Text Box: Tina E. Whidby Elementary—Montessori School


 


 


 

Home
Principal's Page
Contact Us
Calendar
Campus News
General Information
The Central Region
HISD Connect
Montessori Program
Parent/Student Links
Wildcat Photos
Promotion Standards
TAKS Information
Twitter
Student Handbook
Whidby's Programs
Whidby PTO
Whidby's Staff
Annenberg Program

Text Box: Student-Parent Handbook 2009-2010

Text Box:  Enrollment Information Cards   Whidby elementary-Montessori School requires an accurate address, telephone number, and emergency telephones numbers for all students. If you move or change your telephone number, please send us this information immediately so we can keep our files current and be able to reach you in the event of illness or an accident. At the beginning of the new school year, each student will be given two (2) enrollment cards. Please fill out the front and back of the enrollment card and send it back to your child’s teacher. One enrollment card will be kept on file in the main office and the second enrollment card will be kept on file in the nurse’s office.   · Rainy Days Please give definite instructions for rainy days. Make sure your child understands what he/she is to do to get home on rainy days. He/she will not be allowed to use the telephone to call each time it rains. On days when the streets are in a flooded condition, we will hold the children in the classroom until you or the designated person's) come for your child.   Elementary School Policy   Students who have been absent must present a written excuse from the parent/guardian when they return to school. The only acceptable excuses for absence and tardiness are personal illness, sickness, or death in the family, quarantine, weather or road conditions making travel dangerous. Unexcused absences may not be made up and the student receives a 0(zero) for the daily assignments. Students who are tardy, must bring a written excuse on the day they are tardy.   · Attendance         The importance of regular attendance cannot be over emphasized. A child should be in school everyday except when ill or incase of an emergency. Irregular attendance makes it extremely difficult to keep up with class work. Consistent unexcused absences will result in referral to the Houston Independent school District Attendance Officer. · Tardiness It is very important that your child arrive at school on time (See School Hours). If your child is late to school, he/she is to report to the office for a tardy attendance slip. Tardiness is noted in the office computer attendance file so that he/she will not be marked absent fro the day. However, consistent tardiness will result in referral to the Houston Independent School District Attendance Officer.   · Request to Leave School Early A request to have a child excused from classes early, should be sent with the child on the morning of the dismissal. For proper attendance accounting, the time and reason for leaving should be included when possible. Please make medical and dental appointments outside of school hours. A child will only be released to the parent/guardian, unless the school has been notified by the parent that permission has been granted for someone else to pick up the child. Children should be waiting in the office at the designated time so that the classroom will not be interrupted. The time loss will interfere with the child’s work. Parents are encouraged to avoid making appointments during school hours If possible, try to have your child in the classroom at 8:00a.m. as attendance will be taken at that time. The state pays Houston Independent School District for students present by 9:00a.m. Please complete the form regarding this policy and return with the student.   · Telephone Teachers and students cannot be called to the telephone during school hours. A message will be taken and placed in the teacher’s box. Emergency calls to the parents by the student or from the parents will receive special attention.   Homework   Homework may be given daily. Homework practice is an important step in the accomplishment of a skill and is an outgrowth of what is introduced and taught in the classroom. · School Supplies School supplies are valuable. Parents are encouraged to purchase students’ school supplies early, so that students can begin their class work on time and do their very best. Please replenish during the school year, as needed. · Textbooks and Library Books            HISD BOARD OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES—No. 313.224: Each pupil, as well as his/her parent/guardian, is responsible for the textbooks, library books, and workbooks issued to the student. If these materials are lost or damaged, the parent/guardian is financially obligated to replace them. Please encourage your children to take care of school materials and keep all books covered, as mandated by State Law. Library Policy: Students are urged to check out one to three books, for one week, during the assigned library session. Books must be returned or renewed each week.   Health Services   Health services are under the supervision of the school nurse. The nurse identifies health problems and confers with the teachers and parents within the school. The nurse is available for consultations on emergencies and health problems. Please notify the nurse if your child has special health problems (i.e. asthma, sickle cells, etc.).   · Illness at school When a child becomes ill at school, every effort will be made to contact the parent/guardian immediately.  Please see that we have current home, work and/or alternate telephone numbers on file, so that you may be reached in case of emergency. This is very important. Students must be picked up by the parent/guardian within a reasonable period of time after being notified of a students’ illness. · First Aid Medication First aid must be given according to the Recommended First Aid Procedures. All school personnel are legally responsible for administering first aid whenever the occasion arises at school. Every student must have an Enrollment Card on file so that the parent/guardian my be notified in case of accident or illness.   