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Student - Parent Handbook
CHAUNCEY DAVIS ELEMENTARY

MISSION STATEMENT

Chauncey Davis Elementary is working in partnership with the family and the community, enabling students to be successful citizens in our changing world.

BELIEF STATEMENTS

1. All adults in the school must demonstrate caring for all students.

2. Children learn best in warm, enriched and developmentally appropriate settings.

3. All students are capable of achieving higher order outcomes.

4. We must build on each students strengths to enhance his/her self image and attitude towards life long learning.

5. Students learn best through motivating and relevant curriculum.

6. Family support is a vital and necessary ingredient to a child’s success in school

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CHAUNCEY DAVIS ELEMENTARY STAFF

Kresta Byington, Principal
Susie Williams, Secretary

Aimee Betrozoff       Kindergarten
Mindi Passolt            Kindergarten/Title I
Erika Harmer            Grade 1
Anita Seaman           Grade 1
Sandy Moser            Grade 2
Tracy Dickey             Grade 2
Heidi Somero        Grade 3
Margaret Presto        Grade 3
Loraine Garrone        Grade 4
Julie Curtis                Grade 4
Jill Vaughn               Grade 5
Mike Lee                  Grade 5
Linda Buchanan     Grade 6
Mike Marte               Grade 6
Portia Childress      ESL/Title 1
Dan Cearns               PE / Title 1
Geoff Cotton             Resource Room
Steve Jydstrup           Music
JoAnn Kirby              Schoolwide Title 1, ESL, Migrant Coordinator
Nadean Border         Speech Therapist
Kathy Deskins           Nurse‘s aide / PT Assistant
Sharon Spoor            Paraeducator
Joy Milton                  Paraeducator
Lisa Barile                  Paraeducator
Jeannie Hillery           Paraeducator
Cecilia Hagar            Paraeducator
Gina Heffernan          Paraeducator
Vivianna Rojas          Paraeducator
Jill Gardner               School lunch program
Debbie Williams        Head Cook
Julie Ashley               Cook’s Helper
Tracy Curtis               Cook’s Helper
Kerry Morris             Cook’s Helper
Doug Sands              Building Maintenance
Alan Lewis                Building Maintenance
Joe Dokter                 Grounds keeper
Lisa Ashley               School Librarian
Gary Wilson              Technology Coordinator / District Maintenance

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CHAUNCEY DAVIS ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL CALENDAR DATES

Aug. 28                      Learning Improvement Day
Aug. 29                      Teacher Work Day
Aug. 30                      First day of school
Sept. 1                        12:30 Dismissal
Sept. 4                        LABOR DAY - No School
Sept. 15                     Teacher Training Day –No students
Oct. 26                        Teacher Training Day –No students
Oct. 27                        Teacher Training Day –No students
Nov. 10                      VETERAN’S DAY - No School
Nov. 13-17                 Parent-Teacher Conferences – 12:30 Dismissal all week
Nov. 22                      THANKSGIVING VACATION BEGINS - 12:30 Dismissal
Nov. 29                      End of 1st Trimester
Dec. 20                      CHRISTMAS VACATION BEGINS- 12:30 Dismissal
Jan. 3                         School resumes from Christmas break
Jan. 15                       MARTIN LUTHER KING’S BIRTHDAY - No School
Feb. 19                       PRESIDENT’S DAY - No School
Feb. 28-March 1, 2   MID WINTER BREAK - No School
March 12                   End of 2nd Trimester
March 23                   Teacher Training Day –No students
April 2-6                     SPRING BREAK - No School
May 18                       12:30 Dismissal
May 28                       MEMORIAL DAY - No School
June 8                        HS Graduation, 7:00 pm
June 12                     LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - 11:30 Dismissal

