Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ASSEMBLIES
Various assemblies are planned throughout the school year. They occur during the school day and are free to the students. Themes may include cultural presentations, musical performances or educational games. PTC funds most of the assembly programs.
2011-12
the bike rack and students may not play on or near them during the school day. Scooters, skateboards, rollerblades and heelies (shoes with wheels) are not allowed at school.
BIRTHDAY BOOKS
The PTC purchases books that the principal gives to each student to celebrate his or her birthday. Students with birthdays in June or July will receive his/her book at the end of the school year. August birthdays are honored at the beginning of the school year.
BIRTHDAY INVITATIONS
The school prefers that invitations to birthday and other parties are mailed home or handled in some way other than distribution at school. This avoids hurt feelings that may occur when some children within the class are not invited.
BIRTHDAY TREATS
Birthday treats are not permitted due to the district wellness policy. Students birthdays may be recognized in each class according to individual teacher guidelines.
BUS CONDUCT
The Westfield Wildcat Ways defines three student expectations: Respect, Responsibility and Safety. Behavioral expectations on the bus include the following: Respect o Listen to the bus driver, bus supervisors and safety patrols. o Use quiet voices. o Care for bus property. Responsibility o Get to the bus on time. o Enter and exit the bus appropriately. Safety o Remain seated. o Keep hands, feet and belongings to self.
BUS PASSES (ONLY FOR STUDENTS WHO RIDE THE SAME ROUTE)
If a student who rides a bus needs to get off at a stop other than their own stop, the school must receive a note from the parent/guardian notifying the office of this request. The office will write a pass to present to the driver. Students who are NOT assigned to a bus are not allowed to ride a bus with a friend due to safety and insurance considerations. For these same reasons, students may not switch buses.
CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL
Cancellation of school occurs only during extraordinary circumstances. Information is available on the district website www.ccsd89.org as soon as
-2-
2011-12
the decision is made. An automated telephone call is scheduled to be sent to each students home in the event of a school closing. Information may also be obtained through Chicago television and radio stations.
CLUBS
During and after school clubs may be available throughout the school year. These vary from year to year and are based on teacher and student interest. Watch for additional information throughout the year.
CURRICULUM NIGHT
A Curriculum Night is held each school year sometime within the first few weeks of school. Parents and/or other adult family members are invited to attend to learn about the specific grade level curriculum expectations for their child. Sign-up for the November Parent/Teacher Conferences occurs during Curriculum Night.
2011-12
DRESS CODE
Students, staff and parents should dress appropriately and in a manner that does not disrupt the learning environment. Clothing that advertises the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs and/or suggests vulgar or anti-social values are not permitted. Also, clothing that is too revealing is not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, baggy pants that expose undergarments, low cut tops, spaghetti straps or bare midriff. Hats and caps should not be worn inside the building without special permission. Students should wear shoes that are appropriate and safe for school; remember that heelies (shoes with wheels) are not allowed. Gym shoes are needed to participate in PE.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Each student is required to have on file at the school office the following information: Parent/Guardian(s) Names Address Phone numbers (home, work, cell) Two additional phone numbers of friends/relatives to contact in the event of an emergency
-4-
2011-12
Physicians name and phone number Medical alert information Please notify the school if there is a change in Emergency Contact information.
Other school activities may require a fee for participation. No child will be denied participation based on his/her inability to pay. Parents who are unable to pay for any activity should contact the building principal so arrangements can be made.
FIELD TRIPS
A field trip is a school sponsored and school chaperoned activity, which is an extension of the classroom. Parents will receive advance notice of field trips, which shall include the trip date, destination and other necessary details. Parents will be asked to sign a permission form confirming their knowledge of the trip and approval for participation. Students are expected to accept the responsibility for their conduct on all field trips.
GAMES/TOYS
Games and toys should not be brought to school. These include (but are not limited to) stuffed animals, trading cards, video games, etc. These can disrupt the learning environment. Items can get lost, broken or stolen. Unless given special permission by their teacher, please do not let your child bring these items to school.
GAMES/TOYS (EXCEPTIONS)
Special consideration is given to those students who bring games and toys to school for use during before/after school care programs. Items MUST be kept in backpacks during school hours. Westfield cannot assume responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged items.
HEALTH SERVICES
The school nurse is located within the main office. The school nurse is responsible for the maintenance of health records, routine health checks, parental contact concerning health problems, care of minor injuries and assistance in health teaching and vision screening. Be sure to contact the nurse if your child has any health problems that should be addressed. Please call the school nurse if your child is absent from school due to a communicable disease i.e. chicken pox, mumps, head lice, H1N1, pink eye etc.
