Little Elementary School Student Handbook
ABSENCES
Please be sure to call the school (682-867-3300) by 10 am whenever your child(ren) will
be absent from school. Reasons for excused absences can be found in the AISD Code of
Conduct book available online at www.aisd.net. It is imperative to remember that excessive
absences can/may result in retention. In addition, please be aware that 5 tardies in the
same semester will result in administrative action.
ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Our front doors open at 7:45 am for all students. Please do not drop your child off before
7:45, since supervision is not provided. All students will go directly to the cafeteria if they
arrive before 8:05. At 8:05, students are dismissed by grade level from the cafeteria to walk
to class.
Students are expected to be in their seats and ready to learn at 8:20am.
ATTENDANCE
Research shows a strong correlation between good attendance and high academic
achievement. We encourage and promote good attendance for all Little students. Please
review the AISD Student Code of Conduct for further attendance information.
BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Tarrant County Kids uses the Little gym for after-school supervision. For more information
please call 817-468-0306 or visit www.tarrantcountykids.org
BIRTHDAYS/INVITATIONS
Birthdays are recognized daily on the morning announcements. If you should desire to
send flowers, balloons, etc…to the school, please keep in mind that these items will be held
in the office until the end of the day. If you wish to bring a treat for the class, the treat must
be store bought, should not contain peanuts, and the classroom teacher should be notified
in advance. Please be mindful that lunch is not allowed to be provided for the entire class.
Birthday celebrations are to be kept minimal to a cookie or other treat. Invitations which
are handed out at school must include every child in the classroom. All other invitations
must be mailed.
BULLYING
Bullying is when a student or group of students engages in
written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or
physical conduct that occurs on school property, at a school-sponsored or
school-related activity, or in a vehicle operated by the district and a school
district’s Board of Trustees or the Board’s designee determines that the
behavior: defined as engaging in physical conduct and/or written or verbal
expression that the district determines: (1) has the effect or will have the
effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or
placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of
damage to the student’s property; or (2) is to be sufficiently severe,
persistent, and or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an
intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student.
This conduct is considered bullying if it: (1) Exploits an imbalance of power
between the student perpetrator who is engaging in bullying and the
student victim through the written or verbal expression or physical
conduct; and (2) Interferes with a student’s education or substantially 88
disrupts the operation of a school.
Bullying will not be tolerated and should be reported to the assistant principal
immediately. Refer to the AISD Student Code of Conduct for more information.
BUSING
Buses are provided for eligible students at Little Elementary. Please call the transportation
department for that information. Field trips will be planned for the school year that will
involve AISD buses. Students will be expected to follow all bus conduct rules while on field
trips. Refer to the website for more informationwww.aisd.net/transportation.
BYOT
Bring Your Own Technology information and Student Guidelines are available on the AISD
website.
CHOIR
All 4th-6th grade students have the opportunity to participate in the before-school choir
program at Little. For more information, please contact Little’s music teacher, Ms. Johnson.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT/DISCIPLINE
We believe in a firm, fair, and consistent method of school discipline based on Positive
Behavior Intervention Supports. It is our belief that by working together as partners, we
can have minimal classroom disruptions. We strive to have our students focused on
learning, and to accomplish this, we need the support of parents in maintaining high
discipline standards for our students. A cooperative effort on the part of the students,
teachers, parents, and administrators can achieve this goal. The key to maintaining good
discipline management is communication. We will work diligently to have a good rapport
with parents and communicate effectively.
CLINIC
The school nurse or trained assistant will be taking care of your child during any illness or
injury that occurs at school.
Your child must be kept home when:
1. Child has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher. *
2. Child has diarrhea or vomiting.
3. Child has rash of unknown origin.
4. Child has red, runny eyes or wakes up with eyes “glued” shut.
5. Child complains of ear pain with or without fever.
*A student with a fever of 100 degrees or more MUST be sent home. Students need to be
fever
free for 24 hours without a fever reducer before returning to school.
Medications will be given under the following conditions:
1. Specific written requests are signed by a physician and parent.
2. Medication must be in the original container.
3. No medications can be kept in class.
Please keep emergency phone numbers current in the clinic. Your child may need you.
CONFERENCING
Parents are encouraged to conference with school staff as needed. Please contact the school
to schedule all conferences. Please do not ask teachers to conference at the start of
class or during the dismissal of students. It is the duty of the teacher to promptly begin
class instruction when the tardy bell rings. Please call the office or email the teacher to
schedule a conference.
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT
The Arlington Independent School District, in accordance with the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), restricts access to protected student records as required
by law.
Directory information on students will be released upon request without a parent’s
consent, unless the parent elects in writing to restrict directory information. The forms on
which parents can indicate their selection are sent home each year.
