2017-2018
Jefferson / Nicolet
Elementary
Parent Handbook
www.mjsd.k12.wi.us
Index
Accident Insurance ….....29
Attendance/Absences
Calling in an Absence……………………………………………………...17
Definition of Absences 18
Anticipated Absence 18
Excused Absence 18
Unexcused Absence 18
Tardiness 18
Truancy………………………………………………………...... 19
Blue Jay Way/Behavior Code 13
Body Basics 13
Line Basics 13
Bathroom Basics 13
Volume Basics 13
Bicycles, Roller Blades, Scooters, and Skateboards 26
Bus Students 19
Calling in an Absence 17
Changes in Address, Telephone Number, or Work Information…….. 17
Child Find Activities 32
Children with Disabilities Locater Notice 32
Children of Divorced Parents 27
Communication: Parent/School 22
Community Learning Center 7
Before School Matters 7
After School Matters 7
Registration and Fees 8
Transportation for After School Maters 8
Curriculum Modifications (State Statute Section 118.15) 32
Definitions of Absences 18
Equal Education Opportunity 36
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) 34
Guidance and Counseling 14
Health Information
Prescription Medication Rules 20
Over-The-Counter Medication Rules 21
Communicable Disease 20
Dental Health 22
Head Lice 20
Health Records 21
Health Teaching 21
Immunizations 21
School Health Services 20
Screening Programs 22
Homebound Instruction 29
Limited English Speaking Student 20
Morning Supervision 6
Non-Discrimination Policy 37
Phones 26
Cell Phones 26
School Telephone Use 26
PTO – Jefferson/Nicolet 12
School Building Assignments 14
Menasha School Board Policy 15
District Initiated …. 15
Parent or Guardian Initiated…. 16
School Fees 11
School Meal Program
Breakfast 9
Lunch 19
Milk Purchase 19
Zero Account Balance 10
Security and Safety 24
Student Dress
Winter Clothing Requirements 22
Student Harassment 23
Student Non-Discrimination 29
Student Records Notice 33
Technology Guidelines 27
Things to Leave at Home 25
Title IX Grievance Procedures 35
Visiting School 25
Volunteering at School – Guidelines 23
Weather Related School Closing Information 24
Weather Guidelines for Outdoor Activities 25
MORNING SUPERVISION
There is NO adult playground supervision prior to 8:20 am and the school building is locked until 8:20 am. We ask that you please not drop your children off before this time. If you need to drop your child off earlier than 8:20, please make arrangements with the Before School Matters Program. This is an excellent and convenient program for working parents. The following pages explain how the program works.
CLC - COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER
The Community Learning Center of the Menasha Joint School District offers a variety of programs that occur outside of the traditional school day. The extended learning opportunities are available to families enrolled in the Menasha Joint School District. The primary aim of the Center is to improve student achievement by providing academic support and enrichment programs and services for students and families. The programs offer safe and nurturing learning atmospheres and support the growth of positive life skills, teamwork and interpersonal relationships in order to foster a strong sense of community.
Before School Matters (BSM) – Held at Jefferson
The hours are: Monday-Friday 6:30-8:20 a.m.
We will have a punch card for $70.00 for 10 sessions.
The one day per week option has been eliminated this year.
At the end of the BSM program time, Nicolet students will be transported to Nicolet School.
After School Matters (ASM)
The After School Matters program consists of academic support offerings (tutoring and homework help), enrichment programs (linked to core subject areas of science, math, social studies and language arts), recreation and youth development. The program operates on school days. At the end of the school day, Nicolet students will be bused from Nicolet to Jefferson Elementary. Monday – Thursday child pick-up is only between 5:15-5:30 p.m. Friday pick up times are 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. The program begins the first day of school and operates on full days of school, with the following exceptions: There is no ASM on half days, parent-teacher conference days, and the last day before winter & spring break. In order to attend, students must be registered and must attend at least two days a week.
