R.E. Bennett Elementary
2015 - 2016
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Trisha Smith, Principal
Rachel Dorsey, Vice Principal
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
R.E. BENNETT OFFICE:
R.E. BENNETT FAX:
807-7220
748-7256
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Where to get information in case of emergencies or bad weather:
Chehalis School District Website: www.chehalisschools.org
Radio Stations:
KITI 1420 AM
KITI 95.1 FM
KXXO 96.1 FM
KELA 1470AM
KMNT 104.3FM
Chehalis School District & R.E. Bennett Homepage
Check out the Chehalis School District webpage for district information:
http://www.chehalisschools.org
or
log onto the REB homepage for site information, newsletters, events, and more!
http://www.chehalisschools.org and select RE Bennett
HOURS
School starts ................................................. 8:10 a.m.
School dismisses .......................................... 2:25 p.m.
Gym opens for students ............................ 7:45 a.m.
Breakfast served in cafeteria ..................... 7:45 a.m. to 8:05 a.m.
Early Release dismissal time ...................... 12:25 p.m.
Conference Week dismissal time .............. 12:05 p.m.
Holiday dismissal time…………………11:05 a.m.
Please do not arrive at school until 7:45 a.m. when supervision begins.
When you arrive, please come to the gym to wait with your classmates. Classrooms
open at 8:00 a.m.
If you come to school after 8:10 a.m., please stop in the office and pick up a late-slip before
going to class.
Attendance 807-7220
Please have your parent or guardian call the school and leave a message about why
you are not in school. If we don’t hear from them by 9:45, our office will call and
check on your absence. Absences due to an illness, health condition, family emergency
or religious purpose are considered valid for an excused absence.
If you come to school late, a parent or guardian will have to come into the office and
sign you in. You will need to present a late pass to the teacher upon arrival to the
classroom. You will need to tell the office staff if you are having hot or cold lunch.
If you vomit and/or have a fever, please do not come to school for 24 hours.
For complete guidelines please see the parent section of this handbook.
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Leaving School Early
As a safety measure during the school day, parents or guardians MUST come to the
office and sign you out before you can leave your classroom to leave early. You will
be called to the office upon your parents’ arrival.
Illness
If you are sick and not coming to school, be sure an adult family member or guardian
calls the school at 807-7220. We worry if we do not hear from you and someone
will call your parents at work or home.
If you are sick in the morning and come to school with a fever, we will call your
parents and send you home.
If you do not feel well, please tell your parents before coming to school.
If you get sick during the school day, you may not be able to ride the bus home and
will have to ride home with your parents or approved pick-up person.
The following symptoms may indicate that you are contagious and should not come
to school:
Fever of 100 degrees or higher. Students should be fever-free without medication for
24 hours before returning to school.
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Students should be free of vomiting or diarrhea for 24
hours before returning to school.
Skin rash of unknown origin.
Red, watery eyes (NOT caused by allergies) or eye discharge, especially if the eye is
crusty or glued shut in the morning.
Medicine
School district policy requires a doctor’s order and parent signature for any
prescription or over-the-counter medications you may need at school. Your parent
must bring in the medication in its original container with an “Authorization for
Administration of Oral Medication at School” form signed by a doctor. Forms are
available in the school office.
Head Lice
Periodic checks may be made by the health room assistant or designee for head lice
and/or their eggs. If live lice or lice eggs are present, you will be sent home for
treatment and egg removal. Parents must bring you to the school office after
treatment and egg removal for you to be checked before coming back to school.
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School Visitation & Volunteers
Before your parent or guardian can be a volunteer, we will ask them to complete a
Volunteer Application with a Washington State Patrol background check. If your
parent wants to be a volunteer, they should contact your teacher or the district
volunteer coordinator.
All visitors must wear a visitor sticker. If you see someone on campus without a
badge or sticker, please notify an adult immediately.
Lunch Guests
Sometimes family members want to join you for lunch in the cafeteria. Have your
special guest call by 8:45 a.m. to reserve a lunch (an adult lunch is $3.35). It is
important that your special guest check in at the office and come at the right lunch
time. Lunch times start at 10:55 on a regular school day.
Food Services
R.E. Bennett Elementary offers both a breakfast and a hot lunch program for
students. Both meals are served in the REB cafeteria on the first floor near the gym.
Breakfast is served starting at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 8:05 a.m. Breakfast is available for
all students. Students eligible for free or reduced meals eat breakfast for free and all
other students eat for $1.75. If you are not eating breakfast, you should be in the gym
before school.
