Elementary pupils' handbook

The Student’s Handbook
A short information guide for students

Student Handbook
This handbook is prepared for the students of Mainaga-San Francisco
Elementary School. We hope that this handbook will help our students
understand the school policies and regulations that have been established. No
set of rules can be completely comprehensive of all types of incidents that may
occur. Items not specifically addressed by the rules or special circumstances
may be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. That may include penalties greater
than those prescribed.

OBJECTIVES
1. To ensure that each student develops proficiency in basic academic skills.
2. To ensure that each student develops the capacity to recognize and cope with the
problems of an unknown future.
3. To ensure the development of meaningful interpersonal relationships among
students, staff and community.
4. To ensure that staff, students and parents are afforded maximum feasible
participation in the development and evaluation of programs and policies that
meet the educational needs of each community.
5. To ensure maximum efficiency in the allocation of material resources.

6. To ensure maximum efficiency in the allocation of human resources.

Regular attendance directly relates to a student’s ability to achieve in school. A student
that is absent misses class instruction, presentations, discussions, audio-visual
material, and student-teacher contact; all of which are difficult to make-up after the
absence.
In order to encourage regular attendance, the following procedures will be in place:
1. If a student is absent for five days, the parents may receive a letter of concern.
2. When a student is absent for ten days, the parents will receive a letter of concern
and a truancy warning report may be filed.
3. If a student is absent for ten days, without extenuating circumstances, a truancy of
CHINS (Child In Need of Supervision) petition may be filed with the State’s
Attorney, parents will receive a letter of notification of the truancy, the principal
will monitor absences.
4. After a student is absent 10% of the total number of days in the school year, he or
she is strongly considered for retention.

Other Notes:
 If a student is more than 30 minutes late for the morning or afternoon they are
considered absent for one half day.

 The school administrator may require students to make up lost time when the
student accumulates excessive tardiness beyond five.
 A note from a physician will be required by the school administrator as deemed
necessary.
 Continuous absence for prolonged illness or a series of medical treatments may
be counted as one absence. A note from a physician will be required.
 Continuous absence due to bereavement or serious illness of the student’s
immediate family may be counted as one absence. A note from the parent/
guardian or physician will be required.
 Absence for school activities will not count as an absence.
 All other absences, including out-of-school suspensions, will count as an
absence.

PLANNED ABSENCES
A student, who has been absent, on returning to school, is required to bring a written
excuse (if telephone contact has not been made) stating the reason for the absence.
The student is to get all missed assignments from his/her teacher(s) or classmates and
make up all work promptly. In all cases, the parent must contact the office by a
written note or telephone. The student is to complete the work in advance of the
planned absence.

BIRTHDAY TREATS
Birthday treats are always welcome. Due to many allergies with a variety of students,
store packaged items are suggested for birthday treats at school. Remember that
classrooms are very busy each day. When bringing birthday treats, they must come to
school with the students or be dropped off at the office. If you bring treats that require

utensils such as napkins or silverware, please include those items with the treats.
While we celebrate each child’s birthday it is impossible to have a classroom party for
each child, so please plan your child’s celebration with friends outside of the school
day.

BIRTHDAY INVITATIONS
To avoid hurt feelings, birthday party invitations should not be handed out in class
unless all children or all boys/girls in the class are invited to the party.

BULLYING
Persistent bullying can severely inhibit a student’s ability to learn effectively or a
member of the staff’s ability to do their job. The negative effects of bullying can have
an impact on a person for their entire life. We are committed to providing a caring,
friendly and safe environment for all of our students so they can learn in a relaxed
and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable. If bullying does occur,
all pupils should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly
and effectively.
Bullying is repeated and intentional harmful behaviour initiated by one or more
students and directed toward another student. Bullying exists when a student with
more social and or physical power deliberately dominates and harasses another who
has less power. Bullying is unjustified and typically repeated. Bullying differs from
conflict. Two or more students can have a disagreement or a conflict. Bullying
involves a power imbalance element where a bully targets a student who has
difficulty defending him or herself.
The forms of bullying:
Physical-involves harmful actions against another person’s body

