Student/Parent Handbook Sleepy Hollow Elementary School

2010 -2011

3435 Reeder Amarillo, TX 79121

Phone: 806-326-5300

Fax: 806-354-5079

http://www.amaisd.org/url/sleepy.php

Our mission is to graduate every student prepared for success beyond high school.

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Sleepy Hollow Elementary School 3435 Reeder

Amarillo, Texas 79121

Telephones: Office 326-5300 Secretary 326-5301 Health Room 326-5302 Counselor 326-5308 Cafeteria 326-5309 Speech 326-5310 Diagnostician 326-5311 Fax 354-5079

Website: http://www.amaisd.org/url/sleepy.php

Our mission is to graduate every student prepared for success beyond high school.

Sleepy Hollow Elementary School Staff

Principal Doneice Ray Assistant Principal Jeanne Pendergrass Extended Day Coordinator Ryan Nelson Kindergarten Doneen von Netzer Amber Dawes Ashlee Kuhlman Linda Ray First Grade Lindsay Cotgreave Erin Dobbs Lindsey Kee Nan Rivera Second Grade Cindy Cano Tenille Mitchell Carolyn Saunders Naomi Holt Third Grade Amy Williams Melanie Novak Cathy Ledford Tanya Thiessen

Fourth Grade Alisha Smith

Danielle Holt Stephanie Elkins Meagan Odom Fifth Grade Julie Harris Ann Bulla Kim Giles Physical Education Ricee Taylor Music Paige Storlie Instrumental Music Chase Moore Resource 1 Darrell Glenn Resource 1 Assistants Dee O’Gorman/Liz Glover

Jennifer Lane/Mary Czenwien Belinda Bowen/Melinda Mullins

Resource 2 Dyane Black Resource 2 Assistants Celia Otts/ Julie Ann Valencia Lee Ann Whittington Resource 3 Megan Hyde Resource 3 Assistants Karen Wade/Anna Funck Shilo Dickson Technology Assistant Bobbi Standish Teacher Assistant/Cafeteria Joyce Wilson Librarian Sheliah Babbitt Reading Recovery Samantha Holder Counselor Lisa Barbour Diagnostician Brenda Banks/Kathy Freeman Speech Therapist Robin Hill Student Support Phyllis Meredith Cari Laminack

Nurse/Health Room Krista Savage/Connie Estes Secretary Sue Hudson Cafeteria Manager Vickie Funck Head Custodian Linda Roberts Night Custodians Pricilla Holguin Steven Vardell

Advanced Placement (Credit by Exam): For grades 1/5, credit by exam is defined as a student being placed a grade above his normal grade placement after successfully meeting all the following criteria:

1. The student demonstrates a ranking of at least the 90th percentile on an achievement test of the next grade level in the individual areas of math, language arts and either science or social studies.

2. The student attains a grade of 70 or above on a comprehensive exam of essential knowledge and skills for the grade level to be omitted.

3. Parents and the district approve credit by exam for the student after considering the student’s aptitude, achievement and maturity.

Announcements: School-wide announcements will be made at 8:05 a.m. Announcements regarding organizational meetings of teams, groups, etc. will be made if the written information is supplied to morning announcements. No announcements will be made during the school day except in the case of an emergency.

Written notices are sent home or phone calls are made to families when changes are made in general routine, such as special programs and holidays. Arrival: Children arriving at school between 7:55 and 8:00 a.m. go directly to their lockers. Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. Student arriving at school prior to 7:55 a.m. should report to the cafeteria. Students must remain in the cafeteria until dismissed by their supervisor at 7:55 a.m. Attendance: If a student must be absent for any reason, please report the absence by calling the office: 326-5301 by 8:30 a.m. Attendance will be taken at 9:30 a.m. If the absence is unresolved, the automated Phone Master will call you and remind you to contact the school. Awards Assemblies: An awards assembly is held each May in the school cafeteria for the purpose of recognizing and honoring 3rd/4th/5th grade students for their academic achievement, perfect attendance, citizenship and school service. In addition, 5th grade students are recognized in the areas of: American Legion Award – Awarded to a fifth grade boy and girl who have displayed outstanding citizenship, leadership ability, rapport with teachers and peers, above average grades and good attendance.