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SPECIAL PROGRAMS

SCHOOL WIDE TITLE 1

Title 1 is a federally funded program that provides additional instruction in reading, language arts and math. The elementary school has a school wide program which allows for greater flexibility in meeting the needs of all students in the building. Students needing additional help are identified through a composite score using teacher judgment, test scores and classroom performance. The program emphasis is in improving reading in the early grades, thus better helping to ensure success in the older grades. Our Title 1 staff is a very talented and caring group of paraeducators and teachers who work very hard every day for kids.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)

The ESL program provides additional instruction for students whose primary language is not English. We are fortunate at South Bend to have a wide variety of nationalities within our classrooms. Students are selected for additional help through an interview process and / or scores on a language assessment test. ESL instruction is provided by our Title 1 staff.
MIGRANT

The migrant program is a Federal program that is blended with our school wide Title 1 program to provide extra services to certain families whose qualifications are based upon very specific Federal guidelines.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

The entire staff at Chauncey Davis Elementary works hard to accommodate all students with learning difficulties. Students involved in our resource program are all provided with individual education plans to best meet their diverse learning styles. Students are assisted in a manner to achieve success both in academics and self esteem. Our program is blended with our other assisted programs to best utilize the time and talents of our entire staff. The South Bend School District has always been dedicated to providing a quality education and learning environment for all students.

VOLUNTEERS

We need parents to assist in many ways at school. Teachers need parents to help as tutors in reading, math, preparing materials for the classroom, accompanying students on field trips and to help in the many other activities that go on in all schools. If you are interested in helping in your child’s classroom or at the school in any way, please call the office or your child’s teacher at 875-5615 during regular school hours. Volunteers are a vital part of our school’s success and the success of many students here at Chauncey Davis Elementary.

BOOSTER CLUB

All parents are invited and encouraged to join our Booster Club and participate in their activities this year. The Elementary Booster Club has been an excellent support for school programs and can always use the help of all parents in their volunteer and fund raising efforts. The Booster Club sponsors a variety of activities and events including the Fall Carnival, Missoula Children’s Theatre, Art Smart program, Booster Club Bingo and the Spring Jog-a thon. If you need more information or wish to join, please call the elementary office at 875-5615.

SCHOOL VISITATIONS

Parents are always invited and encouraged to visit the school. Please call your child’s teacher ahead of time. If you are visiting during class, please do not expect the teacher to interrupt instruction to confer with you. Teachers are available for conferences after 3:00 p.m. each day by appointment. You can call the office to arrange for a conference or to talk to the teacher on the phone.

NOTE: Because of our great concern for student safety, we require that all visitors MUST stop in the office before visiting classrooms, teachers or students. We thank you for your assistance in this!

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ARRIVAL TIME

Student supervision is provided at 8:00 a.m. each morning. Parents are asked to not drop off or allow walking students to arrive prior to 8:00 a.m. especially in inclement weather where the students may become wet or cold.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is vital to the success of any child in school. If a student is absent, we request that the parent call the school or send a note when the child returns. Absences after 48 hours without notes or phone calls will be considered unexcused.

South Bend School District Policy 3122 addresses the BECCA BILL, a state mandated attendance bill, in regards to student attendance. Students receiving seven (7) unexcused absences in a month or ten (10) in a year will be referred to Pacific County Superior Court.
TARDIES

Students are considered tardy if they are not in their classroom at 8:25 a.m. Please call or send a note if your child is tardy. The school will determine whether or not the tardy is excused. It is important that students learn the value of being on time for commitments including school or jobs. Excessive tardies will be subject to the school discipline code.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The decision to close schools or delay school starting times due to various weather concerns will be made when it is deemed serious enough to threaten the safe transportation of students to and from school. Announcements will be made over the radio on FM stations KSWW 97.7, KMFY 102.1, or 105.7 beginning around 6:00 a.m. If unsure of school closures, please check with the school before dropping students off or sending them to school.

STUDENT APPOINTMENTS

If a child is removed from school during the day for medical appointments or for other reasons, a parent must come into the office to sign his/her child out. A note or a phone call in advance is helpful if you know that they will be leaving early. We do encourage you to make every effort possible to arrange appointments outside of the school day.