All hot lunches are ordered by 9:00 a.m. If you are going to be late to school and want
a hot lunch, your parents must call by 8:45 a.m. to reserve your meal. You may not
charge lunches. Lunch prices: $2.60 regular / .60 milk and adult lunch price is $3.35.
When you bring money to school to put in your lunch account, please do not wad
your money up or bring it in without an envelope. If you need a lunch money
envelope, please ask your teacher. Put your name and teacher’s name on the envelope.
If your lunch account balance is below zero, you will receive a sandwich and milk for
lunch.
Special Treats at School
Cookies and cupcakes are yummy, but please have your parents check with your
teacher first before bringing treats to school. Due to rules regarding health and food
safety and student allergies, any food brought to the school needs to be commercially
prepared or purchased from the store. Be creative and consider alternatives to cookies
and cupcakes like: pencils, stickers, fruit, or a small party favor.
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Gifts delivered to school
Receiving gifts, flowers, and balloons at school is fun but causes a disruption to other
students. Please have these items delivered to your home. If delivered to the school,
we will keep them in the office for you to pick up after school.
Invitations
Please do not hand out party invitations at school. Staff has to deal with tears or
anger from other students with hurt feelings. We cannot give out home addresses for
classmates or address invitations for you.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
We encourage your family to join PTA and to participate in PTA meetings and events.
PTA provides a lot of fun activities for students at Cascade, Bennett, and Olympic.
The PTA meets in the Olympic Elementary library monthly.
Field Trips
You can go on a field trip only if you have written permission from your parents. In
some cases, inappropriate behaviors may keep you from participating in field trips. In
these situations, your teacher will talk with you and your parents prior to the trip.
Telephones and Cell Phones
Students may only call home when it is an emergency. Calling home for homework or
to go to a friend’s house is NOT an emergency. Students may keep cell phones in
their backpacks during the school day but they are to remain off at all time
Should an Emergency Occur
 Be prepared. Make sure friends & relatives have permission slips on file in the
office should you need to be picked up in an emergency.
 Parents and guardians are encouraged to listen to the radio for directions.
 Calling the school? Sorry, we have a limited number of lines so calls may not be
able to go through. We will try our best to answer all calls.
 There will be a centralized check-out or command center should an actual
emergency occur. Parents need to go the command center to check out and
pick up students.
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Emergency Drills
We will be conducting a variety of safety drills including:
Fire
Earthquake
Lockdown
Shelter-in Place
We will evacuate the building, and meet in a safe location.
We will take cover before leaving the building and then meet in a
safe location.
Your teacher may lock the doors, cover the windows, or move you
to a secure location in the building.
You may have to stay in the classroom, lunchroom, or another
location until the emergency has passed.
Transportation
We have limited parking and curb space that makes it hard to have everyone come to
school with their parents. We would appreciate it if all boys and girls would ride the
bus when possible. The buses will arrive at the right time for you to start school.
The office needs a call or note by 1:45 p.m. if transportation plans have changed. Our
office runners take notes at 2:00 p.m. and calls to the classroom with last minute
changes are disruptive to learning.
If you are being picked up from school you must wait near the gym doors on 3rd
Street or at the office on the 2nd floor for your ride. These are the ONLY places
students may wait for pick up after school.
If your parent or guardian is picking you up, help them remember to remain in their
car when waiting for you in the 3rd Street pull-out. Otherwise they need to park in an
approved parking spot in order to get out of their car to meet you.
ALWAYS use the crosswalks when crossing the street and NEVER run across the
road or parking lot. Follow the direction of the crossing guards!
Friends Riding Home with You
Friends riding home on a bus must have a note from their parents saying it is ok to go
to your house after school. Please make these arrangements before coming to school
so we get you to the parent-approved destination. Parents and teachers become frantic
if they do not know where you are after school.
REMINDER: If you do not have a note ahead of time about going to a
friend’s house, you will be going home your normal way.
Bicycles, Scooters & Skateboards
Before and after school, bikes must be ridden directly to school and not around the
school or parking lots. Students must walk bikes on school grounds. Bikes need to
be locked to the racks. Everyone needs to wear a helmet if riding a bike.
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Walking to School
Only students in designated walking areas can walk to school. If your house is in a
designated bus area, walking or riding your bike could be dangerous and should be
done with an adult - this is for your safety!
