SUNRISE ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
PARENT/STUDENT
HANDBOOK
2010-2011
Sunrise Elementary School
730 19 AVE, SE
Albany, OR 97322
Phone 541- 967-4608
Fax 541-924-3726
Excellence in Education
Lori Greenfield, Principal
Charlene Moe, Office Manager
September 2010
Dear Sunrise Parents and Students,
Welcome to Sunrise and another year of learning for your child. We want to encourage
you to get involved in the school and your child’s education. We need to work as a
home-school team in order to insure that our children make maximum progress and
have a positive experience here at school.
As a Schoolwide Title I school, our primary school improvement goals are continual
improvement in the areas of language arts, mathematics, and character development.
We want every Sunrise child to make at least a year’s growth in reading, writing and
mathematics. Please help your child to meet that goal by making sure that he or she
reads every day at home.
Another Sunrise goal is in the area of attendance. We know that children cannot benefit
from instruction if they are not in school. We want to work with you to make sure that
your child receives as much instructional time as possible. If you have difficulties in
getting your child to school, please do not hesitate to call us.
Please come in and get acquainted with your child’s teacher as well as the support staff.
Our Back-to-School Open House is scheduled for Thursday, September 2nd from
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Our first PTT meeting will be at 3:20 on Sept. 28 in the
library during which we will give a brief explanation of Title I. We all want to get to
know you and be able to communicate with you on a regular basis. We are dedicated to
giving your child the best possible education in a caring environment.
Sincerely,
Lori Greenfield
Principal
Working to achieve academic success and building strong citizens for the future
Sunrise Parent/Student Handbook 2010-2011
SUNRISE ELEMENTARY STAFF 2010-2011
Principal .................................................................................. Lori Greenfield
Office Manager ....................................................................... Charlene Moe
Clerical Specialist…………………………………………………Penny Knowlton
Thelma Hernandez………………………………………………..Clerical/Bi-Lingual
Teachers
Kindergarten ........................................................................... Susan Corder
Kindergarten……………………………………………………….Stacey Morris
First Grade .............................................................................. Kelsey Telecky
First Grade .............................................................................. Jeniffer Gilder
Second Grade ......................................................................... Jennie Berklund
Second Grade ......................................................................... Megan Louber
Second Grade……………………………………………………..Spencer Stanfield
Third Grade ............................................................................. Carrie Tenny
Third Grade ............................................................................. Sarah Freeman
Third Grade ............................................................................. Danae Stanfield
Fourth Grade .......................................................................... Candy Trower
Fourth Grade .......................................................................... George Epstein
Fifth Grade .............................................................................. Russel Shaw
Fifth Grade………………………………………………………….Justin Roach
Structured Support (2nd - 5th) ................................................. Sheena Elliot
Music ....................................................................................... Steve Herb
Resource ................................................................................. Gretchen De Castro
Resource ................................................................................. Michele Giles
Speech .................................................................................... Dean Vanderbush
Reading Coach ....................................................................... Nancy Chaney
Reading ................................................................................... Connie Levenhagen
ELL .......................................................................................... Maria Beattie
ELL .......................................................................................... Martin Rodriguez-Perez
Counselor ............................................................................... Jaimie Griffin
Support Staff
Kitchen .................................................................................... Marlene Nolte, Brenda
Russel, Kim Welsh, Sharan Byrd
Sunrise Parent/Student Handbook 2010-2011
Custodians .............................................................................. Victor Rodriguez, Jim Knight
Special Education/Title I /ELL Instructional Assistants:
Jenny Axemaker, Kathy Eade, Hannah Gammon, Barbara Grossman, Will Hart,
Myrna Herrera, Shelley Kampfer-Goethals, Jody Macedo, Teresa Metzger, Christy
Nelson, Maureen O’Sullivan, Margaret Pyburn, Linda Robb, Heather Rochelle,
Nora Sanchez, Carol Schell, Yvonne Sitton, Katie Skillingstad, Dee Smith, Deb
Snyder, Shelby Swartlender,
GENERAL INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES
Student Hours:
1st through 5th Grades: 8:35a.m. - 3:05 p.m.