Registration and Fees
All registration forms are available in the school office or online at www.mjsd.k12.wi.us and click on the Community Learning Center home page to print the form. Students must be registered in order to attend the programs. Fees must be paid prior to student participation. There is a two day processing time required. For example, if you register your child on a Monday, he/she will be able to start attending on a Wednesday.
Fees cover the entire nine week quarter. Registration forms and payment can be submitted to the school office. Please place forms in an envelope labeled Before School Matters or After School Matters. Please make checks payable to: MJSD Community Learning Center
Before School Matters / After School Matters# days per week / Full Price
Quarterly / Free /
Reduced
Quarterly / # days per week / Full Price
Quarterly / Free /
Reduced
Quarterly
2-3days / $55.00 / $25.00 / 2-3 days / $35.00 / $20.00
4-5 days / $80.00 / $35.00 / 4-5 days / $45.00 / $30.00
*Fees are based on lunch status. Fees will not be pro-rated if registering anytime during the quarter. Fees will not be refunded.
Transportation (After School Matters Program)
Jefferson Elementary was awarded a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to assist in funding of the After School Matters program. This grant gives Jefferson and Nicolet students the opportunity to be bussed home at the end of the program.
AfterBeat Music (Oct. 2, 2017 through March 15, 2017)
All 4th and 5th grade students are eligible to participate in AfterBeat. Small group, 30 minute lessons for 4th and 5th grade orchestra students and 5th grade band students. Lessons are offered from 3:45-7:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM
The Menasha Joint School District participates in the National School Lunch Program under a contract with Chartwells School Dining Service. Students may purchase lunch every day, or as often as they would like. Students may bring a bag lunch, if they prefer.
Universal Free Breakfast in the Classroom
Chartwells/Menasha Joint School District offers Universal Free breakfast-in-the-classroom at all elementary schools. Breakfast is offered at no charge to all students. Students must choose all 3 components offered to qualify as a reimbursable meal.
Please encourage your child to start the day with a healthy breakfast!
Lunch Program
Hot lunch is available every full day of school. Menus are sent home with all students at the start of each month to assist in your planning. The cost for student lunch is $2.45 meal. Students who qualify for a school lunch at a reduced fee will be charged $0.40 per meal. Adult lunches can be purchased through your student’s account for $3.35 per meal, or bring exact amount. You are welcome to come any time to have lunch with your student.
Meal CostReduced / $0.40
Full / $2.55
Adult / $4.00
Milk Purchase
Lunch meals include one carton of milk. Milk choices are: white (whole or reduced fat) and chocolate. Students wanting to have milk with their cold lunch, or would like to have an additional carton of milk, may purchase a milk through their lunch account at a cost of $0.45 cents per carton.
What happens if my child’s account balance is zero?
MJSD food service does not want children to be hungry at school, yet it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to pay for school meals or to send a bag lunch from home. When a student does not have a cold lunch or money in their lunch account, MJSD will provide a courtesy meal consisting of fruits, vegetables, and milk.
Keeping track of your students account balance
MJSD requires parents to pay in advance for school meals and milk. You can make payment using the following methods:
· Cash or check: (Make checks payable to: MJSD Dining Services). Please place payment and lunch deposit slip in an envelope. Payments can be placed in the locked drop box, located on the outside of the school office.
· Online: Payments can also be made online by logging into the parent portal. www.mjsd.k12.wi.us
Students Eating Lunch at School
Students eating lunch at school are not allowed to leave the school grounds.
Students Eating Lunch at Home
Students eating lunch at home must have written parental permission on file in the school office. One note covering the entire year is sufficient for those students frequently eating lunch at home. If it is an occasional lunch at home, written permission must be given to the office in the morning so the appropriate staff can be notified of this arrangement.
RECESS
Weather permitting; students spend approximately 30 minutes outside for recess during their school day. We ask that students come to school dressed in appropriate clothing. We believe that physical activity at recess is important for good health, and helps students to stay focused.
Students not feeling well must have a written doctor’s excuse in order to stay in for recess. A note from a parent is not sufficient. A good guideline to follow is: if one is well enough to come to school, one is well enough to go outdoors.