School Rules
Be Kind
Be Safe Be Responsible
Be kind, be safe, and be responsible are the three main rules you need to follow at RE
Bennett. If you always follow these three simple rules, school will be a safe, happy,
and fun place to learn. When you show positive behavior at RE Bennett, you may
earn Cool Cat Cards, be recognized as a Terrific Kid, or earn other special privileges.
The following behaviors will not be allowed:
Fighting
Behaviors that harm people
Defiance of authority
Disrespectful or abusive behaviors
Damage to property/theft of property
Possession of weapons
Harrassment/Bullying
Continuous disruptive behaviors
Bullying
You and your friends should always feel safe at school. Bullying, intimidating, or
harassing others at school is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. This means you
cannot show behaviors that physically harm someone, substantially interfere with
someone’s education, or that intimidate or threaten someone. If someone is bullying
you, tell your teacher or principal.
More information on bullying is available in the parent section of this handbook.
Weapons
Weapons or things that look like weapons, even if they are toys, are
NOT allowed at school!
The district will not allow you to stay in school if you bring a weapon. It creates a lot
of trouble for you and your family.
BE SAFE AND DO NOT BRING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO SCHOOL:
Guns
Play guns (including squirt guns)
Knives
Play knives or swords
Bows and arrows
Bullets
Lighters
Matches
Laser pointers
Pepper Spray or other propellants
Any device or instrument that is capable of causing injury.
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School Clothes and Shoes
Please save halter tops, spaghetti strap tops, and shirts that show your belly-button for
home. Hats and hoods are for outside time. Your shorts need to go down to the ends
of your fingertips. If your clothing is too thin and see-through, you will be asked to
wear another shirt over the top. We always have extra clothes that can be borrowed
from the office.
Flip-flops must have a back strap due to safety issues on the staircases and
playground. Tie-up tennis or rubber-soled shoes are the best for our students. These
shoes are safer for PE and recess. You must be able to easily run, jump or climb.
Platform shoes, flip-flops, and fancy shoes hinder your participation in these fun
activities and could cause you to get hurt! If you wear unsafe shoes on P.E. days, you
will be asked to get a change of shoes.
Clothing should not display pictures or words related to alcohol or drugs.
Valuables
Please do not bring things of value or objects that might be distracting,
including, but not limited to:
Expensive Jewelry
Pets
Trading Cards
Electronic Games
Video games
Cash (other than lunch money)
MP3’s & IPod’s
Toys
We cannot watch everyone and something could happen to your special items.
Lockers
You are assigned a locker in which to store your personal belongings. You are not
allowed to bring a lock from home to secure your locker. Lockers are to be kept neat
and tidy. You should never get into another student’s locker.
Classroom Rules
Your teacher will review classroom rules and expectations at the beginning of the
school year. If you choose to not follow the rules that are in place for your safety, the
following may happen depending on the severity:
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School to Home note
Time out in solution center or office
Phone call to home from teacher or principal
Formal behavior write-up from teacher or principal
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Lunchroom Expectations
We have the following expectations in the lunchroom to prevent spills and make lunch
a positive experience:
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Remember to wash your hands in warm, sudsy water
Walk when carrying food in the cafeteria
Be aware of others around you
Use appropriate table manners
Do not share or trade food
Keep hands and feet to yourself
Use a polite indoor voice
Tell an adult if you have a problem
Leave your table clean
Follow the directions of the adults in the lunchroom
Do not take food to the playground
Playground Expectations
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Walk on the sidewalk to and from the playground.
Treat others with respect; include everyone, and speak kindly to others.
Use safety rules on equipment and while playing with others.
Earn the privilege of recess by taking responsibility for your actions.
Follow adult directions immediately.
Personal toys, balls, and sports equipment should be left at home.
If you play in the puddles or rain, you may not be able to call home for a
change of clothes.
Bus Rules
The following rules are for YOUR safety and for the safety of your friends:
When you are riding the bus, remember it is a privilege and not following the rules
can result in not riding the bus for several days. If the drivers have to watch you,
they cannot drive very carefully.
REMEMBER - - - WHEN ON A BUS:
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Talk in normal tones
Keep hands and feet to yourself
Sit in one seat during the whole ride
Keep the bus clean (pick up after yourself)
Do not eat on the bus
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No breakables, animals or things that spill
Face forward and do not talk over the seats
Keep hands, feet, and materials inside the bus
Leave the windows as you found them
Follow the driver’s directions and instructions, ALWAYS.
