Parent/Student Handbook - Peoria Heights School District
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Peoria Heights Grade School Parent-Student Handbook 2014-2015 Peoria Heights Grade School 500 EAST GLEN AVENUE PEORIA HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS 61616 PHONE (309) 686-8809 FAX (309) 686-7272 “Excellence in Education” _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dave Carroll, Principal Terry Mooney, Assistant Principal Eric Heath, Superintendent FAMILY WELCOME MESSAGE Welcome to our new school year at your Peoria Heights Grade School! The 2013-2014 school year begins with new hopes, challenges, and goals as we begin a new era in community education here at Peoria Heights Grade School. We anxiously anticipate the many challenges and quality educational improvements this school year will bring! Teachers, administrators, and building staff personnel are here to help each student achieve to their fullest potential. Our curriculum will empower each student to gain the basic fundamentals of education, to succeed and excel in the future as they progress through school. You can be assured that through ongoing curriculum planning and refinement, and, individual guidance, Peoria Heights Grade School will provide the best possible elementary educational opportunities commensurate with each Peoria Heights student's abilities and needs. We are dedicated to assisting and meeting the needs of each child. Please read the information contained in this booklet, discuss important sections with your student, then sign, detach, and return to school the receipt on the last page of this handbook. A hard copy of this booklet is available in the PHGS office if you need one. This book is also available for reference at our school website at www.phcusd325.net. Call the school office for any needed clarification of handbook information. Our school is willing to provide whatever assistance may be needed during the school year. Please feel free to confer with us over class work, grades, assignments, or any concerns that may arise. We encourage and appreciate your active involvement and support. You are invited and encouraged to visit the school and to examine and discuss your child's educational program with the teachers and administration. Consult this handbook for information regarding classroom visits. We will work closely with you to best meet your student's needs. Mutual benefits increase when there is a meaningful exchange of information between the home and school. Cooperation between the home and school is essential to promote your child’s best interests. The Board of Education has established policies and employed highly trained professional educators to enable our students at Peoria Heights Grade School to achieve to their fullest academic potential. We will encourage each child to work with parents and teachers to both learn and grow. Be an active student! Follow school rules, and be considerate of and respectful to others in all that you say and do. Set leadership examples for others to follow! Take part in your new Peoria Heights Grade School activities! Take pride in your school! The years that you spend at Peoria Heights Grade School will forever stand out in your memory as some of the best years of your life. Respectfully, Dave Carroll Dave Carroll, Principal Terry Mooney Eric Heath Terry Mooney, Assistant Principal Eric Heath Superintendent Peoria Heights Grade School “Patriot Pride” TABLE OF CONTENTS Staff Roster School Calendar Fees Schedule (Breakfast / Lunch / Textbooks / Locker Locks) 2013-2014 Bell Schedule/School Day Times Ten Student Behavior Goals Parent Support and Assistance Goals Helping Your Child to Better Grades School Supplies Listing Bus Rider Conduct Notice School Medication Authorization Form Student Parent/Guardian Information Form Student Data Entry Form ========================================================================== Please Note: Policies and/or procedures referenced in this handbook may be added to, modified, refined for clarification, or deleted, at any time, as deemed necessary and in the best interest of serving and protecting the educational rights of all PHGS students, parents, and employees. The most current handbook, reflecting any such changes, will be in the possession of the building principal. Copies distributed at the beginning of each school year, reflect all handbook changes made to that date. ========================================================================== THE PROCEDURES/TOPICS LISTED BELOW ARE ADDRESSED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER Abandoned Child Absence or Tardy Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) – Computer and Internet Use Activity Bus Schedule Administration of Student Medications at School – Maximizing Benefit Animals Brought to School Arrival and Dismissal Times Athletic Schedules (Current School Year) Attendance Policy Behavior and Discipline (Parental Responsibilities) Behavior and Discipline (Teacher/Student Responsibilities) Behavioral / Diagnostic Evaluation of a Student (Parent Requested) – Connors Rating Scale, etc. Bicycles Birth Certificate (Certified Copy Required within 40 days of School Registration) Body Piercing Breakfast Program at PHGS Bright Futures Bus Rider Behavior Rule Bus Routes and Times Bus (Yielding to on School Property) Cameras at School Cars of Parents Cell Phone Procedures Change of Address Charity Collections at School Child Abduction – Safety Tips Child Abuse or Neglect – Recognizing, Preventing, and Reporting Classroom Placement of Students Clubs at PHGS – Non-School Sponsored Communication Computer Lab & Library Computer Use Rules Conduct (Student Rules of Behavior for Playground / Play Supervision / General) Conferences After School Contacting Parents: Address and Phone Number Information Contagious Disease Controlled Substances Corporal Punishment Crosswalks on School Property Cyber Bullying Dances (Junior High) Deliveries to Students at School Detentions Served at School-Grades K-3 and Conferences Served After School, Grades K-3) Detentions Served at School-Grades 4-8 and Conferences Served After School, Grades 4-8) Diagnostic Assessment Scales (Physician requested for a student) Discipline Policy (Grades K-3) Discipline Policy (Grades 4-8) Dress Code Drills (Disaster) Early Childhood Education (ECE) Early Walker Release – Grades 5-8 Earthquake Drill Electronic Paging and Communication Devices Elevator (Use Of) End of Year Graduation “Special” Outings Eligibility – Grade 8 Entrance and Exit Security and Student Entry Locations Entry at Peoria Heights Grade School Excuse From Activity Expelled Students Extra-Curricular Eligibility Extra-Curricular Events (Attending/Departing) Facebook / Internet Chat Rooms / Electronic Messaging Device Postings Field Trips Food Items from Home (Brought to School) Fundraisers Gang Activity Prohibited Glen Avenue Intersection @ School Entry Grading Scale Grievance Procedure or Due Process Hazing Head Lice Control Health and Immunization Requirements Health Issues & Habits (Should I send My Child to School?) Highly Qualified Teachers Homebound Instruction Homeless Students Homework Honor Roll (Grades 5 and 6) Illness at School Immunization of Students (Physical and Dental Exams) Internet use by Students Insurance For Students Invitations Distributed to Students ISAT Testing (Grades 3 – 8) Leaving the School Building (Between 8:45 and 3:20) Library / Media Center Listening / Entertainment Devices at School Lockers of Students Lost and Found Lunches Lunchroom Conduct Lunchroom Account – Negative Account Balance Mandated Reporter Medicaid Notification (Required by law) Medical Excuses Medications for Students Moving Away Noon Hour Nurse Parent Involvement Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Parties at School Passes Personal Property Physical Contact with Others at School Physical Education Requirements Practices (Athletic and Extracurricular Activity) Problems with Students / Problem Resolution Promotion Policy Public Complaints About School Personnel Recess Report Cards Residency Proof Respect Response to Intervention (RTI) Safety Procedures on School Grounds School Property (Care Of) “School Reach” (Parent Emergency Notification System) School Supplies Searches and Seizures at School (Students & Student Property) Security of the School Building and Classrooms Severe or Inclement Weather Sex Education (Grades 6-8) Information Sexual Harassment of Students Skateboards and Roller Skates Smoking Policy Snow Day Information (Canceling School) Social Activities Special Education Special Education Student "Behavioral Intervention Plan" Special Interest Materials Student Records Students Picked-Up at School During the School Day by Parents Students Removed From Classrooms to the School Office Study Hall or Study Time Given to Students Suspension and/or Possible Expulsion Telephone Textbooks Tobacco Products (Use of) Truancy Unauthorized Material Unprepared for Class Vacations (Family), During the School Year Valuables at School Vending Machine Use by Students Vision and Hearing Screenings (Annual @ PHGS) Visitation of Classrooms Volunteer Information, PHGS “Walkers” (Your Child Walking to School) Weapons on School Grounds Written Excuse After Absence Safety Patrol Permission Slip Parent-Student Handbook Sign Off Slip PEORIA HEIGHTS GRADE SCHOOL FACULTY and STAFF 2014 - 2015 BOARD OF EDUCATION Mr. Don Gorman Mrs. Stefanie McCumber Mrs. Becky Kelton Mr. Chris Ahart Mr. Mike Casey Mr. Mike Hulse Mr. Robbie Mathisen President Vice-President Secretary Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member ADMINISTRATION Mr. Eric Heath Mr. Dave Carroll Mr. Terry Mooney Superintendent Principal Assistant Principal ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT Ms. Jennifer Reichert Technology Director Mrs. Shirley Wilkinson Mrs. Pam Kerr School Secretary School Secretary Mrs. Regina Passage Ms. Kim Surber Central Office Secretary Central Office Bookkeeper TEACHERS Mrs. Rhonda Haslett Kindergarten Mrs. Patricia Hasenstein Mrs. Becky Roling Mrs. Leslie Hymbaugh Mrs. Nancy Bogner Mrs. Sandy Alwan Ms. Traci Whalen Mrs. Amanda Rogers Mrs. Jodi Ledeboer Mrs. Samantha Alvarado Mrs. Kathy Ross Mr. Corey Sharp Mrs. Amanda Morrow Mrs. Cali Moreno Ms. Lisa Reinholtz Mrs. Becky Wilson Mrs. Rachel Biller Ms. Kristy Harris Ms. Brett Allen Mrs. Mr. David Lewis Mrs. Amanda Lowry Mr. Todd Hawkins Mrs. Deb Okamura Mrs. DeAnn Ingersoll Mrs. Sandy Hartman Mrs. Beth Youker-Schwab Ms. N. Black Mrs. Sarah Stokes Mrs. Judy Conger Mrs. Shelly Babcock Mrs. Polly Greenway Mrs. Samantha Clayton Mr. Phillip Mott Mrs. Elsa Ng Sharum Kindergarten Kindergarten 1st Grade 1st Grade 2nd Grade 2nd Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 3rd Grade 3rd / 4th Split Grade 4th Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 5th Grade 5th / 6th Split Grade 6th Grade 6th Grade 7th / 8th Language Arts 7th/8th Literature 7th / 8th Mathematics 7th / 8th Science & Health 7th / 8th Social Studies 7th/ 8th Aide BF/ECE Blended Preschool (A.M. & P.M.) BF Preschool (A.M. & P.M.) Special Education, Grade K-2 Special Education Aide, Grade K-2 Special Education, Grade 3 & 4 Special Education Aide, Gr. 3-4 Special Education Student Aide, Grade 6 Special Education, Grade 5 Special Education, Grade 6 Special Education, Grade 7 Special Education, Grade 8 SPECIAL TEACHERS Mr. Chris Piper Mr. Ross Pesch Mrs. Marilyn Breitmeyer Mrs. Jenny Hursey Mrs. Jenny Darrow Ms. Ms. Jodi Atchison Mr. Brian Ehle Mr. Mike Zogg Mrs. Victoria Griffin Mrs. Karen Strunk Mr. Mike Vitale Mrs. Patty Kohorst Mrs. Jennifer Cook Mrs. Rachel Poole Vocal Music / Band Physical Education Physical Education Teach. Assist. Title I Reading – Grades 1-4 Title I Reading – Grades 5-9 Speech Therapist Speech Therapist Mathematics Improvement Reading Improvement Reading Improvement School Social Worker School Psychologist School Counselor School Nurse Librarian & Tech. Support (PHGS & PHHS) BRIGHT FUTURES PROGRAM Mrs. Erin Stout Mrs. DeAnn Ingersoll Mrs. Sandy Hartman Ms. Natasha Harris Mr. Jimmy Ulrich Mrs. Shari Favorite Ms. Kelly Lenz Mrs. Jo Ann Roedell Mrs. Linda Meyer Ms. Holly Tyler Ms. Jill Couri-Young Program Administrator Bright Futures Teacher (A.M. / P.M.) – Classroom 1 Bright Futures Teacher (A.M. / P.M.) – Classroom 2 ECE/Bright Futures Aide ECE/Bright Futures Aide Central Office Central Office Central Office Central Office Central Office Central Office SUPPORT STAFF Mrs. Suzanne Cranford Ms. Kat Giden Mr. Ricky Davis Mrs. Cindy Metz Mrs. Amanda Mathisen Mr. Tom Cammack Ms. Chris Guth Ms. Sarah Wiese Cafeteria Manager Cafeteria Cafeteria Cafeteria Cafeteria Cafeteria Cafeteria Cafeteria Mr. Jim Carter Mr. Norman Gates Mr. Bob Hunt Mr. Tom Cammack Mr. Joe Passage Mrs. Teresa Beoletto Facilities Maintenance Director Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Mr. Joe Stoner Mrs. Becky Gilmore Mrs. Sue Smith Mrs. Brenda Yaunk Mrs. Shane Smith Mrs. Julie King Mr. Don Hodge Mrs. Trish Wilson Mrs. Chris Cammack Mr. Mike Zogg (Sub) EllaMae Renken (Sub) Ann Markovich (Sub) Director of Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation PEORIA HEIGHTS COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #325 2014 – 2015 SCHOOL CALENDAR August 14 Teachers Institute No School August 15 Teachers Institute No School August 18 First Day of School-Hot Lunches served HS dismissed @ 2.00 p.m. GS dismissed @ 2:20 p.m. September 1 Labor Day No School September 18 Half-Day Parent/Teacher Conferences HS dismissed @ 11:30 a.m. GS dismissed @ 12:00 p.m. September 19 Full-Day Parent/Teacher Conferences No School September 24 Half Day School Improvement HS dismissed @ 11:30 a.m. GS dismissed @ 12:00 noon October 13 Columbus Day No School October 17 1st Grading Period Ends – Early Dismissal HS dismissed @ 2:00 p.m. GS dismissed @ 2:20 p.m. October 31 Half-Day School Improvement HS dismissed @ 11:30 a.m. GS dismissed @ 12:00 noon November 11 Veterans Day No School November 2628 Thanksgiving Break No School-Wednesday, Thursday, Friday December 19 2nd Grading Period Ends – Early Dismissal HS dismissed @ 2:00 p.m. GS dismissed @ 2:20 p.m. December 22Jan. 4 Winter Break No School January 19 Martin Luther King’s Birthday No School January 28 Half-Day School Improvement HS dismissed @ 11:30 a.m. GS dismissed @ 12:00 noon February 13 Full-Day Parent/Teacher Conferences No School February 16 President’s Day No School February 25 Half-Day School Improvement HS dismissed @ 11:30 a.m. GS dismissed @ 12:00 noon March 6 3rd Grading Period Ends – Early Dismissal HS dismissed @ 2:00 p.m. GS dismissed @ 2:20 p.m. March 20 County Institute No School March 25 Half-Day School Improvement HS dismissed @ 11:30 a.m. GS dismissed @ 12:00 noon March 30April 6 Spring Break No School – Classes resume April 7 May 6 Half-Day School Improvement HS dismissed @ 11:30 a.m. GS dismissed @ 12:00 noon May 25 Memorial Day No School May 26 Last Day of School for Students *if any emergency days are used, the last day of school will be moved HS dismissed @ 2:00 p.m. GS dismissed @ 2:20 p.m. May 27* Teachers Institute – Last Day for Teachers *if emergency days are not used, the day for Teachers Institute will be held on May 27 * May be changed by Board Action Grading Period End 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Report Card Grades Posted By October 17, 2014 December 19, 2014 March 6, 2015 *May 26, 2015 Report Card Mail Date October 24, 2014 January 8, 2015 March 13, 2015 May 26, 2015 October 27, 2014 January 15, 2015 March 20 2015 To Be Determined *May 26 final day of attendance may be changed by Board Action ( Snow or Emergency Day Use) Fees Schedule (Breakfast / Lunch / Textbooks / Locker Locks) 2014-2015 Textbooks (K-1212) $65 P.E. Locker Lock $3.50 (Student owned – reusable yearly) Breakfast (K-8) Lunch (K-8) $1.25 $2.25 Individual Milk $0.40 Adult Lunch $3.00 Bell Schedules 8:30 – 8:45 8:40 8:45 Grades K-6 Bell Schedule - Students enter building and report to classrooms -Warning Bell -Tardy Bell 11:20 - 11:55 12:00 - 12:35 12:40 - 1:15 3:10 3:20 3:20 - 3:45 - Lunch (Gr. 6-8) - Lunch (K-1-2) - Lunch (Gr. 3-5) - Dismissal – ALL K-8 Bus Riders, ALL Grade K-4 - Dismissal Time – ALL remaining Grade 5-8 - 8th hour 7th and 8th Grade Bell Schedule 8:40 8:45 8:45 - 8:55 8:55 - 9:40 9:40 - 10:25 10:25 - 11:10 11:10 - 11:15 11:20 - 11:55 12:00 - 12:15 12:15 - 1:00 1:00 - 1:45 1:45 - 2:30 2:30 - 3:15 3:15 - 3:20 3:10 3:20 3:20 - 3:45 3:20 - 4:15 - Warning Bell - Tardy Bell - Homeroom - 1st. Period - 2nd. Period - 3rd. Period - Homeroom - Lunch - Study Hall - 4th. Period - 5th. Period - 6th. Period - 7th. Period - Homeroom - Dismissal – ALL K-8 Bus Riders, ALL Grade K-4 - Dismissal Time – ALL remaining Grade 5-8 - 8th hour - Detention (Tuesday & Thursday) SCHOOL DAY TIMES Bright Futures Pre-School Program / Early Childhood Education (ECE) Blended Classrooms – One morning and one afternoon session. Morning Session Schedule - 9:00 A.M. – 11:30 P.M. Afternoon Session Schedule - 12:30 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. (Both sessions are held 5 days weekly) Kindergarten Program (A.M., 1/2 day option) Morning Session - 8:45 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. Grades K - 8 Full Day Program Full Day Schedule - 8:45 A.M. - 3:20 P.M. Peoria Heights Grade School's Ten Student Behavior Goals 1. I treat everyone with respect and deserve the same treatment in return. 2. I am honest and treat all in a fair manner. 3. I listen to and obey my parents and teachers, and school staff without arguments. 4. I control my temper at all times, and am responsible for what I do. I respect the right of others to never be touched. 5. I never use physical violence in anger against others. 6. I am a polite and courteous friend to everyone. 7. I never use poor or inappropriate language. 8. I think for myself before I act, to be a leader, not a follower. 9. I follow school rules that protect me and my schoolmates. 10. I always try my best to work hard to be the best student that I know I can be. Be Proud of Your Actions and of Your School Have Self-Respect and Show Others Respect Understand and Accept Responsibility for Your Actions Show Patience Toward and Caring for Others You deserve your Best Effort! Peoria Heights Grade School's faculty and staff members want to help you to grow and mature toward being the best young person and student we know you can be! ========================================================================= Peoria Heights Grade School's Parent Support and Assistance Goals 1. I will support the efforts of my child's teachers both at school and in our family home that my children will see and respond to a unified parent/teacher effort to maximize student performance and achievement. 2. I will assume an active and participative role in the educational process of my children that will most benefit them. 3. I will ask questions of school administrators and teachers to address concerns I have about my student's education and achievement in school. 4. I will set and support high standards of performance at school for my children, knowing that the work efforts and performance patterns that they develop now, will forever impact their future success in life. 5. I will encourage at our home, more "reading" to master comprehension skills, “creativity", to promote and develop higher level thinking skills, and "inquiry" to instill within my children a love of and desire for a lifetime of learning. 6. I will work to open more lines of communication with my child and with the school to help my student receive the best education possible, and to create a caring and concerned home environment that my child will be nurtured in and be responsive to. 7. I will recognize "education" as a family priority, requiring time, dedication, patience, effort, and sacrifice. I will clearly demonstrate to my children in all that I say and do, that their personal and educational welfare are of the utmost importance to me. 8. I will devote the time needed to assist my child with schooling and work to promote positive and beneficial behaviors from my child, by reviewing and assisting with homework completion each day, by discussing events that happen at school each day with my child, by knowing friends my child associates with, and by monitoring the manner in which my child spends free or unsupervised time. 9. I will volunteer my services as possible in my child's classroom to benefit my child and all children being educated in the school. 10. I will promote my school and its activities as an integral part of the Peoria Heights Community, to promote Village-School cooperation in educating Peoria Heights children and raising future contributing citizens. 11. I will treat all school personnel and children with proper courtesy and respect at ALL times and will receive that same treatment in return. My Participation In Schooling Will Benefit My Child… I Will Make Needed Sacrifices NOW For My Child’s Future ========================================================================== HELP YOUR CHILD TO BETTER GRADES You can increase your child’s motivation. The more interest the child takes in his studies now, the more the child will learn. Here are some practical suggestions: 1. Encourage regular study habits and set a regular “study / homework time”. If your child gets in the habit of studying every day from, say 4:30 to 5:30 P.M., he won't be tempted to wander off to some other diversion until his homework is done. 2. Make learning fun. In the evening after the regular study period is over, play word games with your youngster. Give the child words to spell to improve spelling skills. Name geographical places and have the child repeat the name, point the location out on a map or globe. Don't make the questions too difficult or your child may become discouraged and lose enthusiasm. 3. Give your youngster the joy of accomplishment. If his report card is outstanding, congratulate the student. Your praise when deserved can be a tremendous motivating force. If you have a family word processor or computer, encourage your child to use it under your supervision. Children will feel important operating a "grown-up” machine. 4. Teach your child to concentrate. There is a time for study and then there is a time for television and/or video games. The two do not mix. Make sure your child has a quiet place to study, free from distractions. The sound of a ball game in the street, music, even the rattling of pans when you are preparing dinner in the kitchen -- all distract from your student’s study efforts. Study more difficult subjects first while the mind is fresh. Take notes, including important phrases and key words, as age level appropriate. 5. Show your child how to save time. Proper preparation helps the child. Before sitting down with homework, your child should have pencils sharpened, books readily accessible, and the light properly adjusted if not near a 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. window. The dictionary, map, globe, computer, or other needed reference/study materials should be right at hand. The child should do everything possible to avoid having to get up in the midst of studies. Do not help your child too much. You do not really help by doing a student's homework. The student needs the practice opportunity homework provides. Cooperate with the teacher. Have a visit with the teacher a few weeks after school starts. By that time the teacher will know more about your child's ability and attitudes, and will be able to advise you on the amount and kind of help you should give. If the teacher asks you not to help in certain subjects, by all means follow that advice. Never use aggressive behavior to force your child to study. The child will not learn very much by you holding a book in front of his nose, and force may set up a psychological block against study that might hinder student progress for years. Provide nurturing assistance as needed. In penmanship lessons, encourage writing with careful spacing and straight lines. Require neat penmanship that is legible. Teach concentration on words and sentences, not on individual letters. Thinking in terms of words and sentences will be a great aid toward correct spelling and good composition. Above all, impress on your child the fact that learning is important. Explain why it’s important, and what it will mean in the years ahead. If the child wants to be an engineer or a businessman, point out how vital math and science will be. In almost any field chosen, reading will be essential. Let your student know that learning is the student’s responsibility, not yours or the teacher's. Keeping an “assignment notebook” will help the student be more organized and productive. Children at school have a job to do, just as adults do. Express you interest in seeing how well that job is done. If you follow these ten steps carefully, and if you give your child the friendly help, patience, and understanding of a concerned parent, you will be leading your child to better grades. ============================================================================================================== PEORIA HEIGHTS GRADE SCHOOL LIST OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES (Grades K-8) NOTE: Students in grades K-4 have small cubby areas available for use in classrooms. Please do not send your child to school with a book-bag or backpack that is too large to fit in the classroom cubby. Cubby spaces are 12 inches deep and 7 inches wide. Students in Grades 5-8 have lockers available for use to place personal items under lock to discourage items being taken by others. The lockers are 11 inches wide by 10.5 inches deep, with a diagonal measurement of about 13.5 inches. Please do not send your student to school with a book-bag or backpack that is too large to fit in the locker. KINDERGARTEN 5 1 2 1 1 #2 Pencils Pair Fiska Scissors Boxes Crayons - 8 Colors Adult T-Shirt, for painting Gym Shoes, Non Marking Soles 2 Pocket folder Last Updated 06-14-14 ========== 2 Boxes Kleenex, large 1 Pencil Box 1 Large Elmer's White glue 1 Flash Drive (4G or Larger)* 1 Hand Wipes / Sanitizer 1 Change of Clothes, Sealed In Baggie 1 Book bag FIRST GRADE 2 1 10 1 1 2 Large Elmer’s Glue (Orange Cap) Box Crayola Crayons #2 Pencils, not Jumbo (Dixon, Ticonderoga) Gym Shoes, non-marking soles Adult T-Shirt, for painting Pocketfolders, Plastic (No Trapper Keepers) 1 Pair Pointed Scissors 1 Pencil Box (Cigar Size) 2 Box Kleenex, Large Size 2 Eraser, Pink Pearl or Similar 1 Water Color Paint Set 1 Hand Wipes / Sanitizer Label ALL Items With Student Name 1 Flash Drive (4G or Larger)* SECOND GRADE 1 Hand Sanitizer 2 Wide ruled spiral notebooks 1 Large gallon bag zip lock plastic bags 1 5 1 1 Large Box Crayons #2 Pencils Large Elmer's Glue Pair Pointed Scissors 1 Eraser. Pink Pearl or Similar 1 Box Kleenex, large size Gym Shoes, non-marking soles 1 Water Color Paint Set 1 Large Glue Stick (Elmer’s) 2 2 Pocket Folders 1 Hand Wipes / Sanitizer 1 Flash Drive (4G or Larger)* THIRD GRADE 1 Box Crayons 4 #2 Pencils 1 Large Elmer's Glue 1 Pair Pointed Scissors 1 Ruler. Combination metric/English 1 Pair Gym Shoes (Non-marking sole) 2 Pkg. Notebook Paper (wide-ruled) 2 Box Kleenex, large size 1Eraser Pink Pearl or Similar 2 Spiral Notebooks 1 Box Water Colors 3 2 Pocket Folders Colored Pencils 1 Hand Wipes / Sanitizer 1 Flash Drive (4G or Larger)* 1 Small Pencil Sharpener 3-Hole Notebook Paper, Wide-ruled 1 Red Pen 1 Elmer's Glue, 8 oz. 1 Pair Scissors Colored Pencils 1 Hand Wipes / Sanitizer 1 Highlighter 1 Flash Drive (4G or Larger)* FOURTH GRADE 1 Box Crayons (24 Count) 4 #2 Pencils 2, 2-Pocket Folders 1 Eraser. Pink Pearl or Similar 1 Ruler, Combination Metric/English 3 Spiral Notebooks 1 Box Kleenex 1 Markers (Optional) 1 Pair Gym Shoes, Non-Marking Sole FIFTH GRADE 1 8 oz. Elmer Glue (Liquid, NOT stick) Washable Colored Markers 1 Box Colored Pencils 1 Compass 1 Solar Powered Calculator 1 Ruler (Metric / English) 2 Eraser (pink Pearl) 1 Spiral Notebooks (Wide Ruled) 1 Scissors 1 Pocket Folders – ANY Design or Color 3 Packages #2 Pencils (NO MECHANICAL) 1 Flash Drive (4G or Larger)* 2 Packages Note cards 1 Pair Gym Shoes (Non-marking soles) 1 Qt. Size Box Ziplock Bags 1 Gallon Size Box Ziplock Bags 3 Packages Loose Leaf, Wide Ruled, Notebook Paper 16 Crayons 1 Clear Plastic Protractor 2 Red Pens & 2 Ehle Pens 1 Large Box Kleenex 1 Highlighter 1 Hand Wipes / Sanitizer SIXTH GRADE 1 8oz. Elmer's Glue (Liquid, not stick) 1 Metric/English Compass and Plastic Protractor 1 Ehle Extra Fine Tip Marker 1 Ruler, Combination Metric/English 1 3-Ring Notebook (8 ½ x 11) 2 Ballpoint Pens (Medium) Washable Colored Markers (Non-toxic) 1 Large Box Kleenex 1 Eraser (Pink Pearl or Similar) 1 Inexpensive Solar Powered Calculator 1 Pkg. loose-leaf notebook paper (wide-ruled) 1 Flash Drive (4G or Larger)* 5 #2 Pencils 16 Crayons 1 Pair Scissors 4, 2 Pocket Folders 2 Spiral Notebooks 1 Box Color Pencils 1 Hand Wipes / Sanitizer SEVENTH and EIGHTH GRADE 1 4 1 7 1 1 1 1 4 oz. Elmer’s Glue 6 #2 Pencils Ball Point Pens (Medium Ehle or Blue) 1 Eraser (Pink Pearl) Ruler (Metric and English) 1 Protractor Spiral Notebooks (8 ½ x 11) 1 Box Kleenex, Large Box Watercolor Markers 1 PE Uniform – REQUIRED Calculator (Solar Powered) (Purchase at School) Pair Gym Shoes 1 Gym Bag (Optional) 3 Ring, Loose Leaf Notebook & Paper (8 ½ x 11) 1 Folder with pockets per subject 1 Pair 5” Pointed Scissors 1 Box Colored Pencils 1 3 Ring Binder 4 Ehle Dry Erase Markers (Non-Toxic) 1 Highlighter 1 Hand Wipes / Sanitizer 1 Flash Drive (4G or Larger)* *Flash Drive may kept at home for shared home/school use – Teacher will announce when needed at school All PHGS students and their family members are encouraged to secure a Peoria Heights Public Library, “Library Membership Card”. The card entitles your students to check out library materials and make use of other library services that have definite educational benefit to the work our teachers coordinate with your child here at PHGS and PHHS. Library staff members often coordinate units of study with our teachers and can provide invaluable research assistance. Electronic access enables your Peoria Heights Public Library to link and share with other libraries throughout the United States. Open up your child’s world of learning with frequent visits to the Peoria Heights Public Library. It’s a great and FREE community resource! Additional supplies for special class activities may be requested during the school year. The special nature of these supplies makes it impractical to list them separately. LABEL ALL MATERIALS WITH STUDENT’S NAME ===================================================================================== PEORIA HEIGHTS GRADE SCHOOL BUS RIDER CONDUCT NOTICE To the Parents of _________________________________ Grade _______ Date _____________ Peoria Heights Grade School is very much concerned about the safety of its students, especially while riding the school bus. Riding the school bus is a privilege the student earns daily by following rules to protect the safety of all bus riders. We know that you, as parents, are also concerned that your children be transported to and from school in a manner that in no way endangers their safety. To insure the safety of all bus riders, it is essential that certain standards of conduct be established and followed. It is also essential that bus riders respect and adhere to the requests of their bus drivers. The proper procedures for bus safety have been thoroughly explained to all children, and are listed in the Parent-Student handbook distributed to families at the beginning of the school year. A copy of these rules is printed on the back of this sheet for you to review with your son or daughter. The incident report included with this letter has been given to me by your child's bus driver. It indicates a serious violation of the rules of conduct, which could have placed the welfare of the children on the bus in jeopardy. Our procedure for punishing misconduct on the bus is as follows. ___________First Serious Offense: Punishment Suspension Dates (If any) _____________________________ The student will be called to the office to review the incident. A loss of privilege, detention, or demerit punishment will be assigned. The student will be told of the punishment for the next offense. A copy of the reported offense will be mailed to the parent. ___________Second Serious Offense: Suspension Dates (If any) ____________________________________ Should a student be involved in bus rider misconduct a second time during the school year, the same procedure above will be followed. A 5 school day suspension of bus riding privileges may be issued as a punishment. ___________Third Serious Offense: Suspension Dates (If any) ______________________________________ Should a student be involved in bus rider misconduct a third time during the school year, the same procedure above will be followed. A 15 day suspension of bus riding privileges may be issued as a punishment. ___________Fourth Serious Offense: Suspension Dates (if any) _____________________________________ A fourth violation within the same year may result in permanent suspension of bus riding privileges for the remainder of the school year. Bus riding privileges may at any time be suspended either temporarily or permanently, as the result of any serious or flagrant violation of the rules. All punishments will be assigned by school district administration. Please discuss the importance of proper behavior on the bus with your child, and impress upon the child the importance of immediately obeying the bus driver. Our mutual efforts will hopefully take care of the behavior problem now that more serious punishment will not have to be administered later. Please call our school office if you have any questions about the assigned punishment. Dave Carroll, Principal Terry Mooney, Assistant Principal ==================================================================================== Peoria Heights Grade School School Medication Authorization Form School Year______________ Student’s Name _______________________________ Birth date _________________________ Address _____________________________________ Home Phone ________________________ Teacher _________________ Grade ______ Parent/Guardian Name _______________________ Emergency Phone Numbers ________________________________________________________________ Allergies ________________________________________________________________________________ ***************************************************************************************** To be completed by the student’s physician Name of Medication ____________________________________________________________________ Dosage _______________ Frequency _____________ Time to be given in school _________________ Diagnosis Requiring Medication ___________________________________________________________ Intended Effect of This Medication _________________________________________________________ Expected side effects, if any _______________________________________________________________ Must this medication be administered during the school day in order to allow the child to attend school or to address the student’s medical condition? YES No Time Interval for Re-Evaluation ___________________________________________________________ Other medications student is receiving ______________________________________________________ __________________________________ Physician’s Name-Print ___________________________________ Physician’s Name-Signature __________________________________ Phone- Office ___________________________________ Date __________________________________ Fax-Office ____________________________________ Phone-Emergency Further Instructions / Remarks: ________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ PARENT TO COMPLETE THE BACK OF THIS SHEET! JC020310 PARENT PERMISSION FORM FOR STUDENT PRESCRIBED MEDICATION SELF ADMINISTERED BY STUDENTS AT SCHOOL I hereby confirm that I understand that I, as the parent / guardian of this child, am responsible for administering any medication to my child. However, in the event that I am unable to do so or in the event of a medical emergency, I hereby authorize the Peoria Heights C.U.D. #325 and Its employees and agents, in my behalf and stead, to administer or to attempt to administer to my child (or to allow my child to self-administer, while under the supervision of the employees and agents of the School District), lawfully prescribed medication in the manner described above. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS TO MY CHILD TO BE PERFORMED BY AN INDIVIDUAL OTHER THAN A SCHOOL NURSE, AND I SPECIFICALLY CONSENT TO SUCH PRACTICES. I further acknowledge and agree that, when the lawfully prescribed medication is so administered or attempted to be administered, I waive any claims I might have against the school District, its employees and agents arising out of the administration of said prescribed medication. In addition, I agree to hold harmless and severally, from and against any and all claims, damages, causes of action or injuries incurred or resulting from the administration or attempts at administration of said prescribed medication. _______________________________________ (Parent's Signature) ______________________________ (Date) ---------------------------------------------------------------------For Office EMERGENCY Use Only – Emergency Phone Contact Information ____________________________________ (Employee Obtaining Treatment Permission) by Phone During a Medical Emergency _______________________________________ (Person Granting Treatment Permission) by phone During a Medical Emergency* (*Must be listed in PHGS school office as parent or guardian as an Emergency Contact) Relationship to Student ________________________________________ _____________________ (Time) __________________ (Date) (OVER PLEASE) ========================================================================== Student/Parent/Guardian Information Form (All Information Requested Is Important For School Records Needs. Please complete ALL Applicable Lines) Child Last Name ______________________ First Name ___________________ Middle _____________ Residence Address _________________________________ City ____________________ Zip _________ Child Social Security Number _________________________ Gender ______ Date of Birth ___________ Home Phone ______________ Is there a current, valid IEP YES NO Bus rider? YES NO Current Grade Level __________ Teacher(s) ________________________, ________________________ Before/After School Care Before and/or After Child Care Name __________________Care Address ____________________Care Phone ____________ Parent/Guardian Information Form Child Resides With (Last Name(s)) ________________________ (First Name(s))_____________________ Siblings @PHGS: Name ____________________ Grade___, Name ____________________ Grade___ Name ____________________ Grade___, Name ____________________ Grade___ Relationship of the above to the student _______________________________________________________ Is there a legal custody/guardianship court order in force? YES NO (if “Yes”, school needs copy) Father Last Name ____________________ First Name ____________Father Address _______________ Home Phone ____________ Cell Phone ____________City ______________ State ____ ZIP _____ email ______________________ Employer Name ___________________ Work Phone _______________ Mother Last Name ___________________ First Name ____________Mother Address _______________ Home Phone ____________ Cell Phone ____________City ______________ State ____ ZIP _____ email ______________________ Employer Name ___________________ Work Phone _______________ Emergency Contact Information (If Parent/Guardian Cannot Be Reached) Emergency Person _____________________ Home Phone ______________ Cell Phone ____________ Emergency Person _____________________ Home Phone ______________ Cell Phone ____________ Doctor Name _________________Doctor Phone ______________ Hospital Preferred _______________ Special Health Conditions ________________________________________________(use back as Needed) In the event that I cannot be reached, I authorize the above named, emergency persons, or the school to act in my behalf. Signature of Parent/Guardian ________________________________________ Date ________________ ========================================================================= PHGS Student Entry Data Form – PRINT CLEARLY PLEASE This information is required of all students registering at PHGS. It is used by the school for completing required reports submitted to state education agencies. Information provided is CONFIDENTIAL. Please ignore the “number” after the field name. (The number of character/spaces available in that field). Registration Date – 8 - __-__-__ Student ID #- 12 - __________________________________ (Software Assigned) 2 2 2 (Example = 12-07-98) Last Name – 21 - ______________________ First Name – 18 - ______________________________ Middle Name – 18 - ________________Resident Address – 25 - _______________________________ Resident City – 20 - Peoria Heights - (Default – Set) Other _____________________(Change required) Zip Code – 10 – 61616 - Default Other - _________________________ (Change Required) Social Security # - 11 - _______ - ______ - _________ (3 num + 2 num + 4 num) Date of Birth – 10 - ____ - _____ - _____ (mm – dd – year) (Example: January 8, 1996 = 01-08-1996) IEP Accommodation - _______ (A if YES, or Leave Blank) Gender ( M or F) -1 - _________ Home Phone # - 8 - ____ - _________ (3 num – 4 num) 504 Plan Student – 1 –________ (5 or N) Bus Rider – 1 - ______ (Y or N) SE-IEP student – 1 - ____ (I or N) Free/Reduced Lunch Eligible – 1 - _______ (F or N) Current Grade # - 1 - ____ (Auto Advance to next grade unless reset) Homeroom Tchr. – 15 - ___________________________ Medicaid # 20 - _________________________ Custody of child – 1 - ________ 1 = 2 parent figures in the home 2 = 1 parent figure in the home 3 = Guardian 4 = Grandparent Raising 5 = Foster 6 = Other _________________ Child Ethnicity – 1 - ________ 1 = Amer. Indian/ Alaskan Native 2 = Asian/ Pacific Islander 3 = Ehle 4 = Hispanic 5 = Caucasian 6 = Multi Racial Before/After School Care Provider – 25 - _____________________________________________ Before/After School Care Provider Phone # - 8 - _____-__________ (3 num + 4 num) Student Resides with - ADULT NAME(S), First then last – 35 - _________________, ________________ Is there a current custody court order in force? – 1 - _______ (Y or N) Copy needed by PHGS School age siblings in the same household attending PHGS? – 1 - _______ (Y or N) Sibling #1 Name (First then last) – 20 - _____________________________________ Sibling #2 Name (First then last) – 20 - _____________________________________ Sibling #3 Name (First then last) – 20 - _____________________________________ Father Name , (First then Last) – 25 - ____________________________________ (IMPORTANT: COMPLETE BOTH SIDES OF THIS SHEET ) Father Mail Address – 35 – Number, Street, City, Zip___________________________________________ (If different from above information given) Father Home Phone# - 8 - _____ - __________ Father Work Phone # - 8 - _____-_________ (If different from above information given) Father Employer Name – 25 - __________________________________________________________ Father Cell Phone # - 8 - _____ - __________ Father Email address – 20 - _____________________ Mother Name, (First then Last) – 25 - ____________________________________ Mother Mail Address – 35 – Number, Street, City, Zip__________________________________________ (If different from above information given) Mother Home Phone# - 8 - _____ - __________ Mother Work Phone # - 8 - _____-_________ (If different from above information given) Mother Employer Name – 25 - __________________________________________________________ Mother Cell Phone # - 8 - _____ - __________Mother Email address – 20 - _____________________ Doctor Name (First then Last) – 25 - ________________________________________________ Doctor Office Phone Number – 8 - _______ - ___________ (3 num + 4 num) Hospital Preference – 25 - __________________________________________________________ Known Allergies or Medical Alert Conditions – 35 - ___________________________________________ List emergency contact information for three adults below. By providing this information, you authorize the school to contact any of them if you cannot be reached, and authorize them to act in your behalf to provide for the needs of your child. Emergency Name #1 (First then Last) – 25 - ___________________________________________ Name #1 Home Phone Number – 8 - ____ - ________ (3 num + 4 Num) Name #1 Cell Phone Number – 8 - ____ - ________ (3 num + 4 Num) Name #1 Work Phone Number – 8 - ____ - ________ ext _______ (3 num + 4 Num + ext) ============================================================================ Emergency Name #2 (First then Last) – 25 - ___________________________________________ Name #2 Home Phone Number – 8 - ____ - ________ (3 num + 4 Num) Name #2 Cell Phone Number – 8 - ____ - ________ (3 num + 4 Num) Name #2 Work Phone Number – 8 - ____ - ________ ext _______(3 num + 4 Num + ext) ================================================================================================================== Emergency Name #3 (First then Last) – 25 - ___________________________________________ Name #3 Home Phone Number – 8 - ____ - ________ (3 num + 4 Num) Name #3 Cell Phone Number – 8 - ____ - ________ (3 num + 4 Num) Name #3 Work Phone Number – 8 - ____ - ________ ext _______ (3 num + 4 Num + ext) Special Notations – 225 - ________________________________________________________________ Abandoned Child An abandoned child in one who is too young to be left uncared for by an adult, with no after-school care or pick-up supervision for the child provided by the adult parent or guardian. A small child who is bussed home by our school and meets a locked door with no adult present is an abandoned child. Such children are returned to our school by bus drivers to safeguard the child’s welfare. A small child who is waiting to be but is not picked up by an adult at the end of our school day is an abandoned child. We understand that emergency situations happen that may interfere with you being present to supervise a child. If you contact us in such situations we will work with you in good faith to monitor the child at our school up until 4:00 P.M. when our offices close. It is the parent / guardian responsibility to provide supervision for their children at the end of our school day after 3:20 P.M. If we do not hear from you, we will call you or emergency contact adults whose telephone numbers you have provided to us. If you have not called us and we can’t reach anyone, the child is abandoned. In such cases, with the school not knowing what has happened or who is to take responsibility for caring for the child, we will turn the child over to the Peoria Heights Police Department for later adult pick-up there. If we are required to do this, question of child neglect and endangerment may be reported by the police or school to appropriate social welfare agencies for their investigation, including the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services. To ensure the safety of your child and not be reported by PHGS for a safety issue related to your supervision of your child as their parent, please do the following: Be at home in time or make arrangements for an adult to meet your bussed child. Be at the school on time or make arrangements for an adult to pick up your child with a ride home from school. In an emergency where you are delayed, contact the school before the bus departure at 3:10 P.M. (CALL PHGS at 686-8809 so we will know how to help) Make sure the school has home, cell, and work telephone numbers to reach you and to reach emergency contacts you have identified for us to call. If at all possible, avoid changes in daily pick-up & drop-off routines (Children and their parents may easily get confused with too much change to daily student routines) Your help will assist us in insuring the health and safety needs of your student! PHGS Child Abandonment Summary: Student Name: ___________________________ Grade: ___ Parent Name: ____________________ Address: _____________________________ Phone# ____________ 1st Incident Date: _____ Description: ______________________* Agency Contact: _________ Mailed _____ 2nd Incident Date: _____ Description ______________________* Agency Contact: _________ Mailed _____ 3rd Incident Date: _____ Description ______________________* Agency Contact: _________ Mailed _____ Report Summary By: Mr. Dave Carroll, Principal, Peoria Heights Grade School, Peoria Heights, Illinois 61616 Cc: Student File, Mailed Home * _____________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Absence or Tardy To help us ensure that all children sent to school arrive here safely each day, parents are asked to call the Peoria Heights Grade School office by 9:00 A.M. to notify us if your child is going to be absent from school that day. When a student has been absent or tardy, he must bring a written statement with the following information to his teacher: 1. Name of student 2. Date of absence or tardiness 3. Reason for absence or tardiness 4. Signature of parent of guardian Peoria Heights Grade School requires both a telephone call and a written note from a parent regarding an absence because we have had situations in the past involving students presenting forged notes NOT written by parents. We have also received telephone calls from others FALSELY claiming to be parents or family members attempting to excuse students from school. We never want a student out of school, perhaps even out of your home, or out in the community with a parent at work thinking the student is safe at home. Though we understand and apologize for any inconvenience created, your efforts to both call the school and send a written note help us best carefully track and protect the safety and welfare of your child. Child safety at all times is a major school concern and our policies are in place to protect students. Thanks for the understanding assistance you provide. An attendance log in the school office must be completed by the student, or parent for the student, each time a student arrives at or departs from school outside of normal school arrival and departure times. Try to schedule doctor and dentist appointments, trips, etc. on days that school is not in session or after 3:3O P.M. The law requires that a child be in school every day unless ill. Illinois Law states that students must attend school when it is in session during the regular school term. The responsibility for attendance on a regular and continuous basis rests with the student and parents. Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) – Computer and Internet Use Peoria Heights Community Unit School District #325 Acceptable Use Policy Adopted by the C.U.S.D. #325 Board of Education on 12/12/01 TERMS AND CONDITIONS: STUDENTS The following Acceptable Use Policy should be read by both the student and the parent(s)/guardian(s). Acceptable Use Peoria Heights School District is committed to the goal of providing electronic network facilities for students of District #325. The school network is expected to be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner in accordance with the mission of the School District. Users must acknowledge their understanding of the general policy as a condition of receiving an account or using the network and computer resources. All use of the District's connection to the network, computers and Internet must be in support of education and/or research, and be in furtherance of the School District's stated goals. Use is a privilege, not a right. General rules for behavior and communications apply when using computers and accessing the Internet. Privileges The use of the District's computer network and Internet is established as a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. District personnel responsible for providing networking services and school certificated employees have the right to make all decisions regarding whether or not a student has violated applicable rules and may deny, revoke, or suspend student access at any time. Peoria Heights Community Unit School District #325 reserves the right to monitor and search all computer files, images, and/or equipment that is owned by the school district. Authorization for Computer/Internet Access Each student and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) must sign the Acceptable Use Policy Permission Form before being granted use of the District’s computers, network and/or Internet connection. The failure of any student to follow the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action. Privacy: Investigating or reading another user’s file is considered a violation of privacy. Reading unprotected files is intrusive, reading protected files, by whatever mechanism, is considered the same as "breaking and entering." Violations include, but not limited to: ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Attempting to access another user’s files without permission. Furnishing false or misleading information or identification in order to access another user’s accounts. Attempts to access District computers, computer facilities, networks, systems, programs or data without authorization. Unauthorized manipulation of the District’s computer systems, programs or data. Theft: Attempted or detected alteration of software, data or other files as well as disruption or destruction of equipment or resources is considered theft. Violations include, but not limited to: ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Abusing specific resources such as the Internet. Removing computer or other technology equipment and resources without authorization. Copying or attempting to copy data or software without authorization. Users should assume that any software they did not create is copyrighted. Vandalism: Violations include, but not limited to: ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Sending mail or a program that will replicate itself (such as a computer virus) or do damage to another user's account. Tampering with or obstructing the operation of the District’s computer systems. Inspecting, modifying or distributing data or software (or attempting to do so) without authorization. Damaging computer hardware or software. Manipulation, altering or changing of screen desktop setting or computer configurations on individual computers via accessing the control panel or by any other means that changes the original setting of a computer. Harassment Sending unwanted messages or files to other users may be considered harassment. Violations include, but not limited to: ï‚· ï‚· Interfering with legitimate work of another user. Sending abusive or obscene messages via computers. ï‚· Using computer resources to engage in abuse of computing center personnel or other users. Access to the Internet Peoria Heights Community Unit School District #325's goal is to include the Internet in the District's instructional program in order to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. The School District is not responsible for any information that may be lost, damaged, or unavailable when using the network, or for any information that is retrieved via the Internet. Furthermore, the District will not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access to the Internet. "Internet" includes all information accessed by Internet sites, E-Mail, on-line services, and bulletin board systems via any protocols or medium. Unacceptable Use A user is personally responsible for his or her actions and activities involving school computers, the District’s networks, and/or the Internet. Some examples of unacceptable uses of school computers, the District’s networks, or the Internet are: ï‚· ï‚· Any illegal activity. ï‚· ï‚· Violation of copyright, intellectual property rights, or unauthorized use of others' property. ï‚· ï‚· Downloading of a file without authorization, regardless of whether the file is software or data or whether it is copyrighted or de-virused. ï‚· ï‚· Using or downloading a file for a purpose other than that authorized. ï‚· ï‚· Use for private financial or commercial gain. ï‚· ï‚· Wastefully using resources, such as file space, processor time, or network time, including any use that hinders, delays, or obstructs others in their use of computers, networks, or the Internet. ï‚· ï‚· Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to resources, including but not limited to computers, networks, databases, and files, or information contained therein. ï‚· ï‚· Invading the privacy of others. ï‚· ï‚· Using or attempting to use another's account or password or other identification. ï‚· ï‚· Posting material authored or created by another without his or her consent. ï‚· ï‚· Use for commercial or private advertising. ï‚· ï‚· Submitting, posting, publishing, or displaying any material which is defamatory, intentionally inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, or harassing, or accessing material which is obscene, profane, or sexually oriented. ï‚· ï‚· Impersonation of another user, anonymity, and pseudonyms. ï‚· ï‚· Use or attempted use while access privileges are suspended or revoked. ï‚· ï‚· Failure to follow network security rules. ï‚· ï‚· Attempted or actual use, possession, or creation of any computer virus or other software or physical or electronic device intended to or capable of causing damage to any computer, network, or file. ï‚· ï‚· Computer and network vandalism is prohibited. Vandalism is defined as any act of a user, which intentionally or recklessly causes damage or attempts to cause damage to any person, entity, computer, computer component, file, or network. ï‚· ï‚· Use of computing facilities knowingly to disrupt the work of another student, faculty member, or staff. ï‚· ï‚· Use of computing facilities knowingly to disrupt normal operation of the District’s network. These rules may be supplemented at any time at the discretion of the school, District and/or Board of Education. Any supplemental rules will immediately be binding upon students. Security System security is protected though the use of user ID and password. Failure to adequately protect your password could result in unauthorized access to personal or district files. To protect the integrity of the system, the following guidelines should be followed: ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Users are not to use a computer that has been logged in as another student’s, teacher’s, or staff’s name without first logging off their account. * Always log off the computer network before leaving the workstation. ï‚· ï‚· Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the network. Students shall not reveal their passwords to another individual. Miscellaneous: Other acts considered unethical and abusive include, but not limited to: ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Unauthorized and time-consuming recreational game playing. Deliberately slowing down the network. Non-productive or idle "chatting." Using computer accounts for work not authorized for that account. Sending chain letters or unauthorized mass mailings. Using the computer for personal profit or other illegal purposes. Personal and political advertisement. Display, viewing or sending of offensive material and graphics. Playing of “games”, either via installed programs, CD ROMs or Internet, unless in conjunction with educational enrichment, at appropriate times or with authorized permission. Users must have a valid, authorized account and may only use those computer resources for which they are specifically authorized. Users may only use their account in accordance with its authorized purpose. Users are responsible for safeguarding their own account. Users should not allow another user to use their account unless authorized by the system administrator for a specific purpose. Users should promptly report misuse of computing resources, or potential loopholes in the computer/network system security to the network administrator, and cooperate with the systems administrator in their investigation of the abuse. Penalties for Computer/Internet Abuse: Abuse or misuse of the District’s computing facilities and services may not only be a violation of network policy and user responsibility, but it may also violate the criminal code. Action may include, but is not necessarily limited to: ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Suspension or revocation of network, computer and/or Internet privileges. Reimbursement to the District or the appropriate institution for resources consumed. Other legal action including action to recover damages. Referral to law enforcement authorities. Referral of offending faculty, staff, and/or students to District authorities for disciplinary action. Supplemental Materials that correlate with this Policy * Acceptable Use Policy – General Overview of Network Policy * * * Acceptable Use Policy – Netiquette Acceptable Use Policy – Permission Form Acceptable Use Policy – Internet Filtering Activity Bus Schedule An activity bus may be provided for those students who normally ride the bus, who are involved in school activities or school business that keeps them from riding their regular 3:20 p.m. bus. Occasionally, under special circumstances, another bus will be provided if and when there is a need. Administration of Student Medications at School – Maximizing Benefit Medications administered at PHGS are done so with the intent of meeting a student medical, safety-welfare, or behavioral control need. With “mood stabilizing” medications, the intent of administering a medication to the child at school is that it will allow the child better behavior and attention control to stay focused and “on task” while at school. We see children who benefit dramatically from medications that are administered by parents in the home before school at breakfast, and by our nurse at school just prior to the student’s lunch. Eating after a dosage of medication is taken allows the medication to be absorbed in food with less upset stomach discomfort to the child. The medication also may take an hour or so to have the positive effect on the child that we hope to see here at school. We generally will not derive a classroom benefit at school from a medication taken at school after 1:00 P.M. For that reason we encourage all parents to share with your family physician the “school benefit” of your child taking a medication no later than 1 P.M. All medications require a prescription that details when the medication should be given. A dose given after 1:00 P.M. may allow the morning medication to lapse. Teachers often report a visible change in the child’s behavior and attention span in class when medications are given later than 1:00 P.M. The positive effect of the morning medication has lapsed and afternoon medication, given too late, hasn’t had enough time to take effect to assist the child in the afternoon at school. We appreciate you sharing this information with your physician to maximize the positive effects of medications your child takes here at P.H.G.S. Rest assured that we will follow administration instructions given to us by your physician. Animals Brought to School To provide for and to protect the safety and welfare of children from being accidentally injured by an animal, to ensure sanitary conditions conducive to student health, and to keep children from being exposed to any illness which an animal may unknowingly be carrying, pets/animals may not be brought into student classrooms or student common gathering areas at Peoria Heights Grade School. Arrival and Dismissal Times A bell will ring at 8:40 A.M. to indicate that the school day will begin in five minutes. Students may enter the building at their designated entry, between 8:30 A.M. and 8:45 A.M. Upon entering the school, all students must immediately proceed to their classroom where they will be supervised by their teacher prior to the school day beginning. Students should not be on school grounds before 8:30 A.M. The tardy bell rings at 8:45 A.M. Students should be in their seats at that time, ready for lunch count. The dismissal bell rings at 3:10 P.M. for all Grade K-4 students, and ALL Grade K-8 bus riders. The school day is not officially over until the last bell at 3:45 P.M. The 3:20 P.M. bell dismisses all remaining Grade 5-8 students, except those who have to finish schoolwork or stay for disciplinary reasons. If a teacher requests a student to stay for make-up or discipline, he may not be excused for any other activity. When a student leaves a classroom to stay after school for some activity, he must take his books and coat with him. He may not return to the classroom later. Parents are responsible for supervision of their children before 8:30 A.M. and after 3:20 P.M. each school day, unless the child is a school bus rider. Parents of bus riders are responsible for their children until the school bus is boarded by the child, and after the school bus drops the student off at the school bus stop. It is important for parents to assist us at school by making sure that students do not arrive on school grounds too early, or be on school grounds too late after school is dismissed, without adult supervision. We have no adult, outside supervision of students before 8:30 A.M. at school. Students outside our school prior to that time are more prone to injury from accidents, fighting, play near or on the street, etc. Traffic on Glen Avenue is heaviest prior to and immediately after school. There is also no outside supervision of students by adults past 3:30 P.M. for students who wait outside for afternoon rides home. Please make every effort to time your student's departure at home or drop off or pick-up at school to ensure that students arrive no sooner than 8:30 A.M. and are picked up at school no later than 3:30 P.M. It is also very important to make sure that someone is home to assume responsibility for small children who are dropped off by the school bus and require immediate adult supervision. Not meeting this supervision responsibility could be interpreted by the police department and juvenile officials as a form of "child neglect", resulting in possible intervention by child welfare agencies. If no adult is present to assume responsibility for the child from the bus driver, for the student's own protection and safety, the driver may return the child to Peoria Heights Grade School. If our efforts to contact the student's parents are unsuccessful and the child is still in our care at 4:00 P.M. at the time our school offices close, custody of the child may be turned over to the Peoria Heights Police Department. This may constitute parental child neglect. The Peoria Heights Police Department will determine the need for any additional follow-up with other social or child welfare agencies. If an emergency arises that prevents you from meeting these responsibilities, please remember to contact our school office immediately to inform us of the alternate arrangements you have made for the pick-up, care, and supervision of your student. According to Illinois Law, students must attend school when it is in session during the regular school term. The responsibility for attendance on a regular and continuous basis, for notifying the school by phone the day of any absence, and for providing a written note stating the reason for the absence, upon the return of the student to school after each absence, rests with the parents. Two categories of absences are recognized: excused and unexcused. An absence will be considered unexcused unless evidence of the following is shown: illness, death in the immediate family, family emergency, or such other situations deemed from time to time by the Superintendent and his designate to be a valid excuse for absence. An absence for family vacations that may fall during school time, which is not the fault of the student, may be considered excused only if a note from the parent and/or guardian is received by the school administration no less than 30 days in advance of the said vacation. Makeup will be the responsibility of the student. Evidence necessary to establish an excused absence includes a note signed by a parent or guardian specifying the reason for the absence, or a note signed by a licensed physician. However, an absence of five or more school days out of ten successive school days due to illness will be considered an excused absence only if, upon return to school from the absence, a note from a licensed physician is provided attesting to said illness, or the student absence is approved by the Building Principal. A student unexcused will be considered absent from school for one day upon his failure to attend all classes thereon or any portion thereof. Upon the occurrence of an unexcused absence or following a period thereof, notice of such unexcused absence shall be given by phone and/or in writing to the parent or guardian of the student and may be provided to the Peoria Heights Police Department or the County Truant Officer. The student shall be referred for counseling with appropriate Dean, Principal, or Counseling Staff Member. Subsequent unexcused absences may be dealt with in the same manner except that notice and referral, along with consultation with the parent or guardian, shall be made upon the tenth day of unexcused absence. Said consultation shall be conducted by the Superintendent or his designate. If a student has fifteen or more unexcused absences out of ninety consecutive school days, the Superintendent or his designate may exercise the authority granted herein for the suspension of pupils or he may refer the matter to the School Board which shall conduct a hearing in the manner set forth herein for the expulsion or suspension of pupils. Behavior and Discipline (Parental Responsibilities) The parent is expected to cooperate with the school and support its corrective measures, and to notify the school of any unusual behavior pattern on the part of the child that might lead to serious difficulties. Behavior and Discipline (Teacher/Student/Principal Responsibilities and Rights) The professional staff of the school is expected to ensure student conduct conducive to an orderly educational program, to maintain an effective learning atmosphere both in and outside of the classroom, and to help students achieve the self-discipline necessary for responsible use of freedom. The teacher has a right to obedience and failing to get it, the responsibility to take corrective measures including, but not limited to: imposing detention, removing students from the classroom for disruptive behavior, revoking privileges, enlisting parents assistance, and referring student to administrators for additional assistance. The teacher's responsibilities include: conducting a well-planned and effective program, establishing and enforcing regulations within the school's educational environment that will facilitate learning, and maintaining written records of the conduct of students who may later be referred to others for help and/or disciplinary action. In maintaining proper discipline, all persons connected with the school have a double obligation: To promote the legitimate objectives of the school in ways appropriate to the individual's respective roles, and to recognize and defend the rights of others. All students and teachers are expected to respect the rights and property of others. Students are responsible for their actions to school personnel at all times. Any staff member has the right to report and the responsibility to correct misbehavior. Serious misbehavior at school will result in notification of the parents and/or a conference between the parents, teacher, and building principal. The principal has an obligation to impose necessary disciplinary measures, including, but not limited to: imposing detention, revoking privileges, removing a student from class, suspending a student from school for up to 10 days, enlisting parental support, and recommending expulsion from school to the Board of Education. The principal is responsible for: supporting teachers and insisting that they meet their obligations to maintain discipline, being alert to and correcting situations likely to promote poor citizenship, notifying parent of serious student offenses, creating an atmosphere conducive to student self-direction and self-regulation, and for defending every individual within the school against arbitrary and unfair treatment. Chapter 122 Article 24-24 School Code of the State of Illinois: Teachers and other certified educational employees shall maintain discipline in the schools, including school grounds which are owned or leased by the Board and used for school Purposes and activities. In all matters relating to the discipline in and conduct of the school children, they stand in the relation of parents and guardians of the Pupils. This relationship shall extend to all activities connected with the school program and may be released at any time for the safety and supervision of the pupils in the absence of their parents or guardians. Peoria Heights Grade School may make and enforce reasonable rules of conduct for extracurricular school events. Any person who violates such rules may be denied admission to school events. All employees shall be specifically responsible for the maintenance of good order and discipline in the school buildings and on school grounds. Teachers and principals are specifically charged with the responsibility of punishment for offenses committed. Other employees shall report acts of disobedience and unsatisfactory behavior to the teacher or principal. Students may be suspended by the principal or superintendent for the following reasons at the discretion of the superintendent or principal: Gross disobedience and/or insubordination Gross misconduct and/or disrespect toward an adult or fellow student Fighting, intimidation, or threatening physical harm to another person Defacing or destroying school property Smoking Stealing The use of intoxicants or drugs Any other offense, which jeopardizes the safety or welfare of students or teachers Each of the above cases will be judged on its own merit. Homework that is missed while a student is suspended may be completed by the student for partial credit only, during the time the student is suspended. Students will not serve in-school suspensions. Teachers may, as the situation allows, meet with a student prior to the student leaving the school for the suspension to give the student their assignments so the student may make up their work for 80% credit. During an out of school suspension, it is the parent's responsibility to obtain the assignments missed. Behavioral / Diagnostic Evaluation of a Student (Parent Requested) – Connors Rating Scale, etc. Classroom teachers will complete diagnostic assessment instruments (Connors Scale, Vanderbilt Rating Scale, etc.) that may be requested from the school by a physician to use in treating a child. Parents are to give to the school the form to be completed by the teacher, and a pre-addressed envelope to mail the completed form to the physician. How that information is then used or shared with the parent is later determined by the physician. The school will not return completed forms directly to parents. Bicycles Please remind your child that riding a bicycle is a privilege, which requires responsible behavior, and the practice of rules of safety. Discuss acceptable bike riding habits with your child at the beginning of the school year. It is against the law to ride bicycles on the sidewalks in Peoria Heights. We also do not permit riding on school property. Every bike should have some sort of lock so that the possibility of theft is reduced. We also suggest that all bicycles, for identification purposes, be registered with the Peoria Heights Police Department. Birth Certificate (Certified Copy Required within 40 days of School Registration) Missing Child Act of 1984 (325 ILCS 55/5) (from Ch. 23, par. 2275) Sec. 5. School duties.(b) Upon enrollment of a student for the first time in a particular elementary or secondary school, that school shall notify in writing the person enrolling the student that within 30 days he must provide either (1) a certified copy of the student's birth certificate or (2) other reliable proof, as determined by the Department, of the student's identity and age, and an affidavit explaining the inability to produce a copy of the birth certificate. Upon the failure of a person enrolling a student to comply with this subsection, the school shall immediately notify the local law enforcement agency and shall also notify the person enrolling the student in writing that, unless he complies within 10 days, the case shall be referred to the local law enforcement authority for investigation. If compliance is not obtained within that 10 day period, the school shall so refer the case. (40 days from the date of student registration) The school shall immediately report to the local law enforcement authority any affidavit received pursuant to this subsection which appears inaccurate or suspicious in form or content. Body Piercing: Body piercing jewelry of any kind is discouraged to be worn by students at PHGS. Any item worn that poses a health or safety risk to students, or that creates a classroom distraction in the educational environment, will be required to be removed and/or covered and not worn back to school. Breakfast Program at PHGS Peoria Heights Grade School students may take advantage of our school breakfast program and have a nutritious breakfast at school. Children who walk to school daily, or who are transported to school by parents, may participate. No transportation to breakfast is provided by the school district. Students, who have applied for and receive a free school lunch via our federal lunch program, are also eligible to receive a free school breakfast. Students who receive a reduced price lunch via the same program must pay 30 cents for breakfast. For all other students, breakfast price will be $1.00. Breakfast will consist of milk, fruit or 100% fruit juice, cereal, and or a muffin and roll. Breakfast begins at 8:15 A.M. and runs until 8:35 when serving stops. No students will be served food after 8:35 A.M. when the line closes. This allows the last students served time to eat before classes begin. Students are to time arrivals at school for entry at the REAR GYM DOOR between 8:15 and 8:35 A.M. Parents who bring students are asked to monitor them outside until the 8: 15 A.M. entry time, as we have no adult supervision for students outside at this time. Students will be monitored in the cafeteria until 8:30 A.M., and will be allowed to go to classrooms as usual after that time. Only students who participate in the breakfast program are allowed on school grounds before 8:30 A.M. Only students eating breakfast will be allowed in the cafeteria. All other students not eating breakfast at school maintain the same scheduled arrival times as usual. The breakfast program will provide a nutritional start for the day for many of our children. If you have questions about the school breakfast program, call Cafeteria Manager, Mrs. Suzanne Cranford, at our school office at 686-8809. Participation in the breakfast program is a privilege that requires proper student behavior. An unruly student may have the breakfast participation privilege revoked or a parent may be required to attend breakfast with the child to assume supervision of the child during breakfast. Bright Futures Subject to availability of state funding, Peoria Heights Grade School houses the central offices for the "Bright Futures" preschool program. Subject to available funding, this program serves 3 - 5-year-old students who have indicated, through screening and testing, the presence of learning deficiencies that need to be addressed. The Bright Futures' teachers and students work closely with parents to address need and help better prepare the child for greater success at Kindergarten entry. The program is funded through a special grant from the Illinois State Board of Education, with the Peoria Heights School District serving as the administrative agent for the grant. The Bright Futures office telephone number is 686-8590. Bus Rider Behavior Rules Parents bear the responsibility for transporting a child to and from school. Being allowed to ride a school district provided bus is a student privilege earned by following all bus rider rules. Riding a bus is not an automatic student right. A student, who cannot obey rules and whose behavior or actions pose a safety threat to all other bus riders, may be removed from the bus temporarily, or barred from bus use for the school year. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. Be on time, only at your assigned, designated school bus stop - help keep the bus on schedule. Stay off the road at all times while waiting for the bus. Behave properly at the bus stop. Be careful in approaching the place where the bus stops. Do not move toward the bus until the bus has been brought to a complete stop. Do not leave your seat while the bus is in motion. Be alert to a danger signal from the driver. Remain in the bus in the event of a road emergency until instructions are given by the driver. Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times after entering and until leaving the bus. Do not throw anything out the bus windows. Remember that loud talking and laughing or unnecessary confusion diverts the driver's attention and could result in a serious accident. Be absolutely quiet when approaching a railroad-crossing stop. Treat bus equipment as you would valuable furniture in your own home. Never tamper with the bus or any of its equipment. Assist in keeping the bus safe and sanitary at all times. No eating or drinking is allowed on the bus. No snacks, can, or bottle drinks may be taken onto the school bus. Items in violation will be taken and disposed of. Carry no animals on the bus. Keep books, packages, coats, and all other objects out of the aisles. Leave no books, lunches or other articles on the bus. Be courteous to fellow pupils, and the bus driver at all times at the bus stop and on the bus. Help look after the safety and comfort of smaller children. Do not ask the driver to stop at places other than the regular bus stop. He is not permitted to do this except by proper authorization from a school official. Observe safety precautions at discharge point. Students riding buses will be kept after school only if their parents are notified by a teacher prior to the regular dismissal time. If parent contact cannot be made, arrangements to stay after school should be scheduled by the teacher and the bus-riding student for the following clay. The "bus environment" is an extension of the "school environment". Applicable behavior rules enforced at the school will also be enforced on the school bus. See the "Bus Rider Conduct Notice" sheet. Student misbehavior on a school bus or near the point of the bus stops may result in a student not being allowed to continue riding the school bus. Only designated bus riders may ride their assigned bus. Students violating bus riding rules will be contacted via the bus rider conduct notice slip. (See copy in the front of this booklet.) Note: Our school district may randomly videotape students on school buses. These tapes may be made available to parents of students who misbehave on the bus, for parents to view. Bus Routes and Times Peoria Heights Grade School Bus Rider Eligibility and Bus Route Information Bus (Yielding to on School Property) To provide for student safety and to facilitate the smooth flow of busses entering or exiting school property, all parents are asked to yield to busses at stop signs on school property. All parents are also required to make no attempt to remove a parked vehicle from the front of the school in “Visitor Parking” while busses are loading or unloading children. Busses are in that area loading daily from approximately 3:00 P.M. to 3: 20 P.M when they exit. If you park in visitor parking at that time be prepared to wait patiently for busses to safely load children and exit, when you may leave the parking space. Children Eligible to Ride The School Bus Include: Children living “above the hill” in Peoria Heights, south of the south side of Lake Street, East of Prospect Road, and south of Grandview Drive east of Prospect Road, will be bussed to Peoria Heights Grade School. and… Children living “below the hill” in Peoria Heights, on Galena Road, or on streets off Galena road, will be bussed to Peoria Heights Grade School. and… All ECE students living anywhere in Peoria Heights will be bussed to Peoria Heights Grade School. ==================================================================== It will take a week of school before an approximate time for the pick-up of children at bus stops is known by parents. Until the route is established and you have a better idea of the exact pick-up time, please have children ready at the bus stop at 8:00 AM. ==================================================================== Bus stops are made at: Above the Hill: Purple Route Leaves PHGS @ 8:07 A.M. West on Glen Avenue to Columbus South on Columbus Stop @ Samuel West on Samuel to Constantine Stop @ Constantine & Duryea, Seiberling, Marietta, Moneta East on Moneta Stop @ Moneta and Clayton Stop @ Moneta and Columbus Turn North on Columbus Stop at Marietta, Kelly, Seiberling, Duryea Turn East on Glen East on Glen to Prospect South on Prospect South on Prospect to Lake East on Lake to Monroe South on Monroe to Hazard West on Hazard Stop at Hazard and Atlantic North on Atlantic Stop at Hines, Rouse, and Glen Ave. Back to school by 8:30 A.M. Above the Hill: Green Route Leave PHGS @ 8:15 A.M. East on Glen Avenue to Prospect Road South on Prospect to Division West on Division Stops @ Vincent, Atlantic, Faber, Monroe, and Boulevard North on Boulevard Stop @ St. Joseph Ct., Cox, and Hines Back to PHGS by 8:30 A.M. Above the Hill: Blue Route Leave PHGS @ 8:10 A.M. Stop @ Illinois & Lake St. South on Illinois Avenue Stop @ Hines & Cox Ave. East on Cox Avenue Stop @ Monroe East on Prospect Road South on Prospect to London Ave. West on London Ave. Stops @ Atlantic, Central, and Wisconsin West to Boulevard North on Boulevard Back to PHGS by 8:30 A.M. Below the Hill: BIG Red Bus Route Leave PHGS @ 7:50 A.M. North on Galena Road Stops @ Poplar Lane & Longshore North to Detweiller Park (Bus Turn-Around) South on Galena Road Stops @ Galena Road and Derby, Koch, San Coty, Terrace Ct., Terrace View Lane, St. Jude Ct., Riverview, Old Roosevelt Hill, Apartments Rack to PHGS by 8:30 A.M. Below the Hill: LITTLE Red Bus Route Leave PHGS 2 8:15 A.M. Down Forest Park Hill Stops @ Eugenia and Cord Ct. Turn-Around @ Fire Station West on Gardner Lane Stop in Forest Park Apartments Stop @ City Link Bus Stop Back to PHGS @ 8:30 A.M. Bus rider behavior rules that all students are required to follow are listed in the Parent–Student Handbook. Please review these rules with your student, explain to the child your expectation that all these rules are to be followed, and emphasize the inconvenience that would be created if the student lost the bus riding privilege by breaking rules. NOTE: All students must board busses only at their assigned bus stop. The privilege of riding the school bus may be revoked if the student refuses to follow bus rider rules, or exhibits conduct that places the safety and welfare of others present on the bus in jeopardy. Peoria Heights Grade School, School Day and Bus Rider Dismissal Times All students in Grades K-4 will be released at the same time @ 3:10 P.M. Bus riders will exit the front of the school to board busses. The remaining K-4 students will exit the rear of the school as usual. All other parking and pick-up rules in place to promote student safety remain in place. The only change is that students in Grades K-4 who are picked up by parents will be released 10 minutes earlier at 3:10 P.M. Bus riders in grades 5-8 will be released at 3:10 P.M. All other 5-8 students* will be released at 3:20. Staggering the release time should reduce traffic in the rear of the school as parents are picking up Grade K-4 students. Parents may exit the parking lot earlier and leave more space for parents picking up students in Grades 5-8 ten minutes later. A Grades 5-8 student MUST HAVE supervision responsibilities with a Grade K-4 student to be released at 3:10 P.M. *NOTE: If you are here picking up students in Grades K – 4 at 3:10 and also need to pick up a Grade 5-8 student at the same time, we need you to complete the form below giving the name, grade, and homeroom teacher of ALL students you are picking up. The additional student(s) you list will be released from Grades 5-8 at 3:10 to enable you to pick up all your children at once. Complete the form below as needed and return it to your grade 5-8 homeroom/classroom teacher by the first full day of school. RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR CLASSROOM/HOMEROOM TEACHER THE FIRST FULL DAY OF SCHOOL AS NEEDED To: The Grade 5-8 Classroom / Homeroom teacher of (student name) ____________________ Homeroom Teacher: ______________________ Grade ______ Date______________ I am a parent who needs to pick up students from Grades K-4 and Grade 5-8 both at 3:10 P.M. The Grade 5-8 student(s) listed below is being picked up by me at 3:10 P.M. or is assisting in getting a child in Grades K-4 home from school at the 3:10 dismissal: Name: _________________________ Grade ______ HR/Classroom Teacher______________ Name: _________________________ Grade ______ HR/Classroom Teacher______________ Name: _________________________ Grade ______ HR/Classroom Teacher______________ Name: _________________________ Grade ______ HR/Classroom Teacher______________ Name: __________________________ Grade ______ HR/Classroom Teacher______________ Parent Name / Signature ______________________________________Phone _____________ If you have questions please call Mr. Carroll @ PHGS @ 686-8809. Thanks for you help! Cameras at School Students, school employees, and parents at PHGS have a right to privacy with regard to a person’s photo being taken and used without their permission. Cameras today are miniature and may be easily concealed. Pictures may be taken without the person being photographed being aware of it. Most cell phones now have camera or filming capabilities. A photo or film taken as a “prank” in a rest room or locker room for example could be very embarrassing. Technology available today permits such photos to be posted at web sites on-line for any to see. It is our duty at PHGS to protect students, school employees, and parents against immature and inappropriate photography that may emotionally hurt or embarrass them or others. With this in mind, the following rules regarding taking pictures or film at school of students, by students or parents, are to be followed: 1. Cameras are not allowed at school during the school day unless prior permission to bring the camera to school for an acceptable educational purpose has been granted by a teacher or school administrator. Cameras in violation of this rule at school will be confiscated and returned only to parents. 2. Any other device capable of taking pictures (cell phone) is not to be taken out or used at any time during the school day unless prior permission to use the device is granted by a teacher or school administrator. Such devices are subject to rules outlined in the section entitled “Electronic Paging and Communication Devices” in this booklet. 3. Parents, school employees, and students are warned that when a camera is used to take pictures at public events (athletic contests, extracurricular activities, classroom performances, concerts, awards programs, etc.) the photographer should respect right to privacy and the desire of any individual not to have their picture taken. The school recommends, to protect a photographer from any legal action that may be taken related to individual rights or privacy being violated by someone taking an unwanted picture, that no picture ever be taken, and that no picture or film ever be posted at a public web site with out prior permission granted by all photographed. 4. The school may, on occasion, to honor an individual student or classroom for an achievement, for a specific educational purpose, or at the request of local news media to recognize a school activity or to use pictures or film for a news item, allow students to be filmed in a positive, role-model manner here at school. No information identifying a student will be provided to anyone without prior parent permission being secured. If you object to such film or pictures of your child being taken, please notify the school in writing and we will honor your request. Disciplinary Action The violation of any of the camera use regulations will result in the following disciplinary action(s) being taken: 1. The first violation will result in the confiscation of the camera, a review of pictures by school administration of images stored in the camera memory, and a warning issued to the student. A more severe punishment will be issued if the camera displays inappropriate images. The confiscated camera will only be returned to a parent or guardian at which time a conference and review of the policy will occur. 2. The second violation will result in the confiscation of the camera, a review of pictures by school administration of images stored in the camera memory, and a Saturday detention issued to the student. A more severe punishment will be issued if the camera displays inappropriate images. The confiscated camera will only be returned to the student at the end of the current school year. 3. The third violation will result in the confiscation of the camera, a review of pictures by school administration of images stored in the camera memory, and a one day, out of school suspension. A more severe punishment will be issued if the camera displays inappropriate images. The confiscated camera will only be returned to the student at the end of the current school year. 4. Any further violations will result in the confiscation of the camera, a review of pictures by school administration of images stored in the camera memory, and the student will be suspended out-ofschool pending an expulsion hearing before the Board of Education. The disposition of the confiscated camera will be determined by the Board of Education. Cars of Parents/Visitors No cars or people, except school staff, are to park or be in the rear school parking lot by the gymnasium between 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., unless dropping off or picking up a child who is transported home by a parent, or unless school administration has given special permission for visitors to park and enter the school at the rear, gym door entrance. (E.g.: Special parent programs held in cafeteria during the school day) Adults driving vehicles on school property must exercise EXTREME CAUTION AND PATIENCE AT ALL TIMES BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF CHILDREN, and must ALWAYS YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS. A parent dropping off child at school in the morning should pull momentarily to the curb at the south school entry by the gym, allow your children to exit the vehicle safely, and then pull away from the curb in a safe and orderly manner to allow a smooth flow of traffic and not to obstruct the FIRE LANE. DO NOT EXIT AND LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE PARKED, UNATTENDED, AT THE CURB IN ANY SCHOOL FIRE LANE, AT ANY TIME. Unattended vehicles parked in the Fire Lane are subject to ticketing or towing by the Peoria Heights Police Department. Double parking to pick up a child at PHGS is NEVER allowed. You must either wait your turn in the vehicle pick-up line at the rear of the school, or park in a lined space and exit your vehicle to meet and escort your child to your car. A parent vehicle picking a child up after school is allowed to park along the gym curb, pulling as far forward as possible to allow other cars behind you to park. Drivers must wait in their vehicles in a single line, along the gym curb, with the line proceeding down the curb at the playground wall, around the corner, with everyone patiently waiting in order to pick up students. Please remain in your vehicle at the curb for your child to come to your vehicle. This allows you to move forward to keep the pick-up line moving steadily until you pick-up your child and exit the line. Leaving your car unattended stops line flow. Do not leave your car unattended at the curb. As vehicles in front of you exit the curb, please pull forward to keep the line moving in a flow. Parents picking up children at the end of the school day may also choose to park in a lined parking space in the lot at the south end of the school, off the gymnasium. Students who walk home or who are being picked up by an adult at school will enter and exit at the gym hallway door. Parents are to park in a lined, parking lot space, and exit their vehicle to meet your child exiting the school. Escorting your child to your vehicle will help protect the child in our heavy parking lot traffic before and after school. If you have small children in your car that require you to stay in your vehicle, in the curb line, pulling forward as others exit, until you see your child waiting at the curb to be picked up. Allow your child to enter the vehicle at curbside. Students may not cross or step, unless escorted by an adult, into the parking lot traffic to go to a vehicle. Adult monitors will most often be in the rear lot at the end of the school day to direct traffic. Obey directions given to you by those monitors at all times. Be patient and courteous at ALL TIMES. Unruly behavior may result in citations being issued by the Peoria Heights Police Department or in you being barred from driving a vehicle on school property. Parents picking up or dropping off students during the school day, after classes have started and students are in the building, are to use visitor parking near the main school entry near school office. Parents are to park in a lined “Visitor” space and then escort children into the school to sign the child in as a late arrival. PLEASE OBSERVE ALL THE "NO PARKING AREA” YELLOW MARKING ON THE CURB IN FRONT OF OUR SCHOOL FOR OUR HANDICAP OR BUS PARKING! Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed and/or towed by the Peoria Heights Police Department To provide for student safety and to facilitate the smooth flow of buses entering or exiting school property, all parents are asked to yield to buses at stop signs on school property. All parents are also required to make no attempt to remove a parked vehicle from the front of the school in “Visitor Parking” while busses are loading or unloading children. Busses are in that area loading daily from approximately 3:00 P.M. to 3: 20 P.M when they exit. If you park in visitor parking at that time be prepared to wait patiently for buses to safely load children and exit, when you may leave the parking space. Cell Phone Procedures It is permissible for faculty/staff members to carry cell phones for emergency use as needed on school property. The current student cell phone use policy is provided to you in this handbook. (Electronic Communication Devices). This policy was established by the Policy Committee of the Board of Education. Students are responsible for their own cell phones at all times. Phones should not be loaned to other students. By doing this a student encourages other students to violate school rules established for cell phone use. Loaning a phone to another student is punishable by a 20-50 demerit punishment. Students are responsible for being familiar with and abiding by the cell phone use policy of the school “during the school day” (8:45 A.M. to their dismissal at either 3:10 or 3:20 P.M.), “while classes are in session.” Teachers have the right to ask a student to give them a cell phone to see if it is powered off or powered on. A teacher will issue a student a discipline slip for a cell phone violation, including cell phone use during school hours or having the phone powered on. The teacher will confiscate the phone from the student and turn it over to Mr. Carroll with a discipline write up slip. Teachers will not look at messages, pictures, etc., that may be on the phone. A building administrator(s) will determine if there is “reasonable cause” to examine a cell phone that is confiscated for the violation of a specific cell phone use policy offense. There will be no “inventory search” of a telephone that is confiscated. If the phone a teacher examines is powered off it will be returned to the student with a reminder that the school policy requires the phone to be kept powered off and out of sight at all times during the school day while classes are in session. If the student refuses to surrender a phone after asked to, the student will be brought to the principal in the school office. The student will be written up for insubordination and the parent will be called about the student’s refusal to surrender the phone to school administration. Generally, the messages, pictures, etc., on a cell phone are private and will not be viewed by administration without probable cause that indicates a violation of the cell phone use policy. Permission to look at messages or photos may be requested of the adult parent or guardian of a student. If this permission is requested of the parent and is denied, the student will be forbidden to carry a cell phone on them in the future during the school day. The student may bring a cell phone to and from school, but it will be required to be kept in the student’s locker during school day hours. If a teacher has reason to believe that the cell phone may have been used in some way to violate the rights or privacy of another student, the teacher will bring both the phone and the student to Mr. Carroll. (Cell phones Use) Electronic Paging and Communication Devices To ensure that cellular telephones do not disrupt the school environment the following rules are to be implemented. These rules pertain to all students in the district. 1. A student in possession of a cellular telephone must keep it turned off and out of sight (in an inconspicuous place such as a car, backpack, pocket, purse, or locker) during the school day while classes are in session. 2. Students must obtain permission from the coach or sponsor to use a cellular telephone on the school bus at any time before or after school while being transported home, or when traveling to or from an extra-curricular event. 3. Exceptions to these rules may occur with the permission of the building Principal/Designate, or a life-threatening emergency where no other telephone is available and no adult is present. Disciplinary Action The violation of any of the cellular telephone regulations will result in the following disciplinary action(s): 1. The first violation will result in the confiscation of the cellular telephone and a Saturday detention. The telephone will only be returned to a parent or guardian at which time a conference and review of the policy will occur. 2. The second violation will result in a one-day suspension, confiscation of the cellular telephone for the remainder of the school year, and the student will not be able to possess any cellular telephone on school property for the remainder of the school year. 3. Further violation of the cellular telephone policy will result in confiscation, not returned, and the student will be suspended out-of-school pending an expulsion hearing. Electronic study aids may be used during the school day if: 1. Use of device is provided in the student’s IEP. 2. Permission is received from the Principal/Designate. Examples of electronic devices that are used as study aids include tape recorders, palm pilots, and lap top computers. Examples of electronic devices that are not used as study aids and are not permitted at school Include: hand-held electronic games (e.g. Game Boys), CD players, MP3 players, AM/FM radios, pagers, and all communication devices other than cell phones (usage described above). The School District is not responsible for the loss or theft of any item or electronic device brought to school. Change of Address If you change address during the school year, report the new address and telephone number to the office. Charity Collections at School Charitable causes and collections are undeniably worthwhile. The problem we encounter as a public school is that we get a very large number of requests for them. Agencies and individuals want to use schools as collection and distribution points because of the numbers of children we have and the number of parents we can reach via mailings sent home with children. We have had requests to collect eye glasses, cell phones, batteries, shoes, clothing, even cash to donate to charities. How do we select the charities we will donate to? How much time is taken of office workers to process collect items? What if we unknowingly bring a contaminated item into our school that may jeopardize the health and welfare of PHGS children? Where are items housed as they are being collected? How do we justify saying no to one charity, then yes to another? How do we know that charities we are unfamiliar with are legitimate, and that funds or items collected are being used in the way we are being told? (charity fraud is a growing problem) Does the charity directly benefit Peoria Heights children or families. Families are certainly free and are encouraged to make donations directly to any reputable charity or agency they have confidence in and want to support. Community churches and houses of worship will accept your donations and see to it that they benefit families in need. Our school will not collect funds or items to support a charity at the request of a parent or child, will not send home from school with our children charity printed materials, nor use the school as a collection point for donated items*. Requests for participation in any charitable activity may be made by a representative officer of the reputable charitable organization, in writing on organization letterhead, (not from a child or parent), to school administration. A copy of the item being requested for distribution should also be included with the request letter. All requests will be reviewed and acted upon individually by school administration. (Red Cross, Easter Seals, March of Dimes, The Arthritis Foundation, American Cancer Association, American Heart Association, Toys for Tots, etc. – Our school receives calls from such reputable charitable agencies almost weekly). School administration will determine which charitable agencies we will be worked with on a yearly basis. *Exception - Sadly, emergency situations sometimes happen with Peoria Heights families. A home fire can leave a family homeless, without clothing or simple care supplies needed for PHGS children attending our school. One of our children may be struck with a catastrophic illness that results in a family experiencing major expenses in providing care for or being with their child who is receiving medical treatments. All our children are a part of the Peoria Heights Grade School family. Our school will make every effort to support any collection drive to benefit a Heights family or a Heights child in crisis need. Final decision on the school participating in any charitable fund raising or donation activity rests solely with Peoria Heights Grade School administration. 04-27-13 Child Abuse or Neglect - Recognizing, Preventing, and Reporting Child Abuse School personnel are obligated by law to report any suspicious / suspected case of child abuse or neglect to the proper authorities. To report a suspected case of child abuse you may call: Illinois DCFS HOTLINE: 1-800-252-2873 DCFS Peoria: 309-671-7978 or 7979 • 911(Local Police Department Immediate Assistance) • Center for Prevention of Abuse Hotline 1-800-559-7233 • Youth Crisis Hotline 1-800-448-4663 • HOPE Line 1-855-837-4673 • Peoria County Children’s Advocacy Center 309-669-2900 • Emergency Response Services (ERS) 309-671-8084 Child abuse is more than bruises and broken bones. While physical abuse might be the most visible, other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse and neglect, also leave deep, lasting scars. The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal and break the cycle—rather than perpetuate it. By learning about common signs of abuse and what you can do to intervene, you can make a huge difference in a child’s life. Understanding child abuse and neglect Child Abuse Hotlines: Illinois DCFS HOTLINE: 1-800-252-2873 DCFS Peoria: 309-671-7978 or 7979 US or Canada: 1-800-422-4453 (Childhelp) Child abuse is more than bruises or broken bones. While physical abuse is shocking due to the scars it leaves, not all child abuse is as obvious. Ignoring children’s needs, putting them in unsupervised, dangerous situations, or making a child feel worthless or stupid are also child abuse. Regardless of the type of child abuse, the result is serious emotional harm. Myths and facts about child abuse and neglect MYTH #1: It's only abuse if it's violent. Fact: Physical abuse is just one type of child abuse. Neglect and emotional abuse can be just as damaging, and since they are more subtle, others are less likely to intervene. MYTH #2: Only bad people abuse their children. Fact: While it's easy to say that only "bad people" abuse their children, it's not always so Ehle and white. Not all abusers are intentionally harming their children. Many have been victims of abuse themselves, and don’t know any other way to parent. Others may be struggling with mental health issues or a substance abuse problem. MYTH #3: Child abuse doesn't happen in “good” families. Fact: Child abuse doesn't only happen in poor families or bad neighborhoods. It crosses all racial, economic, and cultural lines. Sometimes, families who seem to have it all from the outside are hiding a different story behind closed doors. MYTH #4: Most child abusers are strangers. Fact: While abuse by strangers does happen, most abusers are family members or others close to the family. MYTH #5: Abused children always grow up to be abusers. Fact: It is true that abused children are more likely to repeat the cycle as adults, unconsciously repeating what they experienced as children. On the other hand, many adult survivors of child abuse have a strong motivation to protect their children against what they went through and become excellent parents. Effects of child abuse and neglect All types of child abuse and neglect leave lasting scars. Some of these scars might be physical, but emotional scarring has long lasting effects throughout life, damaging a child’s sense of self, ability to have healthy relationships, and ability to function at home, at work and at school. Some effects include:  Lack of trust and relationship difficulties. If you can’t trust your parents, who can you trust? Abuse by a primary caregiver damages the most fundamental relationship as a child—that you will safely, reliably get your physical and emotional needs met by the person who is responsible for your care. Without this base, it is very difficult to learn to trust people or know who is trustworthy. This can lead to difficulty maintaining relationships due to fear of being controlled or abused. It can also lead to unhealthy relationships because the adult doesn’t know what a good relationship is.  Core feelings of being “worthless” or “damaged.” If you’ve been told over and over again as a child that you are stupid or no good, it is very difficult to overcome these core feelings. You may experience them as reality. Adults may not strive for more education, or settle for a job that may not pay enough, because they don’t believe they can do it or are worth more. Sexual abuse survivors, with the stigma and shame surrounding the abuse, often especially struggle with a feeling of being damaged.  Trouble regulating emotions. Abused children cannot express emotions safely. As a result, the emotions get stuffed down, coming out in unexpected ways. Adult survivors of child abuse can struggle with unexplained anxiety, depression, or anger. They may turn to alcohol or drugs to numb out the painful feelings. Types of child abuse There are several types of child abuse, but the core element that ties them together is the emotional effect on the child. Children need predictability, structure, clear boundaries, and the knowledge that their parents are looking out for their safety. Abused children cannot predict how their parents will act. Their world is an unpredictable, frightening place with no rules. Whether the abuse is a slap, a harsh comment, stony silence, or not knowing if there will be dinner on the table tonight, the end result is a child that feel unsafe, uncared for, and alone. Emotional child abuse Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me? Contrary to this old saying, emotional abuse can severely damage a child’s mental health or social development, leaving lifelong psychological scars. Examples of emotional child abuse include:  Constant belittling, shaming, and humiliating a child.  Calling names and making negative comparisons to others.  Telling a child he or she is “no good," "worthless," "bad," or "a mistake."  Frequent yelling, threatening, or bullying.  Ignoring or rejecting a child as punishment, giving him or her the silent treatment.  Limited physical contact with the child—no hugs, kisses, or other signs of affection.  Exposing the child to violence or the abuse of others, whether it be the abuse of a parent, a sibling, or even a pet. Child neglect Child neglect—a very common type of child abuse—is a pattern of failing to provide for a child's basic needs, whether it be adequate food, clothing, hygiene, or supervision. Child neglect is not always easy to spot. Sometimes, a parent might become physically or mentally unable to care for a child, such as with a serious injury, untreated depression, or anxiety. Other times, alcohol or drug abuse may seriously impair judgment and the ability to keep a child safe. Older children might not show outward signs of neglect, becoming used to presenting a competent face to the outside world, and even taking on the role of the parent. But at the end of the day, neglected children are not getting their physical and emotional needs met. Physical child abuse Physical abuse involves physical harm or injury to the child. It may be the result of a deliberate attempt to hurt the child, but not always. It can also result from severe discipline, such as using a belt on a child, or physical punishment that is inappropriate to the child’s age or physical condition. Many physically abusive parents and caregivers insist that their actions are simply forms of discipline—ways to make children learn to behave. But there is a big difference between using physical punishment to discipline and physical abuse. The point of disciplining children is to teach them right from wrong, not to make them live in fear. Physical abuse vs. Discipline In physical abuse, unlike physical forms of discipline, the following elements are present:  Unpredictability. The child never knows what is going to set the parent off. There are no clear boundaries or rules. The child is constantly walking on eggshells, never sure what behavior will trigger a physical assault.  Lashing out in anger. Physically abusive parents act out of anger and the desire to assert control, not the motivation to lovingly teach the child. The angrier the parent, the more intense the abuse.  Using fear to control behavior. Parents who are physically abusive may believe that their children need to fear them in order to behave, so they use physical abuse to “keep their child in line.” However, what children are really learning is how to avoid being hit, not how to behave or grow as individuals. Child sexual abuse: A hidden type of abuse Help for child sexual abuse: 1-888-PREVENT (1-888-773-8368)Stop It Now 1-800-656-HOPE Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) Child sexual abuse is an especially complicated form of abuse because of its layers of guilt and shame. It's important to recognize that sexual abuse doesn't always involve body contact. Exposing a child to sexual situations or material is sexually abusive, whether or not touching is involved. While news stories of sexual predators are scary, what is even more frightening is that sexual abuse usually occurs at the hands of someone the child knows and should be able to trust—most often close relatives. And contrary to what many believe, it’s not just girls who are at risk. Boys and girls both suffer from sexual abuse. In fact, sexual abuse of boys may be underreported due to shame and stigma. The problem of shame and guilt in child sexual abuse Aside from the physical damage that sexual abuse can cause, the emotional component is powerful and farreaching. Sexually abused children are tormented by shame and guilt. They may feel that they are responsible for the abuse or somehow brought it upon themselves. This can lead to self-loathing and sexual problems as they grow older—often either excessive promiscuity or an inability to have intimate relations. The shame of sexual abuse makes it very difficult for children to come forward. They may worry that others won’t believe them, will be angry with them, or that it will split their family apart. Because of these difficulties, false accusations of sexual abuse are not common, so if a child confides in you, take him or her seriously. Don’t turn a blind eye! Warning signs of child abuse and neglect The earlier child abuse is caught, the better the chance of recovery and appropriate treatment for the child. Child abuse is not always obvious. By learning some of the common warning signs of child abuse and neglect, you can catch the problem as early as possible and get both the child and the abuser the help that they need. Of course, just because you see a warning sign doesn’t automatically mean a child is being abused. It’s important to dig deeper, looking for a pattern of abusive behavior and warning signs, if you notice something off. Warning signs of emotional abuse in children  Excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong.  Shows extremes in behavior (extremely compliant or extremely demanding; extremely passive or extremely aggressive).  Doesn’t seem to be attached to the parent or caregiver.  Acts either inappropriately adult (taking care of other children) or inappropriately infantile (rocking, thumb-sucking, throwing tantrums). Warning signs of physical abuse in children  Frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts.  Is always watchful and “on alert,” as if waiting for something bad to happen.  Injuries appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt.  Shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements, or seems afraid to go home.  Wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as long-sleeved shirts on hot days. Warning signs of neglect in children  Clothes are ill-fitting, filthy, or inappropriate for the weather.  Hygiene is consistently bad (unbathed, matted and unwashed hair, noticeable body odor).  Untreated illnesses and physical injuries.  Is frequently unsupervised or left alone or allowed to play in unsafe situations and environments.  Is frequently late or missing from school. Warning signs of sexual abuse in children  Trouble walking or sitting.  Displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behavior.  Makes strong efforts to avoid a specific person, without an obvious reason.  Doesn’t want to change clothes in front of others or participate in physical activities.  An STD or pregnancy, especially under the age of 14.  Runs away from home. Risk factors for child abuse and neglect While child abuse and neglect occurs in all types of families—even in those that look happy from the outside— children are at a much greater risk in certain situations.  Domestic violence. Witnessing domestic violence is terrifying to children and emotionally abusive. Even if the mother does her best to protect her children and keeps them from being physically abused, the situation is still extremely damaging. If you or a loved one is in an abusive relationships, getting out is the best thing for protecting the children.  Alcohol and drug abuse. Living with an alcoholic or addict is very difficult for children and can easily lead to abuse and neglect. Parents who are drunk or high are unable to care for their children, make good parenting decisions, and control often-dangerous impulses. Substance abuse also commonly leads to physical abuse.  Untreated mental illness. Parents who suffering from depression, an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or another mental illness have trouble taking care of themselves, much less their children. A mentally ill or traumatized parent may be distant and withdrawn from his or her children, or quick to anger without understanding why. Treatment for the caregiver means better care for the children.  Lack of parenting skills. Some caregivers never learned the skills necessary for good parenting. Teen parents, for example, might have unrealistic expectations about how much care babies and small children need. Or parents who were themselves victims of child abuse may only know how to raise their children the way they were raised. In such cases, parenting classes, therapy, and caregiver support groups are great resources for learning better parenting skills.  Stress and lack of support. Parenting can be a very time-intensive, difficult job, especially if you’re raising children without support from family, friends, or the community or you’re dealing with relationship problems or financial difficulties. Caring for a child with a disability, special needs, or difficult behaviors is also a challenge. It’s important to get the support you need, so you are emotionally and physically able to support your child. Recognizing abusive behavior in yourself If you need professional help... Do you feel angry and frustrated and don’t know where to turn? In the U.S., call 1-800-4-A-CHILD to find support and resources in your community that can help you break the cycle of abuse. Do you see yourself in some of these descriptions, painful as it may be? Do you feel angry and frustrated and don’t know where to turn? Raising children is one of life’s greatest challenges and can trigger anger and frustration in the most even tempered. If you grew up in a household where screaming and shouting or violence was the norm, you may not know any other way to raise your kids. Recognizing that you have a problem is the biggest step to getting help. If you yourself were raised in an abusive situation, that can be extremely difficult. Children experience their world as normal. It may have been normal in your family to be slapped or pushed for little to no reason, or that mother was too drunk to cook dinner. It may have been normal for your parents to call you stupid, clumsy, or worthless. Or it may have been normal to watch your mother get beaten up by your father. It is only as adults that we have the perspective to step back and take a hard look at what is normal and what is abusive. Read the above sections on the types of abuse and warning signs. Do any of those ring a bell for you now? Or from when you were a child? The following is a list of warning signs that you may be crossing the line into abuse: How do you know when you’ve crossed the line? You can’t stop the anger. What starts as a swat on the backside may turn into multiple hits getting  harder and harder. You may shake your child harder and harder and finally throw him or her down. You find yourself screaming louder and louder and can’t stop yourself. You feel emotionally disconnected from your child. You may feel so overwhelmed that you don’t  want anything to do with your child. Day after day, you just want to be left alone and for your child to be quiet.  Meeting the daily needs of your child seems impossible. While everyone struggles with balancing dressing, feeding, and getting kids to school or other activities, if you continually can’t manage to do it, it’s a sign that something might be wrong.  Other people have expressed concern. It may be easy to bristle at other people expressing concern. However, consider carefully what they have to say. Are the words coming from someone you normally respect and trust? Denial is not an uncommon reaction. Breaking the cycle of child abuse If you have a history of child abuse, having your own children can trigger strong memories and feelings that you may have repressed. This may happen when a child is born, or at later ages when you remember specific abuse to you. You may be shocked and overwhelmed by your anger, and feel like you can’t control it. But you can learn new ways to manage your emotions and break your old patterns. Remember, you are the most important person in your child’s world. It’s worth the effort to make a change, and you don’t have to go it alone. Help and support are available. Tips for changing your reactions  Learn what is age appropriate and what is not. Having realistic expectations of what children can handle at certain ages will help you avoid frustration and anger at normal child behavior. For example, newborns are not going to sleep through the night without a peep, and toddlers are not going to be able to sit quietly for extended periods of time.  Develop new parenting skills. While learning to control your emotions is critical, you also need a game plan of what you are going to do instead. Start by learning appropriate discipline techniques and how to set clear boundaries for your children. Parenting classes, books, and seminars are a way to get this information. You can also turn to other parents for tips and advice.  Take care of yourself. If you are not getting enough rest and support or you’re feeling overwhelmed, you are much more likely to succumb to anger. Sleep deprivation, common in parents of young children, adds to moodiness and irritability—exactly what you are trying to avoid.  Get professional help. Breaking the cycle of abuse can be very difficult if the patterns are strongly entrenched. If you can’t seem to stop yourself no matter how hard you try, it’s time to get help, be it therapy, parenting classes, or other interventions. Your children will thank you for it.  Learn how you can get your emotions under control. The first step to getting your emotions under control is realizing that they are there. If you were abused as a child, you may have an especially difficult time getting in touch with your range of emotions. You may have had to deny or repress them as a child, and now they spill out without your control. Helping an abused or neglected child What should you do if you suspect that a child has been abused? How do you approach him or her? Or what if a child comes to you? It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed and confused in this situation. Child abuse is a difficult subject that can be hard to accept and even harder to talk about. Just remember, you can make a tremendous difference in the life of an abused child, especially if you take steps to stop the abuse early. When talking with an abused child, the best thing you can provide is calm reassurance and unconditional support. Let your actions speak for you if you’re having trouble finding the words. Remember that talking about the abuse may be very difficult for the child. It’s your job to reassure the child and provide whatever help you can. Tips for talking to an abused child  Avoid denial and remain calm. A common reaction to news as unpleasant and shocking as child abuse is denial. However, if you display denial to a child, or show shock or disgust at what they are saying, the child may be afraid to continue and will shut down. As hard as it may be, remain as calm and reassuring as you can.  Don’t interrogate. Let the child explain to you in his or her own words what happened, but don’t interrogate the child or ask leading questions. This may confuse and fluster the child and make it harder for them to continue their story.  Reassure the child that they did nothing wrong. It takes a lot for a child to come forward about abuse. Reassure him or her that you take what is said seriously, and that it is not the child’s fault.  Safety comes first. If you feel that your safety or the safety of the child would be threatened if you try to intervene, leave it to the professionals. You may be able to provide more support later after the initial professional intervention. Reporting child abuse and neglect If you suspect a child is being abused, it's critical to get them the help he or she needs. Reporting child abuse seems so official. Many people are reluctant to get involved in other families' lives. Understanding some of the myths behind reporting may help put your mind at ease if you need to report child abuse. I don’t want to interfere in someone else’s family. The effects of child abuse are lifelong, affecting  future relationships, self-esteem, and sadly putting even more children at risk of abuse as the cycle continues. Help break the cycle of child abuse. What if I break up someone’s home? The priority in child protective services is keeping children in  the home. A child abuse report does not mean a child is automatically removed from the home - unless the child is clearly in danger. Support such as parenting classes, anger management or other resources may be offered first to parents if safe for the child.  They will know it was me who called. Reporting is anonymous. In most places, you do not have to give your name when you report child abuse. The child abuser cannot find out who made the report of child abuse. It won’t make a difference what I have to say. If you have a gut feeling that something is wrong, it  is better to be safe than sorry. Even if you don’t see the whole picture, others may have noticed as well, and a pattern can help identify child abuse that might have otherwise slipped through the cracks. Child Abduction – Safety Tips SAFETY TIPS: PREVENTING CHILD ABDUCTION At one point or another in a child's life they "go missing". This is perhaps the greatest fear and time of anxiety in any parent’s life. Most often the child returns on his/her own, safe and unharmed. Even a short disappearance will cause a parent to confront their worst fear. The abduction of a child is every parent's worst nightmare. Child abductions are rare but they do happen. Parents can fight back against child abduction through preparation and abduction prevention. “Stranger Danger” is a phrase most parents instill in the minds of children. Most people genuinely care about children, and not all strangers are bad. However, we must educate parents and children to recognize and avoid dangerous child abduction situations. Knowledge, caution, and alertness are our children's best protection. The tips below can help you reduce the risk of your child becoming a victim of abduction. Please take the time to read this child protection information and share it with your children. How Parents Can Protect Children From Abduction: ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Know where your children are at all times and who they are with. Never leave your child alone in a public place, stroller or car. Always accompany younger children to a public restroom. Teach your children not to accept rides and gifts from strangers. ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Always accompany your child on door-to-door activities, i.e. Halloween, school fundraising campaigns, etc. Establish a routine for picking your children up from school or other events. Agree on a simple code word for emergency situations. A trusted adult who knows the code word can pick up your child if necessary. Make sure your child knows their full name, address and phone number. Teach your child how to reach you (home, office, mobile) Teach your child how to call the police. Have a plan in case your child gets separated from you in public. Teach your child to stay in groups of friends when going anywhere. Tell your children about child abductions in simple and easy to understand terms. Awareness can help them protect themselves. Avoid clothing and toys with your child's name on it. A child may not fear someone who knows his/her name. Promote an environment in which your child feels free to talk to you. Let your child know that you will pick them up at any time, any place. Listen closely when your child talks about friends or acquaintances they spend time with in your absence. Check all potential babysitters and older friends of your child. Teach your child to recognize suspicious behavior and collect descriptions. Urge your child to think escape / survival if he or she were ever abducted. Speak to your local law enforcement agency to find out about neighborhood watch. Get to know your neighbors and the children in the area. Make sure your child's friends know your house is safe and they can seek help from you. Check with your local law enforcement to find out if there are sexual offenders in your area. Use a system such as KidSave to organize your child's photo and child ID card with pertinent descriptive data. Keep up-to-date medical/dental history and finger print cards. Teach your child that there is always someone to help them, and they have the right to be safe. Monitor and restrict computer/Internet and cell phone use where anonymous predators now use technology to prey upon children. There is no such thing as child or student privacy on line where your child’s safety is a major concern. Let your child know that you will monitor behavior and that breaking rules of use that you establish will result in the loss of the privilege of using a computer or cell phone use. Always remember that technology is a convenience that we must use cautiously so it doesn’t become a threat to individual safety How Children Can Protect Themselves From Abduction: ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Always tell your parents where you are going and who you are with. Never answer the door if alone. Do not invite anyone in the house without the permission of a parent or babysitter. NEVER go near or get into anyone's car without permission. Don't tell anyone on the phone that your parents are not home. Instead tell them that your parents can't come to the phone and take a message. Don't go to restrooms in out-of-the-way places without a trusted adult. Don't take short cuts. Always use well-traveled streets. Never go to playgrounds or movies alone. Go to the nearest cashier if lost or separated from a parent in a store or mall. Do not take candy or other gifts from strangers without asking a parent first. Never hitch-hike. Stay away from isolated areas or abandoned buildings. ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· If you do not know the driver of a car that slows down or stops near you. Run home, to the police department or to a public place where there are people. Do not run and hide. If an adult approaches to ask for directions, step back, tell them you don't know and walk away. Adults should ask other adults for directions. If forced toward a building or car, scream "help", scatter belongings and fight. No one has the right to touch any part of your body that a bathing suit would cover. If someone touches you in a way that feels uncomfortable, tell them in a loud voice that it is your body and they don't have the right to touch you, even if it is a relative or friend. Tell an adult you can trust and keep telling until someone believes you. If you see someone unusual hanging around a schoolyard or a park, tell your parents. Tell a parent about anyone who exposes themselves to you. Don't believe any adult who asks you to keep a secret from your parents. Stay out of Internet chat rooms where predators often lurk looking for child victims. Keep your cell phone number within your private circle of friends and never post it publically. If in a chat room speaking to a friend, DO NOT reply to any communication from a stranger. Never engage in a cell phone conversation with a stranger. NEVER post or personally share any information about yourself with anyone on-line. Always remember that technology is a convenience that we must use cautiously so it doesn’t become a threat to individual safety. Patterns of Child Abduction: ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· In abduction cases, the first few hours are the most critical. 75% of abductions are by a family member or an acquaintance. Only 25% of kids are taken by strangers. The majority of these abductors are men When kids are taken by strangers, 66% of the victims are female children. 76% percent of victims are Caucasian females with and average age of 11 years. Infant abductions are fairly rare, but the abductors are usually women. Most abducted children are in their teens. Most abductors/predators are usually highly skilled in the art of manipulation. Abductors/predators often single out a lone child or one that is out late at night alone. Abductors/predators usually befriend their victim. Abductors/predators single out children or teenagers that seem to have problems at home. Abductors/predators identify and pursue at-risk children or teens. Many child abductors/predators were victims of domestic violence themselves. The majority of children reported missing is composed of either run-aways or a situation where there has been a miscommunication with their parents. Environments that promote child abduction: ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· Walking alone to or from school (especially before and after normal school hours) Waiting for a school bus alone Playing in a public park or playground after hours or late in the evening or playing unsupervised at any time Exploring remote areas Using enclosed, poorly lit stairways, corridors and public rooms Riding a bicycle alone or at night Using late night or all night facilities, such as laundry facilities Waiting in public parking lots (e.g., at malls) Walking unattended in a crowded mall or other public places Stranger Danger: Tricks Abductors Often Use to Lure Children ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· ï‚· A stranger may quickly approach the victim. This element of surprise does not allow the child to think about what is happening and get away. A stranger may pose as an authority figure (police, firemen, security) and ask the child to leave with them. A stranger may try to bribe the child with money, candy, toys, cute pets, etc. A stranger may tell the child there is a crisis such as family illness and say a parent told them to pick the child up. A stranger may approach with compliments to appeal to child's ego. A stranger may approach with false caring, promise or knowing child's name if noted on child's possessions (shirt, lunchbox, toy). A stranger may suggest playing games. A stranger may ask for help, such as directions or to help find a lost pet. A stranger may fake injury requesting help Children often idolize adults, allowing false trust. Strangers prey on this false trust. A stranger may try to lure a child by asking the child to do work for the stranger. Stress to your child the importance of staying with other children and of NEVER speaking to strangers. If a stranger ever places hands on a child or tries to intimidate a child the child needs to run away and SCREAM for help. People acting illegally don’t like noise that brings the attention of others to them. Children should immediately go to the nearest adult to report any instance of contact with anyone who frightens them or makes them feel unsafe, and ask the adult assisting them to call both parents and the police. Sadly, we live in a society that has an element of evil in it that will prey upon children if given the chance to. Spend time now with your child to warn them of that evil and to help the child know how to both recognize and react to it. Classroom Placement of Students Student placement in each Peoria Heights Grade School classroom is done very carefully and deliberately to achieve a particular, desired and productive educational balance that will benefit all students. The selection process involves student placement recommendations from teachers, special education personnel, and district administrators. Student prior classroom performance and report card grades, achievement test scores, classroom behavior concerns, special education programming needs, siblings who may be in the same grade, even the ratio of male to female students, are all taken into consideration as student classroom assignments are made. The assignment process is fair and equitable in best meeting the educational needs of all students. For the above reasons, parent requests for students to be assigned to a specific teacher, or for a student to be assigned to a different classroom after classroom assignments are made, cannot be honored. Clubs at PHGS (Non-School Sponsored) “Clubs” of any kind at school that are not sponsored by PHGS are not allowed. Peoria Heights Grade School is a public school that requires considerate and courteous treatment between all students equally. Any club that exists with a closed “membership” where students are excluded for any reason, at any age, is both inconsiderate and discourteous to other students. Younger students may have their feelings hurt or feel labeled in some way by not being allowed in a “Club”. Students are free to associate with whom they please in selecting and building friendships. Students are not allowed to promote any type of elitism by creating a club. Friendship promotes social growth as part of the total educational experience that is important to all students who need to be nurtured and encouraged, not excluded in a cruel or harmful way that they may not understand. Students are not to speak of or promote membership in a non-school sponsored “Club” at any time on school property. Communications In our attempt to inform you of the events, programs, and happenings occurring in our school, we will send home school flyers and events notes home with the students as needed. A monthly lunch menu will be sent home separately each month. In addition, we will attempt to include, in the local newspaper, items of community interest. We will use these two publications to keep you informed during the school year. Computer Lab & Library Computer Use Rules (Student) 1. 2. 3. No students are to be left in the computer lab unsupervised by an adult. No food or drink is ever allowed in the lab. Leave the room with chairs under tables, and all materials brought into the lab removed from floors and tables. 4. Aides or teachers "boot" or start the computer unless students are instructed to do so. 5. Never touch power system buttons on any piece of computer equipment. 6. Use the computer only as instructed by the teacher in charge. 7. Immediately notify the teacher of any problem you are experiencing with a computer unit. 8. Listen to your computer teacher carefully, and follow instructions as they are given to you. Never work ahead on your own unless told to do so by your teacher. 9. Ask questions as needed to help you solve the problems you experience in using the computer. 10. Be patient, concentrate, and fully use your available computer time. You may be required to wait in turn to use a computer unit. Being quiet and cooperative will help your turn come that much faster. *Always remember that the computer is a delicate piece of sensitive and expensive equipment. Always treat it with care, and it will give you and the other students here at Peoria Heights Grade School, many years of dependable service! Conduct (Student Rules of Behavior for Playground / Play Supervision / General) Playground Rules: Drinks and restroom privileges should be taken by students at the start of a recess period and not after the bell rings for return to the classroom at the end of recess. 1. Report all serious accidents and injuries to the school office immediately. 2. Play only in assigned areas of the building, assigned areas on the blacktop and on designated areas in the grass when the weather permits. 3. Do not play in the parking lot or around parked cars. Students should never be in the parking lot. (Wait for rides on the sidewalk) 4. Students should never climb trees, garbage tanks, cement platforms, chains or fences on the playground. 5. No snowball throwing, rock throwing, food throwing, or throwing of any other object. 6. Body contact sports, (tackle football, boxing, wrestling, and gang playing) are prohibited. Never grab or hold on to another student or student’s clothing. 7. Physical contact with others, grabbing, pushing, shoving, kicking, slapping, hitting, and fighting is not permitted. It is just cause for being suspended from school. It is the duty of every person to avoid quarreling, and to never touch another person in anger. 8. No hard baseballs or wood or metal bats are to be used. 9. Tripping and teasing are prohibited. Be respectful and courteous to others at all times. 10. Skateboards and roller skates are not allowed on the school grounds. 11. Use the play equipment as it is meant to be used, in a shared, orderly and safe manner. 12. Keep off all grass areas unless they have been designated for play, and when they are wet or muddy, to keep clothing and students clean and to protect the appearance of the play area. 13. No playing is allowed on any athletic field when it is wet or muddy. 11. Play safely on and observe safety rules on the playground equipment. 12. No child should interfere with a game in progress or in anyway be deliberately annoying to others. 13. Pupils are not permitted in the street, roadway, or parking lot areas. 14. To re-enter the building during recess, permission is needed from a teacher. Students may enter immediately to secure help in case of an emergency or accident. 