Our mission at Durkee Elementary is to develop the full potential of all students through effective instruction, a positive school environment conducive to learning and concerned parental involvement. The students will become:

Responsible citizens

Effective communicators

Competent problem-solvers

Lifelong learners who strive for excellence

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We offer:

Balanced Approach to Reading

Bilingual Developmental Maintenance

Developmentally Appropriate Practices

Advanced Academics (Neighborhood Gifted & Talented)

Departmentalization

Special Education

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We believe that our students’ parents are our partners in  education. We always welcome and encourage our   parents to visit the school. We request that they  schedule visits in advance and register at the office every  time they come to observe or to have a conference with a teacher. There is a new computer program for parents to register. The office staff will be happy to assist you. For safety reasons we are requesting that visitors show an identification or picture I. D. in the main office. Teachers and students work on a planned schedule and program. Unnecessary interruptions consume time and hinder the program.

For the protection of the students and security in the school, it is required that any person entering the building during the school day come directly to the office before going to any other part of the school. No students will be permitted to leave the building with a visitor unless she/he has been checked out through the school office.  All persons who intend to work as a Volunteer In Public Schools (VIPS) must complete an HISD Criminal Background Check form and a VIPS  registration form.  This is necessary before working as classroom tutors or going on field trips.

Title I Compact Forms

English  |  Bilingual

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SCHOOL PROCEDURES

Before-School Procedures

Each morning staff is on duty at 7:00 A. M. to ensure the safety of all children. Students arriving early will assemble  according to grade level. At this time, quiet activities are acceptable. However, no rough play will be tolerated.

The first bell rings at 7:40 A.M. This is the time for students to line up quietly and enter the building in an orderly manner.

In bad weather students will go to their classrooms and sit on the floor by the classroom door. Staff members will supervise the students at all times.

Students who come to breakfast should report directly to the cafeteria and sit quietly until the serving line is opened.

Students are not to go to the classroom or playground before the bell.

Breakfast is served from 7:00 A.M. until 7:30 A.M:  After eating and cleaning their space, students will go to their grade level lines and wait until the bell rings.

Students should not be in the hallways before the 7:40 A. M. bell.

The second bell is at 7:45 A.M. At this time daily announcements are broadcast.

Students arriving at school after the announcements have started are considered late to school and must go to the office for an office pass, or tardy slip.
 

After-School Procedures

When the bell rings at 3:15 P.M. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday), teachers will walk their classes to the front of the building, toward the outside common area of the school. Here, teachers will ensure the safe dismissal of students.  Pre-K and Kindergarten will be dismissed from the door by the Kindergarten rooms. The same procedures will be in effect on Wednesday, but the dismissal time will be 1:00 PM.

Any students waiting for rides must wait quietly until the ride arrives. Students must remain on the sidewalk directly in front of the school.

Students will not be allowed to wait in the office or make phone calls (except in an emergency).

Parents are allowed to wait for their children in the outside of the exit doors. The last few minutes are needed by teachers to pass out notices, review homework assignments, and close the day. It is difficult to accomplish this if parents interrupt. We hope that parents will understand and cooperate with this procedure.

Parents who drive are asked to wait and / or park in Visitor's Parking only! Please obey all traffic regulations and be considerate of other drivers and pedestrians.

Parents are not allowed in No Parking Zones nor are they allowed to wait for their children in the bus loop area.

Students are not allowed to remain in the building after school hours unless prior permission has been granted.

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RAINY DAY PROCEDURES

In the event of the school closing early due to inclement weather, we will dismiss the students in accordance with the Rainy Day Policy form completed by parents at the beginning of the year.
 

ATTENDANCE

All students must attend school every day. Students must be at school to participate and learn. The only acceptable excuses for absences are as follow:

1.  Illness of student
2.  Illness or death in the student's family
3.  Quarantine
4.  Weather or road conditions making travel dangerous.
5.  Emergency recognized by or designated by a parent.
6.  Please send a note explaining the students absence upon their returning.

We understand that scheduling doctors’ appointments can be very difficult. However, we ask that, whenever possible, all appointments for children be made after school hours. This will help to ensure that the student is in school as much as possible.

In the event that after-school appointments are a difficulty, we ask that you make every attempt to schedule appointments after the daily attendance is taken at 10:30 A.M. If a student arrives on time and then must leave after 10: 30 A.M., he/she is counted present for attendance purposes.

Parents who come to pick up a student during the school day must report to the office to request that their child be released. No child will be released to any person other than the parent or guardian named on the Student Enrollment Card, Please bring picture I. D.

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Emergency Information

In case of emergency, each student is required to have on file at the school office the following information:

1.  Parent(s) or guardian(s) name(s)
2.  Complete and up-to date address
3.  Home phone and parent(s) work phone (connected and working)-at least three working numbers.
4.  Emergency phone number of friend or relative (connected and working)
5.  Physician's name and phone
6.  Medical alert information
7.  Authorized person(s) allowed to pick up the child.

We reward students who have Perfect Attendance. Please help us to reward as many students as possible by encouraging your child to be at school on time every day. The school day begins at 7: 45 A.M. Any child reporting to class after 7:45 A.M. will be counted tardy and must report to the School Office. Please have your children at school on time. Students with excessive tardies (15 or more), for the entire school year will not receive a Perfect Attendance Trophy. When the student returns to school after being absent, he/she must have a written excuse from the parent or guardian stating dates of absences and the reason for each absence.

