Lee Lions … No Lion, We’re Learning!
Welcome! The faculty and staff of Lee Elementary School welcome you to our school! We are eager to work in partnership with you to make our school great and improve student achievement. We pledge our commitment and dedication to providing excellence in teaching in a positive school climate in which all students will learn and achieve.
It is our hope that this handbook will be informative and helpful in communicating the policies and procedures for Lee Elementary School. We anticipate your involvement and cooperation in making this school year successful. If I can provide you with additional information, please feel free to call me at 750-8868. Please drop by the office to introduce yourself. We’re eager to work with each of you!
Sincerely,
Regina Stewman, Principal
Lee Elementary School
400 Quandt Ave.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
(479) 750-8868
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Prior to a child’s admission to an Arkansas public school, a school district shall request the parent, guardian, or other responsible person to furnish the child’s social security number.
Each kindergarten student must be five years old by September 15th in order to enroll. One of the following documents must be presented to verify the child’s age:
· A birth certificate;
· A statement by the local registrar or a county recorder certifying the child’s date of birth;
· An attested baptismal certificate;
· A passport;
· An affidavit of the date and place of birth by the child’s parent or guardian;
· Previous school records; or
· United States military identification.
Kindergarten students must have a physical within 90 days from the date of enrollment.
Students must reside within our school district. “Residential address” means the physical location where the student’s parent or legal guardian resides. Parents may be required to sign a statement under oath attesting to their residential address or provide other proof that a student is a resident of the school district.
The entire Springdale School District Policy on “Admission of Resident Students” may be found on our website at www.springdaleschools.org.
Students are to be immunized in accordance with Arkansas state laws. “No infant or child shall be admitted to a public or private school or child care facility of this state who has not been age appropriately immunized from poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, red (rubeola) measles, and rubella, and other diseases as designated by the State Board of Health, except as otherwise provided by law, as evidenced by a certificate of a licensed physician, or a public health department acknowledging the immunization.”
Minimum Immunization Required:
3 – DPT – last shot must be after 4th birthday
3 – Polio – last shot must be after 4th birthday
2 – Measles – after 1st birthday
1 - Mumps
1 – Rubella
3 – Hepatitis B (required for ALL transfer students,
Kindergarten and 7th grade)
1 – Varicella (Chicken Pox) – Arkansas state law
requires one dose or history of disease for all
kindergarten students.
Students who transfer from another school either within the state or from out of state will be conditionally admitted. A maximum of thirty calendar days will be given for the student to produce documentation of immunization or be excluded from school. Immunization exemptions are for religious, medical, or philosophical reasons only and must be properly authenticated.
SCHOOL HOURS
Parent and student cooperation is requested in observing the school schedule.
1. School begins at 8:00 a.m.
2. The first bell rings at 7:55 a.m.
3. Students arriving after 8:00 will be counted tardy.
4. The school day ends at 3:00 p.m. Please do not check students out before 3:00 p.m. because instructional time will be interrupted.
5. The building opens at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast students and bus riders.
6. All other students are expected to arrive at school before 8:00 a.m. and car riders are dismissed at 3:00 p.m.
7. Students should leave the school grounds immediately as follows:
3:00 p.m. – Car riders are dismissed
3:15 p.m. – Walkers are dismissed
3:25 p.m. – Bus riders are dismissed
8. Supervision is not provided before 7:30 a.m. and after 3:30 p.m.
9. There is an after school program provided at our school by a private day care provider. Please call the school office at 750-8868 for more information.
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ATTENDANCE PHILOSOPHY AND INTENT
The Springdale School District supports the philosophy that the instructional program is the vital part of a formal education. We further believe that it is necessary to require that students attend school a maximum number of days for instructional purposes during each school year. Parents are strongly discouraged from taking students out of school for any reason other than family emergencies.
Students are required to maintain a level of attendance which enables them to meet their responsibilities as learners and teachers to fulfill their obligations to the students. Students and their parents/guardians hold the main responsibility for school attendance and for following the attendance policy. We ask for the cooperation of both students and parents/guardians in these matters so that the student can receive the best education possible.
ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to be in school except in cases of emergency, illness, or school-approved absences.
Steps to follow when absent:
1. Parents should call the school (750-8868) by 8:30 a.m. to report
student absences.
2. A doctor’s statement may be required for an extended illness.
3. If your child cannot go out for recess or P.E., he/she must bring a signed note stating the reason for being excused. Make-up work is required when applicable. Please call the office to request homework by 10:00 a.m. so that assignments can be ready to be picked up at 3:00 p.m.
4. An excused absence is one in which the student was absent with parent’s permission and knowledge for the following types of reasons: illness, school activities, court appearance, funeral, etc.
5. Parents will be notified when a student has accumulated 7, 14, and 15 absences. Longer and unexcused absences will be reported to juvenile authorities.
Tardiness:
1. It is important that your child arrive at school on time each morning
as learning activities begin promptly.
2. A student is tardy after 8:00 a.m.
3. Students should report to the office when arriving late.
4. If a student misses 90 minutes in one day, it is counted as a half-day absence.
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Check-out Procedures:
1. Students will be expected to stay at school until 3:00 p.m. Early
check-out is discouraged.
2. If a student leaves during the school day, parents must check him/her out in the office. The child will then be summoned to the office via the intercom.
3. For the safety of the students, please do not go directly to the classroom. Standing in the hall outside your child’s classroom may be disruptive to the learning environment.
4. Parents are encouraged to make dental and medical appointments after school hours.
5. Extracurricular lessons, i.e., piano, dance, must be scheduled for after school hours.
6. Students can be released during the school day on request of either
parent, if presently living together, or legal guardian. If parents are separated or divorced, the child will be released to either parent unless legal documentation prohibiting access to the student is presented to the school office by the parent who has legal custody.
The entire Springdale School District Policy on “Student Attendance” may be found on our website at www.springdaleschools.org.
TRANSPORTATION
In order to ensure safety for all students, please follow the established arrival and dismissal procedures.
Please be sure that your child and his/her teacher know how he/she is to get home each day. If the regular procedure varies, please send a dated, written note or call the school office. Students without a note or a call to the office will be sent home in their customary way.
Bus students will be given a list of bus rules and procedures by the driver at the beginning of the school year. An infraction of these rules will result in the following consequences:
1st Bus Write-up – Warning (depending on severity of infraction)
2nd Bus Write-up – 5 days suspension from bus
3rd Bus Write-up – 10 days suspension from bus
4th Bus Write-up – Suspension from bus for rest of semester
Riding the bus is a privilege. Improper conduct on the bus will result in this privilege being denied.
Students may not ride a bus other than the bus they regularly ride. This includes riding home with another student for parties, spending the night, babysitting purposes, or visiting relatives. In these instances the parent will need to make other arrangements. Please send a note or call the office if your child will not ride the bus home as usual.
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STUDENT APPEARANCE
Students are encouraged to dress in a neat and attractive manner that reflects pride in themselves and their school. Generally, students should wear clothes that are safe, do not disturb or distract other students, and are appropriate for learning. Due to the active nature of school, children should wear comfortable clothes. The school cannot accept responsibility for lost or damaged clothing. Students who practice good personal hygiene and cleanliness feel better about themselves and consequently achieve better in school.
NOTE:
1. Proper shoes for physical education should be worn.
2. Cleats, heels, skateshoes, or taps should not be worn.
3. Hats should not be worn when in the school building.
4. Coats, jackets, etc., should be labeled with the student’s name.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
A supply list for each grade level will be available. Each student should come to school with the necessary school supplies. Please note that backpacks with wheels are not permitted.
TEXTBOOKS
Textbooks are furnished free. If textbooks are lost or damaged, parents or guardians will be charged the replacement price.
TELEPHONE (750-8868)
The telephone is for business calls only. Necessary plans should be made with children before they leave home in the morning. Children are called to the telephone only in case of emergency.
If you wish to speak to a teacher, leave your number, and he/she will return your call as soon as possible.