AM Kindergarten: 8:35 a.m.-11:10 a.m.
PM Kindergarten: 12:40 a.m.-3:05 p.m.
BREAKFAST is in the classroom free to all
students: 8:35-8:45
New EARLY RELEASE TIME: 1:05 PM including kindergarten
School Office Hours:
8:00 a.m. - 4:00p.m.
School Phone: 967-4608
FOR YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY
We ask that children do not arrive at school before 8:15 a.m.
We do not have supervision before this time.
Inclement Weather Closures
We sometimes have to close school, delay the start of school, or release early because of bad
weather. When the decision has been made to close school or delay the start, we rely on local radio
and television stations for notification.
Closure and delayed start information will be broadcast by 6:30 AM.
Local radio stations that are a good source of information include KGAL (1580 AM) and
KRKT (990 AM/99.9 FM).
Sunrise Parent/Student Handbook 2010-2011
Registration Requirements
Oregon State Law requires all kindergarten students to be five years of age by September 1 st and all
first grade students to be six years of age by September 1st . Parents are asked to bring proof of age
with them at the time of registration to show.
All students attending an Oregon school must be immunized against DPT, Varicella (Chickenpox),
Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis A & B, and Polio. Parents must submit dates of the required
immunizations at the time of registration. Only medical or religious reasons exempt students from this
provision of the law.
School administrators are required by law to deny admission to students who have not been
immunized.
Student Absences and Attendance
If your child is going to be absent, please call the school at 967-4608 to let us know. This ensures
that we all know where your child is and that he/she is safe.
Regular attendance is extremely important for young students. Students are able to keep up with
their schoolwork, develop a sense of belonging in the classroom, and be reinforced about the
importance of learning.
All Albany elementary schools have agreed to the following attendance policy:
Students who miss 25 or more days of school during a school year (or 15 days in a semester) may be
required to participate in school-sponsored options at the discretion of the school principal. The intent
of these options is to help make up lost instructional time. The options include:




Mandatory attendance in a district funded summer school program.
Attendance at after school and/or Saturday study sessions.
Referral to the Linn County Truancy Officer.
Other school designed programs to address student attendance and learning.
Students who fail to successfully complete their assigned option may be retained in the same grade
level the following year. Grade level retention will only be required for students working below grade
level as determined by teacher assessment and/or state assessment data.
Regular school attendance is considered to include no more than one half-day absence per
month. Students who fail to maintain regular attendance may be referred to the Linn County
Truancy Officer. Five incidents of tardiness (late for school by at least 10 minutes) are
equivalent to 1 day of absence.
Days exempt from the attendance interventions include: 1) Absences due to significant illness verified
through a physician’s statement, 2) teacher-approved absences where arrangements for make-up
work are established and the work is completed in the arranged manner.
Days not exempt include, but are not limited to: 1) Head lice treatment, 2) Days for which make up
work is not completed, 3) Short time illness such as a cold, 4) Various family activities such as
shopping or helping with child care.
Sunrise Parent/Student Handbook 2010-2011
School Calendars
The Sunrise School Activity Calendar is kept up-to-date and shows the dates & times for Sunrise
School activities such as PTT meetings, schoolwide events, and parent-teacher conferences. It can
be found online at http://albany.k12.or.us/sunrise/.
The district-wide elementary school student calendar can be found at
http://albany.k12.or.us/district/calendars.php.
School Lunch Program
Families may be eligible for either free lunches or a lunch at a reduced price. An
application form is available at the school office for those who have an income within
the level of eligibility. A $5.00 charging limit will apply to all student accounts.
Parents will be notified in writing when their child reaches the $5.00 limit. Students
who reach the charging limit will be restricted to milk and choice table until the charge is paid.
