Thirkill Elementary Handbook

Thirkill Elementary Handbook

Any parent or guardian or other person who upbraids, insults, or abuses any teacher or employee of the public schools, in the presence and hearing of a pupil or other adult thereof, is guilty of a misdemeanor and charges will be filed. (I.C. 18-916, ch. 227, 2, pg. 624.)

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According to Board Policy #561, if a student must take medication during the school day, the following guidelines shall be followed:

Our school is maintained for instructional purposes. School progress is a result of regular attendance at school. Please do not keep children out of school unless they are ill. Frequent absences of students from the day to day classroom experiences disrupt the instructional and learning processes. The benefits of instruction, once lost, are often difficult to regain. The entire process of education requires the continuity of instruction, class participation, learning experiences and study. The following guidelines at Thirkill will be followed:

School District #150 Policy, School Attendance Policy #522 states the following:

“Regular and punctual patterns of attendance shall be expected of each student enrolled in School District #150.

It is recognized that absence from school is necessary under certain conditions. Effort should be made by students, parent/guardians, teachers and administrators to keep absences and tardiness to a minimum.

Student attendance at school is the responsibility of the parents/guardians and students. Every effort will be made by school personnel to keep the parents/guardians informed of student absences.

Students in grades K-8 are required to attend school 90% of the scheduled time. Students in grades K-8 who miss more than they should in a trimester, without corrective parental intervention, will be required to appear before an attendance review committee.”

Parents need to be aware that under present District Attendance Policy, if your child’s absences exceed these days, you will have to meet with the District Attendance Committee. This committee has the authority to recommend to the school: retention, reinstatement of credit, contractual agreement, or consult the student and/or parent regarding alternative options.

We recognize, of course, that sometimes absences cannot be helped. We also know that excessive absence is one of the causes of school failure. In addition to that, research has shown that the habits and attitudes formed in the early years of school usually last a lifetime. Compulsive absence nearly always results in failure in careers as well as in school.

We ask that you help your child develop good habits and attitudes that promote success. Remember, if the number of days absent exceeds the allowable days within the trimester period, you will need to meet with the District Attendance Committee.

Students are expected to be on time to school. School begins at 8:00 a.m. with the tardy bell ringing at 8:05 a.m. School is dismissed at 3:45 p.m. each day Monday through Thursday.

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1st Bell	8:00 a.m.
Tardy Bell	8:05 a.m.
Morning Recess Begins	10:00 a.m.
Morning Recess Ends	10:15 a.m.
Afternoon Recess Begins	2:30 p.m.
Afternoon Recess Ends	2:45 p.m.
School Dismissed	3:45 p.m.

Bicycle racks are provided at the main entrance to the school. All bicycles should be placed in the bike racks and left there until time for the students to return home. The school is NOT responsible for lost, misplaced, or damaged bicycles. It is strongly recommended that students use a lock to secure their bicycles.

Appropriate behavior in the lunch and breakfast area is expected of all students and adults. Inappropriate behavior will cause the student to be removed from this area. The following guidelines are to be understood and practiced by the students:

It is the function of Thirkill Elementary School to meet the educational needs of every child by working with the home and community. To be effective, schools must have a standard of discipline. The rules and regulations in this handbook are established to give all students the opportunity of attending school in a positive and wholesome atmosphere.

All students at Thirkill Elementary will be required to follow school and classroom rules. When a rule is not followed the teacher will give the student a warning and show them the correct behavior. If a student misbehaves a second time they will be given an infraction slip explaining the misbehavior or the broken rule. The infraction slip will be sent to the office to be recorded. Once recorded, the parent of the child will be contacted by the student's teacher to explain the infraction.

Any student not receiving an infraction slip for an entire week will be rewarded with an Honor Level Recess. Those who receive an infraction during a week's period will not be allowed to go to the Honor Level Recess. After each week, students will start over with a blank slate and will have the chance to go the week without any infractions and earn the extra recess.

Students who receive three or more infractions in a week will be required to attend a discipline committee meeting with parents, teacher, and school principal. During the meeting the team will decide on additional behavior planning or additional discipline.

All students enrolled in Thirkill Elementary are charged with the responsibility of abiding by accepted standards of good conduct and discipline. Whenever a student’s behavior violates the standards adopted by the school, action will be taken which may deny the privileges and rights of school attendance through suspension.

The principal is the only one authorized to suspend your child from attending school. Should this be the case, you will be notified and requested to come and pick up your child. At that time, you will be given a copy of the suspension form and you will be required to sign out your child from the school building. Length of suspension time is determined by the seriousness of the offense, but cannot exceed five consecutive days without approval from the superintendent and school board.

The school encourages parents to use good judgment with regard to proper school dress. Halter tops, midriff blouses or shirts, see-through clothes, T-shirts containing inappropriate language or pictures, clothing with large holes, or tank tops are not considered acceptable attire. Shorts may be worn on days when the weather is extremely hot. Shorts must be fingertip length. Flip flops, thongs, etc. are not recommended footwear for school.

Students are also not allowed to use colored hair dye to alter their hair color for school. Students who come with brightly colored hair (green, red, orange, blue, etc.) will be sent home. This is a major disruption in the classroom and will not be tolerated.