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SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
The cafeteria is operated for the benefit of the students with a breakfast and lunch program .
1. Meal prices will be distributed on the first day of school.
2. Please send the correct amount of money with each child.
3. Students are encouraged to pay on a weekly or monthly basis. If a child is absent, the balance will be carried forward.
4. Lunches may be charged in an emergency.
5. No student may charge more than five days.
6. Canned or bottled drinks are not permitted.
7. Milk is available at the current rate for students bringing their lunch from home.
8. Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their children. Please call the school early in the morning to order a lunch.
9. Menus are printed in the Sunday paper and are sent home with students at the beginning of each month.
10. In support of our school lunch program, home prepared sack lunches and school prepared lunches are desired. Please do not bring food from outside restaurants.
11. Questions concerning your child’s lunch account should be directed to our cafeteria manager at 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.
12. Free and reduced-price lunch applications can be picked up in the school office.
SICKNESS
Every child should attend school unless he/she is too sick. It is important that students learn early that we have a job to do even if we sometimes don’t feel our best. You will be contacted in the event your child becomes too sick at school and/or has a fever of 100 degrees or more. Students must be free of fever and vomiting for 24 hours before returning to school.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
The school must always be kept informed of current home and work telephone numbers and other emergency phone numbers in the event your child becomes ill or is injured at school and requires your presence. Please remember to notify the school of any change of address or telephone number. For the proper care of your child, this is very important.
Should there be an emergency involving an accident and we cannot reach you, the child will be taken to Northwest Medical Center Emergency Room and the doctor on call will be used for emergency treatment.
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INSURANCE
Parents will be provided the opportunity to purchase individual student insurance at the beginning of the school year. It is not possible for the school to carry insurance to cover student accidents, etc.
MEDICATION POLICY
Medications are generally administered by principals, assistant principals, teachers, and secretaries under the supervision or directions of a school nurse. Medications are given at school to assist parents.
The following requirements are to be met before medication is administered:
1. All medications, prescription or nonprescription, must be brought to the school office by a parent or guardian. Sending medication to school with the child could result in disciplinary action according to school district policy.
2. All medications, prescription or nonprescription, must be brought to school in the containers in which they were purchased and must have current labels. The label is not to be changed in any way (name of child, dosage, or time given).
3. An additional container must be provided if the child participates in field trips.
4. A parent or legal guardian must sign medication forms giving school personnel permission for administering medications to their child. The dosage on the medication container and the medication permission form must be identical.
5. No prescription medication will be given unless it is specifically ordered by the child’s physician to be given during school hours. Medication ordered to be given 1, 2, or 3 times a day will be given at home unless specially ordered to be given during school hours.
6. Nonprescription medication will not be given without a written doctor’s order. Failure to provide a doctor’s order will result in the student not being given the nonprescription medication at school.
7. All medication must be kept in a locked cabinet.
8. The student must swallow the oral medication in the presence of the adult administering the medication.
9. Inhalers must be used in the presence of an adult. Nonprescription inhalers will not be used at school without a doctor’s written order. Secondary students (grades 8-12) may carry their own inhalers with a doctor’s written order. Lower-grade students will be considered on an individual basis.
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10. The person administering the medication must sign the medication record at the time the medication is given.
11. If morning medication, usually given at home, is forgotten, there must be verbal consent from the parent before given at school.
12. Epi-Pens may be carried by students with a written doctor’s order.
13. The school system is not responsible for reactions caused by medications that are properly administered.
14. ALL medications must be picked up by parent or guardian when discontinued or at the end of the school year. Any medication not picked up will be disposed of properly by the school nurse at the end of the year.
15. If questions concerning the medication arise, school personnel have the right to call the doctor or pharmacist regarding the medication.
16. Medications taken on a long-term basis will be discontinued only by written or verbal order (to a licensed nurse) from a parent or physician.
17. If a medication dose changes during the school year, the parent must complete a new release form and a new doctor’s order must be given to the school before the new dosage will be administered.
