eye, ear or nasal drops since unlicensed school personnel are not authorized to administer medications by these routes. Students with asthma inhalers or emergency medications may self-administer if they have first demonstrated to their health care provider and school nurse the skill level needed to use the medication, and any associated devices to administer it, as prescribed. In addition, their parent/guardian and health care provider must submit a written treatment plan for the use of the inhaler or emergency medication.

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STUDENT INSURANCE

Student Accident Insurance may be purchased, if you choose. Complete the enrollment forms sent home with your child at the beginning of the school year and return them directly to the address listed on the forms. Claims forms are available from the company, or from the school office. You must follow the directions printed on the brochure provided by the company.

LIBRARY BOOKS Students have library weekly. They are able to check out an unlimited number of books. At the end of the year, all books and videos must be returned. Any books or videos that are lost or not returned must be paid for, and no other books or videos may be checked out until payment is made. Student report cards will be held until the fines are paid in full.

STUDENT USE OF INTERNET The internet is a valuable resource for students and staff, providing current information, instructional materials, and opportunities to develop research skills.

We would like all of our students to have access to these resources. However, if a parent or guardian is uncomfortable with their student accessing the internet at school, the parent or guardian may complete and return an Internet and Electronic Communication Exclusion form (IM-131). The student would then be prohibited from using the internet at school. The forms are available in the school office, and online on the district website’s Frequently Requested Forms page.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS Please do not allow your children to bring items of monetary

value to school. These might include, but are not limited to, cell phones, jewelry, radios, CD or MP3 players, trading cards, and electronic games. Westgate Elementary assumes no liability for damaged, lost or stolen items, including money that are left in classrooms or in the student’s possession. Please label all

other personal belongings, such as backpacks, lunch boxes, sweaters, jackets, etc.

LOST AND FOUND Please mark clothes and any items sent to school with your child’s name. Any articles found on the school grounds unmarked are put in the wooden bench/box located in the foyer of the gym. Items with names on them will be returned to the student, but unmarked items will remain in the bench until the end of the trimester. At the end of each trimester, or earlier, all unclaimed items will be placed on a table in the hallway by the library for three days. Articles not claimed after that time will be donated to Clothes for Kids. Items left on buses can be claimed by calling the Transportation Office at 425-431-7230.

DRESS STANDARDS Student choice of dress, hairstyle and body care must take into consideration health and safety. Dress, hairstyle and body care must not disrupt the educational process. Students are not allowed to wear tank tops, spaghetti straps, short shorts (fingertip length or shorter) or hats and T-shirts with alcohol/

tobacco advertising or suggestive logos. Makeup is not allowed. Students are not to wear open toe or platform shoes due to potential injuries during PE and recess. We want our learning environment to be focused, productive and free of distractions. Parents will be called if a student’s attire is questionable or inappropriate. Students will have an alternative recess if they are not dressed for the weather.

WESTGATE PARENT / STAFF ORGANIZATION (PSO) Westgate boasts an active, engaged, and committed PSO, with a long history and rich tradition of providing family events and ongoing enrichment for students, staff and families. Our goal is to have 100% membership, with every Westgate family actively involved in our school. Signup information will come home in the first day packet. We hope you will join!

VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS Parents are always welcome in classrooms. In fact, we encourage you to visit your child’s room. But we do request that, as a courtesy to our teachers, you

arrange your visits in advance. Simply contact the teacher ahead of time to schedule your visit. You may call the teacher directly at the number listed on page 3 of this booklet.

Our school doors are locked, for safety, during the school day. You are welcome to enter through the front office door. All visitors and volunteers are required to check in at the office upon arrival to sign in and obtain a visitor badge that must be worn and visible while on campus. This policy allows our staff to easily identify adults who are authorized to be on school grounds.