When a student’s style of dress or appearance offends the teacher, school employees, disrupts, or interferes with the educational process, he or she will be asked to correct the condition immediately. The principal will be the final judge of all dress code decisions.

In the event a student requires an ambulance, doctor, emergency room attention, or hospitalization due to an accident or illness while at school, the school will attempt to contact the parent or guardian; the designated emergency contact telephone number; or the student’s doctor for instructions. If the school is unable to contact those persons designated, the school is required to act “In Loco Parentis” (in place of the parents). Any expenses incurred are the responsibility of the parent/guardian and not the school. If a student experiences nausea or vomiting during school hours, the parent/guardian will be notified to check them out as we do not have a staff nurse on duty.

It is unlawful for any person to create a false fire alarm or call the number “911" for the purpose of making a false alarm or complaint and reporting false information which could or does result in the emergency response of and firefighting, police, medical, or other emergency services. Such people shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Official field trip forms must be completed, signed and returned to the student’s teacher before the date of the planned trip. Telephone calls from the parents giving verbal permission will not be allowed. Please help your child plan ahead for their field trip events by signing and returning the required form. We ask that parents not bring preschool aged children on the field trip due to school insurance restraints.

Every precaution is taken to insure the safety of your child during normal school hours. Periodic fire and safety drills are executed to make certain students learn proper safety procedures and adhere to all safety guidelines. Fire and Emergency Drills are conducted throughout the school on a monthly basis to assist the students and staff with proper emergency procedures.

Grading is done every six weeks at Thirkill. We are on the trimester system which allows three grading periods and three progress reports throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to attend the parent/teacher conferences that are scheduled at the conclusion of the first trimester.

Under Idaho Law (I.C. 39-3601), we are required to obtain proof of immunizations and report the status of immunizations in our school to the Idaho Department of Education. Proof will consist of medical or Health Department records. This proof must be received within 60 days of initial enrollment in school and each subsequent school year or the school is required to exclude the student from school attendance.

Parents may, for religious, medical, or personal reasons, claim an exemption to these requirements by signing an exemption form available at the office.

Insubordination, disrespect, and/or defiant behavior are not to be tolerated by supervisory personnel or school employees. Appropriate and consistent disciplinary action will be taken following this type of student behavior and will usually involve suspension and an apology to the offended party.

Head lice is a common condition in the school-aged child. It is highly contagious and easily spread from direct or indirect contact with the infested person and/or infested personal items such as coats, backpacks, and hats.

The school principal or designee will screen students for head lice. If nits (egg cases) or lice are present, the student will be excluded from school until the student is nit and lice free.

Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, except holidays as noted in the district calendar. The phone is not answered before 8:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. Please plan your phone calls accordingly.

We encourage all students and parents to attend the Thirkill Elementary School Open House and Back to School Night. This is held the first Wednesday after Labor Day from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. At this time, parents and students will be able to get acquainted with their new teachers and classrooms.

It is the policy of Thirkill Elementary School that the following steps are followed if a parent has a concern or disagreement with your child’s teacher:

Please follow these steps in order. If you contact the principal first without contacting the teacher, you will be asked to go back and repeat steps one and two before the principal will discuss the issue with you.

It has been our experience that 99% of problems or concerns are solved through following steps one and two. We have found that problems or concerns are often the result of mis-communication or misinformation. Working directly with the teacher will strengthen the lines of communication and help foster a greater bond between your child, your child’s teacher, and you.

Please do not allow your children to bring their pets to school unless it is a show and tell item with prior approval of the classroom teacher. Parents should come with the pets so that the pet can be taken home immediately following the presentation.

School telephones are available for administrative and school business. Calls to the school should be limited to extremely important or emergency reasons only. Phone calls to students during the day will NOT be honored. A student’s place is in the classroom where learning can take place. A message will be taken and delivered to the classroom teacher during break time. Phone calls to home for permission to go over to a friend’s home after school or other activities will not be allowed.

Under the terms of Idaho Code 18-4507-4511, Missing Children’s Act, we are required to obtain a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate as proof of the child’s identity within 30 days of enrollment in school. If a birth certificate is unavailable, the parents must file an affidavit explaining the inability to produce a certified copy of the birth certificate and provide other reliable proof of the student’s identity such as a passport, visa, or other governmental documentation.

If such documentation is not provided within 30 days, the school is required by law to notify the local law enforcement agency of the failure and parents will be given an additional 10 days to comply with the request.

If you have questions regarding this requirement, please feel free to discuss it with the principal or secretary.

Children should arrive at school dressed for the weather of the day. Please prepare your child for the temperatures of Soda Springs, Idaho. Our winter temperatures and weather are extreme. Please dress your child properly with a heavy coat, hat, gloves or mittens, and boots.

If a child is not dressed appropriately, a parent will be called to provide proper clothing. All healthy students are expected to go outside after lunch and during recess times except when weather conditions are extreme. On extremely cold or wet days, the principal will declare an inside day and the children will remain inside during recess time.