-5-
2011-12
HOMEWORK PRACTICES
Homework is an important activity, which contributes to a childs education and supports/enhances the learning process. Research and the National Education Association supports that a student should spend 10-15 minutes times their grade level per night completing homework. General guidelines for each grade level are listed on the next page. Kindergarten In Kindergarten we encourage the children to practice the formation of their letters, numbers and names at home through the use of a weekly assignment. Returning their library books and completing some home projects help them become more responsible and prepare them for first grade. 1st Grade Students may be asked to complete work at home not finished in school or complete a practice activity that supports classroom instruction. They may be asked to bring books or items for special classroom projects. Students are encouraged to read (or be read to) 10 minutes every night and practice math facts and spelling words weekly. 2nd Grade One or more pages of homework are routinely sent home Monday through Thursday nights. They will typically be worksheet pages, which reinforce previously taught skills. Children should be studying spelling words, practicing math facts and reading for 10-15 minutes each night. Beginning 2nd quarter, there will be an additional math fact sheet going home on Fridays. 3rd Grade Homework can be expected Monday through Thursday. It is intended to be practice, reinforcement or enrichment based on classroom instruction. Occasionally, unfinished classroom assignments will be sent home to be completed and returned the next school day. Work sent home will usually be checked in class. It may be reflected as a grade for effort and completion. Children are expected to practice spelling words and math flashcards each week at home. In addition to homework assignments, students should be reading for enjoyment. 4th Grade Homework includes completing work not finished in class and specific assignments to reinforce and/or enrich class instruction. Work is corrected by the teacher or together as a class. Work can be expected on average of four nights a week. Students should be reading 20 minutes every night, studying spelling words and math facts. 5th Grade Homework usually involves completing unfinished classwork or specific assignments such as long term projects. Students should expect homework 4 nights per week. The weekend may be used to complete any assignments remaining from the previous week. On nights when homework is finished in class, students are encouraged to use time at home to read, review basic math facts and skills, or practice spelling words to enrich classroom instruction.
2011-12
child will be taken to the emergency room at the hospital. An current emergency phone number where parents can be reached and the name and telephone number of the students family doctor must be on file at the school.
before September 1st of the school year in which they are enrolling. HALF DAYS - To balance out the Kindergarten time, early dismissal days alternate between AM or PM Kindergarten attendance. Student dismissal time is 12:15. The Kindergarten students ride home from school with the students in Grades 1-5. Parents who reside in the Lincoln Hill subdivision will need to provide transportation home for their Kindergarten student.
9:00 Buses are scheduled to arrive at school and students report to their assigned locations 9:05 Students enter the building 9:15 Classes begin 12:15 All students (K-5) dismissed
2011-12
sign their child out of school. Teachers appreciate receiving a note from home alerting them to the fact that the child will leave early. This helps them plan for that child to be prepared to leave at the designated time. Parents who want their child to go home with another student (not riding a bus) or with a different adult must send a note with the child to the teacher or office outlining the details.
LUNCH PROGRAM
Students have the option of bringing their lunch to school or purchasing a hot lunch. Hot lunch accounts must be set up on-line to pay for the lunches. Milk is available and may be purchased at registration. The lunchtime is divided into two parts: 25 minutes to eat and 25 minutes for recess. Lunch/recess times are 12:00-12:25 and 12:25-12:50. The students eat in the gyms and are supervised by teacher aides.
MAP TESTING
STUDENTS IN GRADES 1-5 TAKE THE MEASURE OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS FROM NORTHWEST EDUCATION ASSOCIATION THREE TIMES A YEAR TO MEASURE THEIR GROWTH IN THE AREAS OF READING AND MATH. THIS DATA IS USED TO PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH VALUABLE INFORMATION
FOR PLANNING INSTRUCTION AND TO ALLOW THEM TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THEIR STUDENTS. TESTING RESULTS ARE SHARED WITH PARENTS IN THE FALL AND IN THE SPRING. THE TESTING WINDOWS ARE AS FOLLOWS: SEPTEMBER 14-30, JANUARY 9-27, AND MAY 7-25.
MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
The following refers to all medication, both prescription and nonprescription (over the counter): 1. The school districts permission form must be completed by your physician and the parent or guardian for each medication. A copy of this form may be obtained from the school office 2. All medication must be brought to school in its original container, properly labeled with the childs name, the name of the medication and directions for administration. 3. All Medication Permission Forms must be updated at least yearly. 4. Parents should bring the completed Medication Permission Form and the medication to the nurses office. Students should not have medication in their possession during the school day.