Volunteers play a very important role at Westgate, and we invite you to become involved in a number of ways, from classroom helper to lunch buddy to field trip chaperone. For more information please contact our school office at 425.431.7470.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION The Edmonds School District is allowed, and in some circumstances, required by law, to release directory information unless parents or guardians instruct us not to release this information. Directory information can include student’s name, photograph, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, participation in officially recognized sports and activities, weight and height of members of athletic teams, grade in school, diplomas and awards received, and the most recent previous school attended by the student. This information is not released for commercial purposes. It can be released to provide educational, scholarship, vocational, occupational and/or military recruitment information, or to the news media or law enforcement. If you do not want directory information released, please ask the office for a P-190 form. The form must be filled out and returned to the district office by October 1. You may choose to have all information withheld, or you may choose to designate a specific agency from which you choose to withhold information.

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FERPA POLICY (Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

The FERPA Policy relates to the privacy of Student Education Records. It is a detailed policy, and a full sheet of information regarding FERPA is sent home in your student’s first day packet.

PESTICIDE USE The Edmonds School District uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) modeled after Environmental Protection Agency recommended guidelines for the control of structural and landscape pests. IPM coordinates the use of non-chemical methods to prevent pest infestation along with all available pest control methods when an outbreak does occur. These methods include physical (pruning), cultural (using disease resistant plants), and biological means (using

Lacewings and Lady Bugs) as well as the judicious use of chemicals. Unauthorized staff is not permitted to apply pesticide products at any school site or facility.

A notice will be posted in the main office 48-hours prior to the application of any biologic or chemical pesticide. It will provide the reason for application and the name of the product to be used. For individual notification, please contact your school's main office. No notices will be sent when students do not occupy the school for at least two consecutive days after application. These procedures do not apply to emergency applications to control pests that pose an immediate health threat (e.g. stinging insects). If application is postponed due to weather, the notification process will be repeated.

For more information about the program, please contact George Marschall, Maintenance Director, at 425-431-7244.

DAILY GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT SUCCESS AT WESTGATE ELEMENTARY

PLAYGROUND

Students will display responsible and respectful behavior during recess. Students will engage in safe and inclusive activities on the playground.

Westgate students will:

1. Walk to and from the playground. Go directly to the playground at recess unless special permission is given by your teacher to go to the library or computer lab.

2. Stay on the playground inside designated areas. Permission is needed to leave the playground for any reason including using the restroom or retrieving a ball over a fence.

3. Line up promptly in designated areas when the bell rings. Teachers will establish procedures for returning to their classrooms.

4. Be polite and follow all directions of playground teachers. Use appropriate language at all times.

5. Show respect for others; take turns, play fair, discuss differences calmly, encourage less experienced players.

6. Welcome anyone (within your grade level on the primary side) to play the game and obey the rules. Move a game that interferes with another game that is already being played.

7. Be safe on all playground apparatus. Keep hands on the bars at all times, no penny drops.

8. Keep hands and feet to yourself at all times. Spectators should not interfere with games. There is no “play fighting” at Westgate.

9. Leave rocks, sticks, snow or similar objects on the ground. 10. Keep all toys from home off of the playground.

RAINY DAY RECESS Students will engage in quiet, cooperative activities in an atmosphere of respect and responsibility.

Westgate students will:

1. Remain in their classroom unless directed to go to another location. Request a bathroom pass from a recess teacher.

2. Work on one of the activities outlined by their classroom teacher.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE Students will arrive and leave school in a safe and respectful manner. Staff and parents will assist in keeping students safe, and observe school policies.

Westgate staff will:

1. Assist students as they depart school each day. If a student is late departing the classroom, the teacher will ensure the student makes it to their bus.

2. Supervise to maintain appropriate student behavior. 3. Dismiss on time at 3:10 p.m.

Westgate parents will:

1. Insure students arrive and depart on time. Students must arrive by 8:40 a.m., but not before 8:20 a.m. School ends at 3:10 p.m., or 11:40 a.m. on early dismissal days.

2. Use sidewalks and designated walk areas when picking up or dropping off students.

3. Use the drop-off and pick-up lane when doing so by car. 4. Accompany their child to a safe walkway. For example,

students should not walk unaccompanied in the parking lot, so parents should accompany their child from the car to the walkway.

