SCENIC HILL ELEMENTARY
26025 Woodland Way South
Kent, WA 98030
253-373-7479
Student and Parent Handbook
2014-2015 School Year
TEAM Eagle
We are safe, respectful, and responsible.
We are college bound: “No Excuses / No Exceptions”
Welcome to Scenic Hill Elementary!
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,
Welcome to another school year at Scenic Hill Elementary; we are excited to start another year of learning. As a student or family member at Scenic Hill, you are a member of Team Eagle, and as a team, we will work together in cooperation and partnership to ensure the success of all of our students. At Scenic Hill, we are committed to academic excellence and student achievement, and we will do whatever it takes to make the success of our students a reality.
Here at Scenic Hill we believe that ALL students have the capacity to be successful and go beyond the K-12 school system to have the opportunity for post-secondary education. We are limitless in our beliefs regarding each student’s potential. We understand that everyone faces challenges from time to time, but we believe that there are No Excuses for not performing to our greatest abilities. At Scenic Hill we believe that ALL students are college bound.
As a part of Team Eagle, we have expectations that every member work to realize their potential. As staff we are committed to provide high quality instruction aligned with state standards for every student. With the Six Exceptional Systems of the TurnAround Schools as our guide, we will do anything it takes to make student success a reality. Those Six Exceptional Systems that guide our operating beliefs are:
1. Culture of Universal Achievement
2. Collaboration
3. Standards Alignment
4. Assessment
5. Data Analysis
6. Interventions
We utilize these systems to keep our focus on our ultimate goal; Team Eagle is college bound.
Make a pledge to yourself that you will work hard to achieve this goal. Remember, after high school comes college.
Harjeet Sandhu,
Principal
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Building Hours and Schedule
Calendar Dates
Mission Statement
School Learning Plan & Goals
The remainder of this booklet is comprised of many important and helpful topics. These may be found in alphabetical order.
· Academic Program
· Assessment
· Attendance (See also Appendix)
· Communication
· Community Friends: Business and Community Partnerships
· Discipline Policy: Kent School District – Sanction Guidelines (see Appendix)
· Discipline Plan: Scenic Hill
· Dress Code
· Eagle Talk (see Parent Involvement)
· Emergency Information
· Food Programs
· Grades (see Progress Reports)
· Health and Insurance
· Involvement (see Volunteers)
· Lost and Found
· Parent Involvement
· Personal Belongings and Money
· Progress Reports/Report Card (see Grades)
· Release of Students and Student Information
· Safety
· School Property
· Supplies
· Telephones and Wireless Devices
· Title-1 School
· Volunteers, Visitors and Pets
· Weapons and Dangerous Objects
Appendix
· Kent School District Non-Discrimination Statement
· Compulsory Attendance Law
· Kent School District Discipline Policy
· Kent School District Guidelines for School Sanctions
BUILDING HOURS AND SCHEDULE
***For the safety of our students all visitors must sign in at the main office, even before school. Thank you for your help.***
8:00 Office open to public
8:10 Students begin arriving; staff supervision begins
8:30 Bell rings to begin school day
2:38 Student day ends (all grades: Kindergarten through 6th)
4:00 Office closed to public
Morning playground supervision begins at 8:10 a.m. For their safety, students should not be on campus prior to 8:10 unless they are participating in an early morning activity, such as music. If they arrive earlier than 8:10 they may be asked to call home to be picked up.
LATE START DAYS 2014-2015
The Kent School District observes a district wide late start schedule for all elementary, middle, and high schools one day a month except for the month of December.
School starts at 10:30 a.m. at Scenic Hill on late start days.
§ September 10
§ October 1
§ December 3
§ January 14
§ February 4
§ March 4
§ April 22
§ May 13
§ June 3
Students who ride a bus to school should expect their bus to arrive two hours later than the usual time. For instance, a bus that usually arrives at 8:15 a.m. will arrive at 10:15 a.m. on late start days.
Breakfast is not served on late start days. School ends at the regular time.
If you have questions, please call 253-373-7524.