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SCHOOL SAFETY
The safety of your child is one of our greatest concerns. Lee Elementary has a detailed safety plan that is fully implemented to insure the safety of our students and staff. The school holds regular drills (fire, tornado, etc.) to teach students to respond appropriately in the event of an emergency. Detailed escape plans are posted inside the door of each classroom.
In the event of an emergency evacuation, Jones Elementary School is our primary contact location. If there is an emergency situation for Lee Elementary, please direct all calls to Jones Elementary School
(750-8865) and/or go to Jones to receive information or to check out your child.
SEVERE WEATHER POLICY
School will be in session unless the weather makes it dangerous for cars and school buses to run. Local radio and television stations will announce the school district decision to close school due to severe weather conditions.
If, during the school day, weather conditions become severe enough to require buses to make their runs before the scheduled time, local radio and television stations will be notified. Parents need to discuss in advance with their children who will pick them up or what to do in case school is dismissed early. If school is not in session, all after school activities for the day will be cancelled.
DISCIPLINE
The Springdale School District is committed to providing a safe, orderly, and caring learning environment which fosters respect for others and for each of its students. One of the most important lessons we should teach our students is discipline. It is the shared responsibility of the home and school to accomplish this goal. It is the training that develops self-control, character, orderliness, and efficiency. Discipline is the key to good conduct and proper consideration for other people. Good discipline is maintained by recognizing and praising good behavior and taking corrective action when necessary. Students are expected to put forth their best effort and to conduct themselves at all times in a manner that will promote a safe, orderly learning environment. School and classroom rules and expected behavior are explained to the children. Any behavior or inappropriate language which causes learning to be disrupted or which infringes upon the rights of other in school will not be tolerated and may subject the student to corrective measures. Bullying will not be tolerated. Bullying is defined as any written or verbal expression or physical act or gesture, or a pattern there of, that is intended to cause distress, fear, or harm upon one or more students. Acceptable corrective measures for inappropriate behavior may include, but are not limited to, the following:
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1. Teacher-student conference
2. Deprivation of privileges or preferred activities
3. Time-out in the classroom or office
4. Communication with parent via note, telephone, or conference
5. Detention
6. Referral to counselor
7. Referral to principal or assistant principal
8. In-school suspension or out-of-school suspension
It is the policy of the Springdale School District to maintain a learning and working environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
The entire Springdale School District Policy on “Student Discipline” and “Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment” may be found on our website at www.springdaleschools.org.
GENERAL STUDENT REGULATIONS
The following are listed for your general information:
1. The use or possession of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs is forbidden.
2. Chewing gum in school is prohibited.
3. As a safety measure, the following items are not permitted at school:
a. Guns (real or toys), B.B., shot, or other ammunition
b. Firecrackers, matches, cigarette lighters
c. Knives or other weapons (real or toy)
d. Glass containers of any kind
e. Hard balls of any kind or footballs
f. High heeled shoes, skateshoes, or shoes with cleats
g. Skateboards
h. Motorized bikes or scooters
4. Radios, ghetto blasters, Walkmans, personal cassette or CD
players, and electronic games are not permitted.
5. Trading cards of any kind are not permitted.
6. Toys should not be brought to school.
7. Backpacks with wheels are not permitted.
BICYCLE SAFETY
Students may ride bicycles to school; however, the school will not be responsible for the safety of the bicycle.
Students should dismount their bicycle and walk them onto the school grounds when arriving at school and walk them off the school grounds before mounting.
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Students must take them to the bicycle rack as soon as they get to school and park them. The bicycle will not be ridden at anytime during the school day. We encourage all of our students to wear bicycle helmets when riding!
HOMEWORK POLICY
The educational philosophy of the Springdale Schools states “…the first obligation is to teach the fundamentals of reading, writing, speaking, and mathematics, and their application in all subject areas.” The fundamentals often need to be reinforced with additional practice which the students will complete outside the classroom. Homework, the extension of class work, will be study which relates directly to the mastery of a subject. Homework is a vital part of the learning process. Students must assume responsibility for their classroom just as they will assume job responsibility in the future.