5. Review safe behavior with their children.

Westgate students will:

1. Walk on sidewalks and designated areas. 2. Show responsible and safe behavior while waiting. 3. Walk their bicycles on school grounds and sidewalks.

Students biking to school must wear a helmet. 4. Wait respectfully in flex areas before school. Students

should not arrive before 8:20 a.m.

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ASSEMBLIES Students will display responsible and respectful behavior during assemblies held in the gymnasium and in flex areas.

Westgate staff will:

1. Monitor student behavior throughout the assembly. 2. Model expectations giving full attention to performers and speakers. 3. Arrive with their classes on time.

Westgate students will:

1. Enter the gym quietly and sit in designated areas. 2. Keep hands and feet to self. 3. Watch for signal calling for attention. 4. Give full attention to performers and speakers.

HALLS AND WALKWAYS The halls and walkways will be a safe environment where people interact responsibly and respectfully.

Westgate staff will:

1. Accompany their class or large groups of students to and from destinations.

2. Maintain quiet and orderly lines.

3. Ensure students are arriving at specialists and assemblies on time.

Westgate students will:

1. Walk in a calm, quiet and respectful manner.

2. Walk to one side of the hall so that others may pass easily.

3. Demonstrate excellent manners, holding doors for others, yielding to other classes when appropriate, respecting the activities in classrooms.

4. Have permission to be in the halls and walkways at all times.

5. Wait quietly in lines for lunch.

BUS Students will be safe and respectful when waiting for, and when riding, the bus.

Westgate students will:

1. Report to the line/stop designated for their bus only. No running back and forth between stops.

2. Go to the end of the line when they arrive. No cutting in line or saving spaces.

If a student needs to leave the line, he or she must re-enter at the end.

3. Keeps hands and feet to self.

4. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door has opened, and the driver has given permission for students to load.

5. Report to the office if they miss the bus after school. Ask for assistance when they arrive in the office.

6. Remain seated at all times on the bus.

7. Keep voices to a talking level.

8. Follow all rules of the driver.

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WESTGATE ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS POLICY The Compulsory Attendance Law of the State of Washington demands a great deal of accountability from schools and parents on student attendance. This legal code is a section of what is known as “The Becca Bill,” named after the case of a runaway teen. The law helps schools achieve the goal of improved school attendance and the reduction of unexcused absences and tardiness.

The law does not require 6 or 7 year old children to be enrolled in school. However, if they are enrolled, the child’s parent must insure that the child attends the school for the full time school is in session.

PARENT/GUARDIAN PROCEDURES:

If your child is going to be tardy or absent from school, please:

1. Call the 24-hour Attendance Line, 425-431-7470, option 1. Please leave a message including your name, your child’s name, your child’s teacher or room number, and the reason for the tardy or absence.

2. Send a written note when your child returns to school. The note must be received within two days of the absence or tardy. The note should include the date or dates of the absence or tardy, the reason, and the parent/guardian signature.

Help your child arrive in the morning at the recommended time of 8:30 a.m. Students arriving at school after 8:50 a.m. MUST check in at the office BEFORE going to class.

If your child is ill, or has had a fever in the past 24 hours, please keep your child home. We appreciate your child’s attendance when healthy, but we are not equipped to care for sick children at school.

EXCUSED ABSENCES AND TARDIES Under district policy, an excused absence or tardy is one in which the parent, by phone call and a note, presents a reason for non-attendance. Notification must be within two school days of the child’s return to school. The acceptable reasons for an excused absence or tardy include:

Illness Medical, dental or other appointment which cannot be

scheduled before or after school Recognized religious observances Family emergency or event such as a funeral or birth A prearranged absence or tardy approved in advance

by the principal

These criteria guide schools in determining what is an excusable absence or tardy. It is important to note that a parent simply excusing a child’s absence or tardy does not make it “excused” under district policy and state law. Not included are absences or tardies for reasons that might be detrimental to student learning.

We will excuse up to ten absences with only a parent note or phone call. However, absences above ten may not be excused

without a note from a physician. If you child has excessive absences, it is the responsibility of the parent to contact the principal to discuss the absences.