SCHOOL FEES
School fees are set by the Board of Education. The fees for the 2017-18 school year for 4K-5th grade are $46.00. Families who qualify for free hot lunch are not necessarily required to pay school fees. Families who qualify for reduced hot lunch are still required to pay the full fee. Fees are due on the day of registration.
JEFFERSON / NICOLET
An important part of the Jefferson/Nicolet Elementary is our PTO. We welcome and encourage all parents to become involved in our active PTO. Any amount of time you can offer is greatly appreciated. This is a great way to meet other parents and their children. Money from the fundraisers help support book purchases, technology classroom supplies, field trips, and so much more.
PTO Officers for 2017-2018
President: Jessica Akstulewicz
President-Elect – Ashley Lauer
Treasurer: Nicole Kading
Secretary: Leslie Lemieux
PTO Meeting at 4:00 PM
Jefferson LMC Nicolet LMC
September 11th January 8th
October 9th February 12th
November 6th March 5th
December 4th April 9th
May 7th
Childcare is provided at no cost during PTO meetings.
PTO Facebook Page
The Jefferson/Nicolet PTO now has a Facebook page, and is a closed group for privacy. Meeting minutes, special notices, etc. will all be delivered via Facebook.
BLUEJAY WAY
Students following the “Bluejay Way” make it easier for themselves and others to learn. We expect everyone to follow the “Bluejay Way”.
· Be Responsible
· Be Respectful
· Be Safe
Here are the basics!
Body Basics / Line Basics· Eyes Watching / · Face Forward
· Ears Listening / · Single file
· Mouths Closed / · Mouths Closed
· Sit Up Straight / · Hands to Self
· Hands and Feet to Self / · Walking Feet
Bathroom Basics / Volume Basics
· 2 Walking Feet / · Whisper Voice
· 2 Minutes in bathroom / · Quiet Voice
· 2 Squirts of Soap / · Restaurant Voice
· 2 Washed Hands / · Proud Voice
· 2 Pulls on Toweling / · Emergency Voice
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
Guidance activities are part of the regular classroom curriculum. These are designed to help students as they deal with feelings, self-esteem, peer relationships, protective behavior, decision-making and many other difficult situations that are a part of growing up. These classes are held with the school guidance counselor. A follow-up session is provided by the classroom teacher.
Individual and small group guidance and counseling are provided to students demonstrating a need, or are referred by parents, teachers, counselors, or self.
CHANGES IN ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER OR WORK INFORMATION
If you change your address, phone number, or work location, it is important that you notify the school immediately. If your child should be involved in an accident while he/she is in school, we want to be sure the parent or guardian can be reached without delay.
If a student changes residence from one attendance area to another during the school year, the student may continue in the same school for the remainder of the semester/year. The student’s parent or guardian should inform the office of the change in residence in advance and receive approval for continued enrollment in the same school. The superintendent will be notified of the change in attendance area. Transportation will be the parent(s)/guardian(s) responsibility.
SCHOOL BUILDING ASSIGNMENTS
School attendance areas within the Menasha School District shall be fixed. Individual school attendance boundaries shall be established by the Superintendent and may be changed as population conditions warrant or capacities of buildings require adjustment of student enrollment. Attendance boundaries shall be approved by the School Board.
Students in grades 4K-5 shall be required to attend the school in the attendance boundary in which they reside unless attendance area transfer requests are submitted per school board policy. The superintendent may assign attendance to balance population or special education needs of a student according to the Menasha School Board Policy.
Menasha School Board Policy
The school board accepts its responsibility for establishing attendance areas in such a way as to facilitate the educational program. Therefore, the following criteria shall be used in determining school attendance area:
· Education needs of students.
· Proximity of students to school.
· Safety of Students.
· Age of students.
· Nature of educational programs.
· Balance of class size.
District Initiated
The superintendent may assign students to a school outside their attendance boundary to balance enrollment in the various schools in the district.