Learn all you can learn!
Parent Information
2014-2015
FORT RILEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
104 Morris Avenue
Fort Riley, KS 66442
(785) 717-4450
Mrs. Coy, Principal
School Web Page: http://fre.usd475.org
Mission Statement:
“FORT RILEY ELEMENTARY’S MISSION IS TO DEVELOP A POSITIVE
COMMUNITY THAT FOSTERS THE JOY OF LEARNING. WE
PRACTICE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE EMPOWERING ALL
STUDENTS TO BECOME INDEPENDENT, LIFELONG LEARNERS.”
MOTTO: Learn all you can learn!
2
Geary County USD #475
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
Geary County USD #475 does not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its
programs and/or activities and provides equal access to the
Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
For questions or complaints based on race, color, national
origin, sex or age, please contact: Director of Human
Resources. For questions or complaints based on disability,
please contact: Director of Business Operations at 123 N.
Eisenhower, Junction City, KS 66441. Telephone: 785 7174000.
“What did the father buffalo say to his son when he departed
for school?”
“BI-SON!”
Submitted by:
Tyler Love
2006
3
Dear Parents,
How proud I am to be the principal at Fort Riley Elementary. The small school
environment (380 students) affords me the opportunity to get to know each
student.
What a special feeling I have when I see students entering the building because I
know each on them will bring something special to our school. When you leave
your children with us, the students will be safe, loved, cared for and offered a funfilled experience in learning.
Walking down the halls and visiting the classrooms are rewarding experiences.
The sight of children working in small groups and sharing newfound knowledge
with each other is what learning is about. It is exciting to watch our elementary
students grow in self-confidence as they learn how to transfer knowledge from
familiar to new situations. Children are beginning to learn how their experiences
in class apply to their world outside.
As their principal, I am thrilled when students want to share their successes with
me. For example, it is quite common to be walking down the hallway and for
students to stop me and tell me how close they are to making their reading level
goal. Often times I get the opportunity to listen to children read and I am asked to
read stories, letters, and books written by our students. They are growing in
ability and self-assurance each day and are eager to share their achievements
and talents with us.
I enjoy watching the classroom teacher perform their magic each year. Teachers
seem to know when to push and when to pull when working with the students.
Watching them motivate students through praise and active learning makes me
aware of how important they are to our Fort Riley Elementary family.
There is a strong sense of community and pride at our school. Our parents
volunteer to assist all staff members. For example, some parents listen to
students read, assist in the Accelerated Reader lab, shelve books in the library,
assist teachers and students with class projects, and any other way one may
need assistance. Being a part of the family is priceless, hope you and your family
will join us!
Sincerely,
Becky Coy
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 – ADMISSIONS
1. Enrollment Procedures
2. Kindergarten Requirements
3. Student Transfer Policy
4. Classroom Assignments
Section 2 – ATTENDANCE
1. School Hours
2. Student Arrival
3. Dismissal
4. Absences
5. Tardiness/Check-In During the Day
6. Excessive absences/Tardies
7. Leaving School During the Day
Section 3 – TRANSPORTATION
1. Bus Procedures
2. Walkers
3. Parent Drop-Off/Pick-Up
4. Bicycles, Scooters and Skateboards
Section 4 – SAFETY
1. Inclement Weather Policies
2. Emergency Drills
3. Drug Free Schools and Community
Section 5 – FOOD SERVICE
Overview
1. Breakfast
2. Lunch
3. Lunchroom Procedures
4. Snacks
Section 6 – HEALTH SERVICES
Overview
1. Illness and First Aid
2. Medication
3. Special Health Concerns
4. Health Assessment
5. Immunizations
6. Screenings
7. Policies on Communicable Diseases
5
Section 7 – OFFICE
1. Visitors to the Building
2. Change of Residence, Telephone, or Transfer
3. Lost and Found
4. Disenrollment Procedures
5. Team Leaders
Section 8 – CELEBRATIONS
1. Holiday Observances
2. Birthday Celebrations
3. Outside Celebration Procedures
4. Student Recognitions
Section 9 – CURRICULUM
1. Reading Program
2. Math Program
3. Library
4. PE
5. Music
6. Multi-Tier Support System
7. Exceptional Student Services
8. Human Sexuality Curriculum
9. Homework
10. Report Cards
11. Field Trips
12. Recess/Earned Time
Section 10 – BEHAVIOR
1. Philosophy
2. Buffalo Pride
3. Positive Behavior Support
4. Building-Wide Levels of Disciplinary Actions
5. Student Support Monitor/Opportunity Room
6. Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
7. Violence Free School-District Policy
8. Playground Rules
6
Section 11 – STUDENT INFORMATION
1. Dress Code
2. Hallway
3. Food
4. Telephone Calls/Cell Phone
5. Student Personal Items
6. Pets
7. Student Council
Section 12 – PARENT/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
1. Volunteering
2. PTO
3. Site Council
4. Sponsoring Battalion
Section 13 – COMMUNICATION
1. Open Door Policy
2. Parent/Teacher Conferences
3. Newsletters
4. Technology
5. Student Folders
6. Student Agendas (4th/5th Grade)
7. Contacting Teachers
Section 14 – RESOURCES
1. Equal Employment/Educational Opportunity/Non Discrimination
2. Family Educational Rights & Privacy ACT (FERPA)
3. State Report Card
APPENDIX
1. Anti-Discriminatory Policies & Grievance Procedures
7
SECTION 1 – ADMISSIONS
1. ENROLLMENT
The staff welcomes all new families to FRE. Enrollment hours are from 8:15 AM11:00AM and 12:30PM-4:00PM on any school day. Students enrolling prior to
11:00 a.m. can begin attending class the next day. Students enrolling after 11:00
a.m. may begin class the second day of school after the enrollment date. This is
to ensure that the teacher is prepared to welcome the students to their class.
USD 475 has a book rental system as established by Kansas statute. Fees are
paid at the time of enrollment or fees are paid through a payment agreement. In
some cases, parents may be eligible for free book rental.
Each teacher will supply parents with a list of the required supplies for that class.
Parents should mark their child’s items so that they are plainly identifiable; this
includes clothing items such as jackets. Remember that students shoes for PE
that must be secured with laces or Velcro.
2. REQUIREMENTS FOR KINDERGARTEN
By Kansas Law a student needs to be 5 years old on or before August 31st in
order to be eligible to attend Kindergarten. A birth certificate, proof of
immunizations and a current health assessment are required.
3. STUDENT TRANSFER POLICY
Fort Riley Elementary believes in providing the best education possible for all
children with a priority of those living in our attendance area. If space is
available, we will welcome students from other neighborhoods based upon:
* Class size
* Siblings attending Fort Riley Elementary
* Attendance in the before or after school care on post.
* Student’s previous attendance and behavior at our school
* Child care facilities
Transfers will be evaluated on an individual basis using the above criteria.
Tentative approval may be given with an understanding that a student may be
asked to transfer to his/her home school if reason warrants itself.
4. CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS
Each year the topic of teacher requests arises. Fort Riley Elementary is very
fortunate to have an exceptional teaching staff. I have utmost confidence in
every teacher and discourage the practice of requesting teachers. If parents
have health or learning concerns they are welcome to visit with the principal.
8
Every effort will be made to ensure that each child is placed in a classroom that
will meet his/her health and learning needs. Every attempt is made to keep class
sizes even and to have an equal number of boys and girls in each classroom.