TELEPHONE USE

Phone use by students is for emergencies only and requires a note from their teacher. Students are not allowed to use the phone to request forgotten homework, arrange after school visits with friends or other things that should be done at home ahead of time.
MEDICATIONS

If your child requires any type of prescription medication, the school will need a medical form filled out by the doctor and yourself. Forms are available in the office. Over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin or cough medicine must be brought to the office with written permission and directions by the parent/guardian for the dispensing of the medicine. All medicine must be kept in the office and in the original container.

NOTE: Children with bee sting allergies should have his/her own individual anaphylactic injection kit kept on hand in the school office.

BUS RIDING

If your child is to go home on a different bus or are walkers, a note or a phone call is required if they are riding home with a friend. If we do not have a note or a phone call they will be required to go home on their normal bus and not be allowed to ride home with friends.

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HOME AND SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS

Communication is essential for home and school to know what is going on in your child’s life. With the heavy demand on your child’s teacher, please call to set up a time for appointments if necessary at 875-5615.

If something is occurring in your child’s life that may affect their behavior or work, please contact their teacher so that they are aware of it.

Newsletters with important information are sent out at the first of each month. Please look for them each month. They will let you know about the many activities going on at our school. Please encourage your child to make sure that all flyers handed out at school arrive at home for you to see.

Emergencies come up in everyone’s lives and the school is happy to get these important messages to your children when necessary. Please call or stop by the office and drop it off with the secretary or the principal. The message will be delivered in a manner that will be the least disruptive to the classroom. In an effort to maintain a safe atmosphere at our school, all parents/visitors are required to check in at the office upon entering the building.

LOST AND FOUND

Small lost and found items are kept in the office. Items not retrieved within one month will be donated to charity. Please be sure to check for any lost items on a regular basis. It is recommended that your child’s name be placed on a coat tag for identification.

PETS

Pets are not allowed at school or on buses except on special occasions and only with teacher or principal approval. All pets must be leashed or caged. Dogs often follow students to school. When this happens, students may have to return them home or the parents will be called. The school also reserves the right to call the police when owners cannot be contacted or the owner of the dog is not known. The safety of the students is our most important concern.

EMERGENCIES

If a student becomes injured or ill at school, it is important that the school have several emergency phone contacts on file. Parents are asked to notify the office immediately of any changes in phone numbers or addresses. If parents cannot be reached, it may be necessary to contact emergency personnel.

If a child becomes ill during school hours, permission must be obtained before going home. The school office will contact parents or designated persons. We must have alternate numbers to call as we do not have facilities to care for students who are ill.
IMMUNIZATIONS / COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

All students enrolling for the first time are required to provide evidence of immunization prior to enrolling. Students who are transferring from another district have 30 days to provide evidence of immunization.

Any student displaying a communicable disease, including head lice, will be excluded from school until assurance is received from a physician, public health official or the student is checked by school personnel to insure that they do not pose a health risk to students and staff. Students must be brought to school by the parent or guardian to be checked. They will not be able to ride school buses until they are deemed healthy by school or public agency personnel.

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STUDENT PROGRESS / AWARDS

Chauncey Davis Elementary operates on a trimester grading schedule. The first trimester will end just after Thanksgiving. Parent conferences will be held prior to the end of the trimester. School dismisses at 12:30 for that week and all parents will be given an appointment time to meet with their teacher. This is intended to be a mutual exchange of information about your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

Report cards are handed out at the conference, in March and at the end of the school year. If you have questions or concerns prior to the conference or at any other time, PLEASE contact your child’s teacher and talk.

The state requires certain standardized tests be given to our 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade students during the spring of the school year. Most of the testing is in the latter half of the year though reading tests will be given to 2nd graders early in the year. Results of the tests will either be discussed at parent conferences or sent home. If you have questions or do not understand the results, please contact the school and we will be happy to answer your questions.