FAMILY VACATIONS We know that all family vacations may not fall during scheduled breaks and may require time away from school. Families will need to complete a Vacation Approval Request Form which can be found on the home page of our school website. You can also contact the school office in advance to get approval for absences due to family vacations.

TARDINESS Frequent tardiness of even a few minutes interferes with an individual student’s performance. Arriving late may also disrupt other students. Students who are tardy without parental excuse will be required to make up class time at their recesses. Students who take advantage of our school’s breakfast program will be allowed to bring their meals to the classroom so they will not be late.

To be “excused,” a tardy must meet the same general criteria as an excused absence (see previous section). Again, it is important to note that a parent simply excusing a child’s tardy does not make it “excused” under district policy and state law. Not included are tardies for reasons that may be detrimental to student learning. Tardiness clearly due to circumstances beyond a parent or student’s control, such as a late bus, will be excused.

EARLY DISMISSALS We discourage early dismissals during school hours, but understand that sometimes a child may have a doctor, dental or other appointment that

cannot be scheduled outside of school hours. In the event it is absolutely necessary, please send a note to your child’s teacher indicating when you want your child to meet you at the office. Please come to the office, not the classroom, to collect your child and sign him or her out. Children will be released only to the parent, guardian, family member, or adults who are designated as emergency contacts on the registration forms sent home at the start of every school year. Children may not leave school grounds until an authorized person has signed them out at the school office.

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HOMEWORK GUIDELINES Homework is an integral part of our instructional program. It assists in reinforcing basic skills and concepts, and it teaches study and organizational skills.

Homework can assist in teaching responsibility, perseverance, and self-discipline. It also reinforces the value of a good education, which assists our students in becoming successful citizens.

Homework at Westgate will vary, depending on the grade level of the student. Generally, our expectations for time spent on daily homework should equal approximately 10 times their grade level. Therefore, Kindergarten and 1st Grade would spend 10 minutes, 2nd grade 20 minutes, 3rd grade 30 minutes, and so on. Since all grade levels encourage daily at-home reading, this homework allocation would be in addition to their daily reading time. As a general rule, Kindergarten -3rd should read for 15-20 minutes, and 4th-6th grade students should be reading over 30 minutes daily.

Our number one request of you is to please read to, or with your child every day. This simple investment of time will reap lifelong benefits for your child’s success in reading, and ultimately greater success with their learning.

At the primary level, Kindergarten through 3rd Grade, the students are learning to read, whereas at the intermediate level (4th-6th Grade) the students are reading to learn. You will notice that the homework at these two levels will be different, based on their unique learning goals. The same applies with mathematical concepts. Basic skills reinforcement is always appreciated, such as basic math facts drills, handwriting practice, and sight word/spelling vocabulary.

WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH SCHOOLWORK AT HOME

There are several ways to help your children at home:

Provide a quiet place for them to study and read.

Assist your child with a consistent plan and schedule for completing their homework. Encourage them to consider their schedule for sports, free time, relaxation/family time, and bedtime.

Encourage them to work independently as much as possible. They should be practicing skills learned or applying skills to a project. If your child struggles with homework consistently, please call the teacher. Do not complete homework for your child. Please encourage them, prompt if needed, and motivate them to complete it daily, consistently.

Communicate with the teacher if you have questions. We value our two-way communication with you and invite you to call any time, preferably before or after school hours.

Your child’s teachers will be providing their homework guidelines for you during Curriculum Night. If you lose your copy, please feel free to give them a call. Your 4th –6th grade child will also have their homework guidelines in their notebooks.

GRADING/CONFERENCES Common grading standards and expectations exist within a grade level and are compatible with adjacent grade levels. Students are made aware of expectations and are informed of their progress throughout the grading period. Formal reports to students and parents are scheduled two times each year. All teachers are prepared to provide informal information as needed and will send home a written statement of their grading policies and procedures in the fall.

Parent conferences are a vital link in effective parent-teacher communications. Formal conferences will be held with parents in October and informal conferences may be called by either parent or teacher whenever necessary. We encourage parents to contact the teacher at any time during the year if they have questions about their child’s school performance.

WESTGATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - COMMUNICATION PROCESS

(What to do if you have a Problem or Concern)

Communication is essential for successful relationships and organization success. To that end, we will use the following guidelines for communication. Questions and feedback are important in the continuous improvement process. It is important that we have this conversation in a respectful, civil manner. Even when we disagree, it is important that we work hard to be role models for our students about how conflicts are resolved in a positive manner.

1. Contact the staff member directly responsible for the issue you have a concern about. Share your concern, the facts or views you have. Be as clear as possible about what information you need or what you would like to have happen.

2. The school principal or supervisor of the program (such as Transportation) is also a valuable source of information. If you do not know whom to contact, the supervisor or principal can help. This step is also necessary if your concerns were not answered in Step 1.

3. If you are not satisfied with the answer or proposed solution to your concern at the principal/supervisor level, contact the Educational Services Center (ESC) at 425-431-7000, to speak with the administrator responsible for that school or program. In some circumstances, a formal hearing or review committee exists to review the matter. In all cases, we will review the issue with you and others concerned in an effort to reconcile the concerns and move forward.

4. If your concern is about a district-wide matter or about a superintendent-level decision, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at 425-431-7003.

5. If you have a question about Board policy or are not satisfied that the above process has produced a result you can accept, the Board of Directors will review your concern. In some matters, like student discipline, the Board may make a decision about the issue. In some

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cases, the Board of Directors is the final decision making body, while some matters may be appealed to other authorities. Personnel and individual student matters are handled in closed sessions with the Board. Other matters may be presented to the Board in writing or at their regular meetings (usually the first and third Tuesday of each month).

This process is not to be used in a retaliatory manner.

STUDENT ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE POLICY The Edmonds School District recognizes that the use/abuse and possession of alcohol, controlled, illegal, addictive, or harmful substance(s), including anabolic steroids, is a societal problem and may represent an impairment to the normal development, well-being, and academic performance of students. To ensure the safety, health, and well-being of all students, the district is committed to the development of a program which emphasizes prevention, intervention, aftercare support, and necessary corrective actions.

The district also recognized the effects to the school, home, and community resulting from drug and alcohol use/abuse. While the primary obligation to seek assistance rests with the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s), school staff shall work with the home and community to develop and implement a comprehensive prevention and intervention program.

Part of our responsibility is to inform you each year of the district’s policy on student use of drugs/alcohol. This policy is as follows:

Any student who is under the influence of or possesses, sells, offers for sale, or distributes alcohol or controlled substances or drug paraphernalia will be considered under the disciplinary category of exceptional misconduct, which warrants an immediate resort to a short-term or long-term suspension or expulsion.

HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION OR BULLYING By Washington state law and by Edmonds School District policy, acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying will not be tolerated in schools. (Our Westgate Discipline Policy provides specific consequences for this behavior.)

Harassment, intimidation or bullying is defined as an intentional written, verbal, or physical act which:

1. Physically or emotionally harms a student or damages the student’s property; or

2. Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or

3. Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or

4. Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

Harassment, intimidation or bullying can take many forms including slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats or other written, verbal or physical actions.

School employees, students, parents or volunteers who have witnessed, or have reliable information that a student has been

subjected to such acts, are encouraged to report incidents to an appropriate school official.

NOTIFICATION OF THREATS OF VIOLENCE OR HARM By Washington state law and by Edmonds School District policy, the issuing of a threat against individuals or against district property will be taken seriously.

Individual-directed threats of violence or harm are communications that create fear of physical harm to a specific individual or individuals, communicated directly or indirectly by any means.

Building-directed threats of violence or harm are direct or indirect communications, by any means, of the intent to cause damage to a school building or school property or to harm students, employees, volunteers, patrons or visitors.

Staff, students, volunteers, and others involved in school activities have the responsibility to report any threats of violence or harm to designated school officials. Persons found to have made threats of violence or harm will be subject to relevant district discipline policies and will be referred to appropriate community agencies, including law enforcement and mental health services.