Visitor Guidelines
To provide a safe environment for our children, all visitors must:
 enter the building through the front door
 stop in the office & sign the visitor’s book
 wear a visitor’s pass
 check-out at the office upon leaving
Parents are always welcome to visit the school and/or the classrooms. Please use the following
guidelines when you plan a visit:
1. Make arrangements with the office or the teacher before the visit.
2. Identify for the teacher any specific parts of the curriculum or classroom schedule that you want to
observe. This will allow the teacher to help make the visit meet your needs.
3. If you have a question, ask the teacher to call you or schedule a conference time when the
teacher is free.
All visitors and volunteers are expected to abide by Sunrise School rules, District
administrative regulations, and School Board policies. Any visitor or volunteer who fails to
abide by school rules, District administrative regulations, and/or School Board policies will be
asked to leave the school.
Picking-Up Your Child During the School Day
If you need to pick up your child during the school day, please stop in the school office to let us assist
you. We will call the classroom to have your child come to the office to meet you.
 For your child’s protection, teachers will not release students from their classroom, and
playground supervisors will not release students from the playground. Only persons listed on
the registration card will be allowed to pick up your child. If someone else will be picking up your
child, you must call the school office in advance to let us know.
Sunrise Parent/Student Handbook 2010-2011
SUNRISE’S BEHAVIOR RULES



Be Safe
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment that is free from substantial
disruptions is the goal of Sunrise’s student behavior policies.
Unacceptable behaviors* include the following:
 Not Following or Refusing to Follow Directions from Staff
 Showing Disrespect:
 Name calling/teasing
 Inappropriate language/harassment
 Inappropriate touching
 Stealing or damaging property
Inappropriate responses to adults
Inappropriate gestures
Acting in an unsafe manner
 Pushing/Shoving Includes Playfighting
 Fighting: Fighting or malicious behavior may result in a one to three day suspension.
 Cyberbullying:
The district prohibits any form of harassment, including harassment through electronic
means, which is known as cyberbullying. A student may be subject to discipline, up to and
including expulsion, for a violation. A student may also be referred to law enforcement for a
violation.
 Off-Campus/Outside-of-School-Time Conduct
Off-campus and outside-of-school-time conduct that violates the District’s Student Code of
Conduct may also be the basis for discipline if it has the potential to disrupt or impact the
safe and efficient operation of the school or interfere with the rights of others.
*Please see Board Policy Section J: Students for more information regarding unacceptable behaviors.
Possible Consequences:






Reminder
Removal from activity
Time out
Problem solving
Loss of recess/time in Focus Room
Contact parent






Loss of privileges
Repair the damage
Works off money
Meeting with parents, staff, & student
In-School Suspension
Out-of-School Suspension
ter of apol
Suspension is authorized in response to the following behaviors:
1. Willful violation of school regulations;
2. Willful conduct which materially and substantially disrupts the rights of others to an
education;
3. Willful conduct which endangers the student, other students or staff members;
4. Willful conduct which endangers district property. (School Board Policy JGD)
Sunrise Parent/Student Handbook 2010-2011
Sunrise Dress Code
Our dress code is designed to keep our school climate free of disruptions that may inhibit learning.
We ask for parental cooperation in helping to maintain a focused learning environment for our
students. Students and parents have primary responsibility for dress and grooming. However, the
school requires that dress and grooming not interfere with learning.
Re: GAPS Board Policy JFCA
Students may not wear or display:











Clothes, make-up, or hairstyles that distract others and/or interfere with learning
Hats, hoods, or any kind of head covering inside the building (religious reasons exempt)
Sunglasses
Tops that expose the student’s midriff, chest, or back, including spaghetti straps and halter
tops.
Exposed undergarments, including boxer shorts, slips, and brassieres. Straps should not
show.