Lost & Found
Be sure to write your name inside your coats, sweaters, backpacks, lunch boxes, and
gloves. Check the lost and found if you have lost an item. If no one claims the
clothes at the end of each trimester, we will send them all to a place that gives
clothes to children.
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PARENT HANDBOOK
SCHOOL POLICIES/LEGAL NOTICES
Chehalis School District Mission Statement:
The mission of the Chehalis School District, in
partnership with families and community, is to meet the learning needs of each student by providing
a comprehensive, student-centered educational program that inspires and develops responsible,
contributing citizens.
Chehalis Student Support Mission Statement:
Our mission is to facilitate lifelong learning through
the integration of family, community, and educational services so that each student has the opportunity
to reach his or her potential as a responsible member of a community.
R. E. Bennett Mission Statement for Students Identified as Eligible for Student Support Services:
To facilitate the Chehalis School District and Student Support mission statements, the R. E. Bennett
staff will employ three models to meet the needs of students with Individualized Education Programs
(IEPS).
ATTENDANCE
Regular school attendance for your child is an important parental responsibility to help insure that
students are able to learn and maintain steady growth and progress in school. Students are expected
to comply with district and state attendance requirements whereby students are to be prompt and
have regular attendance at school. The compulsory attendance law (RCW 28A.225.005-060) was
amended to impose additional requirements of schools. Each school must make sure that parents
and guardians are aware of the compulsory attendance law, and that parents are informed of
unexcused absences during the school year. If two or more unexcused absences occur during a
one-month period, a parent-school conference must be scheduled. All absences must be verified
with a written note stating the reason for missing school. A physician's note should be provided
for extended absences.
Both excessive excused or unexcused absences will be handled in
accordance with compulsory attendance law RCW 28A.225.005-060 and Chehalis School District
Board Policies 3122.
The following criteria constitute an excused absence:
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Illness
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Family emergency
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Parent-approved activities agreed upon by the principal prior to the absence
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Participation in a school-approved activity
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Absence resulting from disciplinary action or short-term suspension
MAKE-UP WORK
If you would like the teacher to provide your child with the work he/she will miss during an excused
absence, please request it in the morning and it will be ready for you to pick up from our school
office by the end of the school day (3:00 pm). Missed work assignments may be made up within
a reasonable period of time (usually one day for each day absent), as arranged with your child's
teacher.
TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL
Buses - Bus transportation is provided through the Chehalis-Centralia Pupil Transportation
Cooperative. Students not living in the near proximity of the school are encouraged to ride the bus.
Bus routes will remain much the same from year to year. If students need to take a different bus
after school for some reason, parents need to send a note to the Bennett office. This note needs
to be dated and have the address noted where the student is to get off. Provisions of this type will
be made if there is room on the bus to accommodate the request. Please note that it is not feasible
for multiple students to ride a bus to another student’s home for an event such as a birthday party
because it can overload the bus.
If you have questions, please contact the Transportation
Cooperative at 330-7628 between 7:00 am - 3:30 pm.
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CHANGE OF CONTACT INFORMATION
Please keep our office informed of any changes of address or telephone numbers even if the
changes are only temporary. Information of this type is important in case the parents or caretaker
need to be contacted in an emergency. It is helpful to have at least one or two contact people listed
who do not live in your home.
CUSTODY ISSUES
Families who have custody issues regarding students at R. E. Bennett School need to contact the
school office immediately. These issues often have legal implications that require special attention.
It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to make sure the school is informed of these
issues and that current legal paperwork which clearly defines custody rights and any other restrictions
or restraints is in our file and up to date. These documents must bear the signature or stamp of
a judge.
SECOND HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION
The R. E. Bennett office staff will gladly send non-custodial parents copies of report cards, newsletters,
and other information upon request. Please call or come into our office with the name and address
of the non-custodial parent to whom the information should be sent.
COUNSELING
R. E. Bennett Elementary has a full time counselor available to assist students with counseling needs.
Our counselor is provided through Cascade Mental Health and works collaboratively with the school.
Please contact the school for further information.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
The Chehalis School District has a very active volunteer program! We encourage you to consider
being a part of the volunteer program. Forms are available at any school office. If you wish further
information, please contact our volunteer coordinator at her office in the R. E. Bennett building, Room
240. You may also call the school office and they will give her a message if she is not in. All volunteers
must have a current State Patrol clearance in order to volunteer in our building, in classrooms,
or on field trips. State Patrol clearance is valid for two years.