SECTION 2 – ATTENDANCE
1. SCHOOL HOURS
SCHOOL HOURS - *8:00 AM TO 3:15 PM
7:55 AM - First Bell
8:00 AM – Class begins
3:15PM - Dismissal Bell
*SCHOOL HOURS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO TEACHER
NEGOTIATIONS
2. STUDENT ARRIVAL
Students who will be eating a school prepared breakfast are permitted to enter
the building at 7:35 AM. Other students are asked to not arrive at school until
7:50 AM. There is no supervision provided for the children who arrive earlier.
Parents are urged to see that their children adjust the time of their
departure from home to ensure their arrival at school at the proper time.
Students are asked to wait in the hallway outside their classroom after breakfast.
This will help us maintain a safe and orderly environment. Students released
from busses who are not eating breakfast, will go directly to the hallway outside
of their classroom and the staff on duty will escort them to their classrooms at
8:00.
Students may not play on equipment, including tetherball, or “run and chase”
before school. In the event of a continuing problem before school, the student
will be referred to the principal and parents will be contacted.
3. DISMISSAL
Students will be dismissed at 3:15 p.m. so students may safely and properly
board the buses. Only those students having special permission from teachers
and parents may remain in the building after dismissal. Classroom teachers will
accompany their classes outside to the sidewalk for the students to get onto the
bus or head towards home. Inquiries about bus routes or about delays in
students’ arrival home after school should be directed to the Junction City
Transportation Office at (785) 762-2219.
The school staff makes every effort to ensure that students board the correct
buses each day. Therefore, parents must send a note if there is any change in a
child’s transportation from school. A change in bus assignments parents must
9
obtain permission from Mrs. Coy and Junction City Transportation. CHILDREN
WILL BE SENT HOME ON THEIR REGULAR BUS UNLESS A NOTE OR
PHONE CALL IS RECEIVED. PLEASE ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY THE OFFICE
BY 2:00 P.M. IF YOU PLAN TO CHANGE YOUR CHILD’S MODE OF
TRANSPORTATION FOR THE DAY. THANK YOU!
4. ABSENCES
Parents’ first responsibility is to get their children to school. It is difficult for
teachers and students to make up for days absent. Training in academics is
missed and learning opportunities are lost. Illness should, generally, be the only
exception. Don’t use a day away from school as a birthday gift, a treat or reward.
Education is a costly privilege. Each day is vital!
If your child is absent, please call the school office the day of the absence or
send a note the day student returns explaining the reason for the absence. The
only excused absences are for (1) illness, (2) medical appointment, or (3)
attendance at a funeral of one’s immediate family. If a situation arises due to
deployment, please contact the principal.
Please note: Any student who has excessive absences (excused or
unexcused) may be requested to provide a note from medical authorities
for verification.
Absences for vacations, ski trips or visits from out of town relatives are greatly
discouraged and considered unexcused absences. We urge parents to
communicate the value of education to their children by demonstrating the
importance of school attendance.
Military Block leave (prior to deployment) and R & R leave may be excused, but
the principal needs to be contacted prior to the leave to approve the amount of
time student will be gone.
5. TARDINESS/CHECK-IN DURING SCHOOL DAY
Getting to school on time is an important responsibility of parents and students.
Our teachers use the first few minutes of every day to complete necessary
routines: attendance, lunch count, homework collection, and announcements.
Missing this time can leave your child without a lunch, uninformed, or out-of-step
with classmates. Often teachers use time early in the day for review and practice
exercises to reinforce prior concepts. Please, don’t deprive your child of these
valuable educational experiences.
If a student reports to school after 8:00 AM he/she is considered tardy and must
be signed in by an adult through the office. A tardy is UNEXCUSED unless it’s
for medical or “family emergency” reasons. REMINDER: If a student has 7
10
or more unexcused tardies, the student is not in compliance with the Kansas
Compulsory Attendance Law. The same procedure as for unexcused absences
will be followed.
Procedures for the Tardy Student
1. The parent must bring the child to the office.
2. The parent must sign the child in on the check-in sheet.
3. The office staff will fill out Student Pass for child to be admitted to class.
Students who arrive late to school must report to the office to obtain a tardy slip
before going to their classrooms. A student is counted tardy any time they are
gone from the building for three (3) hours or less. More than three (3) hours is
counted as a ½ day absence. Students will also be counted tardy if they leave
school any time before 3:15 PM.
For example, if the student arrives at school before 11:30 AM, then a tardy will
still be in effect; or if the student leaves school after 12:30 PM, a tardy will be in
effect. When a student comes to school after 11:30 AM or leaves before 12:30
PM, then that student will be counted as 1/2 day absent.
Parents must call the school before 8:30 AM to order a hot lunch if the child
will be tardy. If not, they might not have a hot lunch due to the fact that our
lunches are ordered from Ware Elementary.
6. EXCESSIVE ABSENCES/TARDIES
In order to have your child benefit from his/her education, it is necessary to have
good attendance. The following steps will be taken to ensure that your child is at
school the maximum number of days:
Step 1: The teacher reports the student absences to the office.
Step 2: The school staff will try to call home to verify absences of those who have
not called.
Step 3: When there are excessive absences a letter from the district is sent to the
parents and contact must be made with the principal.
Excessive Absences consist of the following:

He/She accumulates 3 consecutive unexcused absences.

He/She has 5 unexcused absences in a semester.

He/She has 7 unexcused absences in a school year.
Step 4: A parent conference is requested.
The statute requires school districts to determine the definition of unexcused
absences/tardiness. Geary County USD 475 Policy JBD designates that building
principals must determine unexcused absences as follows:

Any absence or tardy not called in or noted by a parent the morning
of the absence.

A note from a doctor is requested and not received.
11


Keeping a child home to baby-sit.
Keeping a child out of school because of parents’ dissatisfaction with
the school.

Leaving school without permission.

Non-emergency personal family leaves.

Other reasons determined as unexcused (i.e. shopping, visits to
friends, etc.).
Step 5: A meeting is set with truancy board including a representative from the
JAG office with parents to discuss the situation and Kansas law.
7. LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE DAY
When students need to leave the school before the regular dismissal time, they
will be dismissed through the office. Parents are asked to come into the office
and ask for their student. The office will then send for the student. Students may
not be dismissed directly from the classroom, playground, or lunchroom.
SECTION 3 – TRANSPORTATION
1. BUS PROCEDURES
The parents of students who ride a school bus need to talk seriously with
their children about proper bus conduct. The school bus is an extension of
the school day, and the bus driver is the child’s teacher when they are on the
bus. Students are expected to follow the bus rules as they follow classroom
rules, and to treat the driver with courtesy and respect as they do their
teacher. This is in the best interest of student safety. Bus transportation is a
privilege and may be temporarily or permanently revoked when students
do not behave in a safe and orderly manner.
PLEASE READ OVER THE BUS GUIDELINES WITH YOUR CHILD found
under the school district web site USD475.org.
2. WALKERS
Students are to use the sidewalk for safety. Students are not allowed to come
early or stay late to play on playground equipment.
3. PARENT DROP-OFF/PICK UP
Parents will park cars on the designated lower area. Students may walk students
up to the school in the morning or meet them on the concrete slab in front of the
modulars where teachers and students will meet them. No cars are allowed up
the school drive between 7:30 -8:00 AM and 2:30-3:30 PM. This assures
student safety and expedites dismissal.