Short shorts
Oversized pants that the student has to hold up
Clothing associated with gangs, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, violence, cruelty, guns,
weapons, offensive or obscene language or pictures, or sexual, racial, or religious putdowns
Clothing that is unsanitary
Skate shoes or any type of footwear with wheels. Wheels must be removed.
Shoes of a sort that will not come off during physical activity for P.E. and field trip days
If a students’ appearance violates one of the standards, the student’s parents will be contacted and
the student may be denied school attendance until the problem is corrected.
Bus Transportation: Rules and Regulations
I. State of Oregon Rules Governing Pupil Conduct on School Buses
1. Public being transported are under authority of the bus driver.
2. Fighting, wrestling or boisterous activity is prohibited on the bus.
3. Pupils shall use the emergency door only in case of emergency.
4. Pupils shall be on time for the bus both morning and evening.
5. Pupils shall not bring firearms, weapons, or other potentially hazardous material on the bus.
6. Pupils shall not bring animals, except approved assistance guide animals on the bus.
7. Pupils shall remain seated while the bus is in motion.
8. Pupils may be assigned seats by the bus driver.
9. When necessary to cross the road, pupils shall cross in front of the bus or as instructed by
the bus driver.
10. Pupils shall not extend their hands, arms, or heads through bus windows.
11. Pupils shall have written permission to leave the bus other than at home or school.
12. Pupils shall converse in normal tones; loud or vulgar language is prohibited.
13. Pupils shall not open or close windows without permission of the bus driver.
14. Pupils shall keep the bus clean and refrain from damaging it.
15. Pupils who refuse to obey promptly the directions of the driver or refuse to obey regulations
may forfeit their privilege to ride on the buses.
II.
III.
Greater Albany Public School District Rules
1. Pupils shall hold large items in their laps or place them under the seat.
2. Aisles shall remain clear while the bus is in motion.
3. Glass containers are prohibited.
4. Conduct reports shall be completed and returned as indicated on form.
5. Possession or use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol may result in suspension or expulsion.
6. Students shall not interfere with the bus driver disciplining another student.
7. NO SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS OR BICYCLES ALLOWED ON THE BUS.
Student Expectations
1. Students shall be at their bus stop 5 minutes prior to scheduled pick-up time.
2. Students shall use trash containers provided by driver.
IV. Expectations of students, teachers and coaches that ride buses
1. NO cleats are allowed on buses except for football.
2. NO sunflower seeds, glass containers, balloons or laser lights.
3. NO animals/insects (other than guide dog).
4. NO aerosol containers may be sprayed on bus.
5. Students are to stay in their seats while being transported. NO moving from seat to seat
and NO sitting on the back of the seats.
6. Coaches and teachers are to keep the noise level down on the bus.
7. The aisle of the bus must remain clear at all times.
8. The bus driver must obey the highway speed limit of 55 mph. Teachers and coaches need
to adjust their trip schedules accordingly.
9. NO changing clothes on the bus.
10. The bus driver has final authority for the behavior of any individual riding on the bus.
Students who violate these rules/regulations will be subject to disciplinary action, up to the loss of bus
riding privileges for the remainder of the school year.
Health Considerations
Children who are ill do not function well in school and may spread their illness to others. For these
reasons, children who have a temperature or who are not well should remain at home.
Children who are upset because of problems in their life may be unable to function well in school. We
hope that you and/or your child will feel comfortable talking with school staff about these issues. Our
goal is to help students focus on learning while they are in school. Our school counselor, Jaimie
Griffin, can be reached by calling the main school phone number, 967-4608.
Medication at School
Oregon State law requires that a district authorization form be completed before any medications can
be administered at school. Prescription medicines MUST be in the prescription bottle with the child’s
name on it and all over the counter medicines must be in the original container. All medications will be
kept in the school office and administered by office personel.
Student Safety
The safety and well being of each child is our priority. When first aid is given to your child at school,
we will attempt to personally contact you. If the injury might be serious, we ask that you make a
Sunrise Parent/Student Handbook 2010-2011
decision regarding the need for further assistance. If emergency medical attention is obviously
needed, we will get that help. The cost of medical care is the parent responsibility.