PETS
Pets may only be brought to school for sharing with teacher consent. We are concerned that even
the most gentle pet can become agitated by the curious classroom children, therefore parents are
requested to supervise the pet during the school visit. Pets are not allowed to be transported on
the school bus, nor are they allowed to remain at school during times when parents cannot supervise.
MEDIA RECOGNITION
During the course of the school year, our students are often involved in activities featured in news
articles and possibly pictures. If you do not want your student individually identified by name, please
notify our office in writing at your earliest convenience. This excludes group pictures where students
are not personally identified. Also, our school parent bulletin/newsletter may include pictures of your
child, as well as school and district webpages. Should you wish for your child’s name and picture
not to appear in school bulletins, newsletters, or on school or district webpages, please notify
our school office.
VOTER REGISTRATION
Voter registration is available through any of the school offices in the Chehalis School District. If
you are new to our district or have moved recently, any of the school secretaries will gladly assist
with this task.
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BE KIND
BE SAFE
BE RESPONSIBLE
DISCIPLINE
The ultimate goal of R. E. Bennett Elementary School is to instill in students a
positive self-image through good decision-making skills, self-discipline, behaviors,
and values taught by parents and teachers working together in a partnership role.
Staff members at R. E. Bennett School are responsible for all students. Students
are accountable to all staff members.
R. E. Bennett School provides a warm, safe, and caring learning environment in which students have
the opportunity to thrive. To enhance this environment in which teachers have the right to teach
and students have the right to learn, staff and students will teach, model, and encourage acceptable
behaviors and values.
Discipline in our school is necessary to maintain the order and self-discipline that is essential for
good learning. All students can and should behave in an appropriate manner. Students and their
parents will be informed of the school rules. Student behavior will lead to positive consequences
for setting good examples, or negative consequences for breaking rules.
We will recognize and encourage good behavior. Therefore, we will strive to acknowledge and reward
those students who consistently follow school rules. Ways in which good behavior may be rewarded
include:
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Teacher or principal praise and recognition
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Special privileges
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Recognition/comments on report cards and/or at parent-teacher conferences
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Award certificates
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Extended recesses
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Kiwanis Terrific Kid program
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Social Skills recognition
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Cool Cat recognition
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Incentives to recognize good citizenship and/or improved behavior
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Classroom rewards based on good behavior
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Student of the Month assemblies
We will help students learn to solve their problems in constructive ways. Positive behavior will be
encouraged and recognized. The staff will attempt to help students learn methods to deal with conflicts.
We will also endeavor to teach cooperation, trust, communication, respect, and caring skills. Students
will be expected to conform to existing rules established for R. E. Bennett School. The major offenses
that will result in disciplinary action are:
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Fighting
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Behaviors that might harm people
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Defiance of authority
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Disrespectful or abusive behaviors
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Continuous disruptive behaviors
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Damage to property/theft of property
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Harassment/bullying
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Possession of weapons
PROHIBITION OF HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND BULLYING
The District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees,
parents/legal guardians, volunteers and patrons that is free from harassment, intimidation or bullying.
“Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentional written message or image – including
those that are electronically transmitted - verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to
one shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual
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orientation including gender expression or identity, or mental or physical disability, or other
distinguishing characteristics, when an act:
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Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property.
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Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education.
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Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening
educational environment.
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Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Nothing in this section requires the affected student to actually possess a characteristic that is a
basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bullying.
“Other distinguishing characteristics” can include but are not limited to: physical appearance, clothing
or other apparel, socioeconomic status, and weight.
“Intentional acts” refers to the individual’s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact
of the action(s).
BEHAVIORS/EXPRESSIONS
Harassment, intimidation or bullying can take many forms including, but not limited to:
slurs, rumors,
jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks,
threats, or other written, oral or physical or electronically transmitted messages or images.
This policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided
that the expression does not substantially disrupt the educational environment.
Many behaviors that
do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation or bullying may still be prohibited by other district
policies or building, classroom, or program rules.
TRAINING
This policy is a component of the district’s responsibility to create and maintain a safe, civil, respectful
and inclusive learning community and is to be implemented in conjunction with comprehensive training
of staff and volunteers.
PREVENTION
The District will provide students with strategies aimed at preventing harassment, intimidation, and
bullying.