President’s Award for Educational Excellence – Fifth

graders who have maintained a 90 average and who scored at the 85th percentile on their most recent standardized achievement test receive this recognition established by the President of the United States. Parents are invited to attend the assembly. Bicycles/Skateboards/Roller Blades/Gopeds: Bicycles must be parked in the racks provided. Students must walk their bicycles on sidewalks on school property. Students leaving school campus on bicycles must come to a complete stop before entering the city streets. All bicycles should be equipped with locks. The school is not responsible for damage to or theft of bicycles. Students must not use skateboards, roller blades, or gopeds on the sidewalks of the school during arrival or dismissal time. Students are asked to remove roller blades and dismount skateboards or gopeds immediately when they come onto the campus. At dismissal times, the students are required to cross the street before putting on roller blades or riding the skateboards/gopeds. Breakfast and Lunch Program: Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria each morning between 7:30 a.m. and 7:50 a.m. The cost of breakfast is $.90 per student. The students may put money into their individual accounts or they may use cash for payment. The serving period will end at 7:50 a.m.

School cafeterias serve a balanced lunch to students. If students prefer, they may bring sack lunches and may purchase milk from the cafeteria. School lunches are $1.75 and milk is $.40. All students not eating at school must be checked out by the parent/guardian in the office. Upon returning from lunch, students are to be checked back in by the parent/guardian in the office. Lunch charges are issued in emergencies only. They are not provided as a matter of convenience. Students will be allowed to make four charges. No a la carte items may be charged. Daily menus may be viewed on our website. Lunch Money: For convenience and a reduction of lost lunch monies, parents are urged to consider the advanced purchase of breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for students. The money will be deposited into the student’s individual account, which is accessed by the student entering a personal number at the register. When the account funds are down to only one more meal, the cashier will advise the student. You may deposit any amount of money, enough to cover meals for five days or the entire school year.

Classroom Organization: In grades K-5, music and physical education will be taught by music and physical education teachers during the time the regular teacher has his/her planning and preparation time. Students change classes for different academic subjects beginning in second grade. Students in second, third grade and fourth grade have two teachers for the core curriculum: Language Arts/Social Studies and Math/Science. Conferences: A child’s academic progress and general education opportunities are greatly enhanced when teaching becomes a cooperative effort of the home and the school. Much can be accomplished in this endeavor through parent-teacher conferences. When you feel that a conference with your child’s teacher is needed, we would like to ask that you send a note to the teacher and arrange for a conference appointment. This will help you avoid a possible inconvenience since teachers are regularly scheduled in instructional planning sessions, in-service meetings, etc., as well as conferencing with other parents. It will also give the teacher an opportunity to plan for the visit with you in order that the time spent in the conference may be used most advantageously. Suggested time for conferences is between 3:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. any day, except Wednesday.

Diagnostic Testing: The school has the services of an educational diagnostician who works with other professionals to determine students’ special learning needs and eligibility for Special Education services. The diagnosticians, Brenda Banks or Kathy Freeman, can be reached at 326–5311. Discipline Management: Please see a copy of the Discipline Management Plan and the Student Code of Conduct in the Amarillo School District Student Handbook. The handbook can be viewed online at http://www.amaisd.org Sleepy Hollow embraces a school-wide system of discipline – PBS Positive Behavior Support. Dismissal Times: Parents should make arrangement for prompt pick up of students after dismissal. Students will be dismissed at the following times: Kindergarten 1:30 p.m. / First – Fifth 3:00 p.m. Students may not go to the playground after school unless parents are with them. Doors Locked: All school doors will be locked at 8:15 a.m. daily. If you drop a student off after 8:15 a.m., please escort your children through the front door to the office for check in.

Emergency Messages for Students: To avoid interruption of an entire class’s learning, messages will be delivered to classrooms only in emergencies. Parents should make pre-arrangements with the child as to what to do in case of inclement weather, etc. Entended School Day: Extended School Day offers child care from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day at the school. For further information, call the Sleepy Hollow office at 326-5301. Food of Minimal Nutritional Value: Please see the newest Texas Public School Nutrition Policy for schools at: http://www.squaremeals.org Folders: All flyers, handouts, reminders, newsletters, and etc. will be sent home in a folder. Please check your child’s backpack for this folder every Thursday. Any item(s) needing to be sent in this folder will have to be sent to the office by Tuesday of each week. Gifted and Talented Program: Students at any level may be nominated for the gifted/talented program at any time by teachers or parents. Assessment tools to determine eligibility may include: achievement tests, intelligence tests, behavioral checklists, tests of creativity, and student work products. Parents will be notified of the results of the assessments by the district GT office. If you have questions, please call Maria Chrzanowski at 326-1303.