COUNSELING
Little is staffed with a licensed school counselor who provides classroom guidance, meets
student’s needs in small group setting, or individualized sessions as needed. Please contact
the office to speak to the counselor.
CURRICULUM
Little teachers will utilize the state-adopted TEKS curriculum. Every school in the AISD
uses the same curriculum to ensure continuity across the district. For more information,
contact your child’s teacher, assistant principal or principal.
DRESS CODE
A student’s conduct is related to his/her clothing. Therefore, the school is directly
concerned with students’ clothing. The appropriateness of a student’s clothing for the
school environment should dictate the choice of clothing and grooming practices on each
given day.
All students are expected to adhere to common practices of modesty, cleanliness and
neatness; to dress in a respectful manner within the acceptable standards of the
community and in such a manner as to contribute to the academic atmosphere, not detract
from it. Students who fail to
comply with this dress code may be sent home and may be subject to disciplinary actions.
Any clothing, accessories, symbols, jewelry or other paraphernalia, which depicts or
suggests association with a gang, secret society or fraternity, shall not be brought to school,
worn at school or in any way be present at any school-sponsored event. When helping your
child dress, please remember that 4 year olds are present on our campus, and t-shirts
should not depict symbols that might be frightening to them.
Any other considerations will be determined by the individual school administrators. The
school administration shall have the right to consider any current fashion to determine its
acceptability for school wear.
Clarification regarding apparel should be obtained prior to wearing it to school; this can be
obtained from the school administration. Students in violation of this policy will be subject
to disciplinary action as determined by the school’s administration.
Teachers are charged with the responsibility of enforcing student dress code in their
classes as well as on campus. Administrators and other school personnel share the same
responsibility.
Teachers shall follow building procedure for discipline referral regarding dress code
violations.
No attempt will be made to dictate fashion styles as long as they are in keeping with district
policies. It should be noted, however, that it is the responsibility of the student and parent
that the student adhere to the dress code, as follows:
1. General
a. Any clothing, jewelry or accessories with decorations, patches, lettering
advertisements, etc. that may be considered obscene or offensive are not to be
worn to school. This includes any clothing, jewelry or accessories having
criminal street gang identifiers, accessories that may be used as weapons, and
accessories having drug, sex, tobacco, or alcoholic beverage references or
designs.
b. Form fitting garments such as Spandex may only be worn with another layer of clothing,
which meets the dress code.
2. Shirts and Blouses
a. Crop tops, tube tops, halters and spaghetti straps are unacceptable. (Anything
less than two inches is considered a spaghetti strap.) Strapless dresses without
jackets are unacceptable.
b. The display of cleavage is unacceptable. Low cut blouses, tops, sweaters, etc.
with plunging necklines are not allowed.
c. The length of an untucked shirt must be no longer than the tip of the longest
finger with the student’s hand fully extended down the side of the student’s leg.
d. Transparent and/or see-through material is considered unacceptable.
e. Shirts/tops must touch the waist of pants/skirts at all times (i.e.,when in
movement, when arms are extended or raised, and when in seated position, etc.)
f. A boy’s shirt should cover the entire crown of the shoulder.
3. Dresses, Skirts, Skorts
a. The length of a skirt/dress/skort must be a minimum of half the distance
between the fingertips and the top of the knee when the student’s hand is fully
extended down the side of the student’s leg.
b. When measuring skirts, dresses or skorts that have slits, the length will be
determined by measuring from the top of the slit.
4. Shorts
a. The minimum length of shorts must be no shorter than the tip of the longest
finger with student’s hand fully extended down the side of the student’s leg.
5. Pants
a. Torn, cut/slashed or frayed material that reveals any area of skin or
undergarment is considered inappropriate.
b. No pajama bottoms, sleepwear or lounge wear.
6. Sagging Pants
a. Students shall wear their trousers or overalls properly at the waist.
b. No sagging.
7. Accessories
a. All students must wear shoes at all times. Students participating in physical
education class shall wear athletic footwear to participate. House shoes and flipflops are
not acceptable for physical education. Heelies are not acceptable on
campus at any time.
b. Hair should be kept neat, clean and reasonably styled. Mohawks taller than 1 inch are not
permitted. Hair should not be a distraction to the learning environment.
c. Any type of head covering is unacceptable.
d. Religious exceptions must be cleared by the principal.
e. Proper undergarments should be worn but not visible.
f. Facial hair should be neat, clean, closely trimmed and not be a distraction to the
learning environment.
g. Chains or spiked jewelry are unacceptable.
h. Campus Administration will determine the appropriateness of all piercings,
gauging, and mouth “grillz” for school.