The district has established a Safe Schools Tipline that is active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take calls from people who may not be comfortable talking directly with staff at the school level. It is a fast, effective and safe way to let school officials know about unsafe situations without worrying about being identified as the source of the information. Call 425-431-7010 any time.

FORMING CLASSES AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Edmonds School District received a great benefit with the passage of Initiative 728, which has provided funding to lower elementary class size beginning with the 2001-2002 school year. The establishment of classes is a complex process for a school and for the district. The following information is intended to describe that process to interested parents and staff. This process is typically followed as students are assigned to classes or classes are readjusted. Depending on the time of year (spring, summer, fall), and the availability of staff, there may be various staff members involved in implementing this process. The process for placing students in classrooms or for placing students when classrooms are reorganized has some unique characteristics at each school that depend upon the staff, principal, and needs of students and families. Parent input is an important part of our decision making process. Class assignments are tentative and may be changed.

The Safe Schools Tipline 

Number is 425‐431‐7010 

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Typical Process for Establishing Elementary Classes

1. The building principal, who may be advised by staff members, the site council, leadership team or other groups at the school, identifies the number of classes and grade levels. The class composition may be broadly identified. For example, a typical classroom is composed of a balanced heterogeneous (randomly mixed) group of students. Certain classes (multi-age, cluster classrooms, 2 or 3-year cycle classrooms, etc.) may be designed for a different mix of students.

2. Teachers complete placement cards for students in their classrooms in the spring of each year. Those cards are available through the district and help the school to organize information about student academic performance, special needs, and other characteristics important in the placement process.

3. Parents may be informed of the process to provide input about classroom selection for their child. Typically this process does not include a request for a certain teacher, but may provide opportunity for other input about the educational needs of the child. Staff will consider such input and determine its relevance to the educational program.

4. Staff members meet to form classes. This may be done by grade level. It often involves the teachers who have worked most closely with the students. Things that are taken into consideration include:

Students with IEPs (special education) may be distributed evenly among available classes because of the extra workload that may be required in managing their program.

Gender balance (girls and boys) is considered.

Students who should be separated from each other for various reasons are considered.

Students are randomly distributed based on academic performance, social skills, learning styles, study skills, etc.

Other professionals (counselor, specialists, dean of students, etc.) may review classes to give input before the class is finalized.

Parent input may be incorporated. The final decision is made by the building

principal who is responsible for the formation of a learning environment that balances the needs of all students.

ADJUSTING CLASSES AFTER THE START OF SCHOOL Every fall the district readjusts classrooms based upon enrollment on the fourth day of school. Some years, the projected enrollment in a school allows more teaching positions than have actually been hired by the start of school. These positions may be hired because the actual enrollment at that point does not look like it will be as large as the initial projection. These positions may be “frozen” until the fourth day count. If the enrollment at that time has increased, which is often the case, the principal can proceed to hire for the position. Because the district must guarantee that we will not exceed maximum class size by a certain date, we have a very short time to get new classes in place, and cannot usually give a great deal of advance notice to students and parents about the changes.

In addition, each year there may be more students in some schools at particular grade levels than the school can fit into classrooms and still maintain required class size. Those students are transferred, with transportation, to the closest school that has available space at the grade level. Before any students are transferred out of a school, the school’s classes are reorganized if possible to create classroom capacity for as many of the school’s students as possible. This reorganization at the time of the fourth day count may include creating multi-age classrooms.

TIPS FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Tips for Academic Success:

o Arrive at school on time and with all necessary materials.

o Listen carefully in class and follow all classroom rules. o Try your very best and ask for help if you don’t

understand. o Have a good attitude – “I CAN DO IT!” o Be sure you have materials for homework before

leaving school. o If you don’t understand your homework assignment,

stay after school (or in a lunch/recess) a few minutes and ask your teacher.

o Have a specific time in the day that you always do your homework and be responsible for being in your “study place” at that time. No phone calls during homework time.

o Set a time limit for completing your homework. o Set a time each day when you read, or someone

reads to you. o Before going to sleep, put all the materials that you

will need at school for the next day in a special place all ready to go.