Teachers do not give student medication. (All medication must be housed and administered in the school clinic). A for signed by the physician must be on file in the clinic. School board policy state that the nurse and other school personnel can give medication during school hours under the following restrictions: Pupils who are non-contagious on long-term medication that cannot under any arrangement be administered other than during school hours, may take medication at school. The physician’s statement must be accompanied by written permission of at least one parent/guardian. Parents/guardians may request this form from the school nurse. · Physical Education All students are to participate in physical education activities UNLESS A NOTE FROM A DOCTOR OR PARENT IS SENT INDICATING AN ILLNESS OR INJURY. Student should have proper shoes to wear when playing. Sandals are not permitted.     Safety Preparedness Information for Parents   In the event of an emergency, the safety of students and staff is of paramount importance. Thus, all actions will be related to the safety and well being of both student and staff. Under no circumstances will a student be released from the custody of the school personnel, without proper ID.   Students will be released only to an individual listed on the enrollment information card (Alternate Designee Form) unless specific parental/guardian permission is obtained. Adults must sign the pupil out before the student leaves the premises.   The following emergency procedures have been implemented: · Fire drills occur at least once a month. · The School Safety Plan is available for your information in the school office. · Students will receive instruction through drills and classroom orientation ni all aspects of emergency plans, including fire and disaster drills. · Evacuation from the school site will be implemented upon direction and orders from the HISD Administration Office.   Student Personal Safety   · Running             Due to unseen dangers, running is restricted to the playground area only. · Bicycles Bicycles may be ridden to and from school with the understanding that they are maintained and operated in a safe manner. The school administration is requesting that the kindergarten, first, and second grade children not ride bicycles to school, due to safety guidelines. Bicycles are to be parked and locked in the area that is provided. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen bicycles. · Traffic Safety The challenge of traffic safety today is grater than ever. Our best hope for control of the traffic accident problem is to provide adequate safety instruction for the young people attending our schools. Please instruct your child/children to observe all safety rules and to obey the directions given by the crossing guard. · Personal Property Students should not bring large sums of money, personal belongings such as playground equipment, radios, or other items of failure to school.  The school cannot be responsible for damage or loss of these items. If it is necessary to send money to school for lunch, milk or for any reason, you may wish to put it in an envelope with your child’s name on it. Lunch cards may be purchased through the office. · Lost and Found A lost and found box is maintained in the cafeteria. Please encourage your child to look for lost items as soon as the item(s) are missing. Many items are not labeled and remain unclaimed. At the close of each semester, unclaimed items will be donated to charity.   IMPORTANT: PLEASE LABEL ALL PERSONAL BELONGINGS INCLUDING: COATS, SWEATERS, OVERSHOES, RAINCOATS, AND LUNCHKITS WITH THE STUDENT’S NAME.     Student Behavior Expectations/ School Wide Conduct   Please discuss the behavioral expectations with your child. Our staff has high expectations for our students. We need your support!   · Students will be expected to respond in an positive and timely manner to the directions or request of all staff members and adults. · Orderly and otherwise appropriate behavior is expected of all student at all times. · Students are expected to refrain from rough or aggressive play (i.e. pushing, shoving, tripping, play fighting and tag games), which may result in injury to themselves or others. · Fighting, provoking a fight or intimidation is prohibited. Students must avail themselves of the resources here at school to resolve conflicts at the peace table. If students need help, they should contact one of the following: *          Teacher *          Member of the office staff *          Principal · Profanity or vulgar expressions, of any kind, are absolutely unacceptable. · Students should respect the personal rights and property of their classmates and others. · Common playground and classroom courtesies are expected of all students · Students using playground equipment/apparatus should refrain from stunts or activities that have been judged to be dangerous. Hold onto boars with both hands at all times. Students may not play on the play ground equipment before or after school without supervision. · Students are expected to complete all class assignments following the teacher’s directions to the best of their ability. · Care of school property and equipment is of utmost importance. All students are charged wit the responsibility of helping maintain a neat and order school environment.   · Basic Rules of Conduct at Whidby Elementary-Montessori School The Code of Student Conduct outlines a student’s rights and responsibilities (this Code of Conduct will be strictly enforced at Whidby). The teachers and staff feel a right and a moral responsibility to the students, to guide them in the development of those citizenship skills necessary to function at a successful level as a productive, law-abiding member of the total school environment. 1. Follow the HISD Code of Student Conduct. 2. Keep to the right of the hallways and walk quietly through the halls, classroom and cafeteria. 3. Use a hall pass when going to the restroom, office, or other classrooms. 4. Fighting is strictly forbidden for any reason and will result in suspension. 