Academic achievement is a joint responsibility among the teacher, the student, and the parent. The learning process is a joint effort. The teacher will provide the instruction. The parents should be an active partner being involved in guided practice activities and helping students work toward mastery of basic skills. Parents should establish a learning environment in the home by:
1. Showing a positive attitude toward education.
2. Taking an interest in their child’s school work.
3. Establishing good study conditions.
4. Monitoring their child’s study habits.
5. Providing support to their child’s efforts.
The following statements are guidelines to teachers as they make decisions about homework:
1. Homework must be relevant to the instruction in the classroom.
2. Skills taught in the classroom should first be guided and
practiced in the classroom under the teacher’s supervision prior to homework being assigned.
3. Homework assignments should be reasonable in length
considering the age and grade of the students.
4. Classroom assignments not completed by the student during the
instructional day can be required homework.
The entire Springdale School District Policy on “Homework/Independent Study Skills ” may be found on our website at www.springdaleschools.org.
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REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS
In an effort to keep parents informed about student progress, the following measures are used:
1. Each Monday, teachers will send home weekly folders and papers. Please go over the papers with your child and sign and return the folder the next day.
2. Intermittent notes, phone calls, and conferences are frequent.
3. By the fifth week of each quarter, progress reports are sent home with students to indicate unsatisfactory progress.
4. A report card is issued each nine weeks which should be signed and returned immediately.
5. Parent-teacher conferences are held after the first and third reporting periods. Conferences throughout the year will be arranged upon request.
6. Standardized achievement tests are given annually to students of selected grade levels.
TITLE I
Lee Elementary is very fortunate to qualify for Title I funds as a result of its free and reduced lunch percentages. These funds are used to employ Title I reading and math specialist, and instructional assistants to work with our teachers and students. All of our students benefit from the experience and expertise that these teachers bring to our educational program. All Title I schools are required to have a learning compact that binds students, parents, teachers, and administrators together into an educational team that works in unison to provide a quality education for our students. We value your participation in this team and look forward to working with you and your family!
SCHOOL VISITATION
Parents are encouraged to visit school frequently and actively participate in the education of their child. We request that parents avoid conferences with the teacher during such visits, but rather schedule a conference for a mutually acceptable time.
For the protection of the students, all non-students are to report to the office upon entering the building. Please do not go directly to the classroom. If you need to give your child a message, medication, homework, lunch money, supplies, etc., please go to the office. Interrupting class hampers valuable instruction time. Also, standing in the hall while waiting for your child or the teacher may be disruptive to the learning
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environment. Students from other schools are not permitted to visit class with your child.
For the protection of the students, all doors will be locked except the front entrance. All doors can easily be opened from the inside to comply with the fire safety codes. Students, parents, and visitors must all enter through the front doors. Parents and visitors must check in at the office and receive a visitor or volunteer pass. Parents checking out their children for illness, emergencies, or appointments must come to the office. Parents are not to go to their children’s classrooms to take them out of school. Teachers have been instructed that students will be dismissed from the classroom only by the office utilizing the intercom or an office note. Please do not go directly to the classroom. Parents or their designees need to be prepared to show proper identification to check their children out of school.
COUNSELING PROGRAM
The counseling program is designed to help all children as they grow and develop. All students, teachers, and parents have access to counseling services at the school. A student may request a conference through the classroom teacher. Parents may call the counselor or schedule an appointment through the school secretary. Other activities provided by the counselor include classroom and small group guidance, drug-free awareness, character education, and career awareness. A Parent Resource Center is also located in the library with parenting resources as well as free materials.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Our school offers a wide variety of special services and programs for students. These programs are provided to meet the needs of students with special needs or to broaden the program for all of our students. Physical Education is offered to help students develop large-motor skills and learn good social interaction skills in group activities. The computer labs offer classes for using technology in learning. The continuum of services for students with special needs includes reading recovery, resource, speech/language, and gifted and talented programs.