Verbal-involves speaking to a person or about a person in an unkind or hurtful
way
Emotional-involves behaviours that upset, exclude, or embarrass a person
Sexual-involves singling out a person because of gender and demonstrates
unwarranted or unwelcome sexual advances
Racial-involves rejection or isolation of a person because of ethnicity
The school board expects students to conduct themselves in a manner in keeping with
their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated capabilities with proper
regard for the rights and welfare of other students and staff.
The school board believes that standards for student behaviour must be set
cooperatively through interaction among the students, parents and guardians, staff
and community members of the school district, producing an atmosphere that
encourages students to grow in self-discipline. The development of this atmosphere
requires respect for self and others, as well as for district and community property on
the part of students, staff, and community members.
The school board requires its school administrators to develop and implement
procedures that ensure both the appropriate consequences and remedial responses to
a student or staff member who commits one or more acts of harassment or bullying.
The school board requires the principal and/or the principal’s designee at each school
to be responsible for receiving complaints alleging violation of this policy. All school
employees, students, parents, visitors or any other member of the community are
required to report alleged violations to the school principal. The school principal
and/or principal’s designee are to be responsible for determining whether an alleged
act constitutes a violation of this policy. In so doing, the principal or and principal’s
designee shall conduct a prompt, thorough, and complete investigation of each
alleged incident.

Building principals or their designee shall annually discuss the school district policy
on bully prevention with student and staff. The school district will incorporate
information regarding this policy in each school handbook.
Cyber bullying is a form of harassment over the Internet or other forms of electronic
communications, including cell phones. Students and staff will refrain from using
communication devices or District property to harass or stalk another. The District’s
computer network and the Internet, whether accessed at school or away from school,
during or after school hours, may not be used for the purpose of cyber bullying. All
forms of cyber bullying are unacceptable and viewed as a violation of this policy and
the District’s acceptable computer use policy and procedures.
Users are responsible for the appropriateness of the materials they transmit. Hate
mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, or other anti-social behaviours are
expressly prohibited. Cyber bullying includes, but is not limited to the following
misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing
another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful e-mail messages,
instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or web site postings,
including blogs. It is also recognized that the author (poster or sender) of the
inappropriate material is often disguised (logged on) as someone else.
Students and community members, who believe they have been victims of such
misuses of technology, as described in this policy, should not erase the offending
material from the systems. A copy of the material should be brought to the attention
of a principal or teacher.
In situations in which cyber bullying originated from a non-school computer, but
rought to the attention of school officials, any disciplinary action shall be based upon
whether the conduct is determined to be severely disruptive of the educational
process so that it markedly interrupts or severely impedes the day to day operations of
a school, for one or more students or staff. In addition, such conduct must also violate

a school policy. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, threats, or making
threats off school grounds, to harm a member of the school staff or a student.
Malicious use of School’s computer system to develop programs or to institute
practices that harass other users to gain unauthorized access to any entity on the
system and/or change the components of an entity on the network is prohibited.
Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, the loss of computer privileges,
detention, suspension, or expulsion for verified perpetrators of cyber bullying. In
addition, when kind of threat constitutes a violation of law, it shall be reported to
local law officials.

CIVIL RIGHTS PUBLICATION
The School District offers its different programs and activities to all persons without
regard to gender, national origin, age, or disability.

CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION COMPLAINTS
Parents or students who believe their or their students’ civil rights have been violated
may ask help or make a written complaint addressing the principal, school guidance
counsellor or teacher concerned.

COUNSELING SERVICES
The elementary schools provide counselling and guidance services for students.
School guidance counsellor help students through a variety of services:

Individual Counselling : Counsellor helps students develop coping strategies to
deal with changes in their lives. Small Group

Counselling : Counsellor works with students to assist them in developing social
skills to relate to peers and adults in the school setting.

Classroom Guidance : Each grade receives lessons taught by the school counsellor.
The prepared curriculum strives to develop self-esteem, strong social skills, coping
skills, study habits, and career awareness.

Consultation : Counsellor consults with parents, administrator, faculty, and support
staff to meet the needs of students.
School staff and parents make referrals. If you have a concern about your child,
please contact the school office, your child’s teacher, or the school counsellor directly.

DISCIPLINE
It is clear that discipline and learning are closely linked. Discipline is necessary in
order to facilitate and provide a safe and positive environment for learning.
At Public Schools we promote and encourage a positive approach to discipline.
Prevention of situations before they occur is a much more productive way to
approach problems. When students cannot function in this setting, however, they
must be aware that there are consequences for their actions and be willing to accept
those consequences.
The administration and teachers recognize the importance of parents and peers in the
social and emotional development of students and their school success. Their
cooperation and participation is an important part of this discipline plan in assuring a
positive school climate for learning.
Consequences utilized in disciplinary situations must be appropriate to the individual
student and the severity of the infraction. They must also be fair and consistent and
not applied indiscriminately. Initial offenses are dealt with at the classroom level,
while administrative action is reserved for more serious classroom infractions or
problems of non-compliance. In a climate of mutual respect and cooperation the
discipline policy only serves to set limits for behaviour. It is our hope that this positive

approach will become the standard for classroom and general school participation
throughout the school.