If you desire that your child not go outside because of health reasons, please send a note indicating such. However, this note will only excuse them from 2 (two) days of outside recess time! Any length of time beyond this MUST be authorized by a doctor’s note!

Safe school transportation is considered an integral part of the total educational program. Riding a school bus is a privilege contingent upon proper and courteous conduct. We recognize that a safe school bus operation is only possible with the full cooperation of our parents, students, and school staff. It is very important that the school be accountable for students during bus transportation. All bus students must ride their designated buses unless a written note from the parent/guardian is brought to school. Phone calls to change bus routes is a disruption to the day and is discouraged. Please make plans accordingly. If a non-bus student is going to ride a bus or if a bus student is going to ride a different bus, a signed note must be presented at the office for the principal’s signature. Then the note must be shown to the classroom teacher and bus driver.

Without parental and school permission, no student is allowed on an alternate bus route. Buses will be able to accommodate groups going to parties or activities if there is room on that particular bus. Buses will stop only at regularly scheduled stops. District bus rules must be followed at all times.

Students not in compliance with the bus rules will receive a bus report referral for discipline from the bus driver. A continued noncompliance with bus rules will result in loss of bus riding privileges.

1st Grade	11:10 a.m.
2nd Grade	11:20 a.m.
3rd Grade	11:30 a.m.
4th Grade	11:40 a.m.

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Individual student pictures are taken in the fall. Class group pictures are taken in the spring. Contact the secretary for more information.

Behavior or conduct or language of a sexual nature is not permitted at Thirkill Elementary or on the bus. This will not be tolerated. It is every student’s right to attend school in an atmosphere free from sexual innuendos, behavior, conduct, or language. Students not complying with this policy will be suspended from school attendance. Length of suspension time will be determined by the principal.

Parents must come to the school office to pick up their children, if they are needed during school hours. Students will be turned over to their parents or guardians after the parents have signed the school check out log found in the office. All children leaving the school during school hours will be signed out of school at the office by their parents or designee. This procedure is necessary to provide as much protection for your children as possible.

Swearing is a disruption to our school life. Any swearing or inappropriate language to a teacher, staff member, or other student will result in immediate suspension. Swearing or inappropriate language will NOT be tolerated. The length of time of suspension will be determined by the principal.

Punctuality can be taught and should be encouraged by all staff members and students. Tardiness has a disruptive effect on the educational atmosphere of the classroom. It is the responsibility of all classroom teachers to require students to be punctual. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to make sure their child is at school on time. A student who arrives in the classroom or at an assigned learning station after the tardy bell has rung or after the class is in session will be marked tardy.

It is Thirkill Elementary School’s tardy policy that after three tardies, one absence will be counted toward the student’s record. Persistent tardiness will result in disciplinary action which will include a letter from the building attendance committee and referral to the school board for possible loss of credit. This will cause your child to repeat the class/grade.

All students in the 3rd - 4th grade test five times during the year with the STAR (Student Test of Accelerated Reader) Norm Referenced Test to determine a student’s reading level.

Students are also required by Idaho State Law to participate in the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI). This is a test that is designed to assess reading readiness skills in the younger students. Students are tested in September, January, and April. Parents are given an IRI Parent Information Booklet at the beginning of the year. It is recommended that parents familiarize themselves with the contents of the booklet to further assist their children with reading skills at home.

Students in the 2^nd and 3^rd grade are required by Idaho State Law to participate in the ISAT (Idaho Student Achievement Test) testing programs. This program assesses skill levels in Reading, Math, and Language Usage. This program is used state wide for students in grades 2-10. Parents also receive a district handout regarding this testing program and are requested to familiarize themselves with this program as well.

Students and their parents shall be held responsible for damages, or losses, due to vandalism or destruction of school property. This includes not only students in our building, but other visitors or community groups using the building. Vandalism also includes writing things on bathroom walls, desks, or other school property. Vandalism will result in an automatic suspension.

Parents should notify the school office as soon as possible prior to a student’s withdrawal. This allows time to complete the checkout process. Please take care to see that all school property is returned to the school. All textbooks and library books are to be returned and lunch fees paid before records can be forwarded to the new school.

This school district is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and staff. According to School Board Policy #541, this district has a “zero tolerance” for students who bring weapons or other objects/substances to school which are a threat to the health and safety of other students, staff members, or visitors, or are a disruption to the educational process.

Possession of implements manufactured, used, or intended for use as weapons, or facsimiles intended to intimidate or threaten, and/or use of these objects/substances at school or at any activity will result in formal suspension procedures and possible expulsion. Students found in possession of these items will immediately be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency and shall be suspended from school until a thorough investigation is made of the circumstances. The Board of Trustees retains the discretion for expulsion for all other violations of this policy.

The definition of a weapon includes, but is not limited to: a firearm, dirk knife, other knives, dagger, metal knuckles, or other dangerous weapon as defined by 18 United States Code Section 930(g)(2), or any other object capable of being used as a weapon. The use or threat of use of any normally non-dangerous implement as a weapon also falls within this definition.

If you have any other questions or concerns not listed here, please feel free to contact the principal, secretary, or your child’s teacher.

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This page was last updated 08/14/2006

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