15. During inclement weather, children must remain out of water and mud. 16. Do not do anything in play that might be dangerous to yourself or others. 17. The only time a student should be inside at recess and noon in nice weather is if you have a reasonable and justifiable note from home, approved by your teacher, or written permission from a teacher. Students should be in possession of this note when staying in. Homeroom / classroom teachers are responsible for supervision of these students. 18. Please remember to put the proper clothing on the weather calls for before going outside. 19. No re-enter to the building will be allowed once a student has exited for recess. The restroom should be used before going outside at recess. 20. A student leaving the playground for any reason must get permission from an adult to do so. General Rules for All Students for Inside (Severe, Inclement Weather) Recess During Noon Hour: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Follow the instructions of cafeteria monitors who return are with students during indoor time. Drinks and restroom privileges are granted by adult monitors. Remain seated in your seat during Noon inside time. Follow instructions that have been given to you by your monitors for indoor, free time. Older students with free time may be selected to help with the monitoring of students in grades 1-4. Students’ cooperation is expected to ensure enjoyable and safe noon hours. Students may bring games or books to the school, with approval and permission of their classroom teacher. Noon use indoors must be approved, as the item is appropriate, by the Noon monitor. GENERAL CONDUCT IN THE BUILDING 1. Avoid scuffling and rowdiness inside the building and in the doorways. Keep your hands off others. 2. Do not run inside the building or on the stairs for your own safety. 3. Gum chewing by students is not be allowed inside the building. 4. Chase may not be played inside or outside the building. 5. Restrooms are not areas to play or congregate in. 6. Keep your voice low and normal at recess times and keep quiet while passing at other times. 7. Be patient, mannerly, and show consideration for others and courtesy. 8. Always be considerate of guests in our building. Offer your aid courteously if they need direction. 9. Be courteous and respectful to each other. Avoid boasting and never make fun of others. 10. Report all cases of vandalism, cheating, or dishonesty that may come to your attention. Continued disregard for these rules may result in a student being barred from using the playground area by the playground supervisor or building principal. Conferences Held After School Between Students and Teachers All after school conferences with teachers must be honored. Conferences may be assigned for a student to complete make-up work, to discuss classroom performance with the student, or for disciplinary reasons. Students must not skip assigned conferences, and nothing, including athletic practices, Scouts, band, chorus, etc., takes precedence over a scheduled conference. If an emergency arises, contact the teacher with whom the conference is scheduled, before the conference time. Teachers will call parents to notify them of conferences scheduled with students. Parents of bus riding students must arrange to pick-up their students after assigned conferences or detentions. If this presents a problem, the detention may be postponed one evening, to allow parents to make pick up arrangements for the next school day afternoon. Students in grades 4-8 who fail to attend scheduled conference with a teacher will receive 25 demerits and a resulting detention. Contacting Parents: Address and Telephone Number Information It is important for our school to be able to contact parents or a parent designee at all times during the school day in case of an emergency. If you move or change your telephone number during the school year, please notify the school office with new information immediately. Especially important to us are home and work telephone numbers, or cellular phone numbers where you or an adult, such as a grandparent who may act in your behalf, may be reached. Please make every effort to keep all emergency information you supply to the school current and accurate! If you expect to move to a different school district, please notify our school office at least two days prior to the anticipated move. Contagious Disease If a child contracts or we suspect a child has a contagious illness, the pupil may need to be examined by a physician and certified as being able to return to school. The following diseases are contagious: Chicken Pox, Head Lice, Diphtheria, German Measles, Impetigo, Influenza, Measles, Meningitis, Mumps, Pink Eye, Pneumonia, Ringworm, Poliomyelitis, Scarlet Fever, and Whopping Cough. By School Code, if we suspect a child might have a contagious disease we must send that child home immediately. The School Nurse and/or Principal will determine if a child needs a doctor note to be allowed to remain in school. We are not doctors and at all times act in good faith to protect the health and welfare interests of all children and adults at PHGS. We would rather be safe than expose others to contagious diseases. It is then the responsibility of the parent to have the child seen by a physician and to secure a note, signed by the doctor, stating when the child may return to school. Controlled Substances Any student who, while either on school property or while engaged in any school-suspension activity, shall have in his/her possession any of the following shall be suspended immediately and the principal shall forward notice of suspension along with the principal's recommendation regarding expulsion to the Board of Education at their next meeting: A. Any substance described in the "Cannabis Control Act" as amended (Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 56 1/2, S701 and following), which substances include by way of example but are not limited to marijuana, hashish, and any parts of the plant cannabis sativa; B. Any substance described in the "Controlled Substances Act " as amended (Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 56 1/2, S1100 and following), which and stimulant include by way of example but are not limited to depressant and stimulant substances, narcotic drugs, and hallucinogenic substances; C. Any item described in the "Drug Paraphernalia Control Act" as amended (Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 56 1/2 S2101 and following), which items include by way of example but are not limited to miniature cocaine spoons and bongs; If a student is suspended or expelled for having in his/her possession such substance or item, a referral and request for prosecution will be forwarded immediately to the appropriate law enforcement authority. Corporal Punishment As of January 1, 1994, Illinois State law does not allow the local Board of Education to permit the use of corporal punishment as a penalty for misbehavior. Parents will be notified of any serious behavioral problems noted, and will be asked to support and administer alternative forms of punishment at home for serious misbehaviors their child is involved in at school. Crosswalks on School Property Pedestrians have the right of way at all times in crosswalks on school property. Crosswalks are posted with YIELD signs. Drivers at all times must yield to pedestrians and wait patiently to proceed. Those driving vehicles on school property are also reminded that the large numbers of small children in a small, confined area require extra caution and patience on your part to insure the safety of all children. As adults, we are responsible first and foremost for their safety. Children, by their nature, will act irresponsibly at times. The hundreds of students we release in a short time create heavy pedestrian traffic. Stay in your vehicle and wait until this walking traffic clears before you try to exit school property. Cyber Bullying “CYBERBULLYING”: HELP US STOP THE CRUELTY! Bullies and mean students have been around forever. Sadly, technology has given them a whole new platform for their actions. As adults, we're becoming more aware that the "sticks and stones" adage no longer holds true; virtual name-calling can have real-world effects on the psychological and even physical well being of students. It's not always easy to know how and when to step in as a parent. Our kids tend to use technology differently than we do. Many spend a lot of time on social networking sites, send text messages and instant messages (IMs) by the hundreds, and are likely to roll their eyes at the mention of email — that's "so old-school" to them. Their knowledge and habits can be intimidating, but they still need us as parents to monitor their actions and behaviors to help protect them and others from the many dangers that technology has introduced into our lives. Fortunately, our growing awareness of cyber bullying has helped us learn a lot more about how to prevent it. Here are some suggestions on what to do if online bullying has become part of your child's life. What Is Cyber bullying? Cyber bullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. By definition, it occurs among young people. When an adult is involved, it may meet the definition of cyber-harassment or cyber-stalking, a crime that can have legal consequences and involve jail time. Sometimes cyber bullying can be clear-cut. For example, leaving overtly cruel cell phone text messages or mean notes posted to Web sites. Other acts are less obvious, such as impersonating a victim online or posting personal information or videos designed to hurt or embarrass another child. Cyber bullying also can happen accidentally. The impersonal nature of text messages, IMs, and emails make it very hard to detect the sender's tone — one teen's joke or sense of humor could be another's devastating insult. Nevertheless, a repeated pattern of emails, text messages, and online posts is rarely accidental. A 2006 poll from the national organization Fight Crime: Invest in Kids found that 1 in 3 teens and 1 in 6 preteens have been the victims of cyber bullying. As more and more youths have access to computers and cell phones, the incidence of cyber bullying is likely to rise. Effects of Cyber bullying No longer limited to schoolyards or street corners, modern-day bullying can happen at home as well as at school — essentially 24 hours a day. And, for kids who are being cyber bullied, it can feel like there's no escape. Peoria Heights Grade School has strict policies in place that forbid the use of computer devices and cell phones to be used on-campus, during the school day, without permission for use being given by a teacher monitor. Severe cyber bullying can leave victims at greater risk for anxiety, depression, and other stress-related disorders. In very rare cases, some kids have turned to suicide. Parents and educators must jointly send a consistent and strong message to all children that cyber bullying is a cruel practice that will not be tolerated. Identifying and stopping cyber bullies is a process that must begin in the home with ongoing parent monitoring of all electronic devices students have to ensure that these devices are being used appropriately and are not weapons of cyber bullying. Certain types of cyber bullying may violate anti-discrimination or sexual harassment laws, and may be reported to the police for investigation and possible resulting criminal punishment. Signs of Cyber bullying Many kids and teens who are cyber bullied are reluctant to tell a teacher or parent, often because they feel ashamed of the social stigma, because of embarrassment, or because they fear their computer privileges will be taken away at home. The signs that a child is being cyber bullied vary, but a few things to look for are: signs of emotional distress during or after using the Internet withdrawal from friends and activities avoidance of school or group gatherings slipping grades and "acting out" in anger at home changes in mood, behavior, sleep, or appetite How Parents Can Help If you discover that your child is being cyber bullied, be sure to discuss with your child how it feels. Offer assurance that it's not your child's fault. Talking to teachers or school administrators also may help. If the identity of the cyber bully is known, contact the parents of the cyber bully to report to them what has happened. Parents are usually unaware that any cyber bullying has taken place and will most often immediately intervene to put a stop to the bullying. If you feel uncomfortable talking to the parent yourself you may contact the police or school to provide assistance to try to help stop cyber bullying. Understand however that because of laws that protect freedom of speech and because cyber bullying seldom takes place during school hours or on school grounds, the police and school will be limited on how they may react. Police departments and schools that illegally violate student’s rights of free speech may be sued for their actions, even though the intent may have clearly been to stop an instance of cyber bullying. Before reporting the problem to the police or school, let your child know that you plan to do so, as he or she could have concerns about "tattling" and might prefer that the problem be handled at home. Other measures to try: Block the bully. Most devices have settings that allow you to electronically block emails, IMs, or text messages from specific people. Limit access to technology. Although it's hurtful, many kids who are bullied can't resist the temptation to check Web sites or phones to see if there are new messages. Keep the computer in a public place in the house (no laptops in children's bedrooms, for example) and limit the use of cell phones and games. Some companies allow you to turn off text messaging services during certain hours, which can give bullied kids a break. Know your kids' online world. Check their postings and the sites kids visit, and be aware of how they spend their time online. Talk to them about the importance of privacy and why it's a bad idea to share personal information online, even with friends. Encourage them to safeguard passwords. If your child agrees, you may also arrange for mediation with a therapist or counselor at school who can work with your child and/or the bully. The counselor at school will also speak to the accused bully to try to amicably resolve whatever issues may exist between the two students and prevent further cyber bullying from taking place. When Your Child Is the Bully Finding out that your child is the one who is behaving inappropriately can be upsetting and heartbreaking. It's important to address the problem head on and not wait for it to go away. Be less concerned about what has happened in the past and more concerned about what will happen in the future. The past can’t be undone. The focus should be to immediately and aggressively stop all future actions of cyber bulling. Impress upon the bully that they have violated the rights of others that you would be the first person to aggressively and firmly protect those rights for them. EVERONE has equal rights to personal privacy and security that ensures they are not threatened or cruelly harassed at any time by anyone via cyber bullying. It is a very fair standard to enforce with all students. Make your child understand clearly that you will not tolerate such cruel behavior targeting others and that there will be SEVERE consequences for any act of cyber bullying. Talk to your child firmly about his or her actions and explain the negative impact it has on others. Joking and teasing might seem OK, but it can hurt people's feelings and lead to getting in trouble. Bullying — in any form — is unacceptable; there can be serious (and sometimes irrevocable) consequences at home, school, and in the community if it continues. Remind your child that the use of cell phones and computers is a privilege. Sometimes it helps to restrict the use of these devices until behavior improves. If you feel your child should have a cell phone for safety reasons, make sure it is a phone that can only be used for emergency purposes. Talking to teachers, guidance counselors, and other school officials can help identify situations that lead your child to bully others. If mismanaged anger is a problem, talk to a doctor or school counselor about helping your child learn to cope with anger, hurt, frustration, and other strong emotions in a healthy way. Professional counseling often helps kids learn to deal with their feelings and improve their social skills, which in turn can curb bullying. Dances (Junior High) During the school year there may be various dances for the Junior High students. Rules in place governing dances will be strictly adhered to. Dances are sponsored by the Parent Club. These dances are held immediately after school, and are supervised by district staff. Eligible students may attend who have demonstrated acceptable behavior at school. Snacks and refreshments are provided or available for purchase. Once a student has entered the dance he/she must stay until the dance is over. Anyone leaving the dance early will not be allowed to re-enter, and must leave the school grounds. Anyone having been suspended or having 50 or more demerits at the time of a dance will not be permitted to attend that dance. Deliveries to Students at School A delivery to a student in a teacher’s classroom during the school day causes a major disruption to the daily educational routine that may be difficult to quickly recover from. It takes valuable class instructional time away from students that teachers are very protective of. In short, teachers prefer their classes not be interrupted. If you have a school birthday delivery of balloons or some other item, please bring it to the school office where we will call the student to the office for you to present the item there. To ensure that the item is not damaged, we will then hold the item in the office for release to the student at the end of the school day. Also keep in mind that some items, such as balloons, that you deliver to school in your family vehicle are likely to not make it home on the bus without being damaged. If you anticipate this, please make arrangements to pick the student and the item up after school. Detentions Served at School-Grades K-3 and Conferences Served After School*, Grades K-3) Teachers may assign an after-school detention to a child in grades K-3 for a needed conference or as a punishment for a behavioral offense(s). If this is done the parent will be notified in advance of the detention date to arrange for the child’s pick-up at school after the detention. All K-3 detentions will be served in the child’s classroom with the child’s teacher supervising the child. Detentions Served at School-Grades 4-8 and Conferences Served After School*, Grades 4-8) Peoria Heights Grade School recognizes issuing a student detention after school as an effective intervention to use to motivate students to behave properly. Detentions are most often issued when other forms of reprimands or loss of student recess or privilege time have not corrected poor student behavior. We don’t want student to lose free time after school any more than they want to, but all students must understand that continued failure to follow rules at school or directions of adult supervisors, that results in lost learning time or endangers others, will result in a detention(s) being assigned. Rules governing detentions are as follows: 1. Student punishments are most effective when issued and/or served immediately. A detention, monitored by the individual classroom teacher in that teacher’s classroom, may be assigned at any time mutually agreed upon by the parent and teacher, or a date may be assigned by the teacher, provided the parent is given 24 hours notice of the conference date and time. Detentions assigned through the school office are served the first Tuesday or Thursday afternoon after they are assigned between 3:20 P.M. and 4:20 P.M. in the assigned classroom or detention area. Detentions may also be assigned for more serious offenses on Saturday morning, between 8:00 A.M. and 12:00 Noon. A student, whose poor behavior has earned three scheduled, yet not served Saturday detentions, will be suspended from school for three days to remove all detentions. The teacher in charge of detention will monitor student behavior and attendance. Students must be on time for detention, or another detention may be assigned for the student being late. Attendance at an assigned detention is required and is the student’s responsibility. 2. Students will contact parents the day a detention is issued, to notify them of the reason for the detention, the day it is to be served, and to arrange any needed student pick up at school at 4:20 P.M. Students must be picked up by that time please. Bus riding students may be picked up by parents at school, or may ride home on the school activity bus. If parents cannot be reached by phone for detention notification, a written notice of the detention will be sent home with the student that day for parents, and the detention will be served the next regular detention day. Parents are asked to emphasize to students any transportation difficulties that may arise if a detention is assigned, and make clear to the student your expectation for the student's proper behavior at school that detentions will not need to be issued. 3. Students are to bring schoolwork, library books, etc. to detention to keep busy. Students without study or work materials may be assigned work or written lines by the detention monitor. Any such assigned work must be completed. Students who do not follow these rules will be assigned additional detentions for being uncooperative or for disrupting those other students in detention who are complying with punishment for poor behavior, and are attempting to use the time productively to do school work. 4. To promote the safety and welfare of all students serving detention, we encourage parents of students who do not ride the school bus to make arrangements for students to be picked up at school at 4:20 P.M. after detention is dismissed. A student who is absent from and does not have an excused reason not to attend an assigned detention must serve that detention the next school day afternoon a detention is scheduled, plus an additional detention for being absent from the originally assigned detention. A student with an excused absence on the day a detention is to be served must serve that detention after school on the next day of student attendance that a detention is held. 5. A student who accumulates five detentions still to be served will be suspended out of school, for one school day, with the parent supervising the student at home. This will allow the parent time to conference with the student to reinforce parent expectations and to avoid the need for the parent to be contacted for such a student pickup again in the future. *6. Students in Grades K-8 may be assigned an after-school conference at any time by their classroom teacher for poor conduct, failing to complete homework, etc. Such conferences will be served in the child’s classroom, with the student monitored by the teacher. Teachers will contact parents personally to inform them of the dates of and reasons for any student detentions assigned and to let the parent know the time the child needs to be picked up at school. 7. A student who fails to attend a conference assigned by a teacher will receive 25 demerits and an after school detention will be assigned. A student who has an unexcused absence from an assigned, after-school detention will be assigned a Saturday detention. A student who has an unexcused absence from a Saturday detention will be suspended one day from school. We are limited in the ways we may discourage students from misbehaving at school and need parent support for our days to be productive ones for all students at school. The misbehavior we commonly see from students that warrant detentions takes teacher time away from teaching all students, and is a disruption to the education environment that harms everyone. This is the primary reason why Peoria Heights Grade School will work with and refine this response to student misbehavior. It should be stressed to all students that no detention will have to be served by them if they think before they act, control their temper, and follow school rules and adult directions at school that are in place to protect everyone. Diagnostic Assessment Scales (Physician requested for a student) Classroom teachers will complete diagnostic assessment instruments (Connors Scale, Vanderbilt Rating Scale, etc.) that may be requested from the school by a physician to use in treating a child. Parents are to give to the school the form to be completed by the teacher, and a pre-addressed envelope to mail the completed form to the physician. How that information is then used or shared with the parent is later determined by the physician. The school will not return completed forms directly to parents. Disaster Drills (Fire, Tornado, Lock-Down, Earthquake) The fire and tornado drill evacuation route for each classroom is posted in each individual classroom. Teachers will familiarize their students and themselves with the evacuation routes followed in rooms they and their students frequently use. Disaster fire, tornado, lock-down, and earthquake drills will be held on occasion to familiarize the student with the procedures to follow during these drills. There is an important need to hold these drills. The procedures students learn will assist them in providing for their own safety and welfare during an emergency or disaster situation. Parents who have more specific questions about emergency preparedness measures taken by Peoria Heights Grade School, may discuss precautions taken with their child’s classroom teacher or with the building principal. Discipline Policy (Grades K-3) PHGS Discipline Policy (Grades Pre K-3) The goals of maintaining discipline are to teach and require student courtesy, cooperation, respect and responsibility. Discipline will: 1. Promote a positive classroom learning environment 2. Promote positive student social growth and development 3. Promote student academic Success Discipline Teachers May Employ for Lesser Offenses: 1. Make the child clearly understand that you are the first line of discipline, and that they must please you with their daily performance, and be responsible to you when they don’t. A verbal reprimand may be issued to the child. You may isolate the child within the classroom until the concern is corrected or the child shows remorse for the behavior. (Isolating to the hallway is not allowed because of supervision / liability issues, unless the child is within your sight and close proximity supervision) 2. You may require an apology to another student or to the class for the offense, as is warranted. 3. The child may be excluded from participating in a non-educational classroom activity or reward earned by good student behavior. 4. Contact parents to notify them of the problem or offense and ask for their help to correct the concern. Let them know what future punishments for this offense will be assigned, and how the student’s actions are impacting the child’s grades. Also let them know that more serious offenses that disrupt your work with all students or place the safety or welfare of others in jeopardy could result in them being called to the school to take the child home. Document parent calls if you suspect the problems will continue. 5. Students may conference with you before school, after school, or during the student’s lunch recess period. This is currently being used by a number of teachers on a voluntary basis with a significant degree of success, yet requires a degree of voluntary sacrifice on your part in giving up some free time before and after school or during your lunch. Conference / Detention after school: 6. Grade Pre K-3: Classroom teachers may assign and monitor their own detentions held after school on school days. If parents refuse to honor your detention, let me know so I may contact them to let them know the alternative 50 demerit punishment assigned After school conferences may be held the day of the offense with parent notification and approval for parent pick-up at the school. You must honor a parent request for one-day notice to serve a detention with you, to allow parents to make transportation arrangements if needed. 7. REASONABLE and age level appropriate lines, paragraphs, or extra homework that will benefit the child behaviorally or academically may be assigned. Think of the amount of time your punishment will take as compared to a 45-minute after-school detention. Call the parents to notify them that the work is coming home that night with the child, and ask that they see to it the work is completed and sent home the next day for you to evaluate. Failure of parents to comply with punishments should be reported to me for my follow-up. Be sure to document so I will have this to reference in my conversations with them. Be firm, fair, and consistent to treat all students equally. What you should not do: Don’t act in a way that undermines your authority as the key disciplinarian of your student. Don’t ignore the behavior or assume it cannot be corrected. Clearly convey your dissatisfaction and let the student know that at school, you as teacher are the one to be pleased first, academically and behaviorally. Don’t send lesser offense violations to the principal that you can handle within the classroom. Make the child responsible to you and to your discipline expectations. Less serious offenses may not be acted upon by me immediately or possibly not even by me on the same day. Don’t let frustration, emotion, or anger control your response to the situation. Shouting indicates an unacceptable loss of control, while raising your voice in a controlled manner to emphasize is certainly acceptable. Think of the example you are setting in dealing with the student. Others may seek to defend actions of a child by attacking yours as a professional educator as being unacceptable in dealing with a situation. Always be the adult in control exhibiting professional behavior. If you have had prior confrontational incidents with a parent, try to have another adult school employee witness your handling of a situation with their child. Don’t remove / house the student in the school office, without first discussing your reason for desiring to do this with the principal. Due to the varying age level and maturity from child to child in Grades K-3, we are limited in the manner in which we may respond to less serious offenses in those lower grades. We may conference with students, we may assign (as age level appropriate) paragraphs to write, and we may call parents. Teacher contact with the parent as the first line adult who witnessed a situation involving a child is essential to give the parent the opportunity to have any questions posed be thoroughly answered. As first line of discipline, try these interventions before sending students to the school principal. More serious offenses may result in a student’s suspension from school as determined appropriate and warranted by school administration. All administrative punishment decisions are based on policy, common sense, the age and maturity level of the offender, objectivity, and fairness. Ultimately, district administration, including the principal and/or his designee, is responsible for defending disciplinary actions to a parent, the District Superintendent, or to the School Board. Every attempt will be made to allow for unique differences of children, handicapping conditions that may be contributory to a disciplinary situation, and to ensure that all punishments are firm, fair and consistently applied to students. Review and fairly enforce the discipline policy. Peoria Heights Grade School, Grades Kindergarten Through Three Discipline Policy: DO NOT TOUCH OTHER STUDENTS. DOING THIS VIOLATES PERSONAL SPACE AND PRIVACY AND MAY CAUSE INJURY OR FIGHTS. MOST SERIOUS OFFENSES STUDENTS GET IN TROUBLE FOR VIOLATE THIS SIMPLE RULE. DON’T TOUCH OTHER STUDENTS! Student discipline and control problems will be dealt with through a system of teacher discipline, teacher conferences, parent notifications, demerits, and when necessary, suspensions, and expulsions. The school discipline policy is an extension of the teachers’ own classroom rules, discipline, and procedures. The Principal or the Principal’s designee will issue any demerits and will have the final decision concerning the issuing of all demerits and discipline procedures. Offenses which may warrant demerits will be handled through the Principal’s Office. This demerit system is not designed to take the place of a classroom discipline policy. Demerits or more serious punishments may be issued at any time for more serious offenses, for failure of parents to support discipline efforts at school or after behavior warnings have been ignored by students. Demerits will not be assigned for less serious offenses. The “Three Step” classroom procedure to improve behavior is: 1st Offense Step = Student reprimanded by teacher & classroom consequence 2nd Offense Step = Teacher contact with parent and loss of classroom consequence 3rd Offense Step = Principal contact with parent Students may be issued demerits for any serious or repeated offense at the principal’s discretion. Student accumulation of 200 Demerits, = student temporary, 1 day removal from school. A multiple suspension day punishment may be issued to a student as deemed appropriate by the principal for more serious offenses. The following student misbehaviors will be applied to the “Three Step” reprimand and parent notification process outlined above (Unless another consequence for a more serious offense is listed): 1. Excessive Tardiness - Definition: Any unexcused tardiness is being late without authorization. The students must be in the classroom before the by the time the tardy bell rings. A telephone conference with the parents or a visit to the home by the school liaison officer after the student has been tardy three (3) or more times per week. 2. Creating a Continual Classroom Disturbance 3. Being in an unauthorized area without proper permission 4. Minor misuse or minor misbehavior in the cafeteria (NOT throwing food) 5. Minor misbehavior anywhere on the school grounds 6. Inappropriate public display of affection / physical contact, or emotional outburst on school grounds. 7. Instructing, encouraging, or promoting others to commit acts that are in violation of school or classroom rules that maintain order and protect student welfare. 8. Inappropriate material, contraband, brought to or in possession of on school property. 9. Gum, candy, food or drink taken into any area outside the cafeteria, without prior permission – (Item is confiscated) 10. Misuse of electronic communication device on school grounds – cell phone confiscated and returned only to parents or kept by the school. 11. Sullen, uncooperative, indifferent, inappropriate attitude displayed to adult supervisor. 12. Horseplay, spitting, actions with the potential for injury or health risk, or damage to school property. 13. Writing, passing, possessing “notes” written by or to other students. (Item is confiscated and thrown away or sent to parents) 14. Disagreements between students (verbal or physical but not fist fight) 15. Aggressive action by a student (Physical, but not fighting), with the potential for injury to another person – Punishment o be determined by teacher or at the principal’s discretion based on the incident 16. Throwing objects that could cause injury. 17. Forging a name on a pass or any other school note or paper: having someone forge a name on a note or school paper. – Parent is notified by the classroom teacher to report the incident. 18. Cheating / Dishonesty / Lie to a teacher: At any time using or copying the work created by another student and claiming credit for it yourself, or intentionally providing another student access to your work, thus enabling them to copy it to claim credit for work they copied from you; using someone else’s work; lying to a teacher; dishonest behavior – Students involved receives a “0” grade for the assignment/test. Parent is notified by the classroom teacher to report the incident. 19. Obscene language and or gestures – Parent contacted by teacher or principal & loss of school privileges (May result in automatic suspension and possible referral to the Board of Education at the discretion of the Principal) 20. Gross classroom disturbance or student removal to the school office - As determined by the principal. (May result in an automatic suspension depending on the act committed) 21. Argumentative with an adult after warned to stop and follow directions or instructions the student has been given. 22. Insubordinate in refusing to following directions given by an adult – Temporary removal from classroom - May result in an automatic suspension depending on the specific offense, Principal’s decision). 23. Failure to honor a conference given by a teacher: i.e. staying after school or staying in at noon recess. 24. Failure to attend a teacher assigned after-school conference – 50 demerits 25. Failure to return a parent-signed note or notice slip from a teacher or the principal - not returning the signed slip the next school day: Teacher contacts parents (provide contact date on write up form) 26. Leaving school grounds without permission – (Parent immediately contacted - this offense could result in an automatic suspension depending on the act committed) 27. Disrespect to staff or fellow students, lie to teacher - (Teacher & principal correct – May result in an automatic suspension for gross disrespect, depending on the act committed) 28. Wasting time in class, refusing to do school work after having been told to do so. 29. Cutting school unexcused - Out of school suspension offense – possible referral to PHPD and or county truancy officials. 30. Defacing school property i.e. books, desks, building (May result in a suspension depending on act committed) 31. Stealing from school or other students – (May result in suspension depending on the act committed) 32. Threatening or spreading rumors about another student (May result in suspension depending on the type of threat issued or rumor spread, Principal’s decision). 33. Walking out of class without permission. 34. Bullying and /or harassment of other students - (May result in suspension or referral to the Board of Education depending on the nature and frequency of the offense, Principal’s decision). 35. Racial Slur – First Offense = Warning & Parent contact, loss of school privileges; 2nd offense = 1 day suspension from school; 3rd offense = 3 day suspension from school 36. Intentionally accessing or attempting to access inappropriate, vulgar, or sexually explicit material via computers or the Internet. - First offense = Warning & Parent contact, loss of school privileges. With the second offense, the student is banned from computer use at PHGS for 30 days. May result in suspension from school and/or an expulsion hearing before the Board of Education. 37. Inappropriate behavior off school grounds while representing our school as a visiting student, who chose to treat the host in a discourteous or disrespectful manner. 38. Possession (but not use) of cigarettes, matches, lighters or smoking paraphernalia on school property: Item is confiscated – (First Offense = Warning & Parent contact, loss of school privileges. Each Subsequent Offense - 1 day, out of school suspension.) 39. Smoking in school or on school grounds – (3 day, out of school suspension.) 40. Intervening/Interfering in a disruptive, confrontational, or disrespectful manner with an event or action involving others that you are not a part of and that do not concern you. 41. Intentional throwing of food, food containers, utensils, napkins, etc., or placing, wiping, etc., food on another person. – (1st = Warning & Parent contact, loss of school privileges. The 2nd and each subsequent offensive is a one day out of school suspension) 42. Immature, inappropriate, or offensive action, comments, or behaviors. (A more severe punishment may be issued based upon the individual incident) 43. Unprepared for class (Missing textbook, supplies needed, homework to participate) 44. Assigned homework not completed and/or in class for use – Parents are contacted by teacher 45. Destruction of private property of another individual - Students will exchange telephone numbers for parent contact to request item repair or replacement. (Depending upon item value, the parent may pursue incident through filing legal complaint with the PHPD. Depending upon intentional vs accidental a more server punishment may be issued) 46. Unruly student conduct with a substitute classroom teacher that requires student removal from the classroom, or intervention by another teacher to bring the student under control and restore order to the classroom environment. (Parent contacted – continued disruption may lead to parent removal of child from the school for the day ) 47. Dress Code Violation 48. Parent refusal to comply with or support a school assigned disciplinary action (50 demerits) Note: The principal may at his discretion, issue demerits, fair and equitable to the offense, for any offense listed above. Efforts, including the use of early intervention and progressive discipline, shall be made to deter students, while at school or a school related event, from engaging in aggressive behavior that may reasonably produce physical or psychological harm to someone else. The Superintendent or his designee shall insure that the parent(s) or guardian(s) of a student who engages in aggressive behavior are notified of the incident. The failure to provide such notification does not limit the Board’s authority to impose discipline, including suspension or expulsion, for such behavior. Using any form or type of aggressive behavior that does physical or psychological harm to someone else and/or urging other students to engage in such conduct is strictly prohibited. Prohibited behaviors include without limitation, the use of violence, force, noise, coercion, threats, intimidation, fear, harassing, bullying, or other comparable conduct. It is recommended that teachers make contact with parents to discuss any continued unacceptable behavior. All punishments issued through the school office are at the discretion of district administration, with each offense reviewed in the light of all situations and circumstances that contribute to the punishment levied for the student’s specific offense. Parents will receive written notification of more serious student offenses. Parents will be notified each time a student receives demerits in the form of a demerit slip. It will be the responsibility of the student to take the yellow demerit slip copy to his/her parent or guardian, and to have the pink copy signed and returned to the teacher or Principal on the following day. Explanation of the procedure to be followed when a student receives a discipline notice: 1. The teacher fills out a demerit slip in triplicate (parent copy, teacher copy, and office copy), discusses the inappropriate behavior with the student and then sends the student to the office with the demerit slip. After discipline action is taken, the pink slip copy will be returned to the teacher. 2. The Principal or his designate discusses the inappropriate behavior with the student and determines the demerits and discipline. The Principal retains the office yellow copy of the discipline notice. 3. The student takes home one copy of the discipline notice (parent’s white copy). 4. The parent’s retain the white copy and return the signed envelope to the school with the student the next day. This will assure that the parents are aware of any discipline notices received by their children. The demerit slip will indicate the total number of demerits the student has accumulated. DETENTIONS: Any student having acquired 50 demerits shall serve an after school detention on Tuesday or Thursday (3:25-4:15 p.m.) on the next designated detention day. Detention will be given at intervals of 50, 100, and 150 demerits and will be supervised by the child’s classroom teacher. When a student reaches 200 demerits a one day suspension from school will be assigned. Regular detentions will be served on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Students that are bus riders will be bused home after the detention. SATURDAY DETENTIONS – No Saturday detentions will be assigned to students in grades K-3. SUSPENSIONS: All suspensions will be served out of school. Most suspensions at Grades K-3 will be one (1) day, however, they could be longer at the discretion of the Principal. During the suspension the student may make up work for full credit. Upon a student’s third suspension a School Board Hearing may be required before that student may return to school. Students that are suspended are not allowed on school grounds or at school sponsored activities while they are serving their suspension. Suspensions may eventually result from repeated violations of any of the discipline policy offenses. However, immediate suspension could result from action or behavior that could result in personal injury or damage to the school facilities. Immediate suspension and possible referral to the Board of Education for possible expulsion may result from the following types of behavior: A. B. C. D. E. F. Gross disobedience Gross disrespect to staff or other students Defacing the school building or facilities Fighting (Striking another student with your fist or slapping in the face*) * = Principal Discretion Stealing from school, staff, or other students Intentionally setting off the fire alarm These suspensions will be 1-10 school days and served out of school. Immediate suspension and referral to the Board of Education for possible expulsion for the following offenses: A. Possession or use of illegal controlled substances on school property or at any school sponsored activity. B. Having and/or using non-prescription narcotics, marijuana, or other possibly harmful substances on school property or at any school sponsored activity. C. Carrying or possession of a weapon or any object which, in the opinion of the school Administrator, may be used to inflict bodily injury or property damage, on school property or at any school sponsored activity. D. Physical abuse against a staff member on school property or at any school sponsored activity. Expelled students may not be on school property or attend school activities for the duration of the expulsion. Merits: As an incentive toward the improvement of the student’s self-discipline and more mature behavior, 20 demerits will be deducted from the student’s record for each calendar week, that he/she does not accumulate demerits. Merits are only for those who have accumulated demerits. They cannot be banked for future use. This policy is subject to ongoing revision and refinement by district administration. Discipline Policy (Grades 4-8) Peoria Heights Grade School, Grades Four Through Eight Discipline Policy Student discipline and control problems will be dealt with through a system of teacher discipline, teacher conferences, detentions, demerits, and when necessary, suspensions, and expulsions. The utilization of the demerit system shall be an extension of the teachers’ own classroom rules, discipline, and procedures. Students are encouraged to become familiar with the demerit system that will be used through their schooling in Grades 4-8. The system is fair and equally applied to all students, without prejudice or favoritism, to maintain a high standard of discipline at PHGS that is conducive to creating a positive learning environment for everyone. Students may check with the building principal to see a summary of their discipline record for the year, and to track demerits and resulting detentions that may be assigned to them. The Principal or the Principal’s designee will issue all demerits and will have the final decision concerning the issuing of all demerits and discipline procedures. All offenses that may warrant demerits will be handled through the Principal’s Office. This demerit system is not designed to take the place of a classroom discipline policy. Demerits may be issued at any time for more serious offenses or after behavior warnings have been ignored by students. Demerits may be assigned for less serious offenses after the classroom policy has failed to improve behavior and a three-step process has been followed in an attempt to correct unacceptable behavior. STEP 1: Teacher conference with student about unacceptable behavior. STEP 2: Teacher phone call or written note to parents/guardians. STEP 3: Teacher completes discipline slip – referral to principal for possible issue of demerits. The following demerits will be issued after the above steps have been completed. Tardiness - Definition: Any unexcused tardiness is being late without authorization. The students must be in the classroom before the by the time the tardy bell rings. A telephone conference with the parents or a visit to the home by the school liaison officer after the student has been tardy three (3) or more times per week. The classroom teacher will then begin the demerit procedure after the initial parent contact. 