FES STUDENT HANDBOOK

 

 

 

FES MISSION STATEMENT

 

The FES community will work to help every student to develop the skills necessary to become lifelong learners

and productive members of society.

 

 

Fall 2007


 

Arrival/Dismissal

·        Students should arrive after 7:45 AM by walking, biking, or car ride.

·        Students should arrive after 7:30 AM for breakfast at the RBMS multipurpose room.

·        Students may enter the building at 8:00 AM.

·        The TARDY BELL is at 8:10 AM.

·        BUS STUDENTS are dismissed at 3:00 PM. 

·        WALKERS, CAR RIDERS, BIKERS, and IN TOWN BUS students are dismissed at 3:10 PM.

·        CARS should not drive or park in the bus lane during arrival or dismissal times.

 

Attendance

·        Please call the office before 9:00 AM to report that your child is absent.

·        Parents may leave an absence message on the school answering machine before 7:30 AM.

·        Send a note to pre-arrange any scheduled absences to the teacher and the office.

·        Students will be considered tardy if they arrive after 8:10 AM but before 10:00 AM.

·        The exceptions to being tardy are students who: may arrive late through no fault of their own or their parents (ie; dropped books on playground and was picking them up; bus arrives late; etc.) or are brought in late by their parents because of hazardous weather conditions

·        If a student is tardy he/she must go to the office before going to the classroom.

·        Repeated absences or tardies are referred to the Truancy Alternative Program.

 

Bikes

·        Students in second grade or above are allowed to ride their bikes to school. 

·        It is the responsibility of the student to lock the bike. 

·        FES is not responsible for missing or damaged bicycles.

·        Students should walk their bikes on the sidewalks or driveways of school during school hours.

 

Birthdays

·        Birthdays are announced each morning at school.

·        No birthday or party invitations may be passed out at school. 

·        Addresses and class lists are available to copy in the office.

·        Students may bring treats to share with their classroom for their birthdays. 

·        Send treats first thing in the morning so teachers may plan an appropriate sharing time.

·        Students with summer birthdays may choose a date to share treats during the year.

Bus

·        Bus riding is a privilege. 

·        Riders must follow all bus rules.

·        Dangerous, distracting, or unsafe behavior is not allowed.

·        Students reported by the bus driver for violations of bus rules may lose bus privileges.

·        Bus concerns or questions should be reported to the bus garage or school.

·        Friends or visitors planning on riding the bus must take a note to the office.

·        The note must be signed by office staff and given to teachers. 

·        Students must show the signed note to the bus driver.


 

Clothing

·        Students must dress respectfully in clothing that is neat, clean, and in good condition.

·        Students must not wear make-up, jewelry, tattoos, hairdos, or clothing that disrupts, distracts, or detracts from the educational studies at school.

·        Students must not wear clothing that is too short or too revealing.

·        Students will be required to change clothing when it is inappropriate.

·        Students may not wear hats, caps, visors, or other headgear during school.

·        Students must not wear roller shoes or shoes with roller skates built in them.

 

Communication with teacher

·        If you would like to meet with a teacher please call the teacher at school or send a note to set up an appointment. 

·        The best time to call would be before 8:00 AM and after 3:10 PM.

·        Teachers will communicate with families when the need arises for consultation.

 

Calendar Handbook

·        Calendar Handbooks are provided to every family at registration.

·        Calendar handbooks contain school policies, procedures, and other information.

·        It is the responsibility of families to read and be familiar with this information.

·        Parents should refer to the calendar about school events, early release dates, vacations, weather information, and activities.

 

Discipline

 

 

School discipline will follow the River Bend Handbook-Calendar as a general procedure.  However, the administration of the building has the right to determine alternative options when it is in the best interest of the school to do so.

 

Classroom Discipline

·        Teachers are expected to have established classroom rules.

·        Teachers will manage their classrooms and handle rule infractions in most cases.

·        Teachers will provide parents with a copy of classroom rules when requested. 

·        Teachers will post a copy of classroom rules and expectations in each classroom.

·        Questions or concerns should be referred to the teacher.

 

Discipline Referrals to the Principal

·        Discipline referrals are made by the school staff for major offenses or major concerns.