12
4. BICYCLES, SCOOTERS AND SKATEBOARDS
For safety reasons, due to the sharp incline of Morris Avenue and the busy street
of Huebner, students are not allowed to ride their bicycles, scooters and/or
skateboards to school.
SECTION 4 - SAFETY
1. INCLEMENT WEATHER – SCHOOL CLOSURE
Sometimes weather conditions change during the school day, making it
advisable to dismiss students before the regular dismissal time.
Announcements will be made on radio station KJCK, K6KZ TV, and on the
POST TELEVISION CHANNEL. Parents can also sign up for district text
message alerts by visiting our school district’s website at www.usd475.org.
Parents should plan with their children what they are expected to do when school
is dismissed early. Parents should advise the teachers of their plans for this
possibility by returning the form, WINTER WEATHER GUIDELINES, which are
distributed at the fall parent/teacher conferences.
2. EMERGENCY DRILLS
Fire and Tornado—Fort Riley Elementary will hold monthly fire drills and three
tornado drills throughout the school year. Teachers will instruct students of the
procedures and behavior expected during the drills.
Kansas School Safety Hotlinks—The Kansas Highway Patrol staffs a
statewide school safety hotline for students and parents with knowledge of
impending school violence. The information given will then be forwarded to the
building administrator. The toll-free number is 1-877-626-8203.
3. DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY
The unlawful possession, use, distribution, and/or sale of alcoholic beverages,
illicit drugs paraphernalia, improper use of legal drugs, and other controlled
substances by students or school employees on school premises or as a part of
any school activities is prohibited. This policy is required by the 1989
amendments to the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, P.L. 102-226.
13
SECTION 5 – FOOD SERVICE
OVERVIEW
Fort Riley Elementary School offers a breakfast and lunch program. Students
may eat hot lunch or bring a sack lunch. Free and reduced-price lunches are
available. Applications may be obtained from the Child Nutrition secretary.
All children participating in the lunch program will be issued a PIN number for
their meals. The child will retain this number for the entire school year and enter
it in the computer to be used for their account. Students will be asked to
memorize their pin number.
With this PIN system, the number will act like a bank account, adding to the
account every time money is received and subtracted from the account each time
the child uses the PIN for a meal. A reminder will be sent home with the child
when the account is low. If you ever question an account balance, please call
the school.
1. BREAKFAST
The cost of the breakfast is $1.60 for regular and $ .30 for reduced. Breakfast
hours are from 7:35 – 7:55 AM. Every effort should be made by the parent to
observe the breakfast schedule.
*PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
2. LUNCH
The cost of a hot lunch is $ 2.45 for regular and $ .40 for reduced. We
encourage families to open a meal account. You may pay as far in advance as
you wish. For example:
Regular ($2.45)
Reduced ($ .40)
10 lunches
$ 24.50
$ 4.00
15 lunches
$ 36.75
$ 6.00
20 lunches
$ 49.00
$ 8.00
We ask that you please send in the correct amount in an envelope with the
student’s name, grade and amount. Checks or money orders for payment should
be made out to “Fort Riley Elementary”. The child should give the envelope to the
teacher upon entering the classroom in the morning.
We invite and enjoy having adults eat with us at school. Adult lunches must be
ordered by 8:30 AM that day in order to have enough food on hand, since our
meals are prepared at Ware Elementary School. The cost of an adult meal is
14
*$3.25. All lunches come with milk. A notice will be sent home with the student
when their account reflects a negative balance.
It is district policy that students may charge only once. If you have extenuating
circumstances that prevent you from paying for meals, please contact our office
and we will be happy to work with you.
*PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
3. LUNCHROOM PROCEDURES
At Fort Riley Elementary we attempt to make lunch as pleasant and warm as
possible for all students and adults. We invite parents, friends, etc. to come eat
lunch with the students at any time (Please call the office before 8:30 A.M. if
visitors would like a school lunch).
As students enter the cafeteria and wait for students to punch in their PIN, we
ask that they remain quiet and orderly. We do have open seating for children.
The students are allowed to choose what table they prefer to sit at that day for
lunch. We do ask that once they set their tray down to eat, they do not get back
up and move to another table. Students are asked to use restaurant voices only
to the people at their table. Children will have 20 minutes to eat their lunch. The
lunchroom supervisor will dismiss the classes appropriately. A student may
remain in the lunchroom as long as he/she wishes to finish eating.
Students are expected to observe recognized table manners. For sanitary
reasons, students are asked to be careful about keeping their hands to
themselves. They are not to trade food or to put their hands on another student’s
tray. All food must be eaten in the lunchroom unless it is repacked in a closed
lunchbox. No soda is allowed with sack lunches. Sodas are only permissible in
the cafeteria when a visitor eats with students at the guest table. We are not
able to heat any food items for students. Lunchroom procedures will be
explained by lunch teachers and posted in the cafeteria.
If a student chooses not to follow these procedures the following steps will be
taken:
- The lunchroom teacher will privately ask the student to stop the
unacceptable behavior.
- If a student chooses to continue the behavior, the child will be asked to
take his/her tray to the back table. Depending on the severity and/or
consistency of the problem, the lunchroom supervisor will counsel the
student and determine if the student will need to stay in for part or all of
the recess.
- If a student repeatedly is disruptive, parents will be notified.
Preceding lunch, the students have a 20-minute recess. Students are required to
follow normal recess rules during this time. Lunchroom teachers are given the
same authority to maintain safety and orderliness as classroom teachers and
must be shown respect at all times.
15
4. SNACKS
1. Each classroom will provide time for a snack. Times will vary from class to
class.
2. No candy, soda pop, or drinks in glass containers will be allowed for
snack.
3. Within these guidelines, snacks will be parent’s choice. We encourage
snacks that are nutritious. Snacks that require spoons are discouraged.
Grades 1-5 developed the following list of nutritious snacks. Fruit juices-yogurt--applesauce--vegetables--peanuts--raisins--pretzels--crackers-pudding--popcorn--rice cakes--cereal bars--granola--fruit--cheese--fruit
snacks-string cheese--pop tarts--fruit cocktail--peanut butter or cheese
crackers--fruit roll-ups--fruit bars--incredibites--muffins--beef jerky--dry cereal-sandwich--Clearly Canadian (in plastic container or thermos)--handi-snacks-banana bread--snack cakes--graham crackers--plain donuts--jello--dried fruit-peeled, hard-boiled eggs--party mix--lunch meat.
4. Milk will be available to students at break time. All students may order snack
milk or choose to bring a drink from home, excluding soda. The cost of milk is
$ .50. This cost will be taken out of the students’ lunch account. Milk choices
are 2% white and 2% chocolate.
SECTION 6 – SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
OVERVIEW
The health services are provided by a part-time registered nurse who conducts
activities which are designed to improve, correct or inform the school population
of practices or programs recommended by the district or required and suggested
by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
1. ILLNESS AND FIRST AID
It is recommended that parents and guardians screen their children for illness
before they are sent to school. Students should be fever-free without the use of
fever reducing medications for 24 hours before returning to school. Should they
become ill in school, there is a need to have current phone numbers in order
that parents or an alternate can be reached immediately.
First aid will be given at school and parents will be informed as necessary. Any
child with a temperature of over 100 may be sent home. Any child with a
suspected contagious skin, scalp, or eye condition will be excluded from school
until medically treated.