At the elementary level, gifted/talented students are cluster grouped in the regular classroom. The curriculum is differentiated to meet the needs of the individual students. A grade level scope and sequence is followed for products to be completed by the gifted/talented students each year. Every gifted/talented student will receive a progress report each six weeks. Grading: • No grade less that “50” will be assigned to student work in the

grade book (and used for averaging) EXCEPT in the following situations: Academic Dishonesty – cheating, copying the work of another student, plagiarism, and unauthorized communication between students during testing will result in a “0”.

Assignments Not Turned In – will result in a “0”. • When a student is absent, make-up work may be picked up

after school on the same day if the parent has made that request before noon. If the request for make-up assignments is after noon the work will be ready for pick up the following day after school. No work prior to an absence will be given. It is difficult to give students assignments when they have missed the instruction and don’t understand the concept being practiced in the assignment.

Please keep in mind that when students are absent, their learning is affected. Many lessons, labs, and hands-on activities cannot be made up. We encourage you to have your children in school every day. Absences due to vacations or sporting events are discouraged.

• Make-up work should be turned in according to the following

guidelines: One day – students should turn work in the day after he/she returns. Two days – student should turn in work within two days after he/she returns. Three days – the student should turn work in within three days after he/she returns. If the student has missed more than three days, parents are encouraged to schedule a conference with the teacher. Please contact the teacher immediately when circumstances create a situation that calls for additional consideration.

• Completion time for all student assignments will be based on the knowledge that each student works at a different rate. All assignments are expected to be turned in! When a reasonable amount of time has been allotted and class assignments are turned in late the teacher may use the following guidelines: One day late – 10 points will be deducted. Two days late – 20 points will be deducted. Three days late – 30 points will be deducted. If a situation exists that affects the above guidelines, please let the teacher know immediately.

Health: A written release from a doctor, the Health Department, or school nurse is required for admittance following any communicable disease or infection. This applies in cases of suspected contagious disease or infection, even though the patient may not have seen a doctor during his illness.

EXCLUSION NOTICE FOR PEDICULOSIS A student who is excluded or absent from school because of head lice/or nits will be reinstated only by the principal, nurse, or health assistant in the building in which the student is enrolled. Because the possibility of re-infestation exists, physician and health department releases are not accepted. Please note that AISD has a nit free policy; therefore, all nits must be removed from the hair before a student is reinstated. Adequate time will be allowed for treatment and removal of nits, but excessive days of absence will be unexcused.

SCREENING During the first few weeks of school, all students in kindergarten, in first grade, and those new to the District will be screened:

1. by the classroom teacher for speech and language 2. by the school nurse for health appraisal 3. by the school nurse or health assistant for vision,

hearing, and dental screening. If further evaluation is indicated, the parents will be notified.

Holidays and Vacations for Students: Early Release Days: (dismissal for all students at 12:00 noon)

• December 17/May 13 and May 27 Snow Days:

• April 22/May 23 Holidays:

• November 24 – 26, 2010 • December 20, 2010- January 3, 2011 • March 14 – 18, 2011

Homework: The amount of time required for home study varies in different grades and with individual pupils. Generally, the time required for homework will not exceed that which is listed below: First Grade: 15 minutes per night Second Grade: 20 minutes per night Third Grade: 25 minutes per night Fourth Grade: (School not exceed 20 minutes Fifth Grade: per academic area) The term “homework” is defined as an assignment that necessitates a student’s working at home to complete an assignment, to strength the understanding of a learned concept through its application to written work or problems, or to locate and organize information about a subject through the process of research.

The educational research indicates that cooperative learning affords students unique opportunities to learn communication and social skills, as well as being an effective way to acquire new knowledge. At times, teachers may ask students to work in cooperative groups on projects that are to be completed outside of school. Each student is expected to contribute to the project for his assigned role. Teachers will discuss a reasonable amount of time for completion of group projects, taking into consideration scheduling conflicts. Please check with the teacher if you need more information. Honor Roll: Third grade through fifth grade student achievement is recognized each six weeks for students receiving above 80% and above 90% in all subjects areas based on a grading scale of 0-100. The 90% and 80% Honor Rolls are recorded in the local newspaper. Lockers: Students will be assigned a locker. Periodic locker inspection will be made by the homeroom teacher and principal to see that they are kept neat and orderly. All personal items and books when not in use are to be kept in lockers. Locks are not permitted on lockers.