PRIMARY “RESPONSIBLE PERSONS”

Our primary grade 1-3 teachers promote and facilitate a student recognition program called “Responsible Persons”. This program is designed to reward students for positive citizenship, behavior and academics. Students who meet these qualifications receive special privileges and recognition.

INTERMEDIATE “SUPER STARS”

Intermediate teachers of grades 4-6 facilitate a “Super Star” program. This program is designed to reward students for turning work in on time and exhibiting good behavior. Each day an Agenda and each week a progress report goes home with the student. It shows what assignments were required of the class and if they were done on time or at all. This must be signed each week by the parent. This provides the parent and the teacher with a tool for weekly communication of student’s progress and work habits. Points are accumulated during each trimester with students achieving a certain point value being celebrated as a “Super Star” at an awards assembly and getting to partake in a Super Star party.

HOMEWORK

Homework is an important component to any school instructional program. It serves as an opportunity to practice and strengthen academic skills. Research indicates that students who attend to homework tend to be higher achieving students.

Homework can help a child become better equipped with the essential skills needed to be a successful adult. These skills include responsibility, perseverance, time management, initiative, self - reliance and resourcefulness.

Suggestions for Parents:

1. Establish a specific study time and area in which to work with no distractions.

2. Monitor student progress on an assignment, not the time spent working.

3. Show interest, be supportive and give guidance, but let your child do the work!

4. Encourage your child to contact their teacher when confused and ask for extra help.

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RESPONSIBILITIES AND RULES

The responsibilities and discipline rules are guidelines for students. Rules help students become good school citizens and apply to everyone. All actions should be SAFE, RESPECTFUL and RESPONSIBLE. Students should always be respectful of other students and staff, recognizing their personal space, feeling and personal belongings. Following these guidelines will allow everyone the right to learn.

GENERAL BUILDING RULES:

1. Walk safely in the hallways and entering the school at all times.
2. Be quiet in the hallways.
3. Always be respectful of other people and their belongings.
4. Students should not arrive at school before 8:00 a.m. except when participating in supervised programs. School doors do not open until 8:00 a.m.
5. Please take pride in your building by not littering or vandalizing.
6. Appropriate dress at Chauncey Davis Elementary must include: **
                        * No hats or bandanas in the building
                        * No shorts or dresses higher than mid thigh
                        * All pants must stay above the hips
                        * All shirts should be able to be tucked in
                        * No clothing shall advertise or refer to drugs, alcohol or tobacco

NOTE: Students dressed inappropriately may be asked to return home and change clothes, put coats on or turn clothes inside out. We ask for support from parents in encouraging your child to dress so that distractions are minimized in the school. Short shorts, shirts too short to tuck in, oversized tank tops, tight fitting clothes such as spandex, leggings or tights are not acceptable for school unless covered by appropriate clothing.

7. Large amounts of money or valuable items, including electronics, should be given to the classroom teacher for safe keeping. The school is not responsible for lost or broken items.

CAFETERIA RULES:

1. Always use good table manners
a) Conversation voices
b) Be polite
2. Students must sit at their assigned classroom table.
3. NO returning to class without a note or adult supervision
4. Leave your area neat and clean and only after you have been released.
5. No sharing of food without the supervisor’s permission.
6. Students must sit quietly at their assigned table before they will be released.
7. Bring a coat or sweater with you to the lunch room.
8. When dismissed, WALK quietly to the playground.