EARLY PICKUP
If you need to pick up your child early, you must check them out in the office. In addition,
we ask that you keep early pick-ups to a minimum. It is crucial that students remain in class
for instructional purposes. Students will wait in their classrooms until you arrive to pick
them up.
EMERGENCY CONTACT
Although it happens infrequently, emergency situations do sometimes occur. Please be sure
that our office has current, updated contact numbers to call in case of an emergency.
ENROLLMENT
In order to complete the enrollment process, by state law, we must have the following
documentation on file for each student:
1. Proof of residence: current lease agreement, purchase agreement or utility bill (gas,
electric, water)
2. Social security card
3. Shot records
4. Birth certificate (for K students)
5. Last report card for grades 1-6
6. Any withdrawal form from the prior school
Please note that throughout the year you may be asked to provide current proof of
residence.
If at any time during the school year your phone number changes, please contact the school
office with the new number.
FIELD TRIPS
Approved AISD field trips are part of the curriculum. Students will take field trips
throughout the school year. Parents will be notified prior to any scheduled field trips. Any
parent or guardian wishing to attend a field trip must be an approved volunteer.
§504 Child Find Notice
Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the District has a duty to identify,
refer, evaluate and if eligible, provide a free, appropriate public education to disabled
students.
For additional information about the rights of parents of eligible children, or for answers to
any questions you might have about identification, evaluation and placement into Section
504 programs, please contact the District’s Section 504 Coordinator, Linda Rodgers (682867-7465 or by email at lirodger@aisd.net
FREE/REDUCED LUNCH
The Arlington ISD participates in the federal school lunch program based on household
income. If you feel your child(ren) would benefit from this program, please contact the
school. Confidentiality will be maintained.
GIFTED/TALENTED PROGRAM
Little Elementary recognizes students who demonstrate learning abilities that are
categorized as “gifted” according to AISD policy. We have a staff member who serves as the
G/T program liaison and works with teachers and staff to ensure that students who qualify
are recognized and appropriate intervention strategies are utilized. For more information,
contact our school counselor.
LUNCH & PARENTS
Parents are welcome to enjoy lunch with their child, during their child’s lunch time, while
sitting at the visitor’s table. Parents are not permitted to invite other children to sit with
them at the visitors table. In addition, parents should respect the 30 minute lunch block
and be sure their children have finished lunch and are walking independently with their
class back to the classroom. If you desire your child to sit with another adult during lunch
time, please send a signed note to your child’s teacher giving permission. We do not allow
other children to sit with adults who are not legal guardians without parent permission.
Parents are not permitted to eat lunch with their child during state assessments.
MEAL PRICES
The meal prices for the 2014-15 school year are:
Breakfast*:
Students $1.25 Reduced .30
Lunch*:
Students $2.35 Reduced .40
In the event that your child does not bring any money for school lunch, the AISD Food
Service
Department will provide a “short meal”. * Prices are subject to change
To contact the Food Nutrition Service Department for AISD, you can visit their website at:
www.aisd.net/fns or call (682) 867.7880.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The Arlington Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
age, national origin, religion, or disability in educational programs, admissions/enrollment
decisions or activities which it operates, as required by Title VI, Title IX, Title II and Section
504.
OFFICE HOURS
Little’s office hours are:
7:50-4:20 Monday-Friday
Phone: 682-867-3300
Fax: 817-492-3305
Web: www.aisd.net/Little
ORCHESTRA
Fifth and Sixth grade students at Little have the opportunity to participate in the school’s
orchestra program. For more information about this program, please Mrs. Lemin.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Parents are valued stakeholders and play a critical role in the school community. Support
for our school can come in many different forms; it is not necessarily only volunteering
your time to run copies. There is significant research that shows parent involvement as the
number one
predictor of academic success for children. Get involved with your child’s education today.
We value you and welcome you to share in the experience of educating our youth for
tomorrow’s success. Please remember that in order to be a school volunteer, you must first
be on the approved volunteer list. For more information go online to www.aisd.net or
contact our office.
PARENT SELF-SERVE
This system provides access to your child's attendance and grades. If you have more than
one child enrolled in AISD, only register once to gain access to all of your children’s data.
Once you complete the registration, go to the school of the child you registered, show a
photo ID and complete your authorization. After the school authorizes your account you
will be able to see all
of your children’s data. Register with the first and last name you have on file with the
district. You must also use the student's legal name to register. Additionally, you will need
the student's ID number to register; this is the student's cafeteria number which can be
found on Progress Reports or Report Cards. Instructions for registering and using the
Parent Self Serve can be
found at www.aisd.net.
