Parent Handbook 2014-2015 Table Of Contents Topic Page School Hours, phone numbers 3 Nondiscrimination Statement 4 Harassment 4 Bus Expectations 5 Weapons 5 School Closures and Delays 6 Attendance, Taking Students Out of Class, Withdrawal 7 Visiting School 7 PTO 8 Breakfast and Lunch 8 Student Dress 8 Phone and Cell Phone Use 9 Toys, Gum, Candy, Food, Lost & Found 9 Medication at School 10 Discipline 10 Exit Drills 11 Homework 11 Recess, Safety 11 Page | 2 VISTA PARENT HANDBOOK 2014-2015 The following information will answer many questions. Parts of it should be shared and discussed with your child. Please keep it for reference. SCHOOL HOURS GRADES K-5 Monday 8:40 – 3:17 Tuesday 8:40 – 3:17 Thursday 8:40 – 3:17 Friday 8:40 – 3:17 Wednesday 8:40 – 2:00 Children who walk or are brought to school should not arrive before 8:25 a.m. since no supervision is provided prior to that time, unless coming for the breakfast program which begins at 8:20 a.m. Lunch Times: Kinder: 11:15 – 11:45 3rd Grade: 11:50 – 12:20 1st Grade: 11:20 – 11:50 4th Grade: 11:55 – 12:25 2nd Grade: 11:25 – 11:55 5th Grade: 12:00 – 12:25 Recess Times: Kinder - 2nd Grade: 11:55 – 12:25 3rd – 5th Grade: 11:15 – 11:45 K-5th Afternoon: 2:00 – 2:15 (No afternoon recess on Wednesdays) Main Office: 222-6100 Attendance Line: 222-6102 (call and leave a message 24 hours a day) Principal: Jennifer Behrends Main Secretary: Claudia Leon Support Secretary: Selena Perry Counselors: Sara Gardner and Keri Orate District website: www.ksd.org (Choose Vista on the right under “School Website QuickLinks”) Page | 3 NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT Kennewick School District's Non-Discrimination Policy The Kennewick School District provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or use of trained dog, guide or service animal by a person with a disability, and provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination can be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director Doug Christensen at (509) 222-5010. HARASSMENT District Policy # 3207: The Kennewick School District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/legal guardians, volunteer and patrons, that is free from harassment, intimidation, bullying, and cyber bullying. “Harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber bullying” means any written message or image, verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, mental, physical, sensory disability, or other distinguishing characteristics, when the act is intended to result in any of the following: Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; Is severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. Nothing in this policy requires the affected student to actually possess a characteristic that is a basis for the harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber bullying. “Other distinguishing characteristics” can include but are not limited to: Physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, Socioeconomic status, Gender identity, Marital status, And weight Page | 4 Cyber bullying includes, but is not limited to, the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidation, threatening, humiliating, or tormenting another student or staff member by way of any technological tool, such as sending or posting inappropriate or derogatory electronic mail (e-mail) messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings (including social media) which has the effect of: 1. Physically, emotionally, or mentally harming a student; 2. Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical, emotional, or mental harm; 3. Placing a student in reasonable fear of damages to or loss of personal property; or 4. Creating an intimidating or hostile environment that substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities. More information about harassment can be found at www.ksd.org under the “About Us” tab and Policies. BUS: STUDENT EXPECTATIONS District Policy # 3420.2 States: Bus Transportation: Rules for Students Riding School Buses “DON’T LOSE YOUR RIDING PRIVILEGE!” 1. Observe same conduct as in the classroom. 2. Be courteous, use no profane language. 3. No eating or drinking on the bus. 4. No littering, keep the bus clean. 5. Cooperate at all times with the driver. 6. Stay out of the driver’s seat. 7. Don’t be destructive. Parents will be responsible for reimbursement to the district. 8. Stay in your seat and face forward. 9. Keep head, hands and feet inside the bus. 10. Bus driver is authorized to assign seats. REMEMBER: The bus driver is a professional, trained in techniques designed for the safe transportation of school children. Drivers have ultimate authority while in operation of the vehicle WEAPONS Vista and the Kennewick School District have a no tolerance policy toward students who are in any way involved with a weapon on school property. Page | 5 SCHOOL CLOSURES AND DELAYS School closure or delay due to weather, road conditions, power outages, and other emergency situations is always a possibility. Kennewick School District’s first priority when considering whether or not to close or delay the start of the school day is the safety of our 17,000 students and 1,800 employees. If there is no mention on the district website or in the media of a school delay or closure, schools are running on time. A decision will be made no later than 6:00 a.m. whether to close or delay schools for the day. Conditions may change and it is possible that a school delay may change to a closure. Every effort is made to make this decision by 6:45 a.m. Parents and guardians make the final decision Parents and guardians should always use their own discretion in determining whether to send children to school or pick them up early if they feel conditions in their particular area are not safe. Please inform your child’s school with a signed note if you decide to keep your child at home. It will be considered an excused absence. Are students ever sent home early? Please understand that closing schools and sending students home early is extremely difficult due to the challenges around notifying all parents/guardians and ensuring that there is an adult at home to or elsewhere to supervise children. Students will follow their regular schedule once school starts, except in extreme emergency situations. However, this does not prevent a parent or guardian from picking their child up early if they choose. School closure and delay notifications: · Website - Check the district website: www.ksd.org. Remember to refresh your browser for updates. · Text and Email Alerts – Sign up in advance to receive a text and email alerts using FlashAlert. You will be required to set up an account and verify your email or mobile device. Please note that it is possible, depending on your carrier, that you may receive any multiple messages or experience delays when using this service. · Facebook and Twitter - Follow updates on Facebook or Twitter: @ksddistrict · Media - Watch or listen to local media stations and websites. TV Channels: 19 KEPR CBS, 25 KNDU NBC, 42 KVEW ABC Radio (English): KALE 960, KTCR 1340, KEGX 106.5, KKSR 95.7, KIOK 94.9, KUJ 99.1, KONA 610, 105.3, KORD 102.7, 87, KXRX 97.1 , KEYW 98.3, KFLD 870, KOLW 97.5, KFAE 89.1 FM Radio (Spanish): KMNA 98.7, KZHR 92.5, KZTB 97.9, KMMG 96.7 Online News: Tri-City Herald - www.tri-cityherald.com Athletics, Community Education and other school activities If school is closed, all out-of-district transportation, meetings, field trips, after-school activities, and practices will be canceled for the day unless otherwise announced. All evening meetings/functions scheduled to take place in district facilities will also be canceled. Page | 6 ATTENDANCE Studies have shown that regular and prompt attendance is a key factor to success in school. According to Washington State Law the only legal reason for absence is illness. When students are tardy or absent, a written excuse stating the reason for the absence must be brought to the teacher. (Kennewick School Board Policy No. 7100) For safety reasons, if your child is going to be absent, we ask that you call the school at 222- 6102 between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. to let us know so that we may account for them. TAKING STUDENTS OUT OF CLASS In the event you need to have your child released during the school day, such as for a doctor’s appointment, it is necessary that you come into the school office and sign the student out. For the safety of our students, teachers are instructed not to release students unless the office notifies them the child has been signed out. Please do not ask for a child to be released by phone or written note. If there are any legal restrictions about the custody of children we must have a copy of the court order on file in the office. WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES If it is necessary to withdraw your child from school, please notify the school office either in person, by phone call, or by a note letting the school know where you will be moving to and the student’s last day of attendance.