DISCIPLINE POLICY
All consequences for all “problems” may result in an appropriate consequence as
defined at the end of this section.

Rules of Behaviour
1. Attendance

Problem
A. Unexcused absence or tardiness from school
B. Leaving school without permission.

2. Possessions and/or
consumption of illegal
or substance will not be

A. Tobacco in any form
B. Use or possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia
alcohol.

permitted
3. Possession of illegal or

A. Possession of a device, weapon or a look alike

Dangerous items will

weapon that through its use is capable of

not be permitted

threatening.

4. Bullying

A. Being inappropriately physical
B. Severe teasing, bullying and intimidation
(verbal, physical or written)
C. Harassment
D. Students who laugh at it, go along with it, or fail
to report it become part of the problem.

5. Students will respect
others rights and

A. Vandalism
B. Theft of any kind or the finding of lost property

property. This includes
the school building.

and not turning it in immediately.
C. Breaking or damaging of property and not
reporting it immediately.
D. Cheating
E. Lying-forged notes
F. Religious, racial, sexual harassment

6. Non-classroom behavior A. Public display of affection, etc.
B. “Boom Boxes”, walkman, headsets, etc. are not
permitted except under direct supervision
C. Inappropriate language
D. Being in the wrong area of the building
E. Inappropriate behavior during Lunch.
Food/drink will be consumed during lunch in
the gym.
F. Abusive Language-severe
G. Nuisance items including water balloons, squirt
guns, fire crackers pagers, cell phones, laser
pointers, etc.
7. Classroom Behavior

A. Sent from classroom or referral to the office.
B. Each teacher will develop a set of rules for their
classroom that they need to teach effectively.
C. No one will prevent teachers from teaching. No
one will prevent another person from learning.
D. Behavior that may injure others is not permitted.

8. Students are expected

A. Insubordination

to follow staff instructions. B. Physical/verbal/written attack or threat of a
teacher of staff

9. Habitual abuse of
rules will not be tolerated.
10. Technology

A. Inappropriate use of Internet
B. Inappropriate use of technology other than the
Internet.
C. Failure to follow prescribed procedures in
activity

12. Others

A. Behaviour which hinders the smooth operation
of the school and jeopardizes the welfare of
other students and staff members.
B. Other behaviours that a reasonable person
would consider to be wrong.
C. Any violation, in a school setting

13. Language, graffiti
hate groups, gang-

A. Wearing, displaying or exhibiting negative/
dangerous behavior related to any of these items

related items/activities
symbols, words and/or
pictures, etc

Appropriate Consequences may include :
1. In-School Suspension (ISS)
2. After School Suspension
3. Problem-solving, counselling, anger management, groups
4. Parent/Guardian Notification
5. Parent Involvement: Education, Monitoring, Groups
6. Community Service
7. Confiscation
8. Loss of privileges

DRESS CODE
The school recognizes that it is the prerogative of parents to determine what is
appropriate dress and grooming for their children in accordance with the age and
grade of these students. It is hoped that decisions made by parents and students in
these matters will reflect favorably upon the individual, the school and the
community. There are certain restrictions necessary on a student’s dress and
grooming when such dress and grooming may create a health or safety hazard;
invade the rights of others; or be disruptive to the educational environment by
detracting from the decency and decorum in school. For safety reasons, on physical
education days, each student must bring tennis shoes to participate in class. It will be
the responsibility of the building principal to determine violations of the intent to this
policy and to take necessary corrective action.
Some examples of inappropriate clothing include:
1. Brief and revealing clothing : Students must recognize that brief and
revealing clothing are not appropriate apparel in school. Garments that are
“see-through”, cut low, halter-tops, spaghetti straps, or expose one’s midriff
are not acceptable. Tight fitting clothing are not appropriate at school (no biker
shorts, no boxer shorts, and no short shorts or skirts).
2. Sagging pants : All pants must fit around the waist and be properly fastened.
Undergarments must not be visible.
3. Headgear: Student shall not wear hats, scarves or other headgear in district
buildings except for a medical or religious purpose.
4. Vulgar, offensive language : Students shall not wear clothing items that
contain messages that are vulgar, offensive, obscene, or libellous; that
denigrate others; that promote alcohol or drug use or violence; or that are
otherwise contrary to the school’s educational mission.

