Parent-Student Handbook
2015-16 School Year
(Revised May 2015)
Vision: “Learning Today . . . Leading Tomorrow”
Misson: “We are Responsible, Respectful and Ready to Learn”
Our students, staff, and parents will experience:
A safe and positive learning environment
Accountability for all
Support in the learning community
Challenging and differentiated instruction
High expectations and values
Reflective, innovative, and exciting instruction
Problem-solving opportunities
Teamwork
Learning that prepares us for the future
Dear Parents and Students:
Welcome to Lovell Elementary School! I am excited to get to know each of you. You are attending a school where the faculty and staff are deeply committed to providing you with an exceptional educational experience. We take great pride in our challenging curriculum and the variety of quality educational activities available to our students.
Parents, please take the time to read over this handbook and discuss it with your child. When students understand expectations they are more likely to have a safe and successful school year. You will find a Matrix of Expectations in the back of the handbook that specifically defines behaviors expected of all students in each area of the school.
We welcome parent visits to the school and encourage each of you to ask questions of your children’s teachers and maintain frequent and positive communication with them. Your participation in your child’s education is very important. The district/school website has changed and we invite you to visit at our new web address: www.es-bgh2.org to check for events, calendars, or to contact your child’s teacher via email. Please be sure to drop by the office and check in whenever you do visit the school. Have a great 2015-16 school year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Martineau
Principal
School Goals
School Improvement Goal #1 All students will be improve in writing.
School Improvement Goal #2 All students will be improve in reading.
School Improvement Goal #3 All students will be improve in math.
School Improvement Goal #4 All students at Lovell Elementary will use technology.
LES DAILY TIME SCHEDULE
Lovell Elementary School Hours are from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday thru Thursday
Lovell Elementary School Hours are from 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Friday
Daily Schedule—Breakfast is served M-F @ 8:00 am
8:20 a.m. Warning Bell—Students line up to go to class
8:25 a.m. School Begins
10:00-10:15 a.m. Morning Recess-Grades K-5
Lunch Schedule
LUNCH RECESS
Kindergarten 11:00-11:20 11:20-11:45
First Grade 11:20-11:40 11:40-12:05
Second Grade 11:45-12:05 (recess first) 11:20-11:45
Third Grade 11:55-12:15 (recess first) 11:30-11:55
Fourth Grade 12:00-12:25 (recess first) 11:35-12:00
Fifth Grade 12:05-12:30 (recess first) 11:40-12:05
1:45-2:00 p.m. Afternoon Recess Grades K-2
2:00-2:15 p.m. Afternoon Recess Grades 3-4
3:10 p.m.—Dismissal
(School will dismiss at 3:10 p.m. Monday thru Thursday and at 1:30 p.m. on Friday)
** Early release for holidays will be as scheduled
**Please do not drop your children off at school in the morning any earlier than 8:00 a.m. There is no supervision available in the building or on the playground before this time. We also ask that you pick up your child promptly at 3:10 p.m. each day.
Student Registration:
New Students must have up-to-date immunizations, a certified birth certificate and a social security number. Parents are required to fill out registration forms and sign a form for record release from the school previously attended. Lovell Elementary School affords access to students and student information to legal guardians as specified by Big Horn School District #2 policies and Wyoming Statutes. If a legal guardian obtains a court order limiting the legal right of another legal guardian, the school principal MUST be provided a copy by the legal guardian obtaining this court order. Absent a court order, BHCSD #2 has no legal authority to restrict the rights of a legal guardian.
Kindergarten/First Grade:
In accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming, all children entering Kindergarten must be 5 years of age on or before September 15th. Birth certificates, social security number and immunization records are required of all Kindergarten students. In order to be eligible for first grade enrollment a child must be 6 years of age on or before September 15th. Birth certificates, social security numbers, and immunization records are required of all first time first grade students and all new students entering our school. Pre-registration and screening is done each April for kindergarten students, and is an opportunity for parents and their child to visit the school and do the required paperwork. Screening is a very helpful tool in identifying a child’s kindergarten readiness skills.
Parents should bring the following documentation: an up-to-date immunization record, a copy of the child’s birth certificate, the child’s social security card.
Change of Address or Phone Number:
It is important to let the school office know as soon as possible if the family has moved or is planning a move. Up-to-date information is vital in the event of illness or emergency.
Attendance
Absences & Excuses: Regular attendance at school is vitally important to each student as it can directly affect his/her progress academically and his/her development of attitudes and habits for later life. The more absences a student accumulates, the less he or she can be expected to adequately participate in and understand classroom activities. This is especially true when students are in elementary school as this is when they form these habits. Statistics nationally, as well as in this district, verify that students with fewer absences generally earn higher grades and are more successful. While keeping records of students is a school function, the primary responsibility for insuring regular attendance at school rests with the parent and the student. Anytime a student arrives late to school he/she must check in at the office before proceeding to their classroom.
Absences: A student must have a parent note, prior parent phone call to the school, or prior administrative approval upon his/her return to school explaining the absence for it to be considered excused. Students who arrive at school after 9:00 a.m. in the morning will be marked absent for the morning. If students leave the school before 2:30 p.m. they will be marked absent for the afternoon. Defining an absence as excused or unexcused is subject to administrative interpretation. Unexcused absences shall include but are not limited to appointments other than medical, oversleeping, missing the bus, absences not defined as excused in district policy, or absences without prior administrative approval. Unexcused absences can result in no credit allowed for assignments inclusive of the absent day(s). ** Any student with 10 or more absences during a semester will be required to have one of the following for it to be considered excused: a doctor’s note, pre-arranged absence, administrative approval or family emergency. The absence will be considered a truancy if this is not provided. Parents will be notified when a student has ten absences during a semester.