16
2. MEDICATION
Medication prescribed by a health care provider will be administered in school.
Please refer to the District medication policy.
Medication Guidelines for U.S.D. 475
1. Whenever possible, medication should be administered at home using a
schedule that will not require doses during the school day.
2. Written authorization from a licensed prescriber and written permission from
the parent/guardian must be provided for any prescription medication to be
dispensed at school. The parent/guardian permission must include the name of
the student, name of the medication, dosage of medication, time the medication
is to be given and the duration of administration. A permission/release statement
must also be completed by the parent/guardian. (See forms)
3. Over-the-counter medication in the elementary schools is treated as
prescription medication.
4. Parent/Guardian permission form only, is needed to dispense over-the-counter
medication at the secondary level.
5. Any change in the time or dosage of medication must be accompanied by a
written prescription from the prescriber.
6. All medication is kept locked in the health room (exception for those with
completed self-carry forms).
7. Medication that is a controlled substance (Ritalin, Adderall, etc) should not be
sent to school with students. Parents/guardians should deliver the medication to
the school nurse, health aide or office personnel.
8. Medication should be picked up when the illness is concluded or at the end of
the school year. Any controlled substance not picked up at the end of the school
year will be discarded.
3. SPECIAL HEALTH CONCERNS
Please inform the school nurse if there are specific health problems, such as
diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, food allergies, and vision or hearing difficulties. In
turn, the nurse will keep the school staff informed of the specific health needs of
the individual student.
4. SCHOOL HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Every student, age eight or under, entering a Kansas school for the first time,
must present the results of a physical to be completed within 12 months prior to
school entry or within 90 days of enrollment. Parents are encouraged to secure
appointments promptly.
5. IMMUNIZATIONS
Proof of immunization must be presented to school authorities at the time of
enrollment.
17
6. SCREENINGS
The following screenings are conducted annually.
Vision: Students in kindergarten through 5th grade
Hearing: Students in grades K, 1, 2, 3 and all new and returning students
Dental: Preventive dental health education, which emphasizes nutrition,
brushing and flossing is presented during the school year. It is
recommended that all students see their dentist twice a year.
7. POLICIES ON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
CHICKENPOX - Child must remain at home until all eruptions have dry scabs.
Scabs are not infectious. Please contact the school nurse when the child returns
to school to ensure control of communicability to others.
LICE INFESTATION – Children should be treated with an adequate insecticide
shampoo and the nits are removed. Nits can be removed by hand. Toilet
articles and head gear should not be shared. Reinfestations will occur unless
lice are eliminated from the patient’s environment, clothing, and toilet articles.
Contact the school nurse for more information on mode of transmission and
prevention. Please let her know when the child returns to school.
PINK EYE - Infection responds readily to antibiotic treatment with ophthalmic
ointment. Child must remain at home for 24 hours after treatment has begun or
until discharge from infected eyes cease. Please inform the school nurse.
RINGWORM - Children with infections must remain at home until specific
treatment with fungicidal agent has been used for 24 hours. Children may return
to school if receiving treatment. Please inform the school nurse.
SCABIES - Children who are infested must remain at home until treatment with
an appropriate anti-parasite drug has been used for 24 hours. Treatment is
recommended for all persons in a household in which one or more members are
infested. This should be carried out under medical directions. Please inform the
school nurse.
STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTIONS - Children with a variety of symptoms,
including pustules, impetigo, boils, carbuncles, abscesses, and infected
lacerations must remain at home receiving medical treatment
for 24 hours before they return to school. Please inform the
school nurse
STREP THROAT - Children who have been diagnosed with
strep throat must remain at home with adequate treatment for
24 hours to diminish communicability. During illness and for
approximately 10 days following, children need to be sure and
comply with the medication as prescribed to ensure control of
streptococcal disease.
18
SECTION 7 - OFFICE
1. VISITORS TO THE BUILDING
Parents are encouraged to visit the school and become acquainted with their
student’s teacher and classroom. Advance notice to teachers allows them to
coordinate your visit with the classroom schedule. To ensure student safety, all
visitors are asked to stop by the office before proceeding to the classroom.
If you would like to visit with a teacher about your child’s performance, please
make an appointment that does not conflict with classroom instruction time,
learning time is valuable!
2. CHANGE OF RESIDENCE, TELEPHONE, OR TRANSFER
If you change your address, home, cell or work phone numbers, please notify
the office at once. When you are informed of a PCS, please notify the office two
weeks in advance of the scheduled move in order to give ample time for
processing school records. Before records may leave our school, all charges
(book rental fees, lunch, etc.) must be paid and library/school books must be
returned.
3. LOST AND FOUND
All items unclaimed are in the hallway outside the office. Please check the lost
and found box for possible missing items. All left over items will be donated to
Goodwill at the end of the school year.
4. DISENROLLMENT PROCEDURES
When you are informed that you will be leaving the area, please notify the
office two weeks in advance of the scheduled move in order to give adequate
time for the processing of school records. If we do not receive two weeks
notice your child’s records may not be ready and will have to be requested
by his/her new school.
When parents/guardians withdraw their child prior to the last ten days of school,
an "Early Out Letter" is issued rather than a completed report card. Please speak
to the principal if this situation arises.
5. TEAM LEADERS
When the principal is out of the building, the Team Leaders will handle situations
that arise and will make decisions based on school procedures and the
principal’s instructions. Jan Mataruso and Melisa Burgess are Team Leaders at
Fort Riley Elementary.
19
Section 8 – Celebrations
1. HOLIDAY OBSERVANCES
The school has three celebrations throughout the year. They are the Fall
Festival or Halloween, Winter Holiday and Valentine’s which are scheduled
during the year. Parties will last no longer than 30 minutes in length. Room
parents will be established to help provide refreshments. Dates and times will be
forthcoming. End of year picnics should last no longer than ¼ of the day.
Scheduling will need to be approved by Ms. Lay.
Students will have a choice of the following for October 31st parties:
Halloween
Students will partake in a building-wide parade and return to their classroom for
treats. Costumes are to reflect non-threatening figures. Weapons and blood are
not permitted. The principal will have the authority to remove a child or item if it
is too scary for classmates. Parents are invited to view the parade. Students
may prepare hair at home and come to school that day with the style as long as it
does not interfere with student learning. Students will be given 10 minutes prior
to the parade to get into their costume and apply any make-up as needed.
Students are not to come to school in their costumes or in make-up. The
costume should reflect FRE’s student dress code.
Fall Festival
Students will depart to the library for the festivities. The parent resource
coordinators will organize a few games and craft projects around the fall theme.
Parents of the students are asked to bring treats, too.
OTHER PARTIES:
Winter Holiday
Classroom teachers, parents and students may choose to have a winter
celebration consisting of treats and activities. Students will enjoy treats and
festivities. Students will not exchange presents at school.
Valentine’s Day
Students will exchange valentines and enjoy treats. Students are expected to
bring a valentine for all classmates, not just a selected few.
2. BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Students are invited to eat lunch with the principal during the month of their
birthday. Summer month birthdays are celebrated throughout the school year on
certain months. Also, students are able to celebrate their birthdays by bringing
treats to celebrate with their classmates. Please check with the classroom
20
teacher for the best time, number of students and if there are any students with
food allergies. Invitations to birthday parties are not to be distributed unless
the whole class is invited.