OUR MISSION
To ensure that all students thrive as they progress through the K-6 program, the mission of Scenic Hill School is:
We at Scenic Hill, in conjunction with our community partners, are committed to ensuring that all students meet academic standard, graduate with options, and develop a strong sense of character in preparation for a successful life in the 21st Century.
TEAM EAGLE VISION
Our vision is embraced in our Team Slogan: “Graduate with Options – No Excuses, No Exceptions!”
We want all students to graduate from high school. But not just graduate; we want all our students to be so well prepared that no career step will be eliminated for them. If they elect to go college they may go to the school of their choice. If they elect to enter a career they will have the necessary reading, writing, and mathematics as well as social skills to do so. We want all our students to have every option open to them.
To achieve this vision requires the work of the entire TEAM Eagle Team – students, parents and staff. Together we will achieve this!
SCHOOL LEARNING PLAN & INTENTIONS
The Scenic Hill academic learning plan focuses on the core areas of literacy, numeracy, and writing. One overarching strategy guides instructional activity: We will increase student achievement through implementation of multi-tiered assessment and instruction/intervention. Guided by our School Improvement Plan (SIP), we will do whatever it takes to help students be successful.
Additionally, our school learning plan features goals for parent involvement and student recognition through TEAM Eagle. To review the SIP, go to the Kent School District web site (www.kent.k12.wa.us) and select “Our Schools” and then Scenic Hill.
We have three overall areas of focus. They are:
v Academics. Scenic Hill students will demonstrate continuous growth in reading, writing, and mathematics to meet established learning standards. School goals in these core areas are measured by the Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) in grades 3 through 6.
v Learning Environment. Scenic Hill students and staff will act to contribute to the learning and safety of all. This is partially described in the school discipline plan.
v Citizenship. As a school community, we will act with respect and dignity toward all team members. Emphasis is placed on working together to promote learning and well-being for every TEAM Eagle member.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Scenic Hill Elementary is approved and accredited by the State of Washington. The school uses Kent School District adopted curriculum. Reading, mathematics and writing are emphasized, and priority scheduling is given to these areas of instruction.
Additional programs and support are also part of the student schedule. Required classes include music and PE as well as content subjects in science, health and social studies. As children advance through the grades, more emphasis is placed on integrating basic skills with content subjects through technology.
Academic Help
For students not meeting learning standards, additional help is available. Programs include:
· Title-1 Schoolwide Reading. Through our Schoolwide Program, paraeducators instruct alongside teachers to provide small, flexible group literacy instruction for all students. This program is part of our SIP and includes fluid and focused reading interventions based upon individual student needs as measured by frequent progress monitoring.
· Math LAP. Also through our Schoolwide Program, students needing additional help in mathematics receive fluid and focused math interventions based upon demonstrated needs.
· Integrated Program. Part of our Special Education program, children who qualify receive specialized instruction.
· Student Support Center Program. Part of Special Education, children who qualify receive individualized help in areas of need.
· Student Learning Plan. Part of the Kent School District Academic Standards Plan, ways to promote student growth are developed between parents, students, and their teachers.
· English Language Learner (ELL). For children who qualify, a teacher and paraeducators assist children whose primary language is one other than English.
· Full Day Kindergarten. Scenic Hill offers free, all day kindergarten to all kindergarten students.
Other Related Services
Scenic Hill has several staff members that work with children on the basis of student need. These positions include the Educational Psychologist (academic testing), Speech (SLP), OT/PT.
Enrichment and Growth Opportunities
In addition to the general music program, offerings in band, orchestra, and ensemble are available to 5th and 6th grade students through Music Choice. A long standing tradition is the school’s Steel Drum Band, open to 6th grade students after school. Choir is also offered to students after school. A partnership with Kent Parks provides once a week, after school enrichment activities as well. Team sports for upper grade students are provided through volleyball and track and field.
Academic Recognition
Scenic Hill students are recognized for academic achievement in several ways. In addition to classroom recognition, we have a wonderful working partnership with Kiwanis to promote student recognition through the ‘Bringing Up Grades through Growth Goals’ (BUG) program as well as the Terrific Kids program to promote leadership.