Oregon Law requires that we report any home student injuries that might have been caused by abuse
or neglect. We take that responsibility seriously.
Head Lice
Head lice are small parasites that live on the scalp. They feed on blood and lay eggs, called nits, on
the hair. Head lice do not carry disease, but they are unpleasant, can cause itching, and may be
spread from one student to another. For these reasons, students with head lice may not attend
school.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control does not endorse schoolwide lice checks as an effective means
of controlling the spread of head lice. If a student is found to have live head lice or nits, parents will be
notified by telephone or in writing. The student will not be allowed to return to school until the child
has been treated. After they return, students will be rechecked.
Sunrise School staff will assist in any way possible to help students and families with head lice. We
can provide information, training, and resources. Parents, however, have the primary responsibility of
ensuring their children are free of head lice.
Please call the school if you have questions or need more information.
Field Trip Guidelines
1. To volunteer and supervise students on the field trip, all adult participants must be cleared
through the district criminal history verification process. This must be completed
annually.
2. Parents who volunteer regularly in the classroom have priority.
3. Non-parent adults may attend only if they have been cleared through the criminal history
verification process.
4. Students and field trip volunteers are required to ride the bus to and from the field trip.
5. Children who are not Sunrise students may not attend field trips unless there is prior approval
by the principal.
6. Parents should make arrangements to attend prior to the day of the field trip.
We appreciate your cooperation with these guidelines. It is important that when we are out in the
community with our students that we can focus on them and ensure they have a safe and positive
experience.
Homework Requests
Occasionally, parents ask that their student be excused for an extended period of time for vacation or
other family activities and will request homework in advance. Teachers will try to accommodate these
requests when provided adequate advance notice.
Sunrise Parent/Student Handbook 2010-2011
Pets, Electronic Devices, and Toys at School
We ask that students not bring play equipment or toys (e.g., basketballs, softballs, Pokémon cards) to
school. This includes electronic entertainment devices (DS video game players, iPods, etc).
Playthings often interfere with learning and may get broken or lost. Special toys and items of interest
may come to school for classroom sharing only with the teacher’s permission. The school is not
responsible for lost, stolen, broken, or misplaced toys or electronic devices.
Animals are generally prohibited on district property. However, permission may be obtained from the
principal before animals are brought into the school for specified educational purposes. Animals must
be adequately cared for and appropriately secured. Only the teacher or students designated by the
teacher are to handle the animals.
Cellular Phones
Students who have cellular phones at school must have them turned off and stored in their backpack
at all times while at school. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, broken, or misplaced cellular
phones.
Volunteer Program
Parent volunteers are always welcome. If you are interested in being a volunteer, call the school and
someone will be get in touch with you. All volunteers need to complete a Criminal History Verification
form annually. You must be cleared by the District before you can volunteer, and this screening takes
approximately two weeks.
Withholding Student Records for Fees Owed
The district shall withhold grade reports, diplomas and/or records of students or former students who
owe fees, fines or damages of $50.00 or more. They may also withhold grade reports, diploma and/or
records of students or former students who owe less than $50.00, until those fees, fines, or damages
are paid. Students or parents will receive written notice at least 10 days in advance of withholding
stating the district’s intent to withhold the records until the debt is paid. The notice will include the
reason the student owes the money to the district, an itemization of the fees, fines or damages owed
and the right of parents to request a hearing. The notice will also state that the district may pursue the
matter through a private collection agency or other method available to the district. (Policy JOB)
District Check Policy
Our School District's Check Policy: For a check to be an acceptable form of payment it must include
your current, full and accurate name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number and state.
When paying by check you authorize the recovery of unpaid checks and a $25.00 returned check fee
by means of electronic re-presentment or by paper draft.
Sunrise Parent/Student Handbook 2010-2011