Parent Handbook 2020-2021 Table Of Contents Topic Page School Hours, phone numbers 3 Nondiscrimination Statement 4 Harassment & Bullying 4 Bully Prevention 5 Discipline 6 Bus Expectations 6 Weapons 7 School Closures and Delays 7 Attendance & Tardies 8 Maximizing Teaching & Learning Time 9 Parental Custody 9 Withdrawal Procedures 9 Visiting School 9 Parent Class Visitation Agreement 10 Breakfast and Lunch 11 Student Dress 11 Phone Messages and Cell Phone Use 12 Toys & Electronics at School 12 Gum, Candy & Food 12 Parties & Birthdays at School 12 Lost & Found 13 PTO 13 Medication at School 13 Medical Guidelines for Student Attendance 13 Lockdown / Exit Drills 14 Homework Policy 14 Recess, Safety 15 Library Policies 16 Page | 2 VISTA PARENT HANDBOOK 2020-2021 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 A Group Tuesday 8:40 – 3:17 A Group Wednesday No Students at School During HYBRID Learning Thursday 8:40 – 3:17 B Group Friday 8:40 – 3:17 B Group Children who walk or are brought to school should not arrive before 8:25 a.m. NO outdoor supervision is provided prior to that time and students are not allowed to wait inside the building. For student safety, please be sure to drop off students at the drop off/pick up area in front of the portables at the north end of the school campus. PLEASE DO NOT DROP OFF OR PICK UP STUDENTS IN THE STAFF PARKING LOTS OR NEAR THE GYM/KITCHEN DELIVERY DOORS. Students picked up after school need to wait in the Parent Pick-Up area. It is located between the northern doors and the portables, under the covered area and behind the chain link fence. Parents/guardians are asked to remain in that area until after the final bell. Students will not be allowed to wait in the office or in front of the school. Please keep the small bus loop in front of the school clear at all times for our Special Needs Busses and emergency vehicles. All students need to be picked up promptly between 3:17-3:22pm (2-2:05pm on Wednesdays). OFFICE HOURS: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. New Student Registrations will be accepted between 9am-2pm only. Main Office: 222-6100 School Nurse: 222-6103 Attendance Line: 222-6100, ext. 2 (call and leave a message 24 hours a day) Principal: Jennifer Behrends Vice Principal: Wayne Thomasson Office Secretary: Michelle Beden Attendance Secretary: Mary McDaniel Counselor: Melissa Whitmore School Nurse: Donna Osborne Page | 3 District website: www.ksd.org (Choose Vista under the “Schools” tab and “Elementary Schools”) Vista Text Messages: Please text “@Vikingnews” to 81010 to join our Remind.com service! Get important reminders, information about school events & weather cancellations or delays. You can find us on Facebook at Vista Elementary School. 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. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights & Equity: Douglas Christensen- (509) 222-5010 ([email protected]) Section 504, Title IX Brian Leavitt - (509) 222-5003 ([email protected]) Kennewick School District 1000 West 4th Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336 HARASSMENT & BULLYING 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 in 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: Page | 4 • Physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, • Socioeconomic status, • Gender identity, • Marital status, • Weight Bully Prevention Vista maintains the goal of a safe environment where bullying is not tolerated. And with a school-wide prevention system, children and adults team together to maintain a safe and respectful environment conducive to learning. The word bullying is often used these days and it is important to know the difference between bullying, mean behavior, rude behavior, and a peer conflict. Do you and your child know the difference? The Kennewick School District and Vista Elementary want to ensure that we have a safe and happy environment for our students and staff to come to each day. Below are definitions to help you and your child identify the different types of behaviors: • Peer Conflict: When two people say or do something unintentionally hurtful to each other. • Rude behavior: When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once. • Mean behavior: When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once. • Bullying: When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they keep doing it- even when you tell them to stop or show them that you’re upset. If a bullying incident occurs, students are expected to recognize the bullying, refuse the bullying, and report the bullying to a trusted adult (teacher, counselor, office staff, para educator, etc.) Staff are trained to: Affirm the child’s report, ask questions to determine the extent, assess the situation and severity, and act upon the report by informing the parents, child’s teacher, counselor, and/or administration. Interventions and progressive consequences will then be completed with the students involved. 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. Page | 5 More information about harassment can be found at www.ksd.org under the “About Us” tab and Policies. DISCIPLINE Vista Elementary uses the Make Your Day Citizenship Program. Parents are encouraged to communicate with their child’s teacher regarding questions or concerns in regards to this program. We strive to maintain an environment where teachers can teach and students can learn. Consequences are fair and consistently enforced and parents are communicated with. Please refer to the Make Your Day Handout for specifics about this program (available in the office). A safe and pleasant school climate is a major goal for Vista Staff and students. Children are encouraged to learn and practice appropriate school behavior. We believe that all students have a responsibility toward their education. Students, parents, and staff must cooperate in providing a school environment where effective learning can take place. To accomplish this, students are asked to observe Vista rules: 1. Be prepared to learn each day and have necessary supplies and materials 2. Arrive and leave at the appropriate time 3. Be respectful and cooperative with staff and other students 4. Be considerate of others during work and play 5. Follow classroom, playground and school safety rules 6. Use school and personal property properly 7. Use self-control and monitor own behavior in all situations BUS: STUDENT EXPECTATIONS District Policy #3420.2: “DON’T LOSE YOUR RIDING PRIVILEGE!” Bus Transportation: Rules for Students Riding School Buses 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