3. OUTSIDE CELEBRATION PROCEDURES
Invitations to parties outside of school are not to be distributed unless the whole
class is invited.
4. STUDENT RECOGNITIONS
The staff will hold a quarterly assembly to recognize the following awards.
(Parents are invited to attend. Dates and times will be posted in the monthly
building newsletter and/or sent home in an announcement.)
Honor Rolls
Students in grades 2-5 have the opportunity to receive academic recognition in
the following ways:
 Academic Honor Roll if a student has either all A’s or B’s or a
mixture of both for each quarter of school in math, reading, social
studies and science.
 Principal’s Honor Roll if a student has all A’s in reading, math,
science and social studies.
Accelerated Reader
 Student in grades 1-5 will be recognized each quarter for making
their quarterly accelerated reading goal set by the teacher, parent
and student by way of a building-wide celebration. At the end of the
year, the top three students with the most points of each grade level
will be recognized.
End of Year
 Students who have been on the all A-honor roll all year, will receive
a special medallion in grades 2 – 5.
21
SECTION 9 – CURRICULUM
1. READING PROGRAM
Fort Riley Elementary will use KinderCorner for Kindergarten and first grade will
use Success for All. These two programs are highly researched and effective in
meeting the individual needs of students with their reading abilities.
In grades 2 – 5, we will use the district’s Literacy Framework for reading
instruction to meet the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards. The
components include Reader’s Workshop, Independent Reading, Writer’s
Workshop and Word Work in a 90 minute block of time. Students will be reading
a variety of literature genre and applying the critical skills of reading instruction
(monitor comprehension, activate and connect, ask questions, infer and
visualize, determine importance, summarize and synthesize).
Through these programs, we hope to establish a love of reading for all students.
2. MATH PROGRAM
Fort Riley Elementary is raising the mathematics achievement levels of all
students. The Kansas College and Career Ready standards have been informed
by the best available evidence and the highest state standards and international
benchmarks. Additionally, it has established rigorous expectations for student
work at every grade level K-12. For mathematics, we are focused on the
development of effective tools, resources, and professional development to
support teachers in raising the level of student performance. Our teachers have
been training and collaborating with other professional organizations and school
district leaders to build a shared understanding of the instructional shifts and their
implications for curriculum, assessment, and professional development.
3. INTEGRATED LIBRARY
We have an integrated library program at FRE which means the teachers meet
with the library media specialist to plan and implement cross-curricular lessons.
Students are allowed to check out books as often as needed.
4. PE
Students should wear clothing that allows for a wide range of motion. Dress for
physical education also includes the required tennis/athletic shoes. These are
defined as regular laced/Velcro-strap athletic shoes that provide proper support,
cushioning, and traction for safety. A separate pair does not need to be
purchased if the child’s every-day tennis shoes meet the above requirements.
Girls should wear slacks, shorts, or tights under their dresses.
22
Children that have a health concern which could interfere with physical activity or
are under the care of a physician are asked to have a written document from the
doctor if restrictions are recommended concerning physical activity.
5. VOCAL MUSIC
Vocal music is offered to all students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade. Each
child in grades 1 – 5 will have the opportunity to perform before an audience at
least once a year.
6. MULTI-TIER SUPPORT SYSTEM
MTSS is a system of prevention and intervention for all students. MTSS is a
continuum of increasingly intense, research-based interventions provided to
students that helps them learn by responding to their academic and/or behavioral
needs. It includes ongoing monitoring of the effectiveness of the interventions
provided. The outcome is to ensure that each student is challenged to achieve to
high standards both academically and behaviorally.
7. EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT SERVICES
Some students in public education may experience difficulty in mastering the
academic, social and behavioral skills necessary for school success. In order to
benefit from instruction these students may require modifications in instructional
methodology, curriculum, or behavior management strategies. The degree of
special services will vary according to the needs of the student.
Fort Riley Elementary offers the following Special Services:
1. The Learning Disabilities Program addresses those children with normal
vision and hearing whose unique learning processes interfere with their ability
to read, write, spell, or mathematically reason or calculate. Students may
have difficulty talking, processing or using information. These students have
average, near average, or above average intelligence, but their learning is
impaired because their method of learning differs from that of most children.
2. The Speech-Language Program provides services to students who need
individualized speech-language instruction. Areas that are addressed include:
sound productions, language delays, voice disorders and stuttering. Students
who exhibit speech or language delays may occur along with other special
needs.
3. Social Work Services provided Social Assessments for the special programs
of Behavior Disorders and Learning Disabilities. Social Work services are
available to Special Education and other students as needed.
4. The Extended Learning (Gifted) Program provides individual or small group
education for those students identified as gifted. Depending on the number of
identified students in a classroom, the extended learning teacher might be
23
able to provide a few lessons to that class. This program not only encourages
basic skills, but also a higher level of thinking skills, self directed learning,
problem-solving skills, and interaction with peers. The program reinforces, is
compatible to, and provides a support service to the regular classroom
5. Occupational Therapy services are provided only for children who are
identified as handicapped and have an active IEP, are failing academically in
school, and are in need of treatment. Specific areas of concern include gross
and fine motor skills, visual perception, eye-hand coordination, i.e., paperpencil tasks, and activities of daily living, i.e., dressing and grooming skills. In
order to receive services, teachers and/or parents may refer a child to special
education for testing. The following flowchart shows the placement process
(see next page):
8. HUMAN SEXUALITY CURRICULUM
All school districts in Kansas are required to offer a comprehensive K - 12
program in human sexuality and AIDS education.
The goal of the health education program is to provide a curriculum which will
give students knowledge about themselves, about current health research, and
about appropriate health practices to help them make decisions, form attitudes,
and shape behaviors which will have a positive effect upon others, and upon their
environment.
As a parent, you are encouraged to review the district curriculum and view the
related materials. A copy of concepts is available in the, principal’s office and in
each classroom. Please contact Ms. Lay or the classroom teacher if you wish to
see this material or discuss specific objectives that concern you. You may
choose to ask that your child be excused from concept/concepts but we ask you
put it in writing with the objective listed and turned in to the teacher. If you do not
contact the school, we will assume you do not object to your son/daughter taking
part in this instruction
9. HOMEWORK
The question of the role of homework and its impact on the family often results in
different points of view. Some parents feel that schools do not assign enough
homework. They expect more homework so they can help their children be more
successful in school. They want to help reinforce the basic skills and develop
good study habits. Some parents believe that homework assignments often
conflict with other family priorities. Their children are often involved in afterschool activities such as sports, religious instruction, private lessons, scouts
and/or other organized activities. Each family must confront the issue and
determine where homework requirements fit into the family’s lifestyle and values.
24
Parent support of homework is an extremely important factor in building positive
attitudes and successful study habits.
It is evident that student, teacher and parent needs and expectations vary.
Therefore, flexibility must exist in the assignment of homework. Time
requirements are difficult to establish because of the wide variation of reading
and work speeds represented in any group of students. There should in general
be an evolutionary growth in student homework requirements between grades K12 and consistency should be maintained throughout the school.
Beyond these guidelines, but in keeping with the positive role that homework
should provide, the following parameters are established as general guidelines
(rather than as limits or requirements) in terms of the time spent by students at
Fort Riley Elementary.
 In grades K-1, homework* should not normally exceed an average of
10-20 minutes per day.
 In grades 2-3, homework* should not normally exceed an average of
20-30 minutes per day.