·        Notices are recorded on a discipline form and sent to the principal.

·        Students may be referred from a classroom, the lunchroom, the LRC, the bus, the playground, anywhere on school grounds, or at any school activity.

·        Students sent to the office must take along a staff-completed DISCIPLINE REFERRAL. 

·        The principal will review the information on the form.

·        The principal may discuss the notice with teachers, staff, students, or parents.

·        The principal will decide the consequences if any. 

·        In all cases the student is expected to apologize to the offended parties.

·        Parents and the homeroom teacher will be provided a copy of the Discipline Referral.

 


 

Examples of Major Offenses that may be referred to the Principal

·        Inappropriate language (disrespectful, disruptive, vulgar, dangerous, cursing, or other harmful and hurtful language)

·        Cheating

·        Graffiti

·        Physical Harassment of others

·        Verbal Harassment of others

·        Insubordination

·        Repeated Minor Offenses

·        Bullying

·        Fighting

·        Destruction of property

 

Possible Consequences for Discipline Referrals to the Principal

·        Timeout

·        Writing Exercises

·        Missed Activities

·        In-School Community Service

·        Detention

·        Saturday School

·        In-School Suspension

·        Out-of-School Suspension

·        Expulsion

 

Extra-curricular Activities

·        Opportunities are given to join band, chorus, chess club, and other activities.

·        Information is passed out in the classroom for these events.

 

Fundraising

·        PTO and FES both do fundraising activities during the school year to support FES projects.

·        FES does not allow students to go door-to-door during any fundraising opportunity.

·        FES has fundraising agreements with some stores for a percentage of designated sales.

 

 


 

Homework

·        Homework is assigned in all grades. 

·        This is an important part of a child’s education.

·        Students should have a study time at home.

·        Parents should encourage the completion and return of homework.

·        Assignment notebooks can help parents and students to know what assignments are due.

·        Parents should contact teachers with questions about homework.

 

I.  HOMEWORK

Homework is an assignment done at home to benefit students in these ways:

·         Practice new skills and concepts

·         Prepare for future learning

·         Provide opportunities for creative expression

·         Prevent incomplete lessons and limited achievement

 

II.  BENEFITS OF HOMEWORK

Homework provides important opportunities to learn future skills for learning and career

·         Develops responsibility

·         Develops diligence

·         Develops independence and self-disciplined effort

·         Develops prioritizing and time management skills

·         Develops effective and efficient study habits

 

III.  SCHOOL CONTRIBUTIONS TO HOMEWORK

The school should make homework assignments that are appropriate to the student ability and need

·         Teachers clearly communicate assignments

·         Teachers return homework in a timely manner

·         Teachers communicate with parents when student achievement is not occurring

·         Teachers are available to plan with families ways to benefit from homework assignments.

·         Teachers provide additional assistance at school when needed

 

IV.  FAMILY CONTRIBUTIONS TO HOMEWORK

Families can work together at home to help students succeed in doing homework

·         Student records assignments in some type of agenda

·         Student asks for help when confused or unsure

·         Student takes home all necessary materials

·         Parents plan a study time for students daily

·        Parents check student agenda

·        Parents make certain work is complete and communicate with teacher when concerns arise

·        Parents assist student with homework questions when possible

 

 

Lunch Procedures

·        Guests coming for lunch need to check in and pay for lunch in the office.

·        Guests for lunch should only come occasionally. (1 time a month)

·        Call by 9:00 AM to order lunch.

·        NO FAST FOOD may be brought into the lunchroom.

·        Students may not bring pop to lunch.

·        Lunch periods begin at these times:  11:20 (K-1st)   11:45 (2nd-3rd)   12:10 (4th-5th)

·        Lunch lasts about 20 minutes in the gym, though students may stay longer if they need time to finish eating.

·        Parents may not attend the recess times after lunch on the playground.

 


 

Medication

·        All medication must be turned into the office, except emergency inhalers with doctor’s note.

·        A note from parents to explain the use and duration of the medication must be provided.

·        Students may carry asthma inhalers and cough drops with a note from a doctor.

·        A doctor’s note is required to be excused from PE or recess.

·        The school nurse will monitor all medications and medical conditions.

 

Motto

·        Students and staff will say the school motto periodically.