INTERVENTIONS
Interventions are designed to remediate the impact on the targeted student(s) and others impacted by
the violation, to change the behavior of the perpetrator, and to restore a positive school climate.
The District will consider the frequency of incidents, developmental age of the student, and severity
of the conduct in determining intervention strategies. Interventions will range from counseling,
correcting behavior and discipline, to law enforcement referrals.
RETALIATION/FALSE ALLEGATIONS
Retaliation is prohibited and will result in appropriate discipline. It is a violation of this policy to threaten
or harm someone for reporting harassment, intimidation, or bullying.
It is also a violation of District policy to knowingly report false allegations of harassment, intimidation,
and bullying. Students or employees will not be disciplined for making a report in good faith. However,
persons found to knowingly report or corroborate false allegations will be subject to appropriate
discipline.
COMPLIANCE OFFICER
The superintendent will appoint a compliance officer as the primary district contact to receive copies
of all formal and informal complaints and ensure policy implementation. The name and contact
information for the compliance officer will be communicated throughout the district. (Board Policy 3207)
Compliance Officer:
Mary Lou Bissett, Assistant Superintendent, 310 SW 16th Street, Chehalis, WA
98532, (360) 807-7200
The superintendent is authorized to direct the implementation of procedures addressing this policy.
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WEAPONS
Any elementary or secondary school student who is determined to have carried a firearm onto, or
to have possessed a firearm on, public elementary or secondary school premises, public
school-provided transportation, or areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public schools,
shall receive a one year mandatory expulsion for firearms. RCW 28A.600.420
The Superintendent or designee must promptly notify the student’s parent(s) and law enforcement
concerning the firearms violation. The expulsion may be modified by the chief school district officer
or designee on a case-by-case basis.
Possession includes, but/and is not limited to: having a weapon on district property or at a
district-sponsored event located: (a) in a space assigned to a student such as a locker or desk; (b)
on the student's person or property (such as on the student's body, in his/her clothing, purse,
backpack, gym bag or vehicle); or (c) under the student's control or accessible or available, such
as hidden by the student.
A weapon includes, but is not limited to: (a) a firearm which is a weapon or device from which a
projectile may be fired by an explosive; or (b) an air gun, which includes any air pistol or air rifle,
designed to propel a BB, pellet, or other projectile by discharge of compressed air, carbon dioxide
or other gas, or any items which appear to be realistic firearms or air guns; or (c) a sling shot, which
is a forked piece of wood, plastic or metal having an elastic band fastened to the prongs for shooting
small stones, metal balls, or pebbles; or (d) a club, chains or metal knuckles; or (e) a device commonly
known as "throwing stars," which are multi-pointed metal objects designed to embed upon impact
from any aspect; or (f) any knife which is a cutting or stabbing instrument with a sharp blade set
in a handle; or (g) a dirk, which is a type of dagger; or (h) any device commonly known as "nun-chu-ka
sticks," consisting of two or more lengths of wood, metal, plastic, or similar substance connected
with wire, rope or other means; or (i) any other item (such as fingernail clippers with a nail file and/or
pointed, that could be used in a threatening manner). (Board Policy 4210)
PUBLIC NOTICES
Nondiscrimination Statement/Equal Opportunity Employment Notice
Chehalis School District is an equal opportunity education system and employer that does not
discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran
or military status, sex, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, marital status, or
qualified individuals with disabilities including the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability
or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, and provides equal
access to designated youth groups (i.e. Boy Scouts). (Board Policies 3210 and 5010)
El Distrito Escolar en Chehalis es un sistema escolar con igualdad de oportunidades en la educacion
y trata a todos por igual sin discriminación racial, religion, color, origen nacional, edad, sexo,
orientación sexual, expresiones del genero, identidad, estado matrimonial, ó individuos incapacitados,
ó con impedimientos sensoriales, mentales,
la asistencia de perros guias, ó
impedimientos fisicos
o´ impedimientos que requieran
personas que utilizen los servicios de mascotas y proporcionamos
igual acceso a grupos juveniles designados (i.e. Boy Scouts).