 In grades 4-5 homework* should not normally exceed an average of 30
minutes per day.
* Homework given by teachers will either be to reinforce a skill, complete
assigned work or to read a book.
We encourage you to help set aside ample time in which your child can complete
his/her homework. We also suggest that parents use this as a time to become
familiar with the material your child is reading and/or studying in the classroom.
It will also be a time he/she might work to improve a skill in which there is a
difficulty.
Requests for extended amounts of homework, due to an extended absence for
such purposes as emergency leave, will be handled by the individual teacher. In
some cases, it will be impossible to give advance lessons.
If a child is to be gone for one school day and parents wish homework for the
child, we suggest that you call early in the school day to notify the teacher. This
will give the teacher an opportunity to have the assignments ready at the close of
the school day.
10. REPORT CARDS
Report cards will be issued four times during each school year at nine-week
intervals. Report cards will either be sent home with students or distributed at
parent/teacher conferences at the end of a nine-week period. Progress reports
25
for grades 2-5, will be sent home with the students at the end of the fifth week in
all nine week grading periods. Parents may check grades throughout the school
year on Skyward. Please contact office for Parent Portal information.
11. FIELD TRIPS
District and school field trips are planned throughout the school year. Notification
for each trip will be sent home. There will be times parents are asked to
contribute money for a trip because our transportation budget is small. All FRE
students must ride the bus to and from the field trip in order to participate.
Parents are invited to attend but may be asked to drive their own vehicle and
meet the bus at the designated location. When your child orders a sack lunch
from the school for a field trip, his/her account will be charged.
12. RECESS/EARNED TIME
Students receive approximately 20 minutes of recess each day prior to lunch.
Students are afforded the opportunity to “earn” 20 additional minutes of time
during the day to have a morning or afternoon break. Please visit with your
child’s teacher about “Earned Time”.
SECTION 10 – BEHAVIOR
1. BUFFALO PRIDE (SCHOOL-WIDE BEHAVIOR PLAN)
This behavior plan is based on the Positive Behavior Intervention Plan (PBIS)
approach. This is an approach for assisting school personnel in adopting and
organizing evidence-based behavioral interventions into an integrated continuum
that enhances academic and social behavior outcomes for all students. “The
defining feature of a proactive school wide discipline plan is the focus on school
wide behavior expectations” (Colvin, 2007, p.56). We will be emphasizing the life
skills of Productivity, Respect, Involvement, Diligence, and Exceptionality. These
life skills form the acronym PRIDE and this will be the school wide reminder of
how we should conduct ourselves daily. Students will work individually, in teams,
and as a whole class to earn school wide incentives that encourage these five
attributes.
2. POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT
Positive Discipline is based on mutual respect. If a student chooses to
misbehave, the teacher uses proximity as a first attempt to get the student back
on task. The conversation between the student and teacher is private.
3. BUILDING-WIDE LEVELS OF DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
The LEVELS OF DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS that are used in the classrooms to
help a student change behavior are as follows:
26
(When a student is sent to a level of time out - they are not initially given their GPAR. They must first show calmness and indicate that they are ready to make
their plan.)
Level 1 = In your chair or in your chair away from group - just an oral plan.
Level 2 = Separate place in room. Written/Oral Plan - G-PAR sheet maybe
completed. The plan stays between teacher and student. Teacher can talk to
student during recess or at nearest convenience.
Level 3 = Out of room with Student Opportunity Coordinator. AT THIS LEVEL
THE WRITTEN PLAN GOES HOME TO PARENT TO BE SIGNED AND
RETURNED.
Level 4 = Out of room to PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE. A discipline referral to go home
with a copy of the PLAN. The referral and PLAN must be signed by the parent
and returned the next day or the student will miss their recesses. If the referral
does not come back the subsequent day - then parents will be notified by phone
or a home visit. Every student coming to my office must have established a
PLAN prior to the office visit. The only way a student can be sent to the office
without a prior plan is that the behavior is EXTREMELY SEVERE -such as
physical, aggressive fighting and disrespect.
Level 5 = Out of school. Serious incidents will result in out of school suspension.
If a child has had more than one repeated PLAN and the parents and child have
been notified that the unacceptable behavior is not making the move to
acceptable - the next such incident will result in out of school action and the child
will be sent home. This is the last resort to change behaviors.
If a student destroys his/her PLAN paper- he/she moves up a level and they must
indicate to the teacher when they are calm and ready to fill out another PLAN.
**** The severity of the problem will determine where the child will enter the
levels. ****
Our goal is to change behaviors - each problem should be seen as a teaching
opportunity to promote acceptable behaviors.
4. STUDENT SUPPORT MONITOR/OPPORTUNITY ROOM
The purpose of the having a Student Support Monitor (SSM) is to help reduce
classroom disruptions. Students whose behavior disrupts the learning of others
and who fail to respond to teacher requests will be sent to the Opportunity Room.
The SSM will speak to the student and develop a plan of action.
The SSM will determine if the student’s behavior and/or attitude have changed
from unacceptable to acceptable. If the behavior/attitude has changed the
student may return to class. If a student is sent to the Opportunity Room more
than once or refuses to cooperate with the SSM he/she will be referred to the
principal. The principal will determine if the student will remain in school or will
need to be sent home for the remainder of the day.
27
5. OLWEUS BULLY PREVENTION PROGRAM (developed by Dan Olweus)
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) is used to address bullying
and other negative behavior among school children. This program involves the
total effort of all school staff, as well as students and parents. The school’s efforts
will include: establishing school-wide rules and applying consistent
consequences against bullying, identifying children who bully and their victims in
order to address their individual problems and needs, holding regular classroom
meetings to discuss problems of bullying, rewarding children for good social
behaviors, and making use of videos, books, and other resources on bullying.
Fort Riley Elementary will strive to make certain that all children feel safe in our
school and have the greatest opportunity to learn. We have implemented a
Bucket Filler program that encourages children to do and say positive things.
6. VIOLENCE FREE SCHOOLS- DISTRICT POLICY
Policy statement: IT IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP OUR
SCHOOLS FREE OF VIOLENT ACTS OF ANY KIND. STUDENTS, STAFF
PATRONS, AND GUESTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE IN ALL
DISTRICT BUILDINGS AND AT ANY SCHOOL-SPONSORED ACTIVITY. TO
HELP ASSURE A VIOLENCE FREE ENVIRONMENT, THE DISTRICT HAS
ADOPTED A ZERO TOLERANCE STANCE CONCERNING THE FOLLOWING:
A. The Possession of a Weapon:
Definition: Weapon means a firearm, loaded or unloaded, a replica firearm,
knuckles, knife, chains, clubs throwing star, incendiary or exploding device or any
other article that is commonly used and is designed to inflict bodily harm.
Consequences: Suspension with the possibility of a five (5) day suspension
with a due process hearing for possible expulsion and possible notification of the
police. A firearm of any kind will result in a five (5) day suspension with a due
process hearing with the recommendation for expulsion and notification of the
police.
B. The Use of a Weapon or Other Objects Used as a Weapon:
Definition: Use of weapon or other objects that are not weapons, but which
are used for the purpose of inflicting bodily harm or to cause a person to be
placed in fear of bodily harm is prohibited at all times on school premises before,
during or after school or at any school sponsored activity, regardless of where
held. Examples include, but are not limited to, belts, combs, pens, pencils, files,
compasses, scissors and bats.