10 demerits Creating a Continual Classroom Disturbance - Conferences have failed to change behavior. - 20 demerits Being in an unauthorized area without proper permission (note/pass) - 10 demerits Minor misuse or minor misbehavior in the cafeteria (NOT throwing food) - 10 demerits Minor misbehavior anywhere on the school grounds - 10 demerits DO NOT TOUCH OTHER STUDENTS. DOING THIS VIOLATES PERSONAL SPACE AND PRIVACY AND MAY CAUSE INJURY OR FIGHTS. MOST SERIOUS OFFENSES STUDENTS GET IN TROUBLE FOR VIOLATE THIS SIMPLE RULE. DON’T TOUCH OTHER STUDENTS! Demerits can be given immediately for the following misbehaviors*. 1. Inappropriate public display of affection / physical contact, or emotional outburst on school grounds (15 demerits) 2. Instructing, encouraging, or promoting others to commit acts that are in violation of school or classroom rules that maintain order and protect student welfare. (20-50 demerits depending upon the result of the inappropriate action) 3. Inappropriate material, contraband, brought to or in possession of on school property (punishment ranging from 20 demerits to suspension or referral to the Board of Education for an expulsion hearing, depending on the specific incident) 4. Gum, candy, food or drink taken into any area outside the cafeteria, without prior permission – (Item is confiscated - 20 demerits.) 5. Misuse of electronic communication device on school grounds – punishments may include Saturday detention, suspension from school, expulsion hearing before the Board of Education – cell phone confiscated and returned only to parents or kept by the school. 6. Sullen, uncooperative, indifferent, inappropriate attitude displayed to adult supervisor. (20 demerits) 7. Horseplay, spitting, actions with the potential for injury or health risk, or damage to school property (25 demerits) 8. Writing, passing, possessing “notes” written by or to other students. (Item is confiscated and thrown away or sent to parents - 15 demerits) 9. Disagreements between students (verbal or physical but not fist fight) – (20 demerits) 10. Aggressive action by a student (Physical, but not fighting), with the potential for injury to another person – 25 to 50 demerits – To be determined at the principal’s discretion based on the incident 11. Throwing objects that could cause injury - 50 demerits 12. Forging a name on a pass or any other school note or paper: having someone forge a name on a note or school paper. – Parent is notified by the classroom teacher to report the incident. 13. Cheating / Dishonesty / Lie to a teacher: At any time using or copying the work created by another student and claiming credit for it yourself, or intentionally providing another student access to your work, thus enabling them to copy it to claim credit for work they copied from you; using someone else’s work; lying to a teacher; dishonest behavior – Students involved receives a “0” grade for the assignment/test. First incident is a 25 demerit offense. Second incident is a 50 demerit offense. Parent is notified by the classroom teacher to report the incident. (1st offense = 25 demerits and warning, 2nd offense = 50 demerits – effective 11-30-07) 14. Obscene or violent, weapon related drawings, language and or gestures - Automatic Saturday detention (could result in automatic suspension and possible referral to the Board of Education at the discretion of the Principal) 15. Gross classroom disturbance or student removal to the school office - As determined by the principal- 25 demerits (this offense could result in an automatic suspension depending on the act committed) 16. Argumentative with an adult after warned to stop and follow directions or instructions the student has been given (20 demerits) 17. Insubordinate in refusing to following directions given by an adult – (25 demerits or more, depending upon the nature of the individual offense and the student’s past discipline record – this offense could result in an automatic suspension depending on the specific offense, Principal’s decision). 18. Failure to honor a conference given by a teacher: i.e. staying after school or staying in at noon recess. (25 demerits) 19. Failure to attend an office assigned detention – Saturday detention assigned 20. Failure to attend a Saturday detention – 1 day Out-of-School suspension 21. Failure to return a parent-signed note or demerit slip from a teacher or the principal - not returning the signed slip the next school day: Teacher contacts parents (provide contact date on write up form) before issuing demerits for this offense to inform them of the school note. - (20 demerits) 22. Leaving school grounds without permission – (25 demerits - this offense could result in an automatic suspension depending on the act committed) 23. Disrespect to staff or fellow students, lie to teacher - (25 demerits - this offense could result in an automatic suspension for gross disrespect, depending on the act committed) 24. Wasting time in class, refusing to do school work after having been told to do so – (15 demerits 25. Failure to attend a class - 20 demerits for each class missed 26. Cutting school unexcused - Saturday detention - Second offense three day out of school suspension 27. Defacing school property i.e. books, desks, building: 25 demerits (this offense could result in a suspension depending on act committed) 28. Stealing from school or other students – (50 demerits - this offense could result in an automatic suspension depending on the act committed 29. Threatening or spreading rumors about another student - Saturday detention - (this offense could result in an automatic suspension depending on the type of threat issued or rumor spread, Principal’s decision). 30. Walking out of class without permission – (25 demerits - unless there is a satisfactory explanation) 31. Misconduct in detention area – (25 demerits and assign another detention) 32. Bullying and /or harassment of other students - ( Saturday detention - this offense could result in an automatic suspension depending on the type of threat issued or rumor spread, Principal’s decision). 33. Intentionally accessing or attempting to access inappropriate, vulgar, or sexually explicit material via computers or the Internet. - First offense is a Saturday detention, with the student assigned another Saturday detention. With the second offense, the student is banned from computer use at PHGS the remainder of the school year. This offense could result in suspension from school and/or an expulsion hearing before the Board of Education. 34. Inappropriate behavior off school grounds while representing our school as a visiting student, who chose to treat the host in a discourteous or disrespectful manner. – (25 demerits or more, depending upon the offense.) 35. Possession (but not use) of cigarettes, matches, lighters or smoking paraphernalia on school property: Item is confiscated – (First Offense - Saturday Detention, Each Subsequent Offense - 1 day, out of school suspension.) 36. Smoking in school or on school grounds – (3 day, out of school suspension.) 37. Intervening/Interfering in a disruptive, confrontational, or disrespectful manner with an event or action involving others that you are not a part of and that do not concern you. – (First offense is a verbal warning, each additional offense is 20 demerits first offense, 40 demerits each subsequent offense.) 38. Intentional throwing of food, food containers, utensils, napkins, etc., or placing, wiping, etc., food on another person. – (1st offense is a four-hour Saturday detention, and the 2nd and each subsequent offensive is a one day out of school suspension) 39. Immature, inappropriate, or offensive action, comments, or behaviors – (20 demerits - A more severe punishment may be issued based upon the individual offense) 40. Unprepared for class (Missing textbook, supplies needed, homework to participate) – 15 demerits 41. Assigned homework not completed and/or in class for use – Two warnings issued by teacher - teacher documents all offenses – Parents are contacted by teacher with third offense – documented offense #5 of no homework draws a grade 4-8 student 50 demerits. 42. Destruction of private property of another individual (via horseplay = 25 demerits, intentional = 50 demerits) Students will exchange telephone numbers for parent contact to request item repair or replacement. Depending upon item value, the parent may pursue incident through filing legal complaint with the PHPD. 43. Attempting to de-pants or de-panting a fellow student by pulling clothing down the student is wearing – form of sexual harassment – First offense is a 3 day out of school suspension offense; 2nd offense is a mandatory expulsion hearing before the Board of Education (added 121410) 44. Unruly student conduct with a substitute classroom teacher that requires student removal from the classroom, or intervention by another teacher to bring the student under control and restore order to the classroom environment. (50 demerits ) 45. Dress Code Violation (15 demerits – change of clothing MAY be required before return to class) Efforts, including the use of early intervention and progressive discipline, shall be made to deter students, while at school or a school related event, from engaging in aggressive behavior that may reasonably produce physical or psychological harm to someone else. The Superintendent or his designee shall insure that the parent(s) or guardian(s) of a student who engages in aggressive behavior are notified of the incident. The failure to provide such notification does not limit the Board’s authority to impose discipline, including suspension or expulsion, for such behavior. Using any form or type of aggressive behavior that does physical or psychological harm to someone else and/or urging other students to engage in such conduct is strictly prohibited. Prohibited behaviors include without limitation, the use of violence, force, noise, coercion, threats, intimidation, fear, harassing, bullying, or other comparable conduct. Teachers should make contact with parents to discuss any continued unacceptable behavior. Parents will be notified each time a student receives demerits in the form of a demerit slip. It will be the responsibility of the student to take the white demerit slip copy to his/her parent or guardian, and to have the envelope signed and returned to the teacher or Principal on the following day. Explanation of the procedure to be followed when a student receives a discipline notice: 1. The teacher fills out a demerit slip in triplicate (parent copy, teacher copy, and office copy), discusses the inappropriate behavior with the student and then sends the student to the office with the demerit slip. After discipline action is taken, the pink slip copy will be returned to the teacher. 2. The Principal or his designate discusses the inappropriate behavior with the student and determines the demerits and discipline. The Principal retains the office yellow copy of the discipline notice. 3. The student takes home one copy of the discipline notice (parent’s white copy). 4. The parent’s retain the white copy and return the signed envelope to the school with the student the next day. This will assure that the parents are aware of any discipline notices received by their children. The demerit slip will indicate the total number of demerits the student has accumulated. DETENTIONS: Any student having acquired 25 demerits shall serve an after school detention hour (3:25-4:15 p.m.) on the next designated detention day. Detention will be given at intervals of 25, 50, and 75 demerits. When a student reaches 100 demerits a Saturday Detention will be assigned. A student, whose poor behavior has earned five scheduled, yet not served detentions, will be assigned a Saturday detention to remove the five accumulated detentions. A student, whose poor behavior has earned three scheduled, yet not served Saturday detentions, will be suspended from school for three days to remove the three Saturday detentions. Regular detentions will be served on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Students that are bus riders will be bused home after the detention. The detention room will be supervised by the teaching staff on a rotation basis. SATURDAY DETENTIONS - There will be detentions held on Saturdays twice a month for those students who accumulate 100 or more demerits or receive discipline requiring a Saturday detention. Saturday detentions will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 12:00 noon. If the student skips a Saturday detention that student will receive a one (1) day out of school suspension. All demerits are dropped after serving a Saturday detention. SUSPENSIONS: All suspensions will be served out of school. Suspensions may be from 1-10 days. During the suspension the student may make up work but will receive only 80% credit for work completed during the suspension. Upon a student’s third suspension a School Board Hearing may be required before that student may return to school. Students that are suspended are not allowed on school grounds or at school sponsored activities while they are serving their suspension. Suspensions could result from any of the previously listed demerits at the discretion of the Principal. However, immediate suspension could result from action or behavior that could result in personal injury or damage to the school facilities. Immediate suspension and possible referral to the Board of Education for possible expulsion will result from the following types of behavior: A. C. E. G. Gross disobedience B. Gross disrespect to staff or other students Defacing the school building or facilities D. Fighting Stealing from school, staff, or other students F. Intentionally setting off the fire alarm Any other student act deemed worthy of Board of Education review by district administration. These suspensions will be 1-10 school days and served out of school. Immediate suspension and referral to the Board of Education for possible expulsion for the following offenses: A. Having and/or using alcoholic beverages on school property or at any school sponsored activity. E. Having and/or using non-prescription narcotics, marijuana, or other possibly harmful substances on school property or at any school sponsored activity. F. Carrying or possession of a weapon or any object which, in the opinion of the school Administrator, may be used to inflict bodily injury or property damage, on school property or at any school sponsored activity. G. Physical abuse against a staff member on school property or at any school sponsored activity. Expelled students may not be on school property or attend school activities for the duration of the expulsion. Merits: As an incentive toward the improvement of the students self-discipline and more mature behavior, 10 demerits will be deducted from the student’s record for each calendar week, that he/she does not accumulate demerits. Merits are only for those who have accumulated demerits. They cannot be banked for future use. Dress Code: In order to assure an educational atmosphere that is conducive to learning and to establish a uniform policy that protects fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the State of Illinois, the Board of Education does hereby adopt the following student dress code: All students and their parents are responsible for presenting an appearance that is conducive to the learning process. The following guidelines shall be observed: 1. Dress attire must not interfere with the educational process or with the rights of others. Attire which is likely to interfere, and which is therefore prohibited, includes, but is not limited to, the following: hats of any kind (worn indoors); bare midriffs; see-through garments; pajama tops or bottoms; muscle shirts (tank tops); white undergarment T-shirts; clothing which displays inappropriate words or pictures; i.e. sexual or vulgar insinuation; drug or alcohol lettering; weapons; blood and gore; bare-backs; skin tight clothing, halter tops; low-cut blouses and pants; hair rollers; clothing or jewelry that display obscene profane language or provocative pictures, or poses a threat to student safety or welfare. Student must wear clothing that covers them from shoulder to at least mid-thigh. (Arms held straight to student’s side, with fingertips extended; Fingertips = Midthigh) 2. Dress attire must always be neat and clean and must not be destructive of school property. Unless otherwise prohibited, clothing shall be worn in the manner in which it was designed, i.e., only tops designed to be worn outside of pants or skirts may be worn in that manner. 3. Dress attire must always comply with existing State health safety codes. For example, footwear must be worn at all times, must not be loose or floppy, and must afford protection to the feet. Sunglasses may be worn, but only when so prescribed by a licensed physician. 4. Any extremes in dress that cause distractions in the school will cause the professional staff to request that this distraction be corrected immediately. Students will be sent home to get proper clothing. 5. Hair must be kept clean, and we prefer that it be natural in color. Students may style their hair as they please, providing style does not jeopardize student safety. 6. Athletic equipment issued to a student athlete or cheerleading equipment issued to a cheerleader may not be worn in or out of school for other than the activities they were designed for except by the direction and approval of the Principal or Athletic Director. 7. Baggy or oversized trousers and/or shirts or other oversized clothing are not allowed. They create a classroom disruption and can create a safety hazard that may lead to student injury. 8. Hats may NOT be worn by students at any time in the school. The above rules applies while school is in session. Exceptions to the foregoing rules may be made by the Superintendent or appropriate building administrator. Junior High Physical Education Dress Code-A school PE uniform is required of all students and is available for purchase at school 1 Pair gym shoes (non-marking sole) 1 Pair white socks 1 Gym bag (optional) 1 Gym locker lock (Optional,…Available in school office for $3.50) Physical Education shorts and tops are to be worn only for Physical Education classes. Weather permitting; students may wear shorts to school. Shorts worn should fit appropriately, promote modesty, and should be mid-thigh in length, the bottom of the short cuff, minimally, even with or below the extended fingertips of the student’s arm at rest at the student’s side. Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.) Peoria Heights Grade School provided Special Education, E.C.E. intervention services to screened and found eligible preschool students. These services are provided through the Special Education Association of Peoria County (SEAPCo.) Questions regarding E.C.E. student bussing eligibility should be addressed to the Unit District office at 686-8800. If you have a preschool student whom you feel may be eligible for and benefit from E.C.E. program services, please contact the E.C.E classroom teacher at Peoria Heights Grade School or the school principal regarding the screening process. Early Walker Release – Grades 5-8 The normal release time for all PHGS bus riders in all grades is 3:10 P.M. The normal release time for all children in grades K-4 is 3:10 P.M. The normal release time for all remaining grade 5-8 students, except bus riders released at 3:10 P.M., is 3:20 P.M. PHGS does allow children in grades 5-8, whose parents are coming onto school district property early to pick up a HS student or a sibling grade school student dismissed at 3:10 P.M., to be released at that time to accompany their parents home with other children. All other grade 5-8 students are released at 3:20 P.M. The staggered release times are to allow for a reduction of traffic in our rear parking lot at the end of the school day. Only grade 5-8 students who meet the early sibling release justification will be released at 3:10 P.M. RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR CLASSROOM/HOMEROOM TEACHER THE FIRST FULL DAY OF SCHOOL AS NEEDED To: The Grade 5-8 Classroom / Homeroom teacher of (student name) ____________________ Homeroom Teacher: ______________________ Grade ______ Date______________ I am a parent who needs to pick up students from Grades K-4 and Grade 5-8 both at 3:10 P.M. The Grade 5-8 student(s) listed below is being picked up by me at 3:10 P.M. or is assisting in getting a child in Grades K-4 home from school at the 3:10 dismissal: Name: _________________________ Grade ______ HR/Classroom Teacher______________ Name: _________________________ Grade ______ HR/Classroom Teacher______________ Name: _________________________ Grade ______ HR/Classroom Teacher______________ Name: _________________________ Grade ______ HR/Classroom Teacher______________ Name: __________________________ Grade ______ HR/Classroom Teacher______________ Parent Name / Signature ______________________________________Phone _____________ If you have questions please call Mr. Carroll @ PHGS @ 686-8809. Thanks for your help! Earthquake Drill Our school will be participating in the annual Illinois state sponsored earthquake drill. I suggest that between now and the later announced drill date in February that you discuss at home with your students that explain what an earthquake is and how our community being near the New Madrid Fault Line has in the past and may in the future experience an earthquake. Explain that they may happen at times, day or night, without most people even being aware of them, but that when most severe, they may do considerable damage to property and take a toll in human life. Earthquakes are not to be feared as much as they are to be prepared for. Explain the concept during the drill you hold at home of "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" that children will need to use at school and at home if an earthquake occurs or during an earthquake drill. Our school drill date and time is: First Thursday in February, yearly (specific date later announced) At the time of the drill the office will announce that students and teachers are to take their earthquake drill safety positions (Yes, teachers and parents need to have a place to go to protect themselves too! (Beneath a strong, load bearing doorway frame will suffice for our school drills). Teachers and children will stay in an earthquake drill positions until the office clears everyone from the drill. During the Earthquake: If indoors: 1. Drop to the ground; take cover by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture (student desk, cafeteria table, etc.); and hold on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. 2. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture. 3. Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place. 4. Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported as a “load-bearing” doorway. 5. Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave. After the quake has stopped, if you question safety in the structure, cautiously leave the building and move to a safe outside area. 6. Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on. 7. Don’t use elevator. Use stairways only as you may be required to do so. If outdoors: 8. Stay there and kneel to the ground to steady yourself. 9. Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires to an open area where nothing will collapse or fall on you. 10. Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. If in a moving vehicle 11. Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. 12. Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake. Elevator (Student / Adult Use) An elevator is available for students or adults to use with proper medical certification on file for their medically related, needed use. The medical certification must be current and signed by a physician. A key will be distributed to the student or adult for use after a $10 key deposit fee is paid. The deposit fee will be returned when the key is returned to the school office, when the doctor certifies that elevator use is no longer required by the student. The deposit is surrendered if the key is lost. It is the students’ or adults’ responsibility to bring the key each day. Keys will only leave the office with a paid deposit. They cannot be borrowed from the school office for use at any time. A student who forgets a key may call home to have the key brought to school. If a key is lost, a new $10 deposit is required for another key to be issued. Students are required to be responsible in monitoring the location and use of their elevator key. End of Year Graduation “Special” Outings Eligibility – Grade 8 (Adopted 8/15/09) Student participation in promotion/ graduation, and end of year Grade 8 “Special Event” celebration activities is a privilege earned daily by each Grade 8 student, not a right students have automatically just because they are in Eighth Grade. The privilege of participating in any of the special activities, including the graduation ceremony, may be lost by a student. To be allowed to participate in these special events and activities we insist on the student earning passing grades and displaying acceptable conduct throughout the school year. Each student must raise the funds needed to pay for their own expenses related to Grade 8 end-of-year outings. As in past years, Grade 8 students will be given the opportunity to sell candy bars to cover their portion of Grade 8, end-of-year activities costs. The funds pay for travel related expenses to and from outing destinations; snack items provided to students, the price of any admission tickets, the eighth grade activity day and ice cream outing, graduation announcements ,the graduation commemorative DVD, the eighth grade graduation dance/party expenses, the eighth grade buffet luncheon, and several other eighth grade activities. Each student must make a cash payment of $120, or raise $120 in candy sale profits by selling $240 worth of candy bar items. Students may also achieve their $120 goal by a combination of selling candy bars and making a cash payment. Students may not choose only to attend specific events to reduce the payment they will make to participate. All eligible students are required to generate the full $120 participation fee to cover outing costs. We hope that all of eighth grade students will be able to participate in the fundraiser. In order to successfully meet the costs for the activities, each eighth grade student will need to raise at least $120.00 in profits (this is equal to the profits of selling 5 boxes of candy). You may not want your student to participate in the “end of the year activities” or fundraiser. Some parents may find it more convenient to make a cash payment of $120.00 instead of participating in the fundraiser. Your payment will need to be paid by April 1st. Since attraction reservations and tickets must be purchased in advance, the $120.00 cash payment is nonrefundable if a student later becomes ineligible to attend the end of the year activities. We need everyone’s help. Don’t make the mistake of putting off meeting this expense till the last minute. Save $10 a month so you will have the funds needed to participate in Grade 8 activities at the end of the school year. The end of the year activities may need to be modified, or possibly even dropped if we do not have the parents’ as well as the students’ support to generate funds needed to pay for those activities. The $120 raised by your student will be the only fees paid for these activities. There will be no additional fees charged at any later time. Any surplus money collected, after all activities expenses are paid, will be divided and returned to students who paid fees to participate! Teachers cannot be expected to supervise students at “Special Events” who have demonstrated by exhibiting prior serious or repeated misbehaviors that they cannot be trusted to behave in a manner that ensures safety and positively reflects upon PHGS. “Special Events” include the Chicago or St. Louis Trip, the Activity Day, the Eighth Grade Buffet Luncheon, and the Graduation Dance. All students are told at the beginning of the school year the behavioral requirements they must meet to be allowed to participate in these events. This information is shared here with parents to allow you to impress upon your future graduate your awareness of the conduct rules and your expectation for them to be followed. The standard set is as follows: Grade 8 students will NOT be allowed to attend end of year Grade 8 “Special Events” if they have been: 1. Before the Board of Education for an expulsion hearing discipline offense this school year 2. Have been suspended from school two or more times this school year 3. Have served three or more Saturday detentions this school year Students who are not eligible to attend “Special Events” will be spending those school attendance days in a supervised study hall if they attend school. Parents may arrange supervision at home if they suspect student attendance at school on those days may lead to student behavioral problems that may result in additional student punishments. We are confident that our students will work together to make their last few weeks at PHGS a memorable and happy experience, and a suitable climax to their proud achievement as Eighth Grade graduates. Entry To Peoria Heights Grade School During school hours daily, from 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., ALL adult, non-employee visitors who wish to enter our school, must enter the main front entry of the school and check in with the school office. Adult visitors may not enter our school at any other point during those hours. Building security and the safety of students at PHGS is a concern that we share with parents as we work to make sure that children are safe at school every day. Adults who drop off children in the morning who wish to enter our school to conduct business must enter at the main school entry and check in with us in the school office to be allowed building entry. This procedure allows our school office to track the location in the school of adult, non-employees. We will be happy to assist you in the school office. We welcome you to our school, but must insist that you follow the same rules to gain access to our school when dropping off children that all other parents and visitors are expected to abide by at any other time during our school day. Children ONLY are allowed to enter the school at designated entry points in the morning to go to their classrooms. We have teachers in hallways to assist any child who needs help getting to a classroom. Smaller preschool children are met by a teacher aide who escorts those children to classrooms. We cannot have a secure building if any adults are randomly allowed to enter the school at ANY point during the day and move throughout the school unaccounted for. Our school office must clear parent visitors to enter the school from 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. daily, when classes are in session and children are in attendance at school. Though some might object to this level of security, we feel it necessary to take this precaution to BEST protect your children from adults who might prey upon children at our school. YOUR children are worth it! Thanks for your help in supporting this policy. Excuse from PE Activity Participation in PE is state law in Illinois. A student who is well enough to attend school, is expected to participate in all classes. Any student’s parent, who is requesting their child to be excused from gym, recess, or any other normal school day physical activity, must bring a written doctor statement excluding the student from the physical activity. The statement should state the reason for not participating and include the amount of time to be excused and the reason. Expelled Students Expelled students may not attend any school functions, or be on school district property for the balance of the school year, or the length of time he/she is expelled from school. Extra-Curricular Eligibility Peoria Heights Grade School is a member of the Two Rivers Conference, Peoria County Interscholastic Association, Illinois Grade School Music Association, and the Illinois Elementary School Association. Activities offered are: Boys sports - baseball, basketball, and track, Girls sports - volleyball, basketball, and track, other extra curricular activities include, Cheerleading, Pompon Squad, Student Council, Science Club, Scholastic Bowl, Fine Arts, and Band. Every student who trys-out and participates on a school athletic team must have on file (each year) with the coach, a certificate of physical fitness issued by a competent physician (prior to practice), and a student and parent signed athletic/activities code permission slip. Insurance is strongly recommended for each student participating or trying out for a school team. (School insurance or private policy through parents.) All students participating in any extra-curricular activities, under the guidelines set forth by the I.E.S.A. (Illinois Elementary School Association) By-Laws, the Two Rivers Conference Administrative Board, and Peoria Heights Grade School. 1. All contestants shall be in grades five through eight and shall not have passed eighth grade standing. (grade participation is left up to the individual schools.) 2. A student shall be doing passing work (D- or above) in all school subjects and the school shall certify compliance with this By-Law. Use of player, contestant, or participant shall be deemed certification. 3. For all IESA activities, athletic as well as non-athletic, passing work shall be checked weekly to govern eligibility for the following Monday through Saturday. For fall sports, the first eligibility check will be made during the first full week of attendance at the beginning of the school year. During the succeeding weeks of the school year, the eligibility check shall begin the week prior to the first contest in an activity. 4. The eligibility check shall be the same day each week (Friday) unless school is not in session; then it must be taken on the last day of student attendance that week. Grades shall be accumulative for the school’s grading period. 5. Three weeks of ineligibility will result in dismissal from the team. Four unexcused absences (determined by the coach) from practices or games will result in dismissal from the team. 6. A contestant must sit out one week for each week he/she is ineligible F's are monitored. The teachers should cooperate with the students as far as the Friday weekly monitoring is concerned. Eligibility is for the following Monday through Saturday. The above rules pertain to these activities: Boys and Girls Basketball Pompon Squad Fine Arts Participants Boys Baseball 5th & 6th Grade Boys and Girls Basketball Boys and Girls Track Cheerleaders Scholastic Bowl Girls Volleyball Further references; I.E.S.A. Handbook (Scholastic Standing) Extra-Curricular Events (Attending/Departing) Peoria Heights' students are welcome and encouraged to attend extra-curricular events at both district schools. On days school is in session, a student must be in school at least ½ of the school day to attend an extracurricular event or school-sponsored activity held that same day. Student absent more than ½ a school day, may, due to special circumstances and with permission granted by school administration, attend an extracurricular event or school-sponsored activity the day of their absence. Students in grades K-4 who attend extra-curricular events must do so with a parent or guardian, and must remain with the parent or guardian, at all times being supervised. Students, from both PHGS and PHHS, who attend extra-curricular events at either school, are required to remain in the school, or at the event, until it is concluded. Students are required to follow the electronic communication device school policy at all times, including at extra-curricular activities. Students attend the activity to participate or observe, not to watch TV, listen to CD ‘s, or play video games. Portable entertainment devices of this type are not allowed at extra-curricular activities. These devices may be confiscated if brought to extra-curricular events by students. Students are not allowed to exit the building or event to sit in parked vehicles, walk school property, or drive away from school grounds, and later return to the event, unless in the company of a responsible parent or guardian. A student who leaves an event before it has concluded, must leave school grounds and may not return to that event, unless, due to special circumstances, prior permission to do so has been granted by the administrator or supervisor in charge of the event. Facebook / Internet Chat Rooms / Electronic Messaging Device Postings Parents are encouraged to monitor student use of internet chat rooms and electronic messaging devices where comments of a damaging or harmful nature may be made for others to see. Though we respect the right of free speech, we also have a responsibility to protect district employees and students from malicious, illegal, harmful, libelous attacks that may cause emotional distress or may professionally damage the reputation of a district employee. Students may be punished via the school district discipline policy for comments they post on Facebook or in an internet chat room. Cyber bullying activities occurring off school grounds may cause significant emotional harm to students. Cyber bullying, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination are violations of our school discipline policy. When students are emotionally harmed they may present a danger to themselves and to others at school. There are increasing reports of youth suicide associated with cyber bullying. Our school must effectively respond to these situations when they are at the “harmful speech” level, when there is a risk that Facebook, chat room, or messaging postings may result in school violence or self destruction. It is essential for parents to work with the school to ensure that harmful material is immediately removed, the harmful activities cease, and that retaliation by the student or by others at the student’s request does not occur. Courts have supported the right of school officials to impose formal discipline when such (Facebook postings) speech causes, or threatens to cause, substantial and material disruption at school or interference with rights of students to be (physically or emotionally) secure (Tinker Standard). The Tinker standard reflects an appropriate balance between student free speech rights and the school interests in ensuring student safety. The Court (in Tinker) acknowledged the “special characteristics of the school environment” by permitting school officials to prohibit student speech if that speech would “substantially interfere with the work of the school or infringe upon the rights of other students.” Tinker appropriately recognized that school officials have a duty to maintain an environment in which teachers can teach and students can learn. Depending upon the nature of the specific offense, PHGS students may receive warnings, demerits, detentions, suspensions, or be brought before the Board of Education for an expulsion hearing for inappropriate comments posted on Facebook or in an internet chartroom. The Peoria Heights Police Department may also be contacted for their assistance and intervention as may be necessary. Field Trips Throughout the school year, opportunities are presented for student enrichment excursions away from school grounds. Students do not have the option of not attending educational trips. Please feel free to contact your child's teacher if you have questions about the specific details of a trip. Parental cooperation in the return of these permission slips is requested. Attending fieldtrips is a privilege earned by students through good behavior at school. Students, who are uncooperative or exhibit behavior that could jeopardize the safety of themselves or other students while on a fieldtrip, will not be allowed to attend fieldtrips away from our school. Teachers schedule fieldtrips with their students as either an extension of a unit of study at school, or as a fun/reward outing where socializations skills with peers may be developed. Fieldtrips and any resulting homework may be related to a state mandated unit of student study (Careers, student health and welfare safety, etc.) All fieldtrips at PHGS have student educational or social maturation value. Teachers are aware of parent concerns and make every effort not to schedule fieldtrips that have any content element a parent will find questionable or objectionable. Teachers have been instructed by administration to contact parents before a child is exposed to content sensitive material that parents may prefer to present to a child privately in the home. Students and parents may not pick and choose which fieldtrips a student will or will not attend while the student is in attendance at school the day of the fieldtrip. (A child/parent cannot refuse to attend a “Careers” outing or visit to the museum to supplement a unit of study, yet decide they want the child to attend a picnic or circus outing because it is perceived to be more “fun” than educational). Teachers will inform parents of upcoming fieldtrips that are planned. A “Fieldtrip Permit Form” is NOT used to secure parent “content” permission for a child to attend a fieldtrip, but rather to secure parent permission for the child to be taken off school grounds during the school day. A parent who has concerns with a child being taken away from the building at any time during the school day, for any reason (abduction concerns, fear of traffic accident injury on school transportation, etc.) may refuse to sign the “Fieldtrip Permit”. Our school will respect this request of the parent to provide better child security by keeping the child at school. If the Fieldtrip Permission Form is NOT signed and on file with the teacher, the child will not be taken away from school on district transportation during the school day on any fieldtrip outing. Children not attending a fieldtrip will remain at school while their fellow classmates attend the fieldtrip. These students will either be monitored by teachers in other classrooms or be sent to the school office for supervision as they sit quietly and complete teacher provided units of study. Fieldtrips are generally 2-3 hours in duration and are either scheduled in the morning or afternoon. A parent who has signed a Fieldtrip Permission Form on file with the teacher, may elect to keep a child home, out of school, on a day they prefer the child not attend a specific fieldtrip (religious objection, sensitive content/personal trip content objection, etc.) Example: A parent objected on religious grounds to their Grade 8 student attending a “Harry Potter” exhibit at Chicago Field Museum on a Grade 8 fieldtrip museum outing. The school honored that parent request. That student, who had a Fieldtrip Permit on file, participated in the fieldtrip but did not attend the Harry Potter exhibit. The student was supervised by school personnel visiting another area of the museum until classmates finished their Harry Potter tour and the students were reunited. We at PHGS are sensitive to parent rights to prohibit their child from being exposed to material the parent feels, and that the school recognizes for valid reason, to be questionable for their individual child to be exposed to, either at or away from school. If a parent concern exists it may be discussed by the parent with the teacher and/or district administration to reach an amicable solution that all may abide by. =============================================================================== PHGS FIELDTRIP PERMIT Date__________________ Child Name - _____________________________ has my permission to go with Grade # ____ pupils of Peoria Heights Grade School on any school-sponsored fieldtrip during the 20___ - 20____ school year. Parent Signature: ________________________________________ Parent Phone # _________________ ================================================================================= Food Items from Home (Brought to School) Our first responsibility at school is to make every effort to safeguard the physical welfare and safety of children entrusted to us. We appreciate the efforts of parents at home to assist us in protecting students at school, and for taking the time to provide treats for other students to enjoy and share. Even though you make every effort not to, a danger may unknowingly be posed to children at school if tainted food is mistakenly sent from home with a child to be shared with other students. The result of such food consumed at school could pose a health danger to children. With these thoughts and concerns in mind that we all share, we appreciate parent support of the following rules being enacted effective 9-5-02, regarding food brought in from outside PHGS being served to students: 1. No food of any type, including prepackaged food items, will be served to anyone if the food is suspected by a teacher or administrator of being tainted in any way. 2. We have students at PHGS who will have severe, even life-threatening, allergic reaction to any peanuts product, oil, powder, or peanut, cooked or mixed into any food item. To protect all children, please check ingredients labels on any item you purchase to bring to PHGS. Do not purchase any food item that contains peanuts or a peanut by-product. Never give a food item to a child without first asking the teacher’s permission, and always ask the teacher, before distributing any food item, if there are students with food allergies present in the room. 3. The final determination on whether or not a food item is served in a classroom to students rests with the school classroom teacher, subject to approval as may be needed or requested by the school administration. 4. Only prepackaged snack food items, prepared commercially under controlled, sanitary conditions, which are unopened and have no outward sign of tampering, may be brought to the school by parents wishing to provide a treat for students to eat. Sorry, but no “home-made” treats may be served at school. 