Tardies: If a student is going to be late we ask that the office be notified. Students who arrive at school between 8:25 and 9:00 a.m. will be marked tardy. If a student is late frequently (more than 3 times a trimester) the principal will contact the parents by letter. A conference with the principal may be held if a student has six or more tardies during a trimester.**All students who have 5 or more absences or 3 tardies during a trimester will automatically receive a letter at the end of that trimester to inform their parents of the exact number. These letters are for parent’s information only, and do not require any parental action.
** Child Safe Calling Program-All parents are asked to please call the school no later than 9 a.m. on any day their child will be absent. This program is designed to keep children safe by making sure that absent students are safe at home and not lost or otherwise missing.
Student Transfers: If you are going to be moving out of our school district please let the office know as soon as possible so that we can prepare your child’s records for transfer to their new school in a timely manner. Your child will need to return all school and library books and materials before their records are cleared for transfer. Lunch accounts must also be settled before records will be transferred.
Student Release During School Hours: Students are not permitted to leave during the school day without authorization from a parent. All children must be released from the office so we ask that you do not pick your child up from their classroom or the playground. Parents must always come to the office to pick up their child.
Parent Pick-Up Area/Traffic Safety Plan: Please park in the designated areas to avoid blocking crosswalks or bus lanes. If you are dropping off your student or picking them up after school, please do not enter the bus loop in front of the school at any time. There is a drop-off zone directly in front of the school on Shoshone Avenue. You may pull in to drop off your children, but you may not park or leave your vehicle unattended in the drop-off zone at any time. Also, please do not drive into the faculty parking lot on Kansas Avenue to pick up or drop off students before or after school. This creates a safety hazard. Also, when you pick your child up on Kansas Ave., please park on Kansas south of the crosswalks or you may park on Park Avenue north of the school. There is a parking lot south of the elementary school on Shoshone Avenue that is available for parking anytime. Kansas Avenue, between Washakie and Park Avenue, will be closed to traffic from 3:05 until about 3:15 daily due to safety concerns.
Always teach your children to use the crosswalk when crossing the street.
The front doors at LES are open during the day from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. All other doors to the elementary are kept locked at all times.
General Information
Personnel Records:
Information regarding a teacher’s certification, educational background and teaching experience may be released to a parent requesting such information. This policy only applies if the school in which the teacher is assigned was named a “school in need of improvement” by the Wyoming Department of Education.
Criminal Background Check:
Prior to working for the District, all employees must consent to, or provide the necessary documentation to allow for a criminal background check.
Constitutionally Protected Prayer:
At no time shall a student or staff member be prevented or denied participation in constitutionally protected prayer in Big Horn County School District #2 schools. 2
Student Records: Big Horn School District #2 and its respective schools will comply with the regulations of the No Child Left Behind Act. In accordance with the Act, the District will provide armed forces recruiters and institutions of higher education with access to secondary school students’ names, addresses and telephone listings.
A student or his/ her parents may request that this information not be released. The District will notify parents and students of this option annually.
Fluoride, Breakfast, & Lunch: Fluoride may be purchased on registration day at the beginning of the school year. Breakfast is served from 8:00 to 8:20 and costs $1.50 and $2.10 for adults. Hot lunch prices are $ 2.40 for elementary students, and adult lunches are $3.60 (This is an increase from last year to help cover the cost of increased commodities). Each student is assigned an account number and each day that they eat lunch or breakfast, the account will be charged the appropriate amount. You may purchase lunches anytime through the elementary office. We encourage students to purchase first thing in the morning when they arrive at school so we avoid lost checks or cash. The school will notify you if the balance in your child’s account is in the negative. Student accounts should never exceed $10.00 in charges. Children may bring their own sack lunches and purchase milk for $.30. Parents are welcome to come and eat lunch with their children anytime! Applications for free and reduced lunches may be picked up at the office any time.
Recess/Dress Policy:
Students will be outside any time the temperature with wind chill is above +10 degrees . Please make sure your child is dressed in warm clothing during cold weather. Snow boots or overshoes, gloves, hats, and coats should be worn when weather is cold. Students are strongly discouraged from wearing shorts from November to March because of cold weather. All students are expected to participate in recess unless excused due to health restrictions.
A written request from your family’s doctor is required if a student is to stay in for recess for more than one day.
Lost & Found/Article Identification:
The lost and found box is located by the playground doors. In order to make sure lost articles are returned to the owner, the student’s name should be sewn or marked on all clothing, backpacks, etc. We encourage parents to use a permanent marker and write their child’s name in their coats and other clothing so that they are easily identifiable. Smaller items and money that is lost will be kept in the office. Parents should check the lost and found if they are missing an item. The lost and found will be cleaned out at the end of the year, and any unclaimed items will be donated to charity.
Telephone Calls/Cell Phones:
Telephones may be used with permission from the student’s teacher, secretary, nurse, or the principal. This is usually reserved for important or emergency calls. Arrangements for after-school activities should be made prior to coming to school. Students may not have cell phones, pagers, or other such devices at school. Children should know before they leave home each day where they are to go after school. Please limit calls to the office regarding after school plans to emergencies only. If messages from parents for students are not called in before 2:30 p.m., the student may not receive the message before the end of the day.
If you need to talk to your child’s teacher on the phone please call the school before 8:20 a.m. or after 3:15 p.m. Students are never allowed to have cell phones in school, and will be subject to school disciplinary action if they use them at school, or have them in their possession.