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PLAYGROUND RULES

GENERAL PLAYGROUND RULES:

1. Share all play equipment with others.
2. All students should not be in the woods or behind the play shed.
3. NO contact activities that are hurtful such as piggyback, tackling, tripping, wrestling or fighting.
4. NO electronics, hand held games, CD players, etc., are allowed on the playground.
5. During recesses, students must go outside unless they are in a classroom supervised by their                                         teacher.
6. All students must ask for permission before leaving the playground prior to the bell.
7. Students must follow the directions and requests of playground supervisors at all times.
8. Swings:
         a) One person on a swing at a time
         b) No jumping off
         c) No twisting of chains
         d) Share with others who are waiting to swing
          e) Move forward and backward only
9. Tetherball and four square will be played by rules mutually agreed upon at the time.
10. Sliding on ice is not permitted at any time.
11. Tag may not be played on or around playground equipment.
12. Tackle football is not allowed anywhere on the playground.
13.        PLAY SHED:
                        a) Footballs are not allowed in the play shed
                        b) Hanging on rims is strictly prohibited
                        c) No kicking of any balls in the play shed
                        d) Play shed must be shared. If the play shed is crowded, some activities may not be allowed at the discretion of the supervisor.
14. Baseball may be played with plastic bats and whiffle balls in a safe part of the playground. Students must stay 10 ft. away from the batter.
15. Jump ropes should only be used for jumping rope.
16. Rocks, sticks, ice, snowballs, etc... should not be thrown or played with at any time.

GENERAL RECESS GUIDELINES
Students must cooperate with the supervisor, conflict managers and other students. They must share play equipment and space with others. They must take turns at games, playground equipment, and swings. Dangerous activities and the harassment of other students will not be tolerated.

Revised 8-03 (9)

STUDENT DISCIPLINE POLICIES

The rules at Chauncey Davis Elementary are made for the safety and learning of all students in the school. Students must know the rules are to guide them. If students break rules, disciplinary action must be taken. Parents have the ultimate responsibility for the student’s welfare and behavior. A parent needs to help their child exercise self control and develop socially acceptable standards of behavior.

School rules will apply to all students:
1. On the school grounds during and immediately before or after school hours.

2. On school grounds at any time when the school is being used by a school group.

3. Off school grounds at a school activity, field trip or event.

4. Off the school grounds when prohibited behavior is a consequence of or directly related to cause or events which occurred or originated on school grounds.

CONDUCT:

The following actions or behaviors are strictly prohibited on or adjacent to school premises or at school sponsored activities and shall constitute cause for disciplinary actions. The school district reserves the right to refer to the appropriate authorities any conduct of its pupils which may constitute a crime under federal, state, county or local law.

1. Any act of conduct causing disruption or obstruction of any school function or operation.

2. The destruction, damage or theft of school property or the property of others.

3. The attempt of or actual infliction of physical injury or harm to any school employee, pupil or other person.

4. The possession or handling of anything that may be considered a weapon.

5. Any act by a student directed towards any pupil, teacher, administrator, other school personnel or any other person for the purpose of harassment, intimidation or coercion.

6. Possession of tobacco, alcohol, mood altering drugs, controlled substances, drug paraphernalia or the intent to sell or distribute any of those items is prohibited.

7. The following list of behaviors are also prohibited and will be dealt with according to school policy.

GAMBLING                   HAZING                        CHEATING                    PROFANITY / VULGARITY

            HARASSMENT              LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS WITHOUT PERMISSION

BULLYING        FAILURE TO IDENTIFY ONESELF TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL

8. Possession of firearms at school, on school grounds or school provided transportation will result in a one year expulsion.

NOTE: All of the above conduct violations in 1 - 7 above will be handled in the following manner depending on the severity of the offence and the number of previous offences:

*See next page for progressive discipline consequences

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CONSEQUENCES:

            a) Teacher discipline, i.e. time after school, recess detention time
            b) School Discipline
            c) Saturday School or In School Detention
            d) Short term suspension
            e)   Long term suspension
            f) Referral to outside agencies

NOTE: Depending on the severity of the offence, in school detention, Saturday school, or out of school suspension may be the penalty for the first offence or any offence requiring disciplinary action.

* Further information about school discipline policy can be found in Policy 3300 of the South Bend School District Policy manual. Rights and responsibilities can be found in Policy 3200.