WE THE MEMBERS OF FULTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WILL FOLLOW SCHOOL RULES,

TREAT OTHERS WITH KINDNESS AND RESPECT, AND WORK TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.

Parent Visits

·        All parent visits must be approved and prearranged with the teacher and office.

·        Parents may call, stop by, or write a note to arrange a visit.

·        Visits should last one hour or less.

·        Visits for lunch or class should not occur more than once every couple of weeks.

·        Parents may chaperone all day field trips when requested by teachers.

·        Visitors must sign in the office and get a visitor badge.

 

Parties

·        FES has parties for Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day.

·        Occasionally, a special party may be held.

·        Families may send treats.

·        Participation is voluntary.

·        Information is sent home at appropriate times.

·        Parents may volunteer to assist but the decision to have help is the teacher’s.

 

PE

·        Students must have gym shoes on PE days.

·        All students will participate in PE activities unless a doctor's excuse is provided.

·        PE is held in the gym and on the playground.

 

Pets

·        Pets are not allowed on school grounds.

·        Pet visits are not allowed.

·        Teachers may sometimes make special arrangements for animal visits that are directly related to teaching-learning units.

 

Playground Rules

·        No tackling, grabbing, tripping, kicking, or pushing during games.

·        No pretend or real fighting or wrestling.

·        No throwing any objects at people like wood chips, sticks, rocks, snowballs, etc.

·        No jumping from the playground equipment.

·        No sliding on the ground, snow, or asphalt.

·        No running on the castle.

·        Playground equipment must be used appropriately and safely at supervisor’s request.

 


 

Pledge

·        Each morning students and staff say the Pledge of Allegiance.

·        Participation is voluntary.

·        Non-participants may wait politely and not disrupt others.

·        The Pledge of Allegiance is as follows:

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

 

Retention Policy

·        Illinois state law prohibits social promotion.

·        If a student fails three academic areas, the student will be recommended for retention. 

·        Parents will generally be notified in February.

·        A parent-teacher conference will be arranged to discuss the possibility of retention.

·        If you have concerns about your child’s progress please contact the homeroom teacher.

·        If your child has a 504 Plan or an IEP, please discuss it with the homeroom teacher.

 

Toys

·        Scooters, roller shoes, or roller blades may not be on school grounds during school hours.

·        No toys, trading cards, electronic games, CD players or other play items are allowed in school or at recess.  CD players may be used with headphones on the bus with driver approval.

·        Forbidden items may be confiscated and picked up by parents.

·        FES is not responsible for missing or damaged toys.

 

Visitors and Volunteers

·        Anyone entering the building must check-in at the office to sign a visitor list.

·        Visitors and volunteers will receive a visitor pass and must wear it on school property.

·        LUNCH VISITORS SHOULD NOT BE AT RECESS.

·        Classroom visits should be prearranged whenever possible.

·        Prearranged Visits should be about one hour and only occur occasionally.

·        Parents may not attend recess without principal approval.

·        Visitation and volunteer service is a privilege and subject to administrative review.

 

Weather

·        Weather reports, school closings, and delays are reported on local TV and radio.

·        Students will be outside daily for recess and before and after school. 

·        Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately.

·        Recess will be inside only when it is raining or the temperature/wind chill drops below 0 ˚F. 

·        Children without boots or snow pants must remain on the black top when there is snow.

·        Parents must notify the teacher by note of any transportation changes for early release or late start days.  If changes occur send a note to the teacher.

 


 

WHO TO CONTACT?

 

·       PTO • Jim Kelly, President 589-4853

·       Attendance • Stacey Dail  589-2911 (Leave a message)

·       Lunch Program • Kim Abbott   589-2911

·       School Nurse • Linda Rogis 589-2911

·       Bus Barn • 589-2902

·       School Concerns • Mike Lawler - Principal   589-2911

·       School Guidance Counselor • Tammy Helbing  589-2911

·       Band • Nicole Styczynski       589-2611

·       Chorus • Shawn Anton   589-2911

·       Library/LRC • Nancy Buikema   589-2911

 

“A School Where Everybody Is Somebody”

Fulton Elementary • 1301 Seventh Avenue • Fulton, IL 61252