Consequences: Five (5) days out of school suspension with a due process
hearing for possible expulsion and notification of the police.
28
C. Involvement in a Fight:
Definition: Two or more individuals engaged in any physical contact which
may cause physical harm.
Consequences: Out of school suspension with the possibility of a five (5) day
suspension with a due process hearing for possible expulsion and possible
notification of the police.
D. Assault of or Intimidation of an Individual(s):
Definition: Any physical attack or threat of a physical attack on another
individual(s) to extort items, favors, induce fear or for any other reason.
Consequences: Out of school suspension with the possibility of a five (5) day
suspension with a due process hearing for possible expulsion and possible
notification of the police.
7. PLAYGROUND RULES
Teachers will inform students of the rules on the playground. Students are to
play in a safe manner. Karate kicking and play fighting such as Power Rangers
and tag are not acceptable recess activities. If a student chooses to put their
hands on another student when angry, the teacher will send the student to the
principal. Toys or equipment are not to be brought from home without teacher
permission. If toys are brought from home, such as hand held video games they
will be taken and held in the office until picked up by a parent/guardian. The
school is not responsible for the loss of the item. Please encourage children to
leave all toys at home.
In order for a child to stay inside during recess, that child must have a note
from the doctor.
SECTION 11 – STUDENT INFORMATION
1. DRESS CODE
A student’s personal appearance is the responsibility of the parents and the
student, but becomes the responsibility of the school when the mode of dress or
personal grooming habits are disruptive to the functioning of the school and/or
other individuals as determined by teachers. Students should present
themselves neatly and well-groomed, and are not allowed to wear:
1. Clothing that is inappropriate such as: midriffs, fishnet shirts, halters,
biker, tube tops or tops without shoulder straps, spandex pants, and
“sagging”. Also falling in this category are tank tops with big armholes
(often called muscle shirts), short shorts, and clothing where
undergarments show.
29
2. Garments with inappropriate, abusive, crude/profane/obscene
language, references to alcohol, drugs or tobacco products.
3. Sunglasses (unless approved by the school nurse).
4. Hats, scarves, picks, bandannas are not allowed to be worn in the
building. The staff has the right to pick up these items.
5. The wearing of heavy coats in the classroom is discouraged. Coats
may be subject to search at any time.
6. Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. Please remember to
have students wear gym shoes on P.E. days.
7. Administrators reserve the right to make decisions concerning
appropriate dress.
8. Skate Shoes are not to be worn to school.
2. HALLWAY
Students will walk quietly keeping to the right while keeping their hands, feet, and
other objects to themselves.
3. FOOD
Students may not bring gum, candy or soda into the building or onto the school
grounds unless specified by the teacher or a special building-wide activity.
4. TELEPHONE CALLS/CELL PHONE USE BY STUDENTS
Students are not to bring cellular phones or devices to school unless the parent
has secured permission from the building principal. Permission will be granted
based upon medical or safety needs. If permission is granted, these devices
must remain turned off and in a book bag during school hours. The school will
not be responsible for lost, stolen
Student use of the school phones will be limited to emergency use and school
business. Parents are encouraged to not call and ask to speak to their child
during class time unless it is an emergency. Messages may be left with the
secretary to be given to the student.
5. STUDENT PERSONAL ITEMS
Personal toys, sports equipment, and/or electronic devices should not be brought
to school unless the student is given special permission from the teacher for
Show and Tell or Star Student. If items are brought to school the classroom
teacher or principal may take them for safekeeping. Your cooperation will help
avoid problems with loss or damage of items for which we cannot be responsible.
Items will be returned to the student/parent according to the agreement made at
the time the item is taken.
30
6. PETS
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has defined strict guidelines
pertaining to the topic of animals on school grounds. We understand that
children like to bring pets for “show and tell” however, we abide by the guidelines.
Please do not bring any type of animal on school grounds without prior approval
of the principal. It is a district policy that under no circumstances should a pet be
on school grounds before or after school.
7. STUDENT COUNCIL (STUCO)
Elections for Student Council President, Vice-President and Secretary will be
held at the beginning of the school year for students in grades 4 & 5. Each
classroom will elect one representative. The past school year, STUCO raised
money to purchase WII game sets and games to be used by classrooms for
indoor recess or an award activity. The primary fundraiser has been pop and
pretzel sales.
SECTION 12 – PARENT/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
1. VOLUNTEERING
Volunteers are a very important part of the school program. Fort Riley
Elementary PTO and staff encourage all parents to be school volunteers. They
assist the school by providing extra help and attention for the children or by
preparing instructional materials and doing paperwork for the staff. Volunteers
are needed for the library, clerical work in classrooms, reading to students and in
many other ways. Talk to your student’s teacher about becoming a volunteer.
This makes it possible for the teachers to spend more time with the students and
with smaller groups of children. If you would like to know more about
volunteering, see the Parent Resource Coordinator as she would be happy to
answer your questions. TO KEEP TRACK OF VOLUNTEER HOURS, PLEASE
SIGN IN AND OUT IN THE PRC ROOM. Each month we recognize the
Volunteer of the Month. This volunteer receives a special parking place in front of
the school for the next month.
Room parents are utilized in different ways at various grade levels at the
discretion of the classroom teacher. Responsibilities may include scheduling
parents to help with classroom parties, field trips, special classroom projects and
building-wide activities.
Fort Riley Elementary has a parent resource coordinator. This position provides
a contact person for families and staff in supporting numerous volunteer activities
31
in the building. Currently their office is in the library. Please ask the office to
introduce you to the coordinator.
2. PTO – PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
Fort Riley Elementary PTO exists to promote the welfare of children and youth.
The PT) sponsors educational opportunities for our youngsters, family activities,
and gifts to the school. All families of students attending FRE are members of
PTO.
2014-2015
President – Sandy Law
Vice President –
Secretary –
Treasurer –
3. SITE COUNCIL
Along with our School Improvement Plan, we have a. Site Council that is
mandated by Kansas State law. The purpose of the Fort Riley Elementary Site
Council is to:
1) Provide advice and counsel to the school in evaluating performance goals and
objectives.
2) Help determine the methods, which could be used by the school to meet the
goals and objectives.
3) Serve as a liaison between the school and the community it serves by
collecting and disseminating information about school improvement.
4) Provide other assistance that the school may request.
If you are interested in being a member on our Site Council, please contact Mrs.
Paskow, Chair-person, or Mrs. Coy. Site Council meeting dates and a summary
of the meeting will be published in our monthly school newsletter and anyone
may attend
4. ADOPT A SCHOOL - SPONSORING BATTALION
The 2nd Battalion 34th Armor Regiment is our school sponsor. We have been
very fortunate to have developed a collaborative unity between the battalion and
school. A few activities they have supported in the past years have been PE Fun
Day, End of Year Activity, Career Presentations, PTO carnival, etc. We look
forward to their assistance this school year!
32
SECTION 13 - COMMUNICATION
1. OPEN DOOR POLICY
Communication is very important between students, staff and office. The
principal has an open door policy so please stop by to see if she is available or
stop by the office and set up an appointment. Every child and family is an
important part of the FRE family.
2. PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Conferences occur twice a year during the Fall and in the Spring. The district
expects 100% attendance as we look forward to sharing the progress your child
is making in school. Communication will be sent home prior to the conference
asking for preference of time and date.