UNEXCUSED TARDIES:

Students who enter a classroom late are interfering with other student’s right to learn as well as their own. Being punctual is a necessary habit in all walks of life. Students in intermediate (4-6) grades will be subject to the following consequences for unexcused tardies:

1st / 2nd Offense: No action
3rd Offense: Letter home to parents
4th Offense : 30 minutes after school or recess detention
5th Offense: 1 hour after school or recess detention

More than 5 unexcused tardies will result in a 1/2 day of Saturday school or In school detention for each offense.

The above consequences are based upon a trimester schedule. All students will begin each trimester with no unexcused tardies.

*Unexcused tardies in grades K - 3 will be addressed by the principal with the student’s family*

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:

All students are required by law to attend school. (WAC 130-44-030) The South Bend School District is required to enforce the truancy laws set by the state. Students who incur 5 unexcused absences in a month or 10 in a year will be reported to the Prosecuting Attorney of Pacific County. In addition to the referral to outside agencies, students may also be subject to the following consequences:

1st/2nd Offenses: Letter home
3rd Offense: In School Detention
4th Offense: 1/2 day Saturday or In School Detention
5th Offense and further offenses: All day Saturday School or In School Detention

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THE SOUTH BEND SCHOOL DISTRICT USES THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES IN CASES OF STUDENT ABSENCES:

Excused Absences:
            Illness
            Medical Appointment
            Illness in immediate family
            Needed to care for family member
            Death, funerals
            Other emergencies

Unexcused Absences:
Shopping, Haircuts, Hunting, Vacations, etc...

***Special situations may arise with families and prearranged trips may be granted depending on past attendance, grades, etc.. The student’s teacher and principal will confer and make the final decision.

Students may not be allowed make up work missed during unexcused absences.

BUS RIDING PRIVILEGES:

Students shall observe all appropriate school rules while riding buses and follow the instructions of the drivers at all times. Failure to do so will result in the following:

            a) School discipline
            b) Denial of bus privileges
            c)   In School Detention or Saturday School
            d) Short Term Suspension
            e) Long Term Suspension

FIREARMS:
It is prohibited for any student to carry onto or have in their possession, on South Bend School district premises or school provided transportation any firearms including stun guns, BB guns, pellet guns, air guns, or facsimile or other dangerous weapons as defined in RCW 9.41.250. Students who do so will receive an expulsion for not less than one year. Law enforcement agencies will be notified. In cases involving the possession of other weapons, the principal / designee shall place the student on long term suspension, unless expulsion is warranted under the circumstances.

SECTION 504:
It is the intent of the district to ensure that students who are disabled under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are identified, evaluated and provided with appropriate educational services. It is also the intent of the District to provide students and parents their due process rights and to comply with the administrative requirements of this act.

DUE PROCESS:
Information regarding due process can be found at the district or elementary offices upon request.

CHAUNCEY DAVIS
ELEMENTARY

BOX 437
500 E. 1ST STREET
SOUTH BEND, WA 98586

PH: (360) 875-5615
FAX: (360) 875-6032

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Mission / Belief Statements..................................1
School Staff.............................................................2
School Calendar Dates.........................................3
Special Programs...................................................4
Booster Club ............................................................4
School Visitations...................................................4
General School Information..................................5 - 6
Student Progress / Awards....................................7
Home work................................................................7
General Building Rules..........................................8
Cafeteria Rules........................................................8
Playground Rules....................................................9
Student Discipline Policies...................................10 - 11
Unexcused Tardies / Absences...........................11 - 12
Bus Riding Privileges.............................................12
Section 504..............................................................12
Firearm policies.......................................................12

** SMOKING IS PROHIBITED ON ALL SCHOOL PROPERTIES AT ALL TIMES. THIS IS MANDATED BY STATE LAW AND IS STRICTLY ENFORCED AT ALL TIMES.