5. Students with a “U” in conduct will not be permitted to participate in any field trips or other extra curricular activities. · Dress Code           STUDENT DRESS CODE FOR WHIDBY ELEMENTARY-MONTESSORI SCHOOL         Students should be hygienic in appearance and wear clean, modest and comfortable clothing to school.         ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR THE WHIDBY SCHOOL UNIFORM DAILY (MONDAY—FRIDAY)                            Parent Conferencing and Reporting   Communication among parents/guardians, teachers and school personnel are essential to a successful educational program. The processes employed in HISD include a number of communication levels, both direct and indirect.   The parent conference is of prime importance in communicating of information regarding the student’s progress during the school year, as it provides a unique vehicle for exchange of information between yourself and your child’s teacher on his/her academic and emotional growth. In addition to regularly scheduled conferences, you may, at any time, arrange a conference y contacting the school office to set up an appointment with your child’s teacher.   Parent/guardian conferences for the purpose of reporting the student’s progress in school are scheduled. You will be notified to conferences dates. During conference days, parents/guardians are requested to arrive at the scheduled appointment times. Appointment forms will be sent home with the student.   · Classroom Visitation We welcome visitors, especially the parents/guardians of our students. Houston Independent School District (HISD) policy requires all visitor's) to register in the school office and to obtain a visitor’s permit. This measure is planned for the protection of the student(s). Any person entering the school for any reason is a visitor. At no time may a teacher leave his/her class unattended to have a conference (see Parent Conferencing) or visit the halls. The instructional time belongs to the students. The teacher is responsible for the instruction and safety of each student in his/her care. Parents/guardians are asked not to stand outside classroom doors for the purpose of observing student behavior or instruction program.   Parents/guardians brining lunches, etc. to their children are asked to label them with the student’s name and room number and leave these items in the school office. · Report on Student Progress Teachers will confer with parents/guardians wherever necessary. These contacts may be in the form of notes, telephone calls or personal visits with the teacher at the school. Please ask for a conference with your child/children’s teacher whenever you feel it necessary.   A report to Parent form will be sent home during the fourth week of the nine-week grading period or as needed to inform parents/guardians of the student’s progress and/or conduct.   Standards for symbols used on report cards: 90-100                        Excellent quality of work—thorough mastery of subject matter 80-89                          Good quality of work—above average with consistent effort 75-79                          Satisfactory quality of work—average achievement 70-74                          Below quality of work—below average achievement Below 70   Unsatisfactory quality of work—poor work FAILING · Conduct Grades The conduct grade is determined by the student’s daily behavior and citizenship traits; following is an explanation of a grade the student may receive: “E”                            Indicates Exemplary behavior                   “S”                            Indicates Satisfactory behavior “P”                            Indicates Probationary behavior “U”                            Indicates unsatisfactory behavior   · Promotion/Retention Promotion/Retention Committees consisting of the principal, grade level  teachers and other professional staff meet during the second semester to project student placement for the following year. Parents/guardians will be notified if thee is a chance the student will be retained, based on the information at the time of the review.     Miscellaneous   · Birthdays            Birthday parties are not allowed, however, prior arrangements can be made with the classroom        teacher for parents/guardians to provide cake, cookies or cupcakes during lunch only. · Field Trips Students must have passing grades in order to participate in a field trip and conduct must be a “S” or higher. Money collected for field trips cannot be refunded if a student is not allowed to attend because of grades, behavior or illness.     Volunteers   There are several areas in our school in which volunteers can play a vital role. Our volunteer program at Whidby Elementary-Montessori School has always played an important role in helping our school run smoothly. If you would like to become a volunteer, the staff and students would appreciate it very much. School personnel will give any needed training. VIPs supplement our school program by sharing their time and talents. Programs in which they are involved are:   ·       Enrichment                                Art                             ·       Tutoring                                      Library-Media Center ·       Lunch Room                               Classroom                   There is a place for you, if you have the time to devote. Please contact the school or the VIPs Coordinator. VIPs should report to the office when entering the school building. Office personnel will assist you with signing in and placement for available time. We need YOU!   Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)   The Parent-Teacher Organization is a vital part of the school community. All parents/guardians are invited to become active members and to be involved in school activities. The yearly membership drive will be held during Open House. It means a great deal to the children for you to support their school and its programs and activities. The PTO meets on the third (3) Thursday of every other month at 6:00p.m. The entire community is invited to participate.