5. Recognizing that ALL foods, even commercially prepared and sold, prepackaged foods may be tampered with, parents may elect to NOT ALLOW their child to be given any food at school that has been brought in from the outside. This request shall be put in writing by the parent, and given to the teacher for placement in the student file. 6. Questions regarding the enforcement of these rules should be addressed to the school administrator. Parents are a major asset to our school in supporting teacher efforts and promoting enjoyable leisure activities such as parties where students enjoy parent-provided treats. Thanks for supporting our rules to provide treats that students will enjoy, while addressing the concerns we all share. Thanks for helping us keep all PHGS students healthy at home and at school. Fundraisers Our school conducts fundraisers yearly to secure funds to supplement our educational programs and purchase needed supplies or equipment. This is a common practice in all schools. Our fundraisers are generated through the Parent–School Organization. Our fundraisers can only be as successful as the parents and students who participate in them want them to be. Students are not required to participate in fundraisers. We try to provide some small prize reward to students to recognize their participation efforts. Sale items and student prizes vary from distributor to distributor, but we always try to select reasonably priced items. It is important to remember, however, that a significant part of the purchase price of any fundraiser item is a donation to the school educational program. We appreciate your support of these activities, and feel the benefit gained far outweighs the efforts and inconveniences that may be incurred. Our parents have shown outstanding support for our fundraisers in the past, with 99% of our parents faithfully paying for items distributed to them. All parents are expected to and are required to pay for items distributed to them. Our school has an obligation to its students and to those parents who do pay for their fundraiser items, to pursue collection of payment from those parents who take these items and do not pay for them. These items are in effect, stolen from all parents and students. Payment due dates are specified with each fundraiser. Parents who do not pay for or return items that have been distributed to them, and ignore our payment requests, may be turned over to collections, and may be sued in small claims court for the amount owed the school, plus court filing fees, plus any process serving fees or attorney fees the school incurs. The court will award in the school’s behalf, and the amount you will be required to pay the school by the court will be much higher than the amount you originally owed the school. Do not take fundraiser items if you are not going to pay for them, and return to us any items you cannot collect payment for. Though our school dislikes taking our parents to court, we have done this before, and will do it again if necessary. I feel this is the only fair way to deal with such a situation when it arises. Please don't put our school in the unpleasant position of having to sue you. Call our school office if you have questions or concerns about our fundraisers. Gang Activity Prohibited Gang activity is prohibited on or about school grounds, on school buses, or off school grounds at any school activity. A "gang" is any group of 2 or more persons whose purpose includes the commission of illegal acts. No student on or about school grounds, on school buses, or off school grounds at a school activity shall engage in any gang activity, including, but not limited to: 1. Wearing, using, distributing, displaying, or selling any clothing, jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign, or other thing that are evidence of membership or affiliation in any gang. 2. Committing any act or omission, or using any speech, either verbal or non-verbal (such as gestures or hand-shakes) showing membership or affiliation in a gang, and 3. Using any speech or committing any act or omission in furtherance of the interests of any gang or gang activity, including, but not limited to: (a) soliciting others for membership in any gangs, (b) requesting any person to pay protection or otherwise intimidating or threatening any person, (c) committing any other illegal act or other violation of school district policies, (d) inciting other students to act with physical violence upon any other person. Students engaging in any gang-related activity will be subject to one or more of the following disciplinary actions: Conference with parent(s)/guardian(s) Referral to appropriate law enforcement agency Suspension for up to 10 days Expulsion for the remainder of the school term ------Adopted by Board on 10-27-93 Glen Avenue Intersection @ School Entry An adult crossing guard, employed by the Village of Peoria Heights, and a lighted signal provide additional safety at our school entry during hours when there is student pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Students walking, as well as riders, and drivers, are asked to be extremely cautious at this intersection. It is very important that students obey the directions of all patrol people and crossing guards at all times. The patrol people are interested in the safety of all students. Students who disobey safety patrol members may be referred to the principal's office for discipline. Grading Scale (Adopted 09-10) A = 100 – 92 B = 91 – 83 C = 82 – 74 D = 73 – 65 F = 64 and lower S = Satisfactory U = Unsatisfactory Grievance Procedure or Due Process 1. 2. 3. 4. The student or the parents should discuss the matter with the person(s) directly responsible for the grievance. If this does not resolve the issue, the matter should be directed to the building or school principal and then to the district superintendent. If the grievance is against the principal, the district superintendent should be contacted after talking with the principal. If the matter is still not solved, the student or parents may request the permission of the school board president to speak on the matter at the next meeting of the local board of education. Unless otherwise provided by local board rules and regulations, the next step would be through the judicial system. Hazing Hazing is generally defined as initiating or disciplining fellow students by means of horseplay, practical jokes and tricks, often resulting in humiliation or physical injury. It is a form of bullying, will not be tolerated in any form, and severe disciplinary action will be taken against anyone who engages in such practice. Head Lice If head lice are detected on a child at school, the child will be immediately removed from the classroom and sent home to be treated by parents. A packet of information will go home with the child containing instructions on how to treat the child and treat the home to avoid a recurring head lice problem. If there are multiple children in the school from the same household, all will be sent home for close examination and treatment. Parents must return the child to school personally for examination after treatment before the child or children will be readmitted to school. Any student who poses a threat of spreading head lice to another child will not be allowed to remain in school. The responsibility for the DAILY checking of children for any sign of head lice is that of each parent at home. Though we see scattered cases, primarily in lower, PreK-3 grades, there has never been a widespread head lice problem at PHGS. Our school is no different than all others in the area in that head lice is sometimes seen and must be dealt with on an individual case basis. The school has no obligation for a mass notification of parents if a case is found. Many parents would be lulled into a false sense of security about head lice and would not check their children until they received such a notification. Children can be exposed to head lice anytime and anywhere. OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE ALL PARENTS CHECK ALL STUDENTS REGULARLY, MULTIPLE TIMES WEEKLY, FOR ANY SIGN OF HEADLICE. This is the best way to protect the health of your child, and to help keep head lice off students at PHGS. Ridding the child and household is a tedious, time consuming, and expensive process. We appreciate the efforts of those parents who assist us by carefully monitoring the problem to immediately detect and correct it, and remind all parents that even though we do all we can to prevent its presence at school, cases will be found here, because this is where children congregate. Don’t wait till the school contacts you to be concerned about it. Care enough now to spend a few minutes daily to avoid great inconvenience and frustration later. Any child who plays and associates with other children may be exposed to head lice. Not all families monitor and aggressively work to address the problem. As long as that is the case, we will continue to see isolated cases of head lice at PHGS. Health and Immunization Requirements Health and Immunization Requirements (School year 2013 – 2014) Attention - Parents of Bright Futures / ECE, Kindergarten children, Grade 5, 6, and 7 students, and parents of any children new to our school district – (Physical Exam, Vision, Immunization Requirements)………And Grade K, 2, and Grade 6 students (Dental Exams Requirements) IMPORTANT PARENT INFORMATION! NEW Physical Exam (PreK, K, Grade 6, Grade 9, and NEW Students) - Parents of Bright Futures and Kindergarten children, Sixth Graders, and parents of any children new to our school district, are required to provide a state mandated physical exam form to PHGS by October 15th. NEW Dental Exam (K, Grade 2, 6) - Students in Grades Kindergarten, Grade 2, and Grade 6 are required to have the state mandated dental exam form to our school no later than October 15th. All Pre-school, Kindergarten, and students new to the district are required to have a certified (legal) copy of their birth certificate (NOT a hospital copy) on file by October 15th to attend school. Blood Lead Screening (PreK, K, Grade 1, 2) – Required for entry to school by October 15th, to be administered by the physician as part of the health exam given to all children ages 6 and under. (Your family physician may give a written exemption to this exam for you to present to the school) Immunization Dates/Proofs (Grades PreK, K, 6, 9) - State law requires health exam forms and proof of all immunization dates to be provided to PHGS by October 15th, including: 2 measles shots by Grade K (Part of MMR) Hepatitis B immunizations – 3 shots by Grade K entry TOPV Polio (Grade K) – 3 shots (3rd is Booster after age 4) DTP (Grade K) – 4 shots (4th is booster after age 4) Diabetes Screening (Grades PreK, K, 1, 6, 9) – Required of all students as part of physical exam. Chicken Pox Vaccination (Pre-K and K) – Required of all Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten children – vaccination received on or after their first birthday (effective school year 2002-2003) Grade 6 DTP - Beginning with school year 2011-12, any child entering sixth grade shall show proof (see Section 665.250(b) of receiving one dose of Tdap (defined as tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last DTaP, DT or Td does. Grade 7 DTP - Students entering grades seven through 12 who have not already received Tdap are required to receive 1 Tdap dose regardless of the interval since last DTaP, DT or Td dose. Vision Screening Exam (PreK and K) - (or physician eye exam as part of their school physical). – Required of all PreK and Kindergarten Children (If given as part of the school physical, a doctor’s numeric evaluation of each eye must be included on the physical examination form) MMR Shots (Pre-K and K) – Pre-School children must have received one or both MMR shots as part of their PreK immunizations. Kindergarten children must have received TWO MMR shots by 10-15. Please contact your family physician or the PHGS office at 686-8809 if you have questions about any of the state requirements. The final date for compliance documentation for your child to be presented to our school is by October 15th. As required by state law, students in non-compliance will be excluded from school on October 16 th. Thanks for your help in providing all needed records! Health Issues & Habits (Should I Send My Child to School?) Please keep a few simple rules in mind when deciding whether or not to send your child to school. 1. Children should be fever-free (without the aide of medication) for 24 hours. 2. Children should be free of stomach flu symptoms for 24 hours. 3. Children taking doctor prescribed antibiotics should have been on the med for 24 hours. Please follow these healthy habits to ward off student illness: 1. Wash hands with warm soapy water 2. Cough & sneeze into tissue 3. Use hand sanitizer 4. Drink lots of fluids / Eat healthy foods 5. Get plenty of sleep 6. Dress warm enough for the weather 7. Check regularly (daily) for head lice - See head lice section in this booklet) 8. Report communicable illness to the school office. Highly Qualified Teachers Plan for Highly Qualified Teachers HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS and PARAPROFESSIONALS Parents of children in the Peoria Heights Public School District have a right to know of any non-qualified teachers or paraprofessionals that have been identified by and are employed by the school district. If such personnel are identified, the district administration will work with the teacher or paraprofessional, to develop a plan of professional development that will make the teacher, within timelines set within the professional development plan, to become “highly qualified”. The Peoria Heights Public School District will employ only highly qualified, State of Illinois properly certified, teachers in all teaching positions throughout the school district. All new teacher or paraprofessional employees will be required to provide evidence or credentials of being highly qualified prior to, and as a condition of employment. These credentials will be on-file in the district superintendent’s office. To keep abreast of the most current educational thought and trend that will enable each teacher to best address the educational needs of your child, all teachers and paraprofessionals receive ongoing staff development training to best benefit the teacher or paraprofessional professionally, and your student, educationally. Training received is specifically designed to promote the teacher or paraprofessional’s ability to assist your student in their mastery of the Illinois Learning Standards. All teachers and paraprofessionals will, as mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education, and federal guidelines of NCLB, are in compliance with being “highly qualified. If you have any questions regarding the teaching credentials or qualifications of a District #325 teacher or paraprofessional, please contact the school principal. All Peoria Heights Grade School teachers and paraprofessionals currently meet the state and federal definitions of being highly qualified in their educational work/teaching placement. File Reference: NCLB, Title II 11-02-07 Homebound-Instruction (tutoring) Pupils who are confined to home or hospital for an extended period of time because of accidents or illness may be eligible for tutoring by certified teachers up to 10 hours weekly. To qualify for tutoring, the child's physician must sign a form indicating the child is expected to be absent from classes at least two weeks. Parents may wish to discuss tutoring with the school principal and doctor if a long absence is anticipated. Physician recertification of a student illness may be periodically required by the school district. Homeless Students Peoria Heights Public Schools CUSD #325 Rights of Homeless Children to an Education (Peoria Heights Grade School & Peoria Heights High School) Homeless student enrollment is ongoing and will not be delayed due to scheduling Issues. The enrollment of homeless children will not be delayed due to residency document requirements. Enrollment of homeless children will not be delayed due to the lack of legal guardianship or student records. The Peoria Heights Public School District will not charge tuition for homeless students or refuse enrollment. The school principal assumes the responsibility for the planning, operation, and evaluation of the overall school educational program. The rights of homeless children, as outlined in Illinois law, will be met to provide educational opportunities for homeless children within the school. ========================================== Please contact any PHCUSD #325 school principal or the district superintendent if you have questions about enrolling a homeless student in the Peoria Heights Public School District. Homework Homework is assigned as a logical extension of classroom study. It includes activities that reinforce or provide practice of a concept to be learned at school, or research about topics studied in class. The amount of homework is left to the discretion and good judgment of the classroom teacher. If more than one teacher is involved in assigning homework, arrangements will be made between teachers so that the pupil is not burdened beyond his capabilities to handle completion of the homework. Parent help and support is appreciated, but homework must be completed by the student. Homework must reflect the student’s own thought and expression and be in the student’s own handwriting. Teachers see samples of the students’ writing daily and can easily spot “unnatural” sentence structure and words used by a student. Sometimes teachers read a statement that was supposedly composed by a student and the student has no idea what the sentence means or understanding of some words used. In short, it is important to maintain acceptable balance between helping a student complete homework and NOT doing the homework for the student. Most teachers allow time for students to work on homework in the classroom before leaving school. This provides some time for the teacher to assist students in answering questions to provide needed assistance. Stress to your student the need to use school study time to complete as much homework as possible at school. Your classroom teacher will be able to tell you if this study and homework completion time is being used effectively at school. We receive complaints from parents at times about the amount and level of difficulty of homework. Our teachers try to minimize work sent home with students to allow students time at home to socialize with family and tend to family matters of importance. When homework is sent home, your support in seeing to it that the homework is completed is very helpful and very much appreciated. Please keep in mind that our homework is aligned to student learning skills that are Illinois state law for ALL schools to teach and for all students to master. We need your help and patience at home as standards of learning for all Illinois children are set higher and higher. Students at PHGS receive an education that will help prepare them to be successful in future careers and in the competitive world marketplace. Homework is often an important part of the skills mastery process. Parents and teachers must work together to make homework a beneficial part of a student’s day of learning at school and at home. We also encourage parents who feel that their child needs extra practice work to master basis skills to feel free to work with their children using instructional aides that may be secures locally at vendors such as “The School House”, or “School’s the Rule”. Most book stores and book vendors have access to practice materials to bolster student mastery of skills needed in Reading and Mathematics. Take your student with you and ask for assistance selecting materials together that are age and subject level appropriate for your child. The student may work through the materials at his or her own pace under your supervision and with your help. Positive gains are sure to result from this voluntary effort from you and your student. Work that is missed while the student is suspended can be made-up by the student for partial credit only during the time the student is suspended. Prior to a student serving a suspension, teachers should make every effort, as possible, to meet with the students, and give them their assignments so the students may make up their work for 80% credit. During an out of school suspension it is the parent's responsibility to obtain assignments missed, and to see to it that homework is completed and turned in to the teacher immediately upon the return of the student to school. Make-Up Homework/Testing and Credit Policy (Grades 5-8): Homework and testing credit rules apply to each grading period, taken as an individual unit. Our goals are to motivate students to participate in a beneficial and responsible manner, and to have grades that are assigned be a fair and accurate representation of the student’s effort and progress. Submitting / completing school work for Full Credit: Homework and/or tests, taken and/or completed by students on time, on regular school days of student attendance, will be graded for full student credit. A student who has an excused absence has two school days for each day of excused absence, up to a maximum of 10 school days, to complete homework or tests to receive full credit. Submitting / completing school work for Partial Credit: Our school recognizes the value of students completing schoolwork, and of accepting the responsibility associated with completing the work on time. Work completed, though it may have been completed late, is still work that is of value to the student in skills mastery associated with the learning process. A summary refusal by a teacher to accept work late for any credit at all, is a disservice to the students that fosters indifference in them completing schoolwork, and allows, and even may encourage a student to fall behind to a degree that failure is unavoidable. Students must however, understand that there are penalty consequences associated with their irresponsibility in not completing school work in the same time frame as their fellow classmates. With these considerations in mind, the following rules are established to provide uniformity in grading at grade levels 5-8. School homework or tests, completed late, with no excused reason, may be completed for partial credit if the guidelines below are followed: No work will be accepted for any credit for the preceding grading period, after the last day of that school grading period. Homework or tests assigned or completed during a time of student suspension from school, may be completed for 80% credit, with work due the first day the student returns from the suspension. Schoolwork or tests never completed or submitted will be given a grade of zero. Late, unexcused schoolwork or tests (outside a school suspension or from an unexcused absence) may be completed at any time within 10 school days of the homework or test due date for up to 90% partial credit (The homework or test will be graded as usual, and the score will be reduced by 10% for each day late up to 10 days, to assign the credit grade). After being late 10 school days, the homework or test may be completed to benefit the student, but the score recorded for grading purposes will be zero. Teachers are willing to work in good faith to assist students who are having difficulties and who demonstrate an effort to work in good faith with the teacher because they are concerned about their grade. Students who are careless and irresponsible must understand that there will be consequences at school, where the priority is placed on student educational advancement. Parents are encouraged to maintain adequate contact with their student’s teacher to monitor the grades of their students, and to take a proactive role to support both your student’s and the teacher’s efforts. We strive to instill within our students a love of the learning process and an appreciation of the importance of responsible and cooperative behavior. Honor Roll. (Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8) I. High Honors A. B. C. Students qualifying for "High Honors" must have earned an “A” or “S” grade in all academic subjects. * Conduct grade must be "B" or better. Any "U" will be considered a grade below "B”. No other grade lower than "B" in any subject. II. Honor Roll A. B. C. ï‚· Students must earn a "B" or “S” grade or better in all academic subjects. * Conduct grade must be "B” or better. Any "U" will be considered a grade below "B". No other grade lower than "B" in any subject. Academic Subjects Include: English, Reading, Spelling, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Health, Geography, History, Physical Education. Grading Scale (Adopted 09-10) A = 100 – 92 B = 91 – 83 C = 82 – 74 D = 73 – 65 F = 64 and lower Note: S = Satisfactory U = Unsatisfactory Plus or minus signs will not be considered in determining Honor Roll standing. This means, e.g.: “B-“ and “B+”, are all considered "B's". Illness or Injury at School Students who are ill at home in the morning should not be allowed to attend school. Students who become ill at school will be taken or sent to the administrative office by the classroom teacher. There, a decision will be made as to whether the child will remain at school or be sent home. Please do not expect our office to try to maintain at school, a child who is severely ill and needs to be cared for at home. We cannot provide such care at school, and the child’s presence at school could expose other students to illness. Parents must make immediate arrangements to pick up a child being sent home, and will be contacted at home or work, only if we sincerely feel the situation warrants the child’s removal from school. A child who is ill should not be allowed to go home alone, and insurance regulations prevent school personnel from transporting a child to your home in a privately owned vehicle. Please do not ask us to do this. Your child should be picked up, as soon as possible, after you have been contacted about the illness. Immunization of Students (Physical and Dental Exams) All students upon entry into Kindergarten, Bright Futures, E.C.E., and/or Sixth Grade, or upon transferring into our school as a new student, must provide the school with evidence of up-to-date immunization against childhood illnesses. All students entering E.C.E. and Kindergarten must provide evidence of a comprehensive vision exam (School provided “Student Vision Examination Report Form”). Evidence must also be provided of a physical examination having been completed no more than one year prior to the beginning of the first day of school for grade E.C.E, Kindergarten, and Grade 6 students. A dental exam and lead screening is also strongly recommended. Evidence of these exams and immunizations must be provided no later than October 15th. Students found not in compliance with this state law, will not be allowed to attend school after this date. The names of absent children and their parents will be provided to the proper Peoria Heights Police Department and Peoria County truancy agencies and/or the States Attorney's office for follow-up investigation and possible action. Please be sure to schedule any needed doctor or recommended dental visits as soon as possible! Your children must be in full compliance and protected. If you have any questions about the requirements, call our school office. Insurance For Students A child in the school district may be enrolled in an optional, low-cost group insurance plan during the school year, which will help defray some of the expense incurred in accidents. While this is entirely optional, parents are encouraged to consider this protection if they do not already have adequate family coverage from their place of employment. If you are unsure of family medical coverage you may now have, please call your family insurance agent for an explanation of your coverage. Your child may also be eligible to receive Illinois child insurance coverage through a program entitled, “Kid Care”, which is state funded. For more information on this program, call 1-800-226-0768. If your son or daughter will be participating in any extra-curricular athletic activity sponsored by District 325, proof of student medical insurance is required. We highly recommend that parents consider the available school policy for your child’s protection. In case of an accident, pupils should report to the teacher in charge or to the school office immediately. Parents will be notified of serious accidents as soon as possible. Internet Use by Students Students, under careful and constant teacher supervision, may at times access the Internet to conduct research that may assist the student in the completion of a homework assignment or project. We will be very careful however, to not allow students to “surf” Internet Web sites without adult supervision. Students, acting either deliberately, or quite accidentally, may very easily however, and quite innocently, access an inappropriate Web site by entering a search phrase that is quite innocent. Such sites may require a few seconds or even a minute to exit. Deliberate attempts by students to access inappropriate material via the Web will result in student punishments, and/or the student being barred from future computer lab use. Please note whether your student is or is not to be allowed Internet access at Peoria Heights Grade School, on the Peoria Heights Grade School Parent Handbook “sign off slip” located at the end of this booklet. Complete, sign, and return this slip either to your child’s teacher or our school office. We will honor your written request. We have blocking software on school Internet lines that prohibit access to inappropriate sites online. Carefully directed and teacher monitored use of the Internet by all students is required at Peoria Heights Grade School. Invitations Distributed to Students Due to family rights to privacy, we are not allowed to distribute address and/or family telephone number information to parents who may ask for this information to mail party invitations. Students sometimes wish to pass out invitations to birthday parties, etc., in the classroom. We realize that this can save the parents time and postage. However, it may lead to problems. The students who are not being invited usually feel left out and embarrassed when they don't receive an invitation. This often leads to hard feelings among classmates. Because of this, the teachers will not permit any student to pass out invitations for any party during the school day. Nor will the office address or mail from our school any invitations to students at parent request. The only exception to the invitation distribution rule would be if the entire class is invited, or if all the boys, or all the girls were invited. Students may distribute invitations then. ISAT Testing (Grades 3-8) WELCOME TO GRADE 3 – A Year of Transition and Change! Grade 3 is one of the most important years of your child’s schooling. Grade 3 is dramatically different than it was when you were in school. Schools across the nation are coming under fire for a misguided belief that education in the U.S. is inferior to that in other nations. There are differences around the world in all nations in schooling children. In the U.S., all children, regardless of race, social status, or disability are equally educated. That is not the case in many other nations. The United States has the best and most envied educational system in the world. It is the foundation of the past, present, and future success of our nation and Illinois. Parents can be proud of PHGS and our children and teachers. How did the federal government respond to criticism that schools were failing? They passed a law entitled , “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB), that required all student to be successful and all schools to teach and test for student success. The problem with the law is that it doesn’t allow for the unique differences and abilities of all children. Children aren’t machines and learning success cannot be mandated by passing a law. If the government dealt with poverty in the same way they did education, they would pass a law making it illegal to be poor. State and federal elected officials with no expertise in education have enacted laws to make schools be successful. The same elected officials whose leadership has brought this nation and Illinois to the brink of financial collapse, passed laws to tell educators how to “fix” schools and children. Educators always knew that “No Child Left Behind” would not work. Time has proven this to be true. States developed “Learning Standards” (skills), in all core subject areas that students were required to master at each grade level, in Grades 3 - 8. States then developed assessment tests (Illinois ISAT Testing) that students are required to take each year that measure progress toward goal achievement (AYP = Annual Yearly Progress). In school year 2010-2011, 85% of all Grade 3-8 children were required by Illinois to have mastered those skills. In school year 2011-2012, 92% of Grade 38 children are required to master those skills. In school year 2012-2013 and after, 100% of Grade 3 - 8 children were required to master those skills. Each year more and more Illinois schools failed to make “AYP”. Each year the standard was set higher and PHGS and her Grade 3-8 children were expected to do more and more. Are the ISAT tests fair? “No”. The problem is that each state was allowed under NCLB to develop its own testing. States where students performed poorly, due to primarily to high poverty, lost much needed federal funding dollars because AYP was not met. If tests were made easier in those states, children passed them, and federal money kept rolling in. Illinois just recently (May of 2014) received exemption from the mandates of NCLB, as all state schools are shifting to the adoptions and subsequent testing related to the mastery of “Common Core Learning Standards”. Now, beginning in 2014, “Common Core” testing is being developed and implemented across the U.S. and in Illinois where ALL Grade 3-8 children will soon be taking the same test. The compliance standard issues become bigger each and every year for schools to cope with. Schools are expected to teach more, children are expected to learn and gain more, to score higher on assessment tests that are becoming more difficult, and all this is to be accomplished as we receive fewer and fewer dollars to fund the broad range of educational needs in schools. What about Summer School that would help children master skills? Sorry, we can’t offer it school-wide because there is no funding for it provided by the State of Illinois or Federal Government. What about the latest available technology to enhance instruction? If you are a wealthy Chicago suburban school, “Yes”. If you are a poorer, downstate school district, “No”, there will be more limited technology funding. Still, PHGS has made a major effort in recent years to bring Promethean Board technology, portable computer labs, and other assistive technology into student classrooms. Illinois schools are not equally funded within our state, and there is not equal learning opportunity given to children from school to school in Illinois. All opportunities are different with much of educational effort tied to school funding used for supplies, technology, and personnel salary. What is the result of all this? My teachers and I hear the result from parents and share the frustration every year. Parents say: “My child has too much homework to do each night. My child’s homework is too difficult and I don’t know how to help them do it. My child is stressed out over school. I am stressed out over my child. My child can’t keep up with the pace of the class. We don’t have enough time at night to do all the homework. My child is studying material that is too difficult for them at their age. The books are too big! School isn’t as much fun as it should be”. Teachers say: “Not all the children can learn at the same rate. We need more one-on-one assistance for children who are struggling. I don’t have enough time each day to teach all the state requires me to teach. Some of the material is too difficult for my students. I am stressed out at all that the state requires. “AYP” shouldn’t be the only criteria used to evaluate our school. NCLB failed and now Common Core subject content is even more difficult. We spend too much time preparing the children to take ISAT tests”. We want parents to understand that we at PHGS are caught up in the raging ASSESSMENT river just as much as you are. We teach what we are required to teach BY LAW, not because we want to burden children with work. We ISAT test in March. ALL teaching efforts from August to March each year are driven by ISAT testing. Students’ scores on that single test are used by both Illinois and federal government to label our school as either “good” or “bad”. It isn’t fair to our children, the school, or our parents. But, it is the law. Teachers give children time at school to work on homework providing instruction and assistance at school that parents may not be able to provide at home. Some children finish all work at school. Others take work home each night. Teachers need and appreciate your support and understanding. The sacrifices we all have to make are not pleasurable ones, but we all know that your children are worth it. Please be patient, nurturing , and consistent in helping your student. The transition to Grade 3 takes time. The patterns set this year will have much influence on future success that we all want your child to experience. We will do all we can to make the year an enjoyable one, but it is undeniable that the work load will increase and that everyone involved in the process of schooling your child will be called upon for a greater commitment of time and effort. Thanks for YOUR help! Leaving the School Building Between 8:45 & 3:20 Students leaving school for any reason during school hours must have a written excuse from home. The excuse must be approved in the office before a teacher may accept it. If a child is to leave the school during the noon lunch and recess period for a special reason, the child must be picked up at school by the parent, with prior permission requested and granted by the office. Since lunch/recess period will be short in minutes, we encourage students to eat at school. All students and/or their parents must sign “in” or “out”, each student who enters or exits the school at any time during the school day. Parents must come inside the school to sign out and pick-up their child, so the office may verify whom the child is being released to. Sign out is done in a log in the school office. Please see the school secretary or principal if you have any questions regarding this process. Note: The normal release time for all PHGS bus riders in all grades is 3:10 P.M. The normal release time for all children in grades K-4 is 3:10 P.M. The normal release time for all remaining grade 5-8 students, except bus riders released at 3:10 P.M., is 3:20 P.M. PHGS does allow children in grades 5-8, whose parents are coming onto school district property early to pick up a HS student or a sibling grade school student dismissed at 3:10 P.M., to be released at that time to accompany their parents home with other children. All other grade 5-8 students are released at 3:20 P.M. The staggered release times are to allow for a reduction of traffic in our rear parking lot at the end of the school day. Only grade 5-8 students who meet the early sibling release justification will be released at 3:10 P.M. Library / Media Center Our Librarian is available to assist classroom teachers using the school library. The library is equipped to give students access to supplemental materials they may need for preparing their lessons. A wide selection of books is also available for recreational reading. A vast number of magazines are purchased for the use of students served by the library. Also, phonograph, video tape recorders and viewers, computers and internet access, etc., are available for assignments, research, and interest orientated purposes. The complete reference section should be helpful to students in their class work. Books are found here covering subject in all of the academic fields. Books that are not on our shelves may possibly be secured through the Illinois Valley Library System upon request. See the librarian for any question you have regarding the use of library materials. The library will best serve your interests if you remember that it is planned to serve the entire student body. We ask your cooperation in protecting the rights of others using the library and its resources by treating library materials with care, and by being courteous, quiet, and cooperative in using library materials and resources. At the end of each school year the librarian will inventory book. Parents of students who have lost and not returned library materials will be billed for payment for those items. Outstanding debts owed the library by a student will result in that student not being allowed to check materials out of the library the following school year until the library debt is paid. Listening / Entertainment Devices at School Personal listening devices such as hand held radios, TV’s, DVD players, video games, and CD or cassette tape players are not allowed at school at any time, including evening school activities (students attend these activities to observe or participate in the activity, not to play with an electronic toy). Such items are usually expensive, and may be lost, damaged, or stolen. We also have no way of always controlling when these devices are used, or what is being listened to or viewed. Many “content inappropriate” CD's and cassettes are available to young people today. Students attending extracurricular activities have no need for other electronic devices to entertain them. Our desire is to ensure that your child's property is protected, and to insure that no child is exposed at school to violent or vulgar material which parents would find objectionable. Personal listening / entertainment devices found at school will be confiscated and held in the office for parents to pick-up. Lockers of Students (Grades 5-8) A locker is available for and will be assigned to each qualifying student at the beginning of the school year. The locker belongs to the school, and the school controls all use of the locker by the student. The students are expected to use the locker for storage of books and materials needed for daily class work and for storage of coats, hats, etc. when needed. The student's assigned locker is not leased or in any way completely controlled by the student; that is, the student's locker may be opened if the Superintendent or building principal and one other certified representative of the school are present and: (1) the contents of the locker(s) are suspected of containing items that would be harmful to the student(s) if such items were to remain in the locker; (2) the contents of the locker(s) are suspected of being stolen property; and (3) other emergency control reasons. Students in grades 5 and 8 are assigned individual lockers. Parents and students should be aware that student lockers are school property that may be searched by school personnel anytime. It is the responsibility of the student to use the assigned locker for its intended purpose. Each student is responsible for the locker assigned; therefore, damage to the locker of any nature will result in assessment of damages to the student’s parents. One of the most frequent sources of exterior and interior damage to lockers results from attaching signs, stickers, or stamps to the surface. The removal of such items may result in damage to the paint coating. Students may not attach any item to the exterior or interior of the lockers. Parents are responsible for costs incurred in correcting damage done by their children to any school property, including student lockers. Lockers used in the gym dressing rooms during PE class are not secure unless locked with a lock available for purchase from the school office. Only locks sold by the school may, for access reasons, be used on these PE lockers. No valuables should ever be placed in any school lockers at any time. The school assumes no responsibility for any items taken from lockers. Peoria Heights Community Unit School District No. 325 - Resolution No. 94-4 DATE: 1-12-94 1. The foregoing recitals are incorporated herein as though fully set forth. 2. The Board policy with regard to all school grounds, student lockers, coat racks and cloakrooms in all schools is hereby amended to read as follows: For those schools with lockers, a locker will be issued to each student at the beginning of the school year. The students are expected to use the locker for storage of books and materials needed for daily class work and for storage of coats, hats, etc. when needed. The student's assigned locker may be opened and inspected by any school administrator or certificated personnel authorized representative of the school without notice or a search warrant if: (1) the contents of the locker(s) are suspected of containing items that would be harmful to the student(s) if such items were to remain in the locker;(2) the contents of the locker(s) are suspected of being stolen property; (3) the locker(s) are suspected of containing illegal drugs; (4) other emergency control reasons; and 95) the contents of the locker are suspected of being in violation of any board policy. All items and containers (including purses) contained in the locker are subject to search for the foregoing reasons. It is the responsibility of the student to use the assigned locker for its intended purpose. Each student is responsible for the locker assigned; therefore, damage to the locker of any nature will result in assessment of damages to the student. One of the most frequent sources of exterior and interior damage to lockers results from attaching stamps or signs to the surface. The removal of such items may result in damage to the paint coating. Please do not attach any items to the exterior or interior of the lockers. The school will retain the combination or a key for any lock that is supplied by the school. One written record of the combination for opening the locker will be issued to each student. The student is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the locker combination. In schools where there are no lockers, but coat racks or “cubbies” are provided, all items and containers (including purses) placed in such areas will be subject to being opened and inspected by any school administrator or certified personnel without notice or a search warrant if: (1) the contents of the item or container are suspected of being items that would be harmful to the student(s) if such items were to remain in the school; (2) the contents of the item or container are suspected of being stolen property; (3) the item or container is suspected of containing illegal drugs; (4) other emergency control reasons; and (5) the item or container is suspected of being in violation of any school policy. In addition, the District Superintendent is authorized to conduct area-wide, general administrative inspections of school property including lockers, coat racks, and storage rooms, (for example searching all student lockers at one time) without notice to or consent of the student and without a search warrant. The district Superintendent is hereby authorized to request the assistant of law enforcement officials for the purpose of conducting reasonable searching of school grounds, including coat racks, cloakrooms and lockers, for illegal drugs. This would include searches conducted through the use of specially trained dogs. If a search produces evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the District's policies or rules, such evidence may be seized and impounded by school authorities, and disciplinary action may be taken. When appropriate, such evidence may be transferred to law Education that the purpose of such searches is to compel compliance with criminal prosecution of any students. Searches conducted by authorized school personnel in conjunction with or at the behest of the law enforcement agencies shall be conducted in accordance with the standards applicable to such law enforcement agencies. Immediately following a search, a written report shall be made by the school authority who conducted the search. The written report shall be submitted to the Building Principal where appropriate, and forwarded to the Superintendent. The parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student shall be notified of the search as soon as possible. 