3. NEWSLETTERS
A monthly building newsletter is sent home with every child at the beginning of
each month. The newsletter contains the breakfast/lunch menu, monthly
calendar and articles by various staff members. A classroom newsletter will be
sent home at least every other week to include what is occurring in the
classrooms.
4. TECHNOLOGY
Students have the opportunity through mobile labs to integrate their learning on
the computer. Classroom teachers will share how they are being used in their
rooms.
5. STUDENT FOLDERS
Weekly information from the office will be sent home with each child at the end of
the week in student folders. The information will include building newsletters, P.
T. O. and other relevant community information. Each teacher will include a
newsletter weekly or every 2 weeks of classroom activities, and upcoming events
for each child. A work alert listing missing work might also be included. If a
signature is needed, teacher will alert you. Students need to return the folder as
directed by teacher. Students losing their folder will be charged for a new one.
6. STUDENT AGENDAS (4th/5th grade)
Students in 4th and 5th grades will have the opportunity to have notebook
agendas to keep track of assignments and communicate with the teacher on a
daily basis. Student is responsible for keeping track of the agenda.
33
7. CONTACTING TEACHERS
Teachers cannot be called to the phone during the school day. Messages will be
taken by the secretary and either e-mailed or placed in the teacher’s mailbox.
Teachers make every attempt to return phone calls promptly.
SECTION 14 – RESOURCES
1. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT/EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY/NON
DISCRIMINATION
Geary County Unified School District No. 475 does not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and/or
activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated
youth groups. For questions or complaints based on race, color, national origin,
sex or age, please contact Director of Human Resources. For questions or
complaints based on disability, please contact Director of Exceptional Student
Services. They can be reached at 785-717-4000, 123 N. Eisenhower Street,
Junction City, Kansas 66441-0370.
2. FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS & PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)
During enrollment you received information regarding the FERPA Policy. The
district policy states that the district may disclose appropriately designated
“directory information”, unless you notified the district in writing by August 12,
2013 or no later than 10 days after enrollment. If notification is not received,
pictures of your child may be posted on the Fort Riley Elementary and USD 475
web pages.
3. STATE REPORT CARD
For a link to the State Report Card for USD 475 visit http://www.usd475.org or
ask in the school office for a copy. You may also visit
http://intranet.usd475.org/school/sv/default.aspx
to access a direct link to the State Report Card for Fort Riley Elementary and
USD 475.
34
APPENDIX
APPENDIX--Anti-Discriminatory Policies and Grievance Procedures
KN Discrimination Complaints KN
(See BCBI, GAACA, GAAB, IF, IKD and JCE)
The board encourages all complaints regarding the district to be resolved at the
lowest possible administrative level. Whenever a complaint is made directly to
the board as a whole or to a board member as an individual, it will be referred to
the administration for study and possible resolution.
Geary County USD 475 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides
equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Harassment
of an individual on any of these grounds and retaliation
For questions or complaints based on race, color, national origin, sex, age or
equal access, please contact:
Director of Human Resources
123. N. Eisenhower
Junction City, KS 66441
(785)717-4000
For questions or complaints based on disability, please contact:
Director of Exceptional Student Services
123 N. Eisenhower
Junction City, KS 66441
(785) 717-4000
Any act of retaliation is prohibited, including intimidation, threats, coercion, or
discrimination, against any person who has filed a complaint of discrimination, or
testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation by the District
or any outside agency. Any person who retaliates is subject to immediate
disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion for a student or termination of
employment for an employee. The filing of a complaint or otherwise reporting
discrimination, including harassment or retaliation, shall not reflect upon the
student’s status or grades.
Complaints About Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment and Retaliation
Complaints of discrimination or discriminatory harassment or retaliation by an
employee should be reported to the employee’s supervisor, the building principal,
or the district compliance coordinator. Complaints by a student should be
reported to the building principal, another administrator, the guidance counselor,
teacher, or another staff member. Any school employee who receives a
complaint of discrimination or harassment from a student shall inform the student
35
of the employee’s obligation to report the complaint and any proposed resolution
of the complaint to the building principal. If the building principal is the alleged
harasser, the complaint shall be reported to the district compliance coordinator.
Complaints by any other person (members of the public, applicants, etc.) alleging
discrimination should be reported to the District’s compliance coordinator. During
the course of the District’s investigation, the complainant may resolve the
complaint voluntarily, but any informal, voluntary resolution attempts or process
will not delay or impede the District’s investigation. Complaints about
discrimination, including complaints of harassment and retaliation, will be
resolved through the following complaint procedures:
Complaint Procedures
 A complaint may be filed verbally or in writing. The complaint should briefly
describe the alleged violation. If an individual does not wish to file a written
complaint, the building principal or the District’s compliance coordinator may
initiate the complaint. Forms for filing written complaints are available in each
building office, and the central office or accessed on the District’s website.
 A complaint should be filed as soon as possible after the conduct occurs, but
not later than 180 days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged
violation, unless the conduct forming the basis for the complaint is ongoing or
extenuating circumstances exist.
 The District shall conduct a prompt investigation after a complaint of
discrimination is filed. If the complaint is against the superintendent, the board
shall appoint an investigating officer. In other instances, the investigation shall
be conducted by the building principal, the compliance coordinator or another
individual appointed by the board. The investigation shall be thorough,
adequate, reliable, and impartial. All interested persons, including the
complainant and the person against whom the complaint is lodged, will be
afforded an opportunity to submit written or oral evidence relevant to the
complaint.
 A written determination of the complaint’s validity and a description of the
resolution shall be issued by the investigator, and a copy forwarded to the
complainant no later than 30 calendar days after the filing of the complaint.
 If the investigation results in a recommendation that a student be suspended
or expelled, procedures outlined in board policy and state law governing
student suspension and expulsion will be followed.
 If the investigation results in a recommendation that an employee be
suspended without pay or terminated, procedures outlined in board policy, the
negotiated agreement or state law will be followed.
36
 Records relating to complaints filed and their resolution shall be forwarded to
and maintained in a confidential manner by the district compliance
coordinator.
 The complainant may appeal the determination of the complaint. Appeals
shall be heard by a hearing officer appointed by the board, or by the board
itself as determined by the board. The request to appeal the resolution shall
be made within 20 calendar days after the date of the written resolution of the
complaint at the lower level. The appeal officer shall review the evidence
gathered by the investigator and the investigator’s report, and shall afford the
complainant and the person against whom the complaint is filed an
opportunity to submit further evidence, orally or in writing, within 10calendar
days after the appeal is filed. The appeal officer will issue a written
determination of the complaint’s validity and a description of its resolution
within 30 calendar days after the appeal is filed.
 Use of this complaint procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of any
other remedies including the right to file a complaint with the Office for Civil
Rights of the U.S. Department of Education, the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission, or the Kansas Human Rights Commission.
Complaints About Policy
The superintendent shall report any unresolved complaint about policies to the
board at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
Complaints About Curriculum (See IF)
The superintendent shall report a failure to resolve any complaint about
curriculum to the board at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
Complaints About Instructional Materials
The building principal shall report any unresolved complaint about instructional
materials to the superintendent immediately after receiving the complaint.
Complaints About Facilities and Services
The superintendent shall report any unresolved complaint about facilities and
services to the board at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
Complaints About Personnel
The superintendent or the building principal involved shall report any unresolved
complaint about personnel to the board at the next regularly scheduled board
meeting.
Adopted by Board on 8/10; 1/11
37