PTA
Little’s PTA is committed to its mission of providing the very best support for the entire
Little community. We encourage all our parents to join the PTA. The annual dues are only
$7.00 per person.
To find out how to join the Little PTA, please contact the school or visit their website atYou can also follow the Little PTA on Facebook!
PRE-KINDERGARTEN
Little Elementary offers a half-day program for students who will be at least four (4) years
old
by September 1. This program is for students who qualify in one of two areas: family
income or
language. Additionally, active duty military are eligible for this program. For more
information on this program, please visit www.aisd.net and click on the Pre-Kindergarten
Registration Tab on the left.
PROGRESS REPORTS
Progress reports are sent out to parents of all students after the 3rd week of each grading
period. This communication tool allows parents to monitor their child’s progress in each
academic subject area. Questions about your child’s progress should be directed to his/her
classroom teacher. Progress Reports must be signed and returned to the homeroom
teacher.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards will be sent out following the end of each grading period. This communication
tool allows parents to monitor their child’s progress in each academic subject area.
Questions about your child’s report card should be directed to his/her classroom teacher.
Report Cards must be signed and returned to the homeroom teachers.
SAFETY PATROL
Little sixth grade students will be offered the opportunity to serve as school safety patrol
members. They provide a valuable service to help ensure the safe arrival and dismissal of
our students. Please remember that they, too, are students, and should be treated with
respect and courtesy at all times.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
School supply lists are available in the office. Questions about supplies should be directed
to your child’s teacher. If you have difficulty securing school supplies, contact the school’s
counselor.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual Harassment is the unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and
other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Please refer to the Student Code of
Conduct for further information. Reports of sexual harassment should be made to the
assistant principal.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Little offers several programs for students with special needs including those with learning
disabilities and disabilities in the area of speech and language. If you have any questions or
concerns about your child possibly needing special education services, please contact the
assistant principal or school counselor.
SUPERVISION
It is the responsibility of the school staff to properly supervise students while they are in
our care. We begin this supervision at 7:45 a.m. and it ends at 3:20 p.m. Please be aware of
the dangers of dropping off your children early in the morning, as there is no supervision
until 7:45. In addition, it is expected that parents will assume responsibility for their
children promptly at 3:20, as it is not the school staff’s responsibility to monitor students
after 3:35. We
understand that there are extenuating circumstances, but those should not be the norm.
We also understand that we may need to monitor a student for a few minutes after
dismissal. If you are consistently picking up your child after about 3:35, we can recommend
some excellent day care facilities for you to utilize.
TARDIES
It is important to establish good habits within our students for their future in the adult
world. Please be sure your child gets to school on time and is in his/her seat and ready to
learn by 8:20. Five tardies within the same semester will result in administrative action.
Your child should be at school by the 8:05 a.m. bell to ensure they are in class on time.
VISITORS
All visitors to Little are required to check in at the office and obtain a visitor’s pass. A
Driver’s License or state ID is required to check in as a Little visitor. We welcome and
encourage visitors to our school. If you are interested in observing your child in the
classroom, we do request that you inform us 24 hours in advance. No classroom visits or
observations may take place during curriculum assessments, state assessments, or district
assessments. We ask that you limit visits and observations to 45 minutes per day. We
request that there are no observations within the first six weeks of school to allow teachers
to establish routines.
If you are visiting to drop off money, folders, lunches, etc…we ask that you leave those in
the front office and the office will notify your child. This procedure will help to minimize
theamount of classroom disruptions.
VOLUNTEERS
School volunteers must complete a volunteer form online which includes a criminal
background check. We appreciate the efforts of all our volunteers and the service they
provide to our school. Volunteer applications can be obtained online through the AISD
website and can take up to several weeks to process your application.
WEATHER
In the event of inclement weather, school closings will be announced on your local news
channels and posted on the AISD website. Please do not call the school for school closure
information.
WEBSITE
The Little website is www.aisd.net/Little. Please refer to our website for events, testing
dates, and other information.
WITHDRAWALS
Parents of a child withdrawing from school should notify the office at least 24 to 48 hours
before the child’s last day. Last minute withdrawals do not allow time for paperwork to be
completed.
Little Elementary School
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
When Students Arrive…
All Students:
• Come into the cafeteria before 8:05.
•Those needing to eat breakfast go through the cafeteria line and sit at one of the breakfast
tables.
•All other students sit at their assigned grade level table and visit quietly.
.• At 8:05am, students are dismissed by teachers and walk in a line with their teacher to the
classroom.
When Students Dismiss…
• Please see the map for more information.
• Dismissal is at 3:20pm. Our staff is off duty at 3:35pm, so supervision cannot be provided
after that time. Please make every effort to pick up your child on time.