3. All prior enactments and resolutions of this Board inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. Lost And Found (8-7-08) STUDENTS/PARENTS MUST CLEARLY AND PERMANENTLY MARK ALL LARGER and/or CLOTHING ITEMS THAT MAY BE WITH THE STUDENT’S FIRST AND LAST NAME ! DO NOT ASSUME AN UNMARKED, LOST ITEM WILL BE RETURNED. NEVER SEND ANY VALUABLE ITEM TO SCHOOL WITH A STUDENT IF YOU FEAR IT BEING LOST, STOLEN, OR DAMAGED. Peoria Heights Grade School assumes no responsibility for indefinitely storing and maintaining items that are lost and found. We do not have the space to do this and sanitary issues are a concern. Items turned in to the school office will be handled in the following way: ALL ITEMS a child brings to school that may be lost MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH THE STUDENT’S FIRST AND LAST NAME. Items found and clearly marked will be returned to the owner. Lunch boxes marked with a student’s first and last name will be returned to the owner. Unmarked lunch boxes will be emptied of contents and treated as any other unmarked lost and found item. Unmarked items claimed by a student will be returned. Unmarked and unclaimed items found that are clean and usable will be donated to the Community Clothes Closet to be passed along to a deserving community family for use. Unmarked items that are not usable (torn, ragged, filthy) or are unsanitary to keep or store will be disposed of at the end of each school day. (Sweaty, wet clothing will mildew, old shoes have an odor, an item may be suspected of being infested with a parasite, etc.) IMPORTANT FINAL REMINDER: CLEARLY AND PERMANENTLY MARK ALL LARGER and/or CLOTHING ITEMS THAT MAY BE LOST WITH THE STUDENT’S FIRST AND LAST NAME! Lunches Excellent hot lunches with milk are available at noon. The prices of school lunches are set by the Board of Education, and are given to parents with registration information each year. Students may also bring cold lunches. Milk is available for them. Lunch tickets may be purchased on the first day of each week. Free or reduced lunches cannot be provided to eligible students until parents complete and submit to the office the "free-reduced lunch application form". This form must be completed and filed yearly. The school lunch program is offered as a convenience to parents. PARENTS, not the school, are responsible for providing a lunch for their child each day. This may be done by providing your child with a home-packed lunch, by purchasing a school lunch, or, if eligible by federal income guidelines, by completing paperwork to secure a free or reduced price school lunch for your child. Failing to meet this obligation is a form of child neglect. A parent who does not meet this responsibility may be reported by school officials to the Department of Children and Family Services. Lunchroom Conduct Students are supervised during lunch. They are expected to sit quietly, yet are still free to socialize with others while they eat. Good table manners and a positive attitude toward the food being served will make lunchtime more enjoyable for all. Students not observing lunchroom conduct rules or instructions of the lunchroom supervisor may lose Noon recess privileges or be removed from the lunchroom to eat away from other students. Lunchroom Account – Negative Meal Account Balance A student may not charge more than $10.00 on his/her account, $20.00 per family. When the balance limit is reached, the student will be required to bring money each day if they sign up for school lunch or breakfast. When the students cannot bring money, a sack lunch should be sent. If money or a sack lunch is not sent and the student signs up for breakfast or lunch, they will be served a cheese sandwich and milk for a meal in the amount of .40 cents. This meal is also charged to the student’s account. The Board of Education always offers students a meal. No one is ever refused. Charge notes are printed and sent home once each week. If parents do not receive the meal charge notifications, please talk to your student. The school district would be more than happy to discuss the balance and to schedule payments. The district participates in the National Free and Reduced Meal program. If you feel you qualify for this program, please call and ask that the form be sent home with your students. The school district is here to help and realize that some families may need assistance. Mandated Reporter Mandated Reporter – All employees of Unit District 325 are designated by the State of Illinois as “Mandated Reporters”. We have a legal obligation to report any incidents of child abuse or neglect that we have reason to suspect or that is reported to us by a child. Visible evidence of abuse or neglect is not required for us to be obligated to file a report. We are not allowed to inform a parent prior to, at the time of, or after a report is filed. District personnel are not allowed to discuss a report with a parent after a report is filed. An abusive parent might “coach or threaten” a child or try to intimidate a district employee regarding what to say to an investigator, or with forewarning, may conceal incriminating evidence of neglect or abuse in the home. We do not pass judgment on parents. Parents do not owe the school any defense of or explanation for the way in which a complaint has been resolved. We view and respect these as private family matters and are only here in a supportive role of educating and protecting children. We are not investigators. Other agencies investigate after a mandated reporter report is filed. Our school then receives a statement from the investigative agency stating only whether the report was “substantiated” or determined to be “unfounded”. No details of any investigation are provided to our school. ALL contact between the school and investigative agencies is held in strictest confidence. If a report is filed regarding one of your children with the Department of Children and Family Services, their investigator may interview your child here at school of in your home. Investigators have the legal right to question your child at our school without your permission, or without your prior notification. If a determination is made by the investigator that the child’s welfare may be in immediate jeopardy if the child returns home, DCFS may take temporary custody of a child and remove the child from our school. Investigators will be in touch with parents soon after the investigation process begins. Our school is a public service agency that has a dual role of educating and protecting children. Our school role as “mandated reporter” is a responsibility we assume to defend and protect children against abuse and neglect. Any questions you have regarding “mandated reporter” may be addressed to any PHGS administrator. Medicaid Reimbursement Notification (Required by law) Medicaid reimbursement is a source of federal funds approved by Congress to help school districts maintain and improve Special Education services. Therapy and diagnostic services that may be provided to your child are partially reimbursable under Medicare. Unless you object, in writing, this school district, (via SEAPCo), will claim Medicaid / KidCare reimbursement for eligible services provided to your child at school expense. These claims will have no impact on your ability to receive Medicaid funding either now or any time in the future. If you do not object to the release of information related to Medicaid claims for your child, no action is required of you. Medical Excuses Any student who is to be excused from PE / gym or any other normal school physical activity must bring a written statement from the child’s physician. This statement should include the amount of time to be excused and the reason for the excuse. All excuses should be approved by the Physical Education Department or the appropriate teacher. If a child is present and well enough to participate in the classroom, they are well enough and will be expected to participate in PE. A parent note may not be accepted to excuse a child from PE participation any more than such a note could be written to excuse a child from math class. To be fair to all, and to be in compliance with Illinois law that requires student participation in PE, children at school, without a doctor note excusing them from participating, are expected to participate in PE. If a parent feels the child is incapable of participating in PE, and there is no doctor excuse, the child should be kept home by the parent and reported to the school as “ill”. A student who refuses to participate in PE without a doctor note, will receive a failing grade for PE class for that day. Parent cooperation in this matter is important for school compliance with Illinois law, and to promote physical fitness of students at PHGS. Medications for Students Any prescription and/or behavior medication with only one dose administered in a 24 hour time period should be given by the parent to the child at home at approximately 7:00 A.M., before the student is sent to school. This gives the medication adequate time to establish itself in the body so the student may realize the benefit of the medication during the entire time frame the student is at school. Such medications given at school have a delayed and dramatically shortened effect during school hours that often leaves the child with little benefit at school from taking the medication. No employee, other than the school nurse, shall administer any type of medication to a pupil. A child will be permitted to administer his/her own prescription medication under nurse supervision (less than 10 days) upon written permission from the parents or guardian. For continuing prescription medication (10 days or more) a permission form must be filled out and signed by the parent or guardian and attending physician to allow a child to administer his/her own prescription medication under nurse supervision. Only current, valid prescription medications, in the pharmacy container bearing the student’s name, with the correct dosage to be administered specified, will be administered to students by the school nurse. The school nurse may not tamper with, divide, dilute, etc., or alter any medication in any way. Non-prescription medications may not be carried by the child at any time on school property, nor may they be self administered through the school office. Parents or a parent designee may come to the school to administer non-prescription medications to a student in the office. Student Welfare - Administering Prescription Medications to Students: District Policy) Parent(s) or guardian(s) have the primary responsibility for administrating medication to their children. Administering prescription medication during school hours or during school-related activities is discouraged unless it is necessary for the critical health and well-being of the student. Teachers and other non-administrative school employees, except certified school nurses, shall not be required to administer prescription medication to students. Parent(s) or guardian(s) may authorize their child to self-administer a prescription medication according to the District’s policies and procedures for student self-administration of prescription medication. Nothing in this policy shall prohibit any school employee from providing emergency assistance to students, including administering medication. The Building Principal shall distribute to each student's parent(s)/guardian(s) the District's policy, guidelines and forms on administering medicines to students within (15) days after the beginning of each school year, or within fifteen (15) days after starting classes for a student who transfers into the District. (This requirement may be met via 9including such policies and procedures in the “Parent-Student Handbook” either given to the parent, or posted for parent review at the school website.) (See "School Medication Authorization Form" in the front of this booklet.) Moving Away If you expect to move out of District #325 stop in the school office at least two days prior to leaving so that action relative to your transfer may be started. Noon Hour (Lunch and Recess) 1. Students are not allowed to leave school grounds to do family errands at stores, or go elsewhere off school property at any time during Noon hour, unless granted permission to do so by the school office. Teachers, upon presentation of a note from home requesting that a student be dismissed from school during lunch, will send the student and note to the office for approval. Students are not allowed to leave the school grounds during school hours to eat lunch at local restaurants unless accompanied by a parent or relative, who first signs the child out of school in the school office. All students are encouraged to eat hot, nutritious lunches served by the school, or to bring their own cold lunch. Students who abuse closed campus lunch privileges are subject to losing them. Your cooperation in this matter is sincerely requested. 2. Excellent hot lunches, with milk, are available at school for grades K-8. There is ample provision for pupils to bring cold lunches. There is a need for a quiet atmosphere in the lunchroom. Students are in the lunchroom to eat and not play. Students who don’t follow posted lunchroom rules may be issued punishments for misbehavior. 3. Students who go home for noon lunch require a note from home to do so. A pass will be issued by the office for the student to go home for lunch on dates specified by the parent's note. The time allowed for travel to and from school and for lunch at home is 35 minutes. On days when the weather outside is undesirable, an announcement will be made by the school office to note either an "outside" or "inside" day. When an "inside" day is posted the students must stay in the building: A.) either in the gymnasium or other designated area. B.) in their classroom (with teacher supervision), or C.) students remain in the cafeteria as may be directed by the principal with adult supervision provided. On "outside" days everyone must go outside to a designated play area, to his or her classrooms (with teacher's permission and supervision). The decision for an "inside" or "outside" day will be left up to the judgment of school officials. Nurse A School Nurse is available in the office between 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. to assist students with more serious medical issues. There must be some visible indication of actual illness or some manifestation of illness that warrants sending the student to the office to see the nurse. A student can, “not feel good” in our classroom as easily as they can seated in the office waiting to see a nurse who cannot treat them. Teachers use discretion and be selective in sending only the most needy students to see the school nurse. The school nurse is a licensed medical professional who is skilled in tending to the medical needs of children. She is also familiar with health practices and policies of the Illinois State Board of Education that are in place to protect the safety and welfare of all children attending our school. The nurse will make determinations about a child remaining at or being removed from school based on the individual situation and our desire to protect everyone in the school environment. We appreciate parent support of the decisions we make in the interest of protecting all children from needless exposure to illness. Parent Involvement Parent involvement and assistance with student activities of both an academic and social nature is encouraged. Peoria Heights Grade School has always been fortunate to enjoy active support of its parents. If you wish to personally volunteer your services at specific times, or wish to make us aware of your desire to help us whenever needed, please see your child's teacher or contact us in the office. Forms are available for your completion that will enable us to assess and use your volunteer services. We appreciate your willingness to help, and may be calling upon you to assist us in the future. Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) Peoria Heights Grade School is fortunate to benefit from the support and involvement of our parents who are active members of the Parent Teacher Organization, or "PTO". Their activities involvement provides needed funds to our school for purchases that benefit all our students and teachers. They also provide and promote social activities for all parents at our school that increase parent participation, and serve to strengthen the "good neighbor" climate in our neighborhood and in the community of Peoria Heights. Parents can show their appreciation of the services the PTO provides, by volunteering your time and services to the PTO, and by attending PTO sponsored functions and monthly meetings scheduled and held here at Peoria Heights Grade School. The PTO will be happy to assist you in helping your child's classroom in any way possible. Please plan to support this fine organization as they work for the benefit of all Peoria Heights Grade School students. To keep abreast of current PHGS, PTO news and activities, access the PTO website at www.phgspto.org from the convenience of your home computer! PTO meetings are usually scheduled the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 P.M. in the school library. All parents and interested school supporters are invited to attend. The Peoria Heights Grade School PTO is endorsed by and exists at the discretion of the Peoria Heights, C.U.D. #325 School Board. It is a school support and social organization whose purpose is to "further all movements toward the higher ideals of the community life of Peoria Heights Grade School". Monthly PTO meetings may not be used by any individual to air complaints or discuss concerns about district personnel, school or district policy or procedures, or matters regarding students or other individuals. Such concerns should be addressed in private, directly to the building principal, by the individual with the concern. The presiding PTO officer at monthly meetings or building principal will immediately stop anyone from speaking who begins making comments in violation of these rules, and will rule that individual out of order. Parties at School 1. Halloween Classroom Halloween parties are allowed and may be held only in Grades PreK – 2 in each student’s individual classroom. Children are allowed to dress in costume for that late afternoon party. Teachers will send home more detailed information on party needs as the party date nears. Refreshments are arranged by the teacher through pupils and/or the Mother’s Club and room mother volunteers. Parents should send a costume their child may easily change into with minimal teacher assistance. A simple mask will be sufficient. Our classrooms are not large enough to accommodate ALL parents in a classroom to visit on the date a party is held. Our classrooms will not therefore be open to unscheduled parent visits that day. Teachers will make arrangements for any needed help the day of the Halloween party. Many schools have eliminated any observance of Halloween in school. We have chosen instead to place less emphasis on parading and excessive costume dress, that had made the observance of Halloween a large celebration at school in the past. We are adopting a new method of celebration geared to children, with parent involvement only as teacher requested. We want our children to enjoy time with their classmates in a party-fun environment. Parents may later, away from the school setting, celebrate Halloween with their children at home and in their neighborhoods, as they personally have chosen to. We appreciate your support as we implement the celebration changes that we feel are more suitable for the school environment. 2. Christmas/Winter Holiday Season A. Classroom Winter Season parties are allowed and may be held only in Grades PreK – 2 in each student’s individual classroom. There is to be no exchange of student gifts. Decorations in the classroom are left to the discretion of the teachers of the individual rooms. Decorations must be essentially fireproof. No live trees are allowed in the classroom, or electric lights on artificial trees. We have a large decorated tree in the school hall each year and all classrooms are urged to bring canned and/or otherwise staple foods to place under this tree. This food is then boxed by our students and staff members who will put fresh meat with it and deliver the boxes to needy families or needy persons in our community. 3. Valentine’s Day A. Valentine's Day parties may be held at teacher discretion. Refreshments are arranged by the teacher through pupils and/or the Mother’s Club and room mother volunteers. In General: No room parties are allowed unless cleared first through a teacher and then through the office. Only teachersecured, parent volunteers are allowed to attend parties that are scheduled. This is to control the numbers of children and adults in classrooms, to eliminate overcrowding that creates safety concerns, and to eliminate any rash of "surprise" birthday and miscellaneous parties. When possible, all parties should be held after the afternoon recess, preferably in the last hour of school. Room picnics or outside parties should be first approved by the office. Picnics are usually limited to organizational reward picnics. This includes band, patrol, etc. Teachers should not give gifts to pupils. Exceptions would be awards or prizes for achievement. Birthday “treats" provided by individual pupils may be held through 6th grade. These should be limited to a simple distribution of the "treat" with the use of no more than 15 minutes of class time. Be alert to the sanitation and hygienic aspects of the "treats". (See: “Food Items Brought from Home” policy in this book) If a food, on any occasion, is of questionable quality, it will not be served to students. The practice of students giving gifts to teachers is allowed, with the final decision for this resting with the individual parent and child. We should, if we are consulted, generally discourage a collection of money for a large group gift for a particular teacher. Several teachers have expressed their appreciation for gifts, which can be shared with or used by them in class with all their students. Such gifts as educational games, memory card sets, or consumable art supplies are much appreciated by and beneficial to our teachers. Personal Property All coats, gloves, boots, sweaters, and personal property, including game balls, should be clearly and permanently marked with the student's name before wearing or bringing it to school. The school is not responsible for stolen or lost articles. (See Lost and Found) Physical Contact With Others On School Grounds Students at Peoria Heights Public Schools have a basic right to privacy that protects them from being touched by or having physical contact with others. To protect all students rights of privacy from physical contact, and to ensure that every effort is made to discourage arguments or fights that may result from student physical contact with each other, students at PHGS are not to place their hands on, or have any physical contact with other students casually, affectionately, or in anger, at any time on school grounds. Any public display of affection on school grounds, including any physical contact, at any time, is forbidden*. DO NOT TOUCH OTHER STUDENTS! DOING THIS VIOLATES PERSONAL SPACE AND PRIVACY AND MAY CAUSE INJURY OR FIGHTS. MOST SERIOUS OFFENSES STUDENTS GET IN TROUBLE FOR VIOLATE THIS SIMPLE RULE. DO NOT TOUCH OTHER STUDENTS! Students at PHGS are not to place their hands on, or have any physical contact with other students casually, or in anger, at any time on school grounds during the school day. During the school day, at school activities outside the school day, and at all times anywhere on school grounds, there is to be no public display of affection. Any contact or behavior deemed inappropriate by the supervisor in charge is not allowed, at the supervisor’s discretion. Students in violation of this rule are subject to disciplinary action under the discipline policy of each school. District administration, or their designee, will determine whether the intent of these rules has been violated by any student, and if a resulting punishment is warranted. *Examples of exceptions to the physical contact rule include contact that may occur during sports or extracurricular activities, school plays, school dances, PE, or by an adult(s) who must use physical contact to bring a disruptive or noncompliant student under control who poses a danger to himself or herself, or to other students. Physical Education Requirements Grades are determined by participation, cooperation, attitude, and effort. Grades issued will be as follows: "0" "S+" "S" "S-" "U" - for Outstanding for Satisfactory-plus (Good) for Satisfactory for Less than Satisfactory (needs improvement) for Unsatisfactory Physical Education Dress Requirements A school PE uniform is required of all students and is available for purchase at school. It is extremely important that parents cooperate in seeing that their children participate in gym class. Most poor gym grades result from a student's non-participation or because he or she fails to dress properly for gym class. Illinois state law requires that all students in school participate in PE, unless the student has a doctor note excusing them from PE participation. This note must specify the specific days or time frame the student is excused from participating in PE. A parent note cannot excuse a student from participating in PE, any more than a parent note could excuse them from participating in Math, Science, or English class. If a student is well enough to be in school, they are required to participate in PE. If they are not well enough to participate, they should be at home, ill, being cared for by the parent. A doctor note is required of a student to be excused from participating in PE class. A student who refuses to participate in PE without a doctor note, will receive a failing grade for PE class for that day. Parent cooperation in this matter is important for school compliance with Illinois law, and to promote physical fitness of students at PHGS. Practices (Athletic & Extracurricular Activity) Unless permission to attend is granted by a coach for specific reason to assist with a special need or address an emergency situation, attendance at any athletic and/or extracurricular activity practice is limited to team members only. (No parents, siblings, or non-team member students are allowed to attend practices). Liability and supervision concerns prohibit students who are non-team members from attending sport or extracurricular activity practice at PHGS. Non-team member students or adults may cause problems that distract from the coaches efforts to coach the team. School coaches have responsibility for monitoring their team members. Attention directed to the team will too often leave non-team members present at practices unsupervised. The result could be a missing or injured child. If this practice is allowed in one activity, to be consistent with all, it would have to be allowed at others. Precedent cannot be set that could lead to unsupervised non-team member students being injured or that will needlessly increase the number of adults or students our coaches are expected to assume responsibility for and deal with while supervising a practice. Team members are not allowed to bring any other students or siblings (Parents must arrange other after school care for siblings) with them to activity practice sessions. We cannot provide adequate supervision for these students. Problems with Students / Problem Resolution Teachers listen to student complaints and sort through them to decide how to respond, just like you do as a parent at home. Teachers may deal with from 20-90 students a class period and try to resolve issues quickly and fairly to be least disruptive to class as possible with all the students we must monitor. Students are sometimes argumentative or refuse to follow the directions we give to them. Some students in the heat of anger don’t always remember all they have said or done. We sometimes tell them to be seated to give them cool down time before a situation is dealt with or to separate students who are having trouble with each other. Students must follow our directions immediately if we are to maintain class order. We routinely punish students for misbehaviors we witness or for ones where we feel we can defend punishments as being fair to parents. Our discipline policy is in place to inform students of the consequences of their actions BEFORE they misbehave. That policy also ensures that all are treated fairly without preferential treatment. Reprimands may be verbal by teacher/supervisors or sent to Mr. Carroll to deal with via the school discipline policy. We can’t see or hear everything that happens. Situations dealt with immediately usually allow us to find the truth before students who will not be honest with us have time to fabricate a story. Parents want to believe their own children. Some students will lie to us to get out of trouble, lie to us to get others into trouble, or lie to protect their friends. Our punishments are based on what we feel is truth after we look into issues based on the information we gather. At home, you hear only one account of an incident when we at school usually have spoken to many about what either did or did not happen. We try to be fair to everyone. We have a responsibility to maintain a safe school environment conducive to learning. We promote respect and common courtesy at all times. All students are emotionally different with different needs and abilities. We try to point that out to students at times without violating another student’s rights to privacy. Your student will be treated as we desire to be treated, with PHGS adults setting a standard of acceptable behavior. Your student will also be held accountable to a standard that will promote growth and maturity as a young, responsible adult. We welcome your questions. We also ask you to support our actions and decisions at school to show your student that the same standards of behavior and respect that must be shown to all will be required by both the home and PHGS. Promotion Policy Illinois law requires students to meet achievement standards to be promoted to the next grade. The school does not have the choice to “socially promote” a student. The student either passes by meeting promotion standards, or he/she is retained. Promotions may not be granted solely upon the basis of a parent request. School administration has the legal right and obligation to make all final promotion determinations, based on data collected regarding demonstrated student ability and readiness to be able to achieve and perform at the next grade level of instruction. (This law pertains to all grades. Parents are encouraged to maintain ongoing communication with all teachers regarding the academic progress of their children in all classes at all grade levels to best immediately work with the teacher(s) to address any progress concerns.) For any student to be promoted within the seventh and eighth grade he/she must pass at least five academic subjects with a D- average or better, or pass three of the four grading periods with a D- average or better. The academic subjects are as follows: English, reading, spelling, science, mathematics, social studies, history, health, and geography, and P.E The parents of students who are in danger of retention will be notified at the end of the first semester when the report cards are sent home. They will then be notified at the end of the third grading period concerning their child's progress. By the end of the fifth week of the fourth grading period a decision will be made concerning retention or promotion. After all the criteria of the above policy has been considered concerning a seventh or eighth student, the final decision concerning the promotion or retention of the student will be left up to the judgment of the administration. Public Complaints About School Personnel Constructive criticism of the schools is welcome when it is motivated by a sincere desire to improve the quality of the education program and to equip the district schools to perform their task more effectively. The Board places trust in its employees and desires to support their actions in such a manner that employees are freed from unnecessary spiteful, or negative criticism and complaints. Any complaint made directly to the Board of Education as a whole or to a board member as an individual, the Board of Education or board member will refer the complaint to the individual staff member involved as the initial step in resolving the problem. The individual employee involved will be advised of the natural of the complaint and be given every opportunity for explanation, comment, and presentation of the facts as he sees them. If it appears necessary, the administration, the person who made the complaint, or the employee involved may request an executive session of the Board. Generally all parties involved, including the school administration, will be asked to attend such a meeting for the purposes of presenting facts, making further explanations, and clarifying the issues. Hearsay and rumor will be discounted as well as emotional feelings except those directly related to the facts of the situation. The Board will conduct such meetings in as fair and just a manner as possible. The Board may request a disinterested third party to act as moderator to help it reach a mutually satisfactory solution. Recess (Noon) Noon recess period is an important part of each school day. In fact, we like to consider it an extension of our overall Physical Education program in Grades K-8. The chance to get some fresh air and to burn off some excess energy is conducive to better classroom performance. When they have finished eating and have returned their trays to the kitchen, students in grades K-8 are excused from the lunchroom to get their coats and go directly outdoors. The activity period is approximately 15 minutes at Noon Recess that includes time allotted to move students to and from the recess area. Students are moved to the school gym, as available, on days when inclement weather prevents us from taking students outside. Students are allowed socialization and/or exercise time inside, in the cafeteria or in the gym, where they are monitored by supervisors. Generally speaking, if the temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, we will keep the children inside. However, if the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but there is no wind and the sun is shining, we may allow the children outside. On the other hand, if it is 28 degrees Fahrenheit, but the wind chill is 0 degrees Fahrenheit, we will keep the children inside. In any event, we won't send the children outside if we feel the weather will be harmful to them. If your child is to stay inside for any longer than one week we will require a doctor's excuse. Brief morning and afternoon breaks will be provided as needed to students in lieu of a formal recess period, with additional recess time provided as needed at the teacher's discretion. Report Cards Grade Kindergarten Report Cards are distributed to children to take home to parents for each of the four grading periods. The Kindergarten report card is to be reviewed and signed by the parent, then returned to the Kindergarten classroom teacher. Electronic Report cards are mailed home to parents of students in grades 1- 8, four times during the school year, and in addition, formal parent-teacher conferences are scheduled, with optional conferences available at the request of the parent or guardian. The grade 1-8 electronic report card is kept by the parent, and is for the purpose of letting the parent and/or guardian know how well the child has been able to master the work of his/her class and the attitude he/she has shown toward school. Children do not all grow at the same rate, either physically or mentally, and should not be pressured to do more than they are capable of doing. Rewards or punishment for high or low grades is generally not considered a good practice. Parents and/or guardians are asked to sign the report card to indicate that the child has shown it to them, not necessarily to indicate approval. If the parent and/or guardian feel that the marks indicate a problem developing, he/she should contact the teacher to arrange a conference. Residency Proof Illinois law generally requires that students attend school in the school district where they and/or their custodial parent(s) or legal guardian reside. The Peoria Heights Grade School registered student must be living at the Peoria Heights address. All student residency will be in compliance with the Illinois School Code. Parents may also apply for student admission to, and if accepted, pay tuition for a child to attend a public or private school, or home school their own child. Residency may not be falsely declared with relatives, babysitters, etc., who live in Peoria Heights, solely for-the purpose of having students attend Peoria Heights schools. It is illegal to declare false residency in the community of Peoria Heights, for purposes of enrolling a student in Peoria Heights schools, and to defraud the school district of tuition fees it is rightfully owed. If attempts to do this are reported or suspected, the school district will require specific proofs of residency. Residency proofs are required of all new students enrolling at Peoria Heights Grade School. Students not meeting residency requirements will be removed from school, and reported as "truants" to the Peoria County Superintendent of Schools office. Residency proof must be provided before the student will be registered. Residency proofs Peoria Heights Grade School will accept include: 1. Rental property - The landlord/rental property owner signed and notarized verification of Peoria Heights student residency. (This blank form is provided by the school office for parents to complete BEFORE student registration and return to the school office completed, signed, and notarized by the legal property OWNER, not renter. – (PHGS confirms property ownership via the Peoria County Recorder of Deeds Office.) 2. Privately owned residential property - A current utility (CILCo, Water) bill bearing the Peoria Heights address and name of the resident adult enrolling a child in Peoria Heights Grade School. 3. Privately owned residential property - A current tax bill bearing the Peoria Heights address and name of the resident adult enrolling a child in Peoria Heights Grade School. Sadly, we are sometimes provided information to support a child’s residency that we later may find out has been falsified. No student will be allowed to attend Peoria Heights Grade School, regardless of residency proof provided, if the student resides outside the PHGS residency attendance area and falsified information is presented to the school in an attempt to register the child. Respect We, as adults, lead students by example. All adults and students are required to show mutual respect and courtesy to each other at all times. Loss of control outbursts, shouting, poor and insulting or sarcastic language, and a threatening demeanor in a conversation with others, either student or adult, is unacceptable. The use of profanity will result in a first warning, that if profanity is used again, that the meeting will be stopped, and the offender asked to leave school property. Adults have a right to disagree with each other. That disagreement must be expressed with mutual control and consideration shown by and to all. Teachers have been instructed to immediately terminate any conference with a parent that becomes so emotionally charged that constructive communication is impossible, and to immediately go to the Principal’s office, as they ask the parent to resume the meeting in my presence. Anyone who acts in an abusive, threatening, or emotionally “out of control” manner will be required to leave school property. Any adult who repeatedly behaves in a disorderly and disruptive or threatening manner may be barred from school property, may be cited under Village Ordinance #2006-1959 for Disorderly Conduct, and may be fined $250 for the first offense, or $500 for the second offense within one calendar year. A positive, constructive, and courteous standard of behavior is expected of all students and adults at all times. Response To Intervention (RTI) Response to Intervention (RTI) is a new (2009) Illinois initiative that requires all school districts to have in place an RTI Committee of teachers and support personnel who will review student cases related to poor student academic or behavioral success and progress. The goal of the program (mandated by law) is to have an RTI Committee intervene to offer a program of support services within the context of the student’s regular division classroom placement that will improve academic and/or behavioral performance. The goal is to correct and address concerns to make every effort not to have an unnecessary placement of a student in a Special Education program via a Special Education referral screening. Parent requests for a Special Education screening will not be granted unless the student has first been referred by the classroom teacher to the RTI Committee and the intervention efforts initiated by the committee have proven unsuccessful. Only after every effort has been made via RTI to assist a student, and after those efforts have proven unsuccessful, will the RTI Committee recommend a Special Education screening to determine student eligibility to receive Special Education services. The intervention efforts of the RTI Committee may take up to 9 weeks to implement after the committee meets and establishes a course of action and interventions for teachers to pursue and for the committee to evaluate. This process complies with the “least restrictive environment” component of Special Education law and student Special Education Program placement. This information is to be shared by teachers with parents who request a Special Education screening for their student. Safety Procedures While at Play on School Grounds Playground Rules: Drinks and restroom privileges should be taken by students at the start of a recess period and not after the bell rings for return to the classroom at the end of recess. 1. Report all serious accidents and injuries to the school office immediately. 2. Play only in assigned areas of the building, assigned areas on the blacktop and on designated areas in the grass when the weather permits. 3. Do not play in the parking lot or around parked cars. Students should never be in the parking lot. (Wait for rides on the sidewalk) 4. Students should never climb trees, garbage tanks, cement platforms, chains or fences on the playground. 5. No snowball throwing, rock throwing, food throwing, or throwing of any other object. 6. Body contact sports, (tackle football, boxing, wrestling, and gang playing) are prohibited. Never grab or hold on to another student or student’s clothing. Do not touch other students for any reason. 7. Fighting is not permitted. It is just cause for being suspended from school. It is the duty of every person to avoid quarreling, and to never touch another person in anger. 8. No hard baseballs and wood or metal bats are to be used. 9. Tripping and teasing are prohibited. Be respectful and courteous to others at all times 10. Skateboards and roller skates are not allowed on the school grounds. 11. Use any provided play equipment as it is meant to be used, in a shared, orderly and safe manner. 12. Keep off all grass areas unless they have been designated for play, and when they are wet or muddy, to keep clothing and students clean and to protect the appearance of the play area. 13. No playing is allowed on any athletic field when it is wet or muddy. 14. Play safely on and observe safety rules for use of the playground equipment. 15. No child should interfere with a game in progress or in anyway be deliberately annoying to others. 16. Pupils are not permitted in the street, roadway, or parking lot areas. 17. To re-enter the building during recess, permission is needed from a teacher. Students may enter immediately to secure help in case of an emergency or accident. 18. During inclement weather, children must remain out of water and mud. 19. Do not do anything in play that might be dangerous to yourself or others. 20. The only time a student should be inside at recess and noon in nice weather is if you have a reasonable and justifiable note from home, approved by your teacher, or written permission from a teacher. Students should be in possession of this note when staying in. Homeroom / classroom teachers are responsible for supervision of these students. 21. Please remember to put the proper clothing on that the weather calls for before going outside. 22. No re-enter to the building will be allowed once a student has exited for recess. The restroom should be used before going outside at recess. 23. If a student leaves the playground (to retrieve a ball, etc.) they should get permission from an adult on duty. Continued disregard for these rules may result in a student being barred from using the playground area by the playground supervisor or building principal. School Property (Care of) Each student is reminded that the school building, its books, and all of its equipment are owned by all the people in the school district. Every broken window or damaged piece of equipment costs money for replacement that could be spent in another way. It also costs us time and inconvenience while repairs are being made. Part of good citizenship is good care taken of public property. Please help us instill within your child a sense of pride and care regarding the Peoria Heights Grade School building. School Reach (Parent Emergency Notification System) Peoria Heights Grade School uses an emergency parent notification system called “School Reach”. This system allows us to send out emergency notices to large numbers of parents via the telephone number you provide to our school to call to leave a voice message to you. Examples of School Reach use might be for the emergency notification to parents of a snow day, or messages that might be sent to you during the summer months about school registration. To receive School Reach messages, you must provide PHGS with the best number to reach and leave a voice mail message with you. To provide or update your contact information at our school, please send a written “School Reach Note” with your parent name and address, and the phone number to be called by PHGS. We will see to it that the number is recorded in our School Reach database. Also, please feel free to call PHGS is you have questions about School Reach or if you currently receive PHGS messages and would like your contact information DELETED from the School Reach database. School Supplies Each teacher has prepared a list of the supplies her students should have available. (See list at the front of this document) No supplies are sold at school. A parent should check from time to time to see if his child has an adequate supply of materials. Parents may, on occasion, be asked to purchase unique supplies for a special school project or activity being conducted in the classroom. Your cooperation in securing these supplies is appreciated. Such requests will be kept to a minimum. Searches and Seizures at School (Students & Student Property) Peoria Heights Community Unit School District No. 325 - Resolution No. 94-3 WHEREAS, the Board of Education of Peoria Heights Community Unit School District 325 deems it necessary and in the best interest of the District in order to maintain discipline in schools and to provide for the health, safety and welfare of students and staff to have in place a comprehensive policy with regard to search and seizure of students, their property and school grounds: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of Peoria Heights Community Unit School District #325 as follows: 1. The foregoing recital is incorporated herein as if fully set forth. 2. The Board of Education Disciplinary Policy is hereby amended as follows: A "Search and Seizure" section shall be added which section shall provide as follows: For the safety and supervision of students in the absence of parent(s)/guardian(s), to maintain discipline and order in school and to provide for health, safety and welfare of students and staff; school administrators and certificated personnel are authorized to conduct searches of students and their personal effects as well as District property. The District Superintendent may request the assistance of law enforcement officials for conducting reasonable searches of school property for controlled substances/illegal drugs, including searches utilizing trained dogs. Searches conducted by authorized school personnel in conjunction with or at the behest of the law enforcement agencies shall be conducted in accordance with the standards applicable to such law enforcement agencies. "Students and their Personal Effects" - Certificated personnel and school administrators may search a student and/or the student's personal effects (example, purse, wallets, nap sacks, book bags, lunch boxes, etc.) when there are reasonable grounds for suspecting the search will produce evidence that particular student has violated or is violating either the law or the District's student conduct rules. The search itself must be conducted in a manner, which is reasonably related to its objectives and not excessively intrusive of the infraction. When feasible, the search should be conducted as follows: 1. Outside the view of others, including students; 2. In the presence of a school administrator or adult witness; 3. By a certified employee or administrator of the same sex. Immediately following a search, a written report shall be made by the school authorities who conducted the search. The written report shall be submitted to the Building Principal, where appropriate, and forwarded to the Superintendent. The parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student shall be notified of the search as soon as possible. "School Property"- School property, including, but not limited to school desks, is owned and controlled by the District and may be searched by school authorities at any time. School authorities are authorized to conduct area-wide general administrative inspections of property without a search warrant. A more detailed description of the board's policy with regard to lockers, coat racks, and cloakrooms, appears elsewhere in this policy manual. "Seizure of Property"- If a search produces evidence that the student has violated or it violating either the law or the District's policies or rules, such evidence may be seized and impounded by school authorities and disciplinary action may be taken. When appropriate, such evidence may be transferred to law enforcement authorities. All previous enactments and policies inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. Adopted by Board on 1-12-94 Security of the School Building and Classrooms School security is a concern we all share. Parents have every right to expect the school to do all it can to provide a safe and secure environment for their children, and the school has an obligation to do all it can to ensure the safety of children at school. Recent events and shootings in schools have heightened everyone's awareness of our need at school to carefully track the movements of everyone entering our school. To effectively do this we need the cooperation of parents, who must also understand that providing this security will result in some degree of inconvenience. To assist us at school in providing the safest environment possible, we ask all parents to please abide by the following rules: 1. Parents, please enter and exit the school by the front, upper level school entrance only. Students will be instructed by their teachers where they should line up for school entry each morning. All other school entrances and exits will be locked to prevent unauthorized entry at all times. 