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MEDICATIONS

The policy of the Board of Education does not authorize Houston ISD personnel to give medications of any kind, including aspirin. Nurses, however, can give medications during school hours with a physician's written request. Form 40.5740 must be signed by the parent and physician before medication can be administered at school. All medicines must be kept in the clinic and not with the student. If a child is referred to the clinic because of illness, the nurse will determine if the child can recover (by resting in the clinic) or needs to go home. If the child must go home, the nurse will contact the parent or guardian, and the child will wait in the clinic for the parent/guardian. It is the parent's responsibility to update the enrollment card with every change of phone number or address change.
 

FIRE DRILLS

Fire drills are held at least once a month. Students must know their fire drill route. Students must follow fire drill rules:

1. Remain quiet at all times
2. Walk in straight lines
3. Remain calm

Fire Drill Signals:

1 Long continuous bell - Leave building
2 Bells - Return to building
1 Bell - Stop

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SCHOOL RULES

The School Rules are meant to help protect students and staff. We expect all students to behave in a polite, quiet manner. For more detailed discipline procedures please view our discipline page.

Rules that apply to all students are:

1.  Respect all adults and fellow students
2.  Respect school property, and keep it neat and clean
3.  Follow instructions the first time they are given
4.  No gum chewing
5.  No weapons of any kind may be brought on campus.
6.  No cell phones, pagers, radios, or electronic games are allowed on school grounds.

Cafeteria Rules also help to keep our students safe and provide a comfortable atmosphere for eating breakfast and lunch. These rules are:

1.  Walk in quiet, straight lines (No Running)
2.  Use polite table manners
3.  Talk quietly to your neighbors
4.  Keep the cafeteria clean
5.  Stay in your seat while eating

There are teachers and teacher aides in the cafeteria to help students. Students in need of assistance should raise their hands.

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DRESS CODE

All children (Grades Pre-K - 5) should wear the recommended uniform daily unless otherwise stated by a note from the school for special occasion days. For more details see our Dress Code page.

The following dress code will apply during school hours and at other activities where the student is representing the school. The uniform for all students (Pre-K- 5th) is as follows:

Girls' Khaki/navy blue jumper or khaki/navy blue skirt, khaki/navy blue pants or walking shorts, navy or white Polo-type shirt, or
green Durkee Spirit T-shirt.

Boys' Khaki/navy blue pants or walking shorts that fit, navy or white Polo-type shirt, or green Durkee Spirit T-shirt. Earrings are not part of the dress code and should not be worn.

Boys and Girls Tennis shoes or leather rubber-soled shoes are suggested.

Heels, thongs, or open-toed sandals are not permitted.

Hair must be clean and well-groomed. Unsafe, unusual, or disruptive hairstyles will be subject to administrative review and/or approval.

Loop and dangling earrings are dangerous during P.E. and recess and are not allowed. Durkee Elementary is not responsible for any jewelry lost or damaged at school.

Gang- or occult-related apparel will not be worn on campus. This includes hats, shirts, jewelry or jackets.

Shirts or other wearing apparel displaying obscene, drug/alcohol-related, and/or occult/violent illustrations and/or slogans will not be tolerated.

Shirts must be tucked at all times. Belts are required when pants or shorts have belt loops.

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TEXTBOOKS AND LIBRARY BOOKS

All books are property of H.I.S.D. and are issued to students for their use. Proper care of these books will ensure that all students have clean books to use; therefore, all textbooks must be covered. There will be no writing in them except for students' names. There is absolutely no writing in library books. Any books lost, destroyed, or mutilated must be replaced and paid for by the student.
 

REPORT CARDS

Report cards will be sent out at the end of each nine-week grading period.

Progress reports will be sent to update the parents regarding student progress during the nine-week period. These will be delivered about four weeks into each grading period or anytime when the teacher feels that a student's work is unsatisfactory. Progress reports and report cards must be signed and returned the following day.

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GRADING

The grade in each subject is an average of all work done in that subject for the nine weeks of the grading period. The grading system is as follows:

Number Average Letter Grade

Equivalent

A = 90-100

B = 80-89

C = 75-79

D = 70-74

F = Below 70
 

CONDUCT

Conduct is very important at Durkee Elementary. The Conduct grades are as follows:

E = Excellent: The student is working above a satisfactory level and has a positive attitude.

S = Satisfactory: The student is meeting an acceptable level.

P = Poor: The student is not meeting the expectations of the school and needs to improve.

U = Unsatisfactory: The student is not behaving properly, is not cooperating, and may be subject to suspension.

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HOMEWORK

Homework is a way for students to reinforce what has been learned at school. Therefore, it is expected that students receive homework every day. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that it is done correctly, neatly, and turned in on time. Every student is required to practice at least 20 minutes of reading a day in addition to the homework assigned by the teachers.
 

PARTY POLICY

Two class parties are allowed per school year. These are a Winter Holiday Party and an End of Year Party unless otherwise designated by the classroom teacher.

All parties must have prior approval of the principal.
 

FIELD TRIPS

Trips within our city and to nearby points are scheduled by various classroom teachers throughout the year. These trips are designed to supplement different aspects of the curriculum and to introduce students to different aspects of the area. Prior to attending any such scheduled event, each student will have to present a signed permission form. An additional fee is required on occasion to help with transportation and admission costs.

Parents must have a Criminal Background Check form in office before accompanying students on field trips.  (please refer to the section on School Visitors).

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