-8-
2011-12
5. If the prescription changes during the school year, please send a note to that effect. If the dosage is changed, a doctors note will be required to attach to the original order. We hope these procedures, directions and explanations will prevent confusion and avoid missed doses of medication. Please call the school nurse, if you have any questions.
instruments. An Orientation/Recruitment Assembly is held during the first weeks of school for the students. Information is then sent home with the students. This is an optional program and a $70.00 fee is required.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Students in 5th Grade participate in a 3-day, 2-night outdoor education experience at Wonderland Camp in Wisconsin. The trip is supervised by staff and parent volunteers. Students participate in a variety of learning experiences including such activities as fishing, archery, and boating. There is a charge to the students but the majority of the trip is funded by PTC.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November following the end of the 1st quarter. Afternoon and evening times are available. All parents/guardians are encouraged to participate in this communication opportunity. Sign-up for these conferences occurs at Curriculum Night.
-9-
2011-12
Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for February. Afternoon times are available and conferences are scheduled on an as needed basis. Please know that conferences can be arranged at other times throughout the school year if the need exists.
PARTIES/TREATS
The PTC sponsors three classroom parties: Halloween, Winter Holiday and Valentines Day. We ask that party treats represents a variety of food choices including those that have been identified as meeting the Wellness Policy Guidelines. This can be found on the District website www.ccsd89.org. Head room parents have specific information on appropriate food choices. Occasionally, individual classrooms may hold celebrations for a variety of reasons. These are coordinated and held in cooperation with the classroom teacher.
PETS AT SCHOOL
Pets are not allowed at school unless permission is given by the Classroom Teacher and Principal. This includes during arrival/dismissal or on the playground during school hours.
2011-12
Student Handbook & Calendar. A physical exam form is required upon entering school (Kindergarten) and for 6th grade. Students not in compliance by the October deadline set in the deficiency letter will not be allowed to continue in attendance at school. Dental exams are required for students entering in Kindergarten, 2nd and 6th grades. The appropriate state approved dental examination from is available in the office. Vision exams are required for students entering in Kindergarten. The appropriate state approved vision examination from is available in the office. Transfer students are allowed 45 days to comply with this requirement. Other students shall submit this information at time of registration. Parents will be notified by the nurse of any compliance issues concerning mandatory immunizations and exams.
PLAYGROUND
The playground is unsupervised before and after school. If you have young children who are not school age, please do not let them play on the equipment when school is in session.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards are distributed four times during the school year following the completion of each marking period. The dates for the 2010-11 school year are: November 8, 2011 February 2, 2012 April 10, 2012 June 1, 2012 (or last day of school if emergency days are needed). Parents are encouraged to review your childs progress and contact the teacher if you have any questions.
2011-12
SCHOOL PICTURES
All children are photographed for inclusion in the yearbook. Yearbook and picture packages are optional purchases. If you prefer for your child to be opted out of school photos, please check with the office that appropriate paperwork has been completed.
SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Students should arrive at school no earlier than 9:00. Door supervisors, safety patrols and crossing guards begin their duties at 8:55. 9:00 Buses are scheduled to arrive and students report to their assigned locations 9:05 Students enter the building 9:15 Classes begin 11:45 AM Kindergarten dismissed 12:00-12:50 Lunch/Recess 12:50 PM Kindergarten students arrive 1:00 PM Kindergarten begins 3:30 Dismissal
SNOW DAYS
Snow days occur only under severe and unsafe conditions. Information is available on the district website www.ccsd89.org as soon as the decision is made. An automated telephone call is sent to each students home in the event of a school closing. Information may also be obtained through Chicago television and radio stations.
- 12 -
2011-12
SPIRIT WEAR
Students are encouraged to show their Westfield pride by wearing school colors (red & white) or spirit wear on every Friday. Westfield T-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. are available for purchase through the PTC.
STUDENT RECORDS
Maintenance of student records is governed by both state and federal regulations. Policy is available in the District Parent-Student Handbook & Calendar, which is distributed on a yearly basis.
2011-12
Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT) are administered in grades 3-5 would be greatly appreciated. ISAT is scheduled for March 5 16, 2012. Students who are absent because of extended vacations will not receive homework assignments ahead of time nor remedial help upon return. Students who are absent eleven (11) consecutive days or more due to vacation, will be dropped from the enrollment.
VISION/HEARING SCREENING
The Illinois Department of Health requires Vision and Hearing screenings on an annual basis. Hearing screening is performed on students in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Grades. Vision screening is performed on students in Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th Grades. Vision and Hearing screenings are performed on all new students, all special education and all foster students. Parents may request a Vision and/or Hearing screening in a non-mandated year.
VISITORS
Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit and volunteer at Westfield. To enter the building, use the intercom system at the main door. Visitors should report directly to the office. Visitors are asked to sign in upon arrival and out when leaving. Name badges are required throughout the visit. In order to maintain school safety and a productive learning environment, we ask that visitors follow the expectations posted in the office. We ask that the staff not be disturbed while they are supervising students.
- 14 -