2. Upon entry to the school, check in the school office to let us know of your presence in the building if you are expected and will be going to a classroom. 3. Please do not disrupt the teacher in the classroom during the school day unless you are expected. Drop off needed books, forgotten school lunches, messages, etc., in the school office, and we will take it to the classroom for you. 4. Please wait outside in your vehicle or on the school walk at the parking lot at the south end of the school to pick students up after school. Parents waiting outside classroom doors in the school in the line of sight of children can distract them when teachers may be going over important information at the end of the school day. If meeting with a teacher after school, move to the classroom through our main hallways after most students have exited the school. 5. Notify us of any special concerns you may have regarding your child being seen or removed from school by a family member who you may not want to be allowed this privilege. Divorced parents have varying rights dependent upon the determination of custody as outlined in the divorce settlement. Each case is unique. See the school principal or secretary to discuss and place in writing in your child's file any specific requests which you feel may better protect your child while at school. Immediately notify the school office and the Peoria Heights Police Department of the name and description of anyone who you feel poses a threat to your child and may try to approach the child at or going to or from school, 6. School personnel have been instructed to stop and question anyone whom they are unfamiliar with or whose presence in the school they question. Not all school personnel are familiar with you, so please do not be offended if your presence in the school is questioned. 7. Immediately report to the principal any information you have or that has been shared with you that may impact the safety of children at school. Never ignore something your student may tell you has been seen or overheard if it could impact student safety at school. Share the information with the school principal who will investigate what has been reported. Severe or Inclement Weather In the event of any severe or inclement weather, Peoria Heights Grade School will immediately act to best protect everyone in our school, based on the most current weather information reports available which may be provided to us by the National Weather Service, the Civil Defense emergency-disaster system, or the Peoria Heights Police and Fire Departments. Parents who have any questions about safety procedures followed, school dismissal, or who desire information about students at school during severe or inclement weather, should call the Peoria Heights Grade School office at 686-8809. Sex Education (Grade 6-8) Information Illinois law requires our school to teach age level appropriate units that address topics of sex education to protect children from child abuse situations and to let them know (as age level appropriate) the health dangers and related consequences of participating in sexual behavior at too early an age of immaturity. These units are usually taught within a Health Education Class or via presentations arranged for students. Male and female students are separated during these lessons or presentations to protect students from embarrassment and afford them a degree of privacy to ask questions they may need answered. School counselors play a proactive part in planning and overseeing this training, along with our teachers. Content of these units is correlated to learning standards set forth by the State of Illinois. We often work with the Hult Health Education Center, the Center for Prevention of Abuse, and the Peoria County Health Department to secure supplemental materials to enhance units that may be outlined in our school health texts. There is a wealth of information available to our students outside the school. Our goal is to share information with our students that will protect and inform, rather than misinform them about issues related to choices they make to protect themselves against predators, or regarding choices they may make about participating in some form of sexual activity that could have serious consequences. Religious views regarding the discussion of sexually related material at school with a child may well vary from family to family. We respect the rights of parents to exercise a degree of control over the nature of sensitive, sexually related content material their children are exposed to at our school. We assure you that all presentations will be handled with professionalism and sensitivity. You as a parent have a right to intervene, if you have a religious or other such objection, to have your child excluded from such lessons or presentations, with you expressing a desire to tend to this educational need in the privacy of your own home. We ask that you complete the form either giving your student permission to participate in sex education related Health Education units, or that you state a reason for your objection to such training participation by your child. If you have any questions related to this request, please call PHGS at 686-8809 to speak to a school administrator. We will be happy to address any issues or concerns you may have. Sexual Harassment of Students Sexual harassment of students is prohibited. Sexual harassment is defined as follows: 1. An employee's, District agent's, or fellow student’s unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual or sex-based nature, imposed on the basis of sex, that denies or limits the provision of educational aid, benefits, services, or treatment; or that makes such conduct a condition of a student's academic status. 2. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual or sex-based nature by anyone, including students, imposed on the basis of sex, that has the purpose or effect of (a) substantially interfering with a student's educational environment; (b) creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment; (c) depriving a student of educational aid, benefits, services, or treatment; or (d) making submission to or rejection of such unwelcome conduct the basis for academic decisions affecting a student. Students who believe they are victims of sexual harassment are encouraged to discuss the matter with the building principal and written documentation of every incident will be kept. The student will be given the opportunity to review the documentation and verify its accuracy with their signature. An allegation that one student was sexually harassed by another student shall be referred to the Building Principal for appropriate action. Skateboards/Roller Skates/Scooters Skateboards, roller skates, and scooters should not be allowed to be brought to school by students. They may NOT be used at any time by students on school property. Violators will have their skateboards, roller skates, or scooter confiscated and returned only to parents. Snow Day Information - Canceling School On bad weather days, parents and students may hear information regarding school cancellation on the radio. All local radio and television stations will carry the information as to District #325 closings. School offices are closed on “Snow Days”, so please do not attempt to call the school to secure this information. Special Education District #325 is a member of the Special Education Association of Peoria County. This organization was formed for the purpose of providing services for children needing special attention because of some physical, mental, or emotional handicap. When it appears to our teachers that a child could receive more benefit from special help than from a regular class, he/she is referred to the director of S.E.A.P.Co. After proper examination and consultation with parents, doctor, and psychologist, if found eligible, the child is programmed into a special class designed to meet his/her particular educational needs. S.E.A.P.Co. also provides Learning Disabilities, Early Childhood, and Speech Therapy services to the children of our district. These specially trained teachers provide individual and small group instruction as prescribed after screening. For specific questions about general services available to eligible students via S.E.A.P.Co., call the S.E.A.P.Co. office at 697-0880. Special Education Student "Behavioral Intervention Plan” The Peoria Heights Public School District has developed and utilizes a "Behavioral Intervention Plan" which outlines alternative behavioral intervention strategies which may be followed, as the individual situation warrants, in disciplining Special Education students at Peoria Heights Grade School. A copy of this plan has been distributed to the parents of all participating Special Education students at the annually held student IEP conference. A copy is also available for examination in the Peoria Heights Grade School office. Special Interest Materials Supplementary printed materials from commercial, political, religious, charitable, or other non-school sources, must have the approval of the District #325 Superintendent before being used/distributed in the schools. This approval may be given to materials that are of obvious educational value, which supplement and enrich text and reference book materials for definite school courses. Such materials should be timely and up-to-date. Advertising materials of commercial, political, charitable, or religious nature may not be displayed or distributed in the schools, on the school grounds, or at school functions. Students may not be used as the agents for distributing non-school materials to the homes, or to fellow students. Student Records Under the provisions of the Educational Rights & Privacy Act of 1976, School District #325 parents are granted the opportunity to review their child’s permanent school records within 15 school days of the school receiving written or personal notification to the Principal. Parents also have the right to request that inaccurate, misleading, irrelevant, or improper information in the file be amended, have disclosure rights, have record duplication rights, directory information rights, privacy rights, and complaint filing rights, as outlined by the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act, administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Parents of district students enrolled in Special Education classes who wish to inspect their child's permanent records are requested to contact the Special Education Association of Peoria County (S.E.A.P.Co.) at 697-0880. School records from PHGS follow a child leaving our building. Our school mails your child’s permanent file to the new school they are transferring to. Any request for school records should be made to the LAST SCHOOL your child attended (normally this will be the high school the child graduated from or attended). Our office sometimes gets requests for student records that may be 30 years old or more. Those seeking such records are always directed to contact the school their child attended AFTER LEAVING PHGS. Students Picked Up at School During the School Day by Parents We receive requests from parents daily to have children ready in the school office for pick-up by a parent. The problem is that parents often do not arrive at the time they ask us to have children ready for them in the office. We have children who wait anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour for parents, who sometimes have plans change, fail to contact us, and do not come to the school at all. My teachers then lose valuable teaching time and our children lose valuable learning time that is wasted away from class. To be fair to all, and to best utilize learning time, children will be kept in class until parents arrive to pick them up at school. Parents must come into the school office to have your child dismissed from school. Expect a 5 minute delay or so as your child prepares to leave the classroom and is sent to the school office to meet you. Adjust your arrival time at the school to allow for this brief delay in having your child move from the classroom to the office. Please continue to send a note to your child’s teacher to let the teacher know the time you plan to arrive. The teacher will then anticipate your arrival and try to have things ready to move your child to the school office as quickly as possible. Again, if the slight delay is a concern, please arrive a few minutes early to have your child dismissed from PHGS. Thanks for your help and understanding to best provide for children’s educational needs. Students Removed From Classroom to the Office Teachers may remove students from their classroom for a serious disruption that prohibits their work with all students in the room, and send the student to the school office. There, the child will be conferenced with by the principal and soon returned to the classroom, or, if the student action warrants removal from school, parents will be contacted by the office to come to the school to pick up their child. Our school office has no room to house students for extended periods of time who must be removed from the classroom for misbehavior. Other lesser offenses will result in teachers taking away student privileges or in detentions being issued to the student. Removal to the office may be used by teachers for only the most serious offenses, such as student insubordination, a student display of anger or loss of control, or for conduct endangering the safety or welfare of students. A child should not be housed in the school office for refusing to do schoolwork on not having work completed. Teachers may isolate students within their classrooms, away from other children, as a punishment for this or other less serious yet inappropriate classroom behavior. IMPORTANT: Student sent to the office must bring with them a conduct slip completed and signed by the teacher detailing the offense that interrupted the classroom. Classroom removal results in lost learning time for the student removed from the classroom, and for all other students who lose time with the teacher as the teacher stops to deal with the unruly student. It also creates traffic and supervision problems in the school office that prevents us from completing work there. Illinois State Law is clear in empowering schools and teachers to remove students from classrooms and from school whose behavior prevents the learning process for other students, and prevents teachers from teaching. Students do not come to school to sit in the school office, nor do they benefit from important instruction while there. Parents of students who are removed from the classroom for unruly behavior and who are not successfully returned to the classroom after conferencing with the principal, will be contacted to come to the school office to remove the student from school for the remainder of the school day. Study Hall or Study Time Given to Students A major cause of teacher frustration and of student failure and retention is students not completing homework. A study hall or study time is NOT student free time. It is time students are to use productively under teacher supervision to better themselves educationally and make educational progress in mastering state mandated goals of learning, via the completion of homework and/or self-study. Games and socializing are not allowed in class or during study time. (One exception to this rule is game play related and correlated by the teacher to support a unit of study in the classroom.) Securing teacher help as needed in the completion of required schoolwork, either current or late, is the goal of study time given to a student. If a student is caught-up and current in all homework, the student may sit quietly so as not to disturb others and read a book to refine reading skills and/or to pursue a specific area of interest. A student who falsely claims that all homework is completed when it is not, is telling a lie, a 50 demerit offense by our school discipline policy. A student who wastes time in study hall may receive 15 demerits for that offense. Parents are to stress to students their expectation that to minimize homework assistance that may require parent assistance at night, students are to utilize study hall or study time productively at school. Suspension and/or Possible Expulsion Should a student engage in behavior that could result in personal injury, injury to others, or damage to the school facilities, the student may be immediately removed from the school setting. Immediate suspension and possible referral to the Board of Education for expulsion will result from the following types of behavior: 1. Gross disrespect to staff or other students. 2. Fighting. 3. Defacing the building or facilities. 4. Stealing from school, staff, or other students. 5. Intentional setting off school fire alarm system. 6. Gang activity and involvement These suspensions may be for up to 10 school days and served out of school. Parents of any student, at any grade level, who object to a suspension punishment that is given, may request a “Review Hearing” before the Board of Education regarding the incident, by contacting the District #325 Superintendent’s Office. Immediate suspension and referral to the Board of Education for possible expulsion: 1. Having and/or using any alcoholic beverages on school property. 2. Having and/or using non-prescription narcotics, marijuana, or other possibly harmful substances on school property. 3. Carrying or possession of weapons. 4. Suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Work that is missed while the student is suspended can be made-up by the student for partial credit only during the time the student is suspended. While a student is serving an in school suspension, teachers should meet with the students, and give them their assignments so the students may make up their work for 80% credit. During an out of school suspension it is the parent's responsibility to obtain assignments missed, and to see to it that homework is completed and turned in to the teacher immediately upon the return of the student to school. Telephone The school telephone is for business only. Emergency personal calls may be made only with the permission of the principal or the school secretary. Arranging for rides, personal after school activities, or going to another's house are not legitimate excuses for phone calls. Students requesting use of the telephone during regular class time must present a telephone use pass signed by their classroom teacher. Students possessing electronic communication devices must at all times follow the rules for their possession at school. See section, “Electronic Communication Devices’ in this booklet for detailed use rules. Textbooks Textbooks are VERY EXPENSIVE. Some textbooks we use at our school cost in excess of $100 new and $80 when purchased from used textbook vendors. Textbooks are supplied by the Board of Education on a rental basis. The rental, fee also includes all workbooks. The pupils to whom the books are issued are solely responsible for the proper care of the books. Damage to a book, other than ordinary wear, will result in additional assessment to the pupil requiring that the damaged, unusable book, be paid for to replace. Students with an outstanding textbook debt are not in “good standing” as a student, and may be prohibited from participation in school extra-curricular activities, including the graduation ceremony, until the debt is resolved. Please encourage your child to keep track of, and take care of the textbooks they use. The annual textbook rental fee is determined by the Board of Education, yearly for grades K through 8. Tobacco Products (Use of) The Peoria Heights Community Unit School District #325 Board of Education and Illinois state law prohibit the use of tobacco products in school buildings or on school property by anyone at anytime. Students enrolled in Peoria Heights Community Unit School District #325 are not allowed to have in their possession any tobacco item or use product (Lighter, matches, etc.) on school property, at any time. The penalty for such action will be as follows: Violation of the School Tobacco Use and/or Possession of Tobacco Policy – 1 day suspension from school. Second violation will result in a 3 day suspension from school. Truancy Student truancy from school violates Peoria Heights Village Ordinance #1149, which provided for parents of truant students to be cited and fined not less than $60 nor more than $500 per offense, for each day that a student is truant from school. The school will report suspected cases of student truancy to the Peoria Heights Police Department and the proper Peoria County truancy officials. Unauthorized Materials Any literature or other contraband items, which do not contribute to the school’s educational program, will be taken upon sight and not returned. Parents are asked to monitor the items their children are bringing to school. Please discourage students from bringing any toys or valuable items to school as they may be lost or broken. Unprepared for Class (Student Grades 4-8) Unprepared for Class: Missing textbook, supplies needed, pen or pencil, etc, to participate = 15 demerit offense – Student brings demerit to the office at the time of the offense Unprepared for Class: Homework not completed = 5 offenses = 50 Demerits – Student brings the completed slip to the school principal after the teacher has made parent contact with the third offense and the fifth “no homework” offense is recorded. A student coming to class unprepared with homework not completed is perhaps the single act that is most detrimental to the student’s educational progress and success. These students often fall behind in their work to the point that they become frustrated with the failure they experience, and simply quit trying, leading to even more failure. Parents and teachers must work together to set a standard for the student of being prepared for class with homework completed on a day-to-day basis. With this in mind, the following procedure will be adhered to with students in Grades 4-8 required to come to class, with homework completed, prepared to learn and participate: Students are required to come to class prepared to learn with homework completed. If an emergency situation has arisen in the family that prevented a student from completing the required homework, the parent may send a note to the teacher at school explaining the nature of the emergency. The teacher will determine if the excuse is to be accepted. With no note received, the teacher will assume there is no reason for homework not to be completed, and the following punishments will be initiated: With the first incident of a student coming to class unprepared with homework not completed, the student will receive a warning from the teacher, with normal classroom grading policies followed. A teacher is required to start and keep a discipline slip with the first “no homework” offense date noted for the student. This slip, if later turned in to the school office, will contain 5 (1st warning plus 4 additional offenses) dated violations of homework not completed that will result in a 50 demerit punishment being issued. At the time of the third no homework violation, the teacher must call and have personal contact with the parent (No left messages, notes home in the mail, etc.) The personal contact time and date is to be noted on the discipline slip, after the third no homework violation. The teacher speaking with the parent will discuss the problem being encountered of homework not being completed. A demerit slip issued will notify the parent of the 5th recorded no homework violation that earns 50 demerits and two after-school detentions. The student will be given homework that has not been completed to work on during that detention time. This gives the parent the opportunity to intervene to correct the ongoing problem. A student may not be written up more than one time a day for the “no homework” offense by an individual teacher. Multiple no homework notices on a student may result in a Saturday detention. Vacations (Family) During the School Year Peoria Heights Grade School asks that, if possible, family vacations not be scheduled during the school year. The child's absence disrupts educational gains and much "in-class" learning that cannot be made-up is missed. If unavoidable, and a vacation is taken during the school year we will do our best to ensure as least educational disruption to the child as possible. To achieve this, we ask that you comply with the following: 1. 2. 3. The student's absence must be approved in advance by the building principal and classroom teacher, two weeks prior to the date of the student's first clay of vacation absence. All homework compiled by the teacher for student completion during the absence, must be submitted to the teacher the first day of return to school, for the student to receive full credit for work missed during the vacation. Work accepted after this day will be done so only at the teacher's discretion. Any missed exams, oral reports, etc. will be rescheduled by the classroom teacher, perhaps before or after school. Students must make arrangement to complete this make-up work as scheduled by the teacher, or receive a "0" grade. If you have any further questions about family vacations taken during the school year, please call our school office, or discuss your situation personally with your child's classroom teacher. Valuables at School Students should at no time bring large sums of cash or valuables, such as expensive pieces of jewelry to school. Theft, loss, or accidental damage to an item may result. Parents are to bring and be responsible for a unique or collectible item brought to school for a special educational purpose to share. Do not bring any valuables to the gym during PE. Students are not to wear or take any items of value (jewelry, money, phones, purses, etc.) too the school gym during PE. PE teachers will not take, hold, or be responsible for items students may want to give them. Students (not the school) are responsible when they place valuable items in their school desks and an item is damaged or stolen. The only exception for this rule in PE is for Junior High students who have purchased a school lock to secure personal items in a locker in the school locker rooms. Even then, the lock does not guarantee item security. THE STUDENT, NOT THE SCHOOL, always assumes full responsibility for any item brought to school that is damaged, lost, or stolen. Again, the prevailing school policy is for valuables not to be brought to the school where they may be damaged or stolen by others Vending Machine Use by Students Beverage machines and snack machines are provided for student use in accordance with the rules outlined below. Students breaking these rules are subject to disciplinary action. 1. 2. 3. 4. Students in grades 6-8 may purchase an acceptable (ISBE nutritionally approved) beverage or snack item as they wait in line to enter the lunchroom during their lunch period, or after school as they are preparing to exit Peoria Heights Grade School. Students should bring exact charge with them from home to make a purchase. Change will not be available in the office before lunch. Beverages and snack items may not be opened in the lunch line. They may be held in line with the can closed, and placed on the lunch tray, to be taken to the table to drink as the student eats. No beverage or snack item may be taken outside the lunchroom. Beverages are not allowed outside at recess, or anywhere else in the school building or on school grounds during the school day. All beverage containers must be emptied and disposed of as each student exits the cafeteria. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Students will be required to clean up their own messes if an item is spilled. Beverages and snack items are not to be "passed around" or shared by students. No beverages or snack items are allowed on SCHOOL BUSSES or in the school GYM at any time. Lunchroom supervisors may take items away from students who are breaking rules and dispose of it. Exceptions to the above rules may be made at the request of the classroom teacher with the building principal's approval. The availability and use of the vending machines by students is a privilege that will be earned by students daily through good behaviors and their efforts to follow the rules outlined above. Poor behaviors or failure to follow the established rules may result in the loss of a student's privilege to use the machine, or may result in the machine's removal. Please follow all the rules for the vending machines’ use, so that all may continue to enjoy it. Vision and Hearing Screenings (Annual @ PHGS) Vision-Hearing screening services shall be provided annually (Usually in October or November) by PHGS to all preschool children 3 years of age (or older) in any public or private educational program or licensed childcare facility, and for all school age children who are in kindergarten, second and eighth grades; in all special education classes; referred by teachers; and transfer students. Vision screening is recommended in grades 4, 6, 10 and 12. Such screening services shall be provided in all public, independent, private and parochial schools. In lieu of the screening services the school district provides, a completed and signed report form may be submitted by the parent, indicating that an eye examination by an M.D. specializing in diseases of the eye or a licensed optometrist has been administered within the previous 12 months, is acceptable. The parent or legal guardian of a student may object to vision screening tests for their child on religious grounds. If a religious objection is made, a written and signed statement from the parent or legal guardian detailing such objections must be presented to the screening entity. This serves as prior, written notice to parents of testing that will be completed by individuals conducting vision screening tests. "Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child is not required to undergo this vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months." (Section 27-8.1 of the School Code) Visitation of Classrooms at Peoria Heights Grade School All residents, particularly parents, are invited to visit the school. You are welcome to schedule a classroom visit. Your visit is subject to approval by the teachers and the school principal, to ensure that it does not disrupt the educational activities being conducted in the classroom. It is required that visitors call the school office at least one day before their visit, so you may coordinate the visit with the teacher involved. We require that you coordinate, in advance, with the teachers whose rooms you are planning to visit, specific dates and hours that you will be observing in the classroom. We request that observations be limited to three or less hours on a scheduled day. Longer hours and times mutually agreed upon by you and the teachers involved in the observations, are subject to final approval by school administration. Coordinating visits will allow parents the opportunity to visit a student when more valuable learning activities are being conducted. A reminder also that upon arrival at our school for an observation, we require all parents to check in with our school office. Parents may then quietly go to and enter the classroom without disruption, as the teacher will be anticipating the visit. It is also necessary, to respect the educational efforts and work planned by the teacher, for parents to be only an observer, not an active participant while in the classroom. Not drawing the attention of students to your presence is greatly appreciated by the teachers. The teacher will seat you in an area that gives you access to observe your child. Please remain quietly in that area. Participation and contact with your student is allowed if parent participation or assistance is requested by the teacher. Cell phone use is not allowed within school classrooms. Also note that due to teaching time and supervision of student restrictions, teachers cannot conference with parents during an observation visit. Custodial parents have the right to restrict non-custodial parent visitation or contact with a child at school, if the custodial parent so desires. For this to be done, the custodial parent must file with the school, a copy of the court documents granting that parent sole custody. With this, the parent should include a signed and dated copy of the contact restrictions with the child they are requesting. This will be kept on file in the school office for review as needed. Non-custodial parents will then be required to abide by custodial parent wishes if they attempt to visit or remove a child from Peoria Heights Grade School. Without these items on file, either parent has the right to visit or remove their child from school. Joint custody grants these rights equally to parents. Non-custodial parents do have the legal right to at any time request and receive information from the school about the attendance and educational welfare and progress of their children. Our school will honor these requests as they are received. Following these rules will allow us to meet your needs as a parent, and the educational and professional needs of our teachers whose efforts with your child are of primary importance. Thanks for your help and support. Please call me at PHGS if you have any questions regarding observation visits. Volunteer Information, PHGS PHGS School Volunteer Information We appreciate your interest to serve PHGS as a school volunteer! Submit your name as that of a parent or school supporter who is available to volunteer time to assist at Peoria Heights Grade School, by completing the “School Volunteer Form” available in the PHGS office. The school will contact you, as a need for your help is determined. ===================================================================== MOST IMPORTANT RULE Confidentiality of information is of key importance and must be respected at all times. You may be privy to information at school that the general public is not, and you are required to NEVER discuss outside the school, with the public, anything regarding school personnel, students or families, workplace policies or procedures, etc. Our desire to utilize your efforts at PHGS is a reflection in the trust we place in you to support the efforts of our employees and to maintain confidentiality. If this trust is violated, we cannot use your volunteer services at our school. ===================================================================== School volunteers can be a great asset to the school environment. Our need for volunteer services varies greatly during the school year, with certain months much busier than others. Like any other workplace, there are basic rules that must be observed to ensure that the rights of district personnel, students, and parents are not violated. These include: Study the Faculty-Staff Handbook that will be given to you. These are the rules and regulations that govern the everyday operation of our school. Many of the questions you may have will be answered in this booklet. Please park only in the visitor parking area at the south end of the school front parking lot. Always have and display an optimistic and courteous frame of mind when dealing with everyone. If any situation or effort on your part becomes uncomfortable or stressful, immediately refer it to the district employee who is supervising your volunteer efforts. Neutrality in controversial issues is always the safest path to follow. The building has various union memberships and professional people working together. There will be workplace differences of opinion and disagreement at times. Smiles and neutrality are always best received by those you work with. Your supervisor is immediately responsible for overseeing your volunteer work efforts. Their wishes and instructions are to be honored at all times. Students are to show respect to you at all times as an adult. They may be corrected by you, but not disciplined by you. Refer students to your supervisor for discipline. The best rule of thumb to follow is to never place your hand on a child, although this may be done, in moderation, to bring an unruly child under control or to protect other children. If ever in doubt, question your supervisor. Questions are encouraged and will help you ensure that your actions are not in violation of any school rules or policies. We want your volunteer efforts to benefit our school and be an enjoyable and rewarding learning experience for you. If a conflict at home makes it impossible for you to volunteer during a time you have scheduled, please call the school office at 6868809 to let us know as soon as possible that you will not be available. We also, will give you as much advance time notice of our need for your services at PHGS, to enable you to better plan your volunteer time hours. Please see the school principal if you have any other questions about volunteering at PHGS. Thanks for your interest in volunteering your help to support our efforts at Peoria Heights Grade School! ============================================================================== PHGS School Volunteer Form Name: ______________________________ Home Phone #_________________ Address: ___________________________ Cell Ph. # ____________________ Names and Grades of your children at PHGS: ___________________________ Drivers License # _______________ Vehicle Desc. & Plate # _______________ Available Date(s): _________________________Hours: ___________________ Date(s): _________________________Hours: ___________________ Date(s): _________________________Hours: ___________________ You are volunteering for service in which of the following areas (check): _____ Classroom teacher assistance _____ School Office Assistance _____ Extracurricular Activities _____ Parent-Teacher Club _____ Other (Please list) _______________________________________ Home Ph. #__________ Emergency Contact Person Name: _______________ Work Ph. # __________ Contact Person Address: ____________________ Workplace: ____________ Special skills or experience we may benefit from that you have (Please list): __________________________________________________________________ Medical Concerns or Limitations (Please list any below): __________________________________________________________________ Prescription medications you take: ____________________________________ Have you ever been convicted of a felony crime? (Circle) YES* NO* * Applicants are required to provide at their expense, and attach to this returned application, a copy of a criminal background check conducted by a local police department with one year of the date of volunteer application. Comments: _________________________________________________________________ Return this application to: Mr. Terry Mooney, Principal, Mr. Terry Mooney, Assistant Principal Peoria Heights Grade School 500 East Glen Avenue Peoria Heights, Illinois 61616 ===================================================================== Confidentiality of information is of key importance and must be respected at all times. As a volunteer, you may be privy to information that the general public is not, and you are required to NEVER discuss outside the school, with the public, anything regarding school personnel, students or families, workplace policies or procedures, etc. Our desire to utilize your efforts at PHGS is a reflection of the trust we place in you to support the efforts of our employees and to maintain confidentiality. If this trust is violated, we cannot use your volunteer services at PHGS. GB120510 “Walkers” (Your Child Walking to School) YOUR SAFETY WALKING TO SCHOOL With more and more children in school every year and more and more cars on our streets and highways every year, the job of all children grows more important every day as they travel to and from school. That is why it is very important to respect and obey our Safety Patrol. A thorough understanding of the following rules, and full compliance in expecting all students to follow them is most important if we are to be able to maintain this outstanding patrol record of life-saving achievement. Rules walkers are expected to follow include: 1. As a walker, I have two responsibilities - one to myself: the other to the person behind the wheel. My responsibility to him is as great as his is to me. 2. I cross streets at marked crosswalks and watch for traffic from all directions. 3. I cross streets on proper traffic signal. 4. I walk, not run, when crossing a street or roadway. 5. I stay out of the street until the way is clear for crossing. 6. I watch for backing or turning cars. 7. I set an example by obeying traffic laws, signs, and signals. 8. I help the smaller children. 9. I never get in a car with or go near the car of a stranger 10. I always obey the crossing guard at the street intersection 11. I move on through the intersection to cross on to my home, and never congregate with friends near an intersection 12. I never distract the crossing guard and leave the guard alone to concentrate on his safety work with other students. Weapons on School Grounds No weapons of any type, either real, or play weapons such as toy guns, knives, etc., are allowed on school property at any time in anyone’s possession, aside from weapons in the possession of law enforcement personnel. Students who violate this rule may be subject to severe disciplinary action, including suspension from school and/or referral to the Board of Education for an expulsion hearing. District administration will evaluate each offense on its own merit to determine the course of action that best enforces the intent of School Board policy related to weapons brought by anyone on school grounds, to protect the safety and welfare of all who attend Peoria Heights Grade School each day, to ensure that punishments issued are appropriate considering all contributing factors to the nature of the offense, and to impress upon all students and parents that violations of school weapons policies will not be tolerated. Board Policy - A student who uses, possesses, controls, or transfers a weapon, or any object that can reasonably be considered, or looks like a weapon, shall be expelled from school for a definite time period of at least one calendar year, but no more than two calendar years. The School Board, however, may modify the expulsion period on a case by case basis. A “weapon” means possession, use, or control, or transfer of any object, which may be used to cause bodily harm, included, but not limited to, firearms, knives, guns, rifles, shotguns, brass knuckles, and billy clubs. Such items as baseball bats, pipes, bottles, locks, sticks, pencils, and pens, etc, may be considered weapons if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily harm. The building Principal or his designee shall notify the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system of any student who brings a firearm or weapon to school. Written Excuse After Absence The responsibility for attendance on a regular and continuous basis, for notifying the school by phone the day of any absence, and for providing a written note stating the reason for the absence, upon the return of the student to school after each absence, rests with the parents. We require that a parent call the school to report the absence of a child by 9:00 A.M. the day of the absence. This lets PHGS know that a child we are missing at school is in fact home and safe in the care of parents. We also require that upon their return to school after an absence, the student must bring a note from the parent, providing a written excuse stating the reason for the absence. This written note is the basis upon which the teachers accept and give credit for late work. It also allows us to insure that the person calling in to report the absence was in fact the parent, and not someone attempting to provide a false excuse for the student’s absence from school, without the parent being aware. If no parent excuse note is returned to PHGS, the absence is recorded by teachers as an unexcused one, and grades for work will be reduced accordingly. Parents may write on the note (as parents have done in the past), if a student should have been in school but was not, and was absent without the parent’s permission. This holds the student accountable for being in school, and establishes school attendance as an important requirement of your student that you stress as a family. GB061410 If you have any questions regarding any of the information items discussed in this handbook, please feel free to contact any Peoria Heights Grade School teacher or administrator for any clarification needed PEORIA HEIGHTS GRADE SCHOOL Parent – Student Handbook Sign Off Slip Important! Please detach and/or print this sheet after you have read/reviewed this handbook and discussed its contents with your child. Please sign this handbook receipt and return this full page to your child's teacher by the end of the first week of school. In signing this form I confirm that I have read the Peoria Heights Grade School "Parent-Student Handbook", understand its contents, and have discussed all information presented herein with my child, emphasizing my compliance expectations to all rules and regulations in this booklet. Unless I provide a written request that it not be done, the school may, on occasion, to honor an individual student or classroom for an achievement, or at the request of local news media to recognize a school activity or to use pictures or film for a news item, allow my student to be photographed or filmed in a positive role-model manner here at school. I also confirm that I have read and understand the contents of the District #325 “Acceptable Use Policy”(contained in this handbook) for my student(s) using computers and Internet for classroom study while at PHGS, and give my permission for supervised use of computers and Internet at PHGS by my children, listed below. __________________________________________________________ Parent Signature ___________________ Date ______________________________________________ Child's Name _________ Grade _____________________ Teacher ______________________________________________ Child's Name _________ Grade _____________________ Teacher ______________________________________________ Child's Name _________ Grade _____________________ Teacher Thanks very much for your continued support. Your emphasis of the important rules in this book to your child will do much to make everyone's day here at Peoria Heights Grade School much more enjoyable and productive! Peoria Heights Pride In Peoria Heights Public Schools!