The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged
discrimination:
Title IX/Affirmative Action Officer
Section 504/ADA Officer
Mary Lou Bissett, Assistant Superintendent
Director of Student Support Programs
310 SW 16th Street
1265 SW Pacific Ave.
Chehalis, WA 98532
Chehalis, WA 98532
(360) 807-7200
(360) 807-7245
Sexual Harassment
It is the policy of the Chehalis School District to maintain a positive and productive education and
working environment free from discrimination, including sexual harassment. The District prohibits any
form of religious, racial and sexual harassment or violence involving students, employees or others
participating in school district activities. Engaging in harassment activities (including intimidation
or bullying) will result in appropriate discipline or appropriate sanctions against offending
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students, staff, contracted service providers, parents or others participating in school district
activities. Incidents of harassment should be immediately report to the building supervisor, if available,
or to the District’s Compliance Officer, Mary Lou Bissett, Assistant Superintendent, 310 SW 16th
Street, Chehalis, WA 98532 (360)-807-7200. All formal complaints shall be made in writing. (Board
Policy 6590)
All certificated staff members share legal responsibility for reporting suspected child abuse including
allegations of sexual harassment or inappropriate sexual relations with other students or adults. (See
Board policy 3421 and State of Washington Code of Professional Conduct)
Title I, Part A, Highly Qualified Teachers
Notification to parents informing them that they can request the following information regarding
instructional staff who work with their children:

Whether or not the child’s teacher has met state certification for the grades and subjects
s/he is teaching.

Whether or not the teacher is working with an emergency or conditional certificate where
state certification criteria have been waived.

The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or
degree held, including field of discipline of the certificate or degree.

If the child receives instructional services from a paraeducator, the paraeducator’s
qualifications. (Board Policy 4130)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years
of age ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records. These rights
are:
1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the
School receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the building
principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The School official will
make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where
the records may be inspected.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible
student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask the School to
amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the building principal,
clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.
If the School decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the
School will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a
hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures
will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's
education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One
exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate
educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the School as an administrator,
supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement
unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the School
has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or
therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance
committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has
a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill
his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the School discloses education records without
consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
4. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that the Chehalis
School District, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally
identifiable information from your child's education records. However, the Chehalis School District
may disclose appropriately designated "directory information" without written consent, unless you have
advised the District to the contrary in accordance with District procedures. The primary purpose of
directory information is to allow the Chehalis School District to include this type of information
from your child's education records in certain school publications. Examples include: a playbill,
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showing your student's role in a drama production; the annual yearbook; honor roll or other
recognition lists; graduation programs; and sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight
and height of team members.
Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion
of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent's prior written
consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings
or publish yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving
assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military
recruiters, upon request, with three directory information categories - names, addresses and telephone
listings - unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student's information
disclosed without their prior written consent.(1)
The Chehalis School District has designated the following information as directory information:
student's name, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, address, telephone listing,
weight and height of members of athletic teams, electronic mail address, photograph, degrees, honors,
and awards received, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, grade level,
the most recent educational agency or institution attended.
(Board Policies 3230, 3231, 4040)
In order to exercise refusal to release directory information, the school district, within ten (10) days
of the publication of this notice, shall receive written refusal by the student’s parent/guardian or student
if he/she has reached the age of 18. Such written notice shall be addressed to the District’s Title
IX officer listed below:
Mary Lou Bissett, Assistant Superintendent
Chehalis School District
310 S. W. 16th Street, Chehalis, Washington 98532
360-807-7200
5. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures
by the School to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that
administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901
Notification of Rights Under the Protection of the Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
PPRA affords parents certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information
for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to:
• Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the
following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part
by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)–
1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
3. Sex behavior or attitudes;
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or
8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.
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•Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of:
1. Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding;
2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance,
administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety
of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening
permitted or required under State law; and
3. Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students
for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.
•Inspect, upon request and before administration or use:
1. Protected information surveys of students;
2. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing,
sales, or other distribution purposes; and
3. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.
These rights transfer to from the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor
under State law.
The Chehalis School District has developed and adopted policies, in consultation with parents,
regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of
protected information surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for
marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. The Chehalis School District will directly notify parents
of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes.
The Chehalis School District will also directly notify, such as through U.S. Mail or email, parents
of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific activities or surveys noted below and
will provide an opportunity for the parent to opt his or her child out of participation of the specific
activity or survey. The Chehalis School District will make this notification to parents at the beginning
of the school year if the District has identified the specific or approximate dates of the activities or
surveys at that time. For surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, parents will
be provided reasonable notification of the planned activities and surveys listed below and be provided
an opportunity to opt their child out of such activities and surveys. Parents will also be provided
an opportunity to review any pertinent surveys. Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys
covered under this requirement:

Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution.

Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED.

Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.
(Board Policy 3232)
Parents who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202
Special Education Services
The Special Education Services Department provides services to students with a wide range of disabilities
from mild learning difficulties to severe disabilities. Services may include psychological assessments,
counseling, communication disorder services, vision and hearing screening, occupational and physical
therapy, infant/toddler preschool programs for children birth to six years of age, home-based or
center-based programs. (Board policy 2161)
SECTION 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. Section 504
requires that schools provide a full range of special accommodations/services, so that students
may participate and benefit from public education programs and activities. Students may be
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considered disabled under 504 even though they may not require Special Education services
pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). (Board policy 2162)
Parent/Student Rights in Identification, Evaluation and Placement
The following is a description of the rights granted by federal law to students with disabilities. The
intent of the law is to keep you fully informed concerning decisions about your child and to inform
you of your rights if you disagree with any of these decisions.
You have the right to:
1. Have your child take part in, and receive benefits from, public education programs without
discrimination because of his/her disabling conditions.
2. Have the school district advise you of your rights under federal law.
3. Receive prior notice with respect to actions regarding the identification, evaluation, or placement of
your child. Parent consent must be obtained before initial evaluation and placement.
4. Have your child receive a free appropriate education. This includes the right to be educated with
non-disabled students to the maximum extent appropriate.
5. Have your child educated in facilities and receive services comparable to those provided
nondisabled students.
6. Have your child receive special education and related services if he/she is found to need them
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and
provide transportation as a related service when necessary as part of a student’s accommodation
plan.
7. Have evaluation, educational program, and placement decisions made based upon a variety of
information sources, and by persons who know the student, the evaluation data, and placement
options.
8. Have transportation provided to and from an alternative placement setting at no greater cost to you
than would be incurred if the student were placed in a program operated by the district.
9. Have your child be given an equal opportunity to participate in nonacademic and extracurricular
activities offered by the district.
10. Examine all relevant records relating to decisions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation,
educational program, and placement.
11. Obtain copies of your child’s education records at a reasonable cost unless the fee would
effectively deny you access to the records.
12. A response from the school district to reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations
of your child’s records.
13. Request amendment of your child’s educational records if there is reasonable cause to believe
that they are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of your child.
If the school district refuses this request for amendment, it shall notify you within a reasonable
time and advise you of the right to a hearing.
14. Request mediation or an impartial due process hearing related to decisions or actions regarding
your child’s identification, evaluation, educational program or placement. You and the student
may take part in the hearing and have an attorney represent you. Hearing requests must be
made to the Director of Student Support Services.
15. Ask for payment of reasonable attorney fees if you are successful on your claim.
16. File a local grievance.
17.
Have your child receive accommodations under a Section 504 plan, if he/she has a physical
or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
The person in this district who is responsible for assuring that the district complies with Section 504
is the Director of Student Support Services, phone number (360) 807-7245. The Director of Student
Support Services can provide 504 ADA information. (Board Policy 2162)
ChildFind
The ChildFind program conducts activities for the purpose of locating, evaluating and
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identifying students with a suspected disability. Activities apply to students ages birth through
21. Formal screenings and assessments, which could include the areas of hearing, vision, social
skills, language, learning and motor skills, are available for preschool students. For
parent(s)/guardian(s) concerns about their child’s development or questions about the ChildFind
program, please contact the district Student Support Services office at (360) 807-7245. Board policies
2161 and 2162.
(WAC 392-172-100)
Pesticides
The Chehalis School District complies with all legal requirements for record-keeping regarding the
application of pesticides to school grounds or school facilities and such records are available upon
request. At least 48 hours before the application of a pesticide to school facilities or school grounds,
the District shall notify parents and staff of the planned application by posting a notice in a prominent
place in the building or grounds. Following application, a sign shall be posted at the location of the
application. The notice shall state the product names, date, time, and specific location of the
application, the pest for which the application was made, and a contact name and telephone number.
The notice shall remain posted for 24 hours or longer, if required by the label of the pesticide. (Board
policy 6895)
Asbestos
In compliance with federal EPA rules, the Board of Directors of the Chehalis School District hereby
notifies patrons that asbestos containing materials are present in Chehalis school buildings. The
condition of asbestos is monitored every six (6) months to ensure that it does not pose a threat
to children, staff, and patrons. The locations of friable asbestos (able to crumble and release fibers)
and encapsulated asbestos (sealed) are available, upon request.
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