Tradition in Academic Excellence. Students in K - 6 grades are honored during end of semester school assemblies for attaining academic standards. Also honored at those times are our Bringing Up Grades through Growth Goals students as well as our Terrific Kids Leaders.
ASSESSMENT
Various types of assessments are given to students during the course of a school year. These may be grouped into two categories: formative and summative.
Formative Assessment
Formative assessments are those assessments that guide our instruction – these assessments can range from informal, observational assessments to more formalized tests. Formative assessments are used to screen students to determine intervention needs, to determine if a concept needs to be retaught in a different way, and to help monitor student progress towards achieving academic standards. For example, in the fall a screening test may be administered to all students to help verify general levels of performance. Later, a diagnostic test might be given to some students to help teachers determine strengths and weaknesses. On a frequent progress monitoring schedule, teachers will give tests to help measure progress during the course of the year toward benchmark standards.
Summative Assessment
Summative assessments measure growth over longer periods of time; they provide a snapshot of how a student is progressing at a given time. For example, the DIBELS, Reading Benchmark Assessment and Math Benchmark Assessments are given to students Kinder through 6th grade. The Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) is given at grades 3 - 6 in core content areas.
These tests help give a collective picture of how individual students are doing as well as assisting school staff to evaluate the effectiveness of our learning program. Test results are shared with parents in various ways, such as online through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), through district and or school releases, as well as being shared by teachers with parents during conferences.
ATTENDANCE
It is imperative that students attend school every day and arrive on time. Research shows us that regular and on-time attendance is essential for student academic growth. The State of Washington has a mandatory attendance law. This law is sometimes referred to as the Becca Bill. Under this law, we monitor attendance and notify parents when absences become excessive. Legal action can and will be taken as required under the Becca Bill.
Absences
If your child is ill or unable to be at school please call and inform us. It is most helpful if you call before 7:45 a.m. and leave a message on our answering machine at (253)373-7479. As part of our Safe Arrival Program, we will call during the day to confirm your child’s whereabouts if we have not already heard from you. This ensures that all parties are informed of your child’s safety. If we are unable to make contact with a parent/guardian, a written excuse will be required when the child returns to school. We ask that you also inform the school of all phone number changes at home or work and provide emergency contact or daycare numbers.
Excused Absences
An excused absence is one where a child is too ill to attend school or has a medical appointment. In some instances, family needs may fall under this category. Teachers will accept missed assignments due to excused absences. Students are permitted one day of make-up time per day of absence.
Excessive Absences
These are absences where a child is in violation of the standards stated in the Becca Bill. If a child develops a pattern of absences that amount to a significant loss of time during the school year, the Becca Bill will be enforced.
Unexcused Absences
A few examples are shopping trips, attending a sporting event, hunting or fishing trips, staying home to take care of other family members, skipping school, and also having a pattern of too many absences. Parents will be notified of unexcused absences and, as required by law, the school will file with the court for excessive unexcused absences.
Compulsory Attendance Law
See appendix
COMMUNICATION
Several forms of communication are used at Scenic Hill. Some of these include:
Team Eagle Update - All School Newsletter
The Team Eagle Update is sent home once a month. Look for these in your child’s take home folder or backpack. As needed, supplemental news bulletins are sent home on non-newsletter Tuesdays.
PTA News
Look for PTA information, such as calendar dates, in the PTA newsletter. Additionally, PTA sends home information about many of its activities on a need basis.
Classroom news
Your child’s teacher will inform you of class events.
Phones
Autodialers are automated phone calls sent by the school or district to inform our community of an event or happening on a large scale. Autodialers may be sent to remind parents and families of events such as our Open House or may be used in case of emergency, such as an unexpected early dismissal due to weather or other events. If you do not wish to receive autodialer communications in non-emergency situations, please contact the school to have your name removed from this list. The office number is 253-373-7479. For contact with individual teachers, please see their contact information for their direct line into their classrooms. Teachers have their own mailboxes and messages may be left directly with them.