5. Clothing which is torn or has parts missing shall not be worn.
6. Caps, hats, and other headgear are not to be worn in the building during the
school day.
Exceptions to the dress code may be made by the principal or teacher when technical
violations occur through a school uniform or costume or when a student is portraying
a character in a play or other dramatic production.

NON DISCRIMINATION
It is the policy of the school that no otherwise qualified person will be excluded from
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any
district program or activity on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity,
sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.

Rules & Regulations
1. Students are expected to treat themselves, others and property with respect.
2. Students are expected to come to school before 6:30 AM and attend the flag
raising ceremony at 7:00 a.m. when the first bell rings. Classes begin at 7:15 a.m.
3. Students are expected to leave the school at 3:20 p.m. Students remaining in the
school campus after regular school hours are to be there only by teacher direction.
Students who remain after school will need to be supervised and will wait in the
waiting area.
4. Except for the rare emergency, students are not to be taken out of school before
3:20 p.m.
5. Students are expected to demonstrate a code of conduct while in school, on the
playground. This code of conduct includes but is not limited to:

•

Non-aggressive play:
No fighting, arguing, teasing or name calling, no snowball or rock
throwing, no tackle football or piggybacking, no hard baseball

•

Respecting property:
No sitting on desks or tables, no marking walls with shoes, pencils or other
objects, any gum or candy in the school

•

Safe traveling:
No running in halls or on sidewalks

• Respecting others:
Stay out of other’s desks or things, no name-calling, no back talk, no use of
swear words or vulgar comments

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
If a child is injured or becomes ill while at school, the school nurse or other school
personnel will contact the parents/guardians at home or work. It is essential that an
emergency number be recorded with the teacher-adviser. If a child needs to be
transported to the clinic or hospital for emergency treatment, it is the suty of the
concerned adviser.

EVALUATION - CONFERENCE
Evaluation is a daily process and one in which teachers, parents, and students work
together cooperatively. There will be four (4) formal reporting periods during the
school year with a report card. There will be two (2) days scheduled for parentteacher conferences during the year. Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact
their child’s teacher if additional meetings are desired.

FINES
If there has been undo wear or vandalism to textbooks, workbooks, library books or
any school property, students will be assessed the cost of repair or replacement.
Students will be charged for lost or damaged school property.

HEALTH
Health services will be provided to students. The goal is to be supportive to each child
in enhancing their lives by teaching preventative medicine and helping students enjoy
a healthy life style. To accomplish this, families are urged to inform us of any existing
health concerns, emotional or physical. This includes recent surgeries, serious
illnesses, communicable diseases or accidents. Also, please inform us of any recent
immunizations.

POSTERS & SIGNS
No posters or signs are to be posted in the school building without permission of the
administrators. Any unauthorized posters or advertisements will be removed.

PROMOTION AND RETENTION OF STUDENTS
The administration and teaching staff must strive to create plans of instruction and
instructional organization that will permit students to progress through school
according to their needs and abilities.
Students will normally progress annually from grade to grade. However, exceptions to
this general policy may be made when it becomes evident that a student should
proceed more slowly.
Retention will not be used until other possibilities have been exhausted, including
special help, remedial work, and summer school opportunity.

In all cases of retention, parents must be informed of such possibility well in advance
(usually by the third reporting period) and a conference with them sought. In all
instances teachers will use the advice and help of the guidance and other special
school personnel.
Although teachers may recommend retention, all retention (as well as promotions)
will be assigned by the school principals. Teachers, in recommending retentions; or
principals, in assigning them; will give the reasons why they feel the student should
repeat.
The school system shall have final authority in the promotion/retention of a student
in grades 1-3. The principal will take particular care in assigning more than one
retention during a child’s elementary school life.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS
During periods of inclement weather, parents and students are requested to listen to
their radio or television news for information. Information concerning late starts,
early releases or school closings can be heard on these radio/tv stations:

SCHOOL COSTS
Textbooks, workbooks, newspapers, magazines and some materials are furnished free
of charge by the school on the assumption that they be given reasonable care.
Students will be expected to purchase such working materials as pens, pencils, rulers,
crayons, folders, glue, scissors. As a reminder, gum, candy and toys are not a part of
our school supply list and should not be in school.

STUDENT RECORDS

Student records are maintained for each student attending Schools for the purpose of
maintaining an accurate account of the student’s educational history and progress.
These files are open to parents/guardians and may be reviewed in the presence of the
building principal upon request.

VOLUNTEERS
We welcome and appreciate any time that parents/guardians or community members
are willing to share with us any time. Volunteer efforts provide an educational
advantage to the students.

Elementary pupils' handbook

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Elementary pupils' handbook