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LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
Through regularly scheduled class times and open library time, students are encouraged to explore the many books, research materials, audio-visual material, and computers/software that our library media center contains. In order to maintain an adequate collection, students, teachers, and parents must cooperate to see that materials are returned in good condition. Students are charged a fee equal to the current replacement price for materials that are not returned to the library media center. A Parent Resource Center is also located in the library. This resource center consists of parenting materials which can be checked out and utilized by our parents.
FIELD TRIPS
When a field trip is to be taken, your child will bring home a permission form giving the destination and date. This form must be signed and returned to the teacher before your child will be allowed to go on the trip. All students should ride on the bus even if parents are taking their own car.
CELEBRATIONS
We have two parties per year: Christmas and Valentine’s. Parties at school (other than regular school-wide parties) are not allowed. With prior approval from the teacher, store-bought birthday cookies or cupcakes may be sent to school with your child. To ensure the happiness of all students, party invitations may be sent to school to pass out to students only if every child in the class, or every boy or every girl, as is appropriate, is to receive one. If only a few students are to be invited to a party, arrangements must be made at home.
In addition, we have a school wide celebration each month. This is called a Lion’s Pride Assembly. This assembly is usually scheduled for the last Friday of each month. We celebrate achievements and give out awards. The students are also introduced to the district character traits for each month.
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PTA
All parents are encouraged to become PTA members to show support for their child’s school. PTA provides an opportunity for parents and teachers to work together to contribute to the educational program of the children. We invite parents to become as involved in PTA as their schedules will allow. Many volunteers are needed for successful school activities. A volunteer list will be distributed at the beginning of the school year. Please sign up to help. PTA meetings are normally scheduled for the third Thursday of most months. You will receive notice of the time and date through our school notes. Throughout the year, PTA provides many educational and fun-filled events for the students. If your schedule will not allow you to attend meetings or to volunteer, please join PTA anyway to show your child that you support them at Lee Elementary. 100% PTA membership is encouraged!
LOST AND FOUND
Clothing and personal belongings that are brought to school should be labeled with the child’s name. Found articles are turned in to the school’s lost and found basket. Unlabeled or unclaimed property is turned over to a welfare agency.
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Lee Elementary
School
Parent – Student
Handbook
Lee Elementary
400 Quandt Ave.
Springdale, AR 72764
(479)- 750-8868
(479)- 750-8870 fax
Regina Stewman
Principal
Molly Smith
Assistant Principal
Brenda Morrison
Secretary
Becky Martin
Office Assistant
Janelle Addington
Counselor
Debbie Placek
Nurse
STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE
In keeping with the guidelines of Title VI, Section 601, Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX, Section 901, Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, the Springdale Public School assures that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, gender, or handicap be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity.
The Coordinator for Springdale Public Schools is: Hartzell Jones, Deputy Superintendent for Personnel, Post Office Box 8, Springdale, Arkansas 72765-0008, (479) 750-8800.
Anyone who feels that any nondiscrimination laws have been violated is directed to contact the above named coordinator.
Making a Difference Together!
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Table of Contents
Admission Requirements………………………………2
Immunization…………………………..………………. 3
School Hours………………………..…………….…… 3
Attendance………………………….……………..…… 4
Transportation…………………….……………………. 5
Student Appearance…………………………………... 6
School Supplies……………………………………...... 6
School Lunch Program……………………………...... 7
Sickness and Emergency Numbers……………........ 7
Insurance and Medical Policy…………..…………….. 8
School Safety………………….……….…….…………10
Severe Weather…….…………………………………. 10
Discipline…………….……………………..…….……..10
General Student Regulations…………….….………. 11
Bicycle Policy………………………………………….. 11
Homework Policy……………………………………….12
Reporting Student Progress………………………….. 13
Title I…………………………………………………..... 13
School Visitation………………………………………...13
Counseling Program……………………………………14
Special Services……………………………………….. 14
Library Media Center………………………………….. 15
Field Trips………………………………………………. 15
Celebrations……………………………………………. 15
PTA……………………………………………………… 16
Lost and Found………………………………………… 16
Statement of Assurance………………………………. 17