Permission for Leaving School: All students leaving during the school day must be checked out by the parent/guardian in the office. Upon returning, students are to be checked back in by the parent/guardian in the office. Any student being picked up by someone other than their parent/guardian must have written permission. Personal Possessions: All personal belongings, including school supplies and coats, should be carefully labeled with the child’s name and school. Physical Education: Each child is expected to participate in physical education. Exceptions are made upon the written request of the student’s doctor. Progress Reports: At the mid-point of each six weeks, each student’s parent will receive a progress report. Promotion and Retention of Students: Decisions for promotion or retention are based upon each child’s performance on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and other state requirements. Parents are informed of the child’s progress throughout the school year by report cards, progress reports, parent conferences, opportunities for tutorials, and other means of correspondence.

A student may not be promoted from fifth to sixth grade if the student does not perform satisfactorily on the fifth grade reading and math assessments (TAKS). The student will be given three opportunities to take these assessments. Accelerated reading and math instruction will be provided between each assessment. PTA: Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a volunteer child advocacy association. PTA collaborates with the school on projects that benefit our students. Your membership is appreciated. Recess/Breaks: Students go outside after lunch for a 15 minute recess break, weather permitting. Wet, cold (below 32 degrees), and/or high wind conditions will necessitate indoor breaks. Students should bring coats and jackets appropriate for the weather conditions. Students go outside unless they have a note from their parent indicating that they need to stay indoors because of physical/medical needs.

Report Cards: Report cards will be distributed for students in grade 1-5 as follows: SIX WEEK PROGRESS REPORT CARD PERIOD REPORT SENT HOME 1 Sept. 16 Oct. 7 2 Oct. 28 Nov. 11 3 Dec. 2 Jan. 13 4 Jan. 27 Feb. 17 5 Mar. 10 Apr. 14 6 May 5 May 27 Student Dress: Please refer to details in the AISD Student Handbook. The handbook can be viewed at http://www.amaisd.org Tardies: Students are expected to be in their classroom by 8:00 a.m. Announcements are made at 8:05 a.m. Students not in their classroom by 8:10 a.m. are tardy and must come to the office for a pass to class. Textbooks: It is the responsibility of students to keep textbooks covered at all times to prevent damage to the books. Damaged textbooks include: books that have light cover damage, books with slightly torn pages that can be repaired, writing that cannot be erased but does not interfere with the use of the textbook, books with loose bindings that are repairable, and other such damage that does not render the book useless.

The MINIMUM fine assessed is $1.00. The following is suggested MAXIMUM fines prorated according to the replacement cost of the textbooks: MAXIMUM BOOK VALUE $3.00 0 - $14.99 $4.00 $15.00 – $19.99 $5.00 $20.00 - $24.99 $6.00 $25.00 - $29.99 $7.00 $30.00 - $34.99 $8.00 $35.00 - $39.99 $9.00 $40.00 – AND ABOVE Traffic Rules:

1. Obey the 20 mph speed limit around the school grounds. 2. STOP at crosswalks. Do not park in crosswalks. Only

proceed after children have safely crossed. Pedestrians have the right of way.

3. Follow the one-way arrows on parking lot. 4. Do not park in designated bus parking area in front of the

building 5. Do not pass the school bus if lights are flashing. 6. Do not, at any time, make a U-turn around the school. 7. Always park next to the curb for loading and unloading

children. T-Shirts: Sleepy Hollow T-Shirts will be available for purchase soon after school begins. An order form will be available at Meet and Greet in August.

Visitation: All visitors should check in at the office and wear a visitor’s sticker badge. Parents are cordially invited to visit school and observe their children’s progress. Children unaccompanied by a parent must have special permission from the principal. If you are bringing a lunch box/sack lunch to your child, please leave it at the office rather than taking it to the classroom or placing it in the locker for the child. These procedures will minimize the distractions to the classes in session. Parents are allowed to bring lunch for their child. Food should not be shared with other students at the table. This is part of the new Food of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV) Law. Students and their guests are asked to sit at the designated tables for visitors. Volunteers: Sleepy Hollow participates in the district’s America’s Promise Volunteers in Public School (VIPS) program. We are looking for volunteers to assist in classrooms, library, cafeteria, and office. If you can give us a little as one hour a week of your time, please sign up. For more information please contact the VIPS Coordinator or the school office, 326-5301. School Mascot and Colors: Students at Sleepy Hollow are known as the Horsemen and our colors are silver and blue. Friday is Spirit Day. On Spirit Days students are asked to wear the school colors.

Website: The Sleepy Hollow website contains a wealth of information about our school along with a monthly calendar. The address is: http://www.amaisd.org/url/sleepy.php