Daniel Webster's Family Handbook€¦ · Web viewDaniel Webster is a “Universal Feeding...

2018-2019

1450 S. Reisner, Indianapolis, IN 46221

(317) 226-4246http://www.myips.org/danielwebster46

Principal: Mrs. Karen Linn [email protected] Principal: Mr. Mike Akers

[email protected]

Family Handbook

2017-2018

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.myips.org/danielwebster46

Empowering Students, Focusing on the Future, Exceeding Expectations

Dear Daniel Webster Family,

Welcome back to school! We’re so happy you chose Daniel Webster! This handbook has been assembled to provide you with important information about our school and answers to questions you may have. It’s going to be a great year!

Mrs. Linn, PrincipalMr. Akers, Assistant Principal

Daniel Webster’s MissionThe Daniel Webster community is dedicated to providing an environment that fosters the development of:

• Literacy• Problem solving skills• Adaptability and the desire to be life-long

learners in our diverse world.

Our VisionWe believe all students deserve to be surrounded by adults who accept them the way they are as individuals, give them a fresh start daily and treat them fairly and with respect. We believe all students deserve well educated, dedicated staff that treats them as they would treat their own children. We believe that every child deserves a loving family, good friends, good nutrition, and positive communication with all people with whom they come in contact in school.

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Office Hours:Monday – Friday 8:30-4:15

Student School Day:Arrive/Breakfast Begins 9:00Late Bell/Tardy Time 9:20Car Riders/Bus Riders Dismissed 3:55Walkers Dismissed 4:05

Please do not allow your children to arrive before the 9:00 AM bell. There is no supervision available before that time.

Due to safety concerns, we do not dismiss any students directly from classrooms after 3:15 without prior approval from administration. If you need to pick your child up prior to 3:15 please notify the office in writing at least 24 hours in advance. Our office area gets very busy at the end of the day and we must be sure that all children are where they are supposed to be to ensure a safe dismissal.

Student Attendance/Reporting an Absence:Regular and punctual attendance is vital to your child’s success. If your child needs to miss a day due to illness, please call the office (226-4246) by 9:20 the day your child will be absent to let us know why your child is not in school.

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An unexcused absence occurs when a student is absent from school without a note from the doctor/dentist or as authorized by Indiana law (see below). Under the following circumstances, students may be excused from school attendance according to Indiana State Law:

1. Personal illness2. Death in the family3. Emergency or unavoidable medical and dental

appointments. A note from a doctor is required for this to be considered an excused absence from class.

4. Religious observance5. Participation in Election Day activities6. Subpoenaed as a witness in a judicial proceeding

School Work Missed Due to Absence:Students who are absent will be expected to complete any assignments missed while absent. The child’s teacher will provide the student with the work upon returning from an absence. Depending on the child’s grade level, they will generally have as many days to make up the work as they were absent. Please contact your child’s teacher for more details.

Visiting Our School/ School Safety: We welcome you! Please know that we want to be active partners with you as your child attends our school. Parent support is the single most important factor in your child’s success and we value your input and presence! If you are able to visit during the school day, please let your child’s teacher know of your wishes ahead of time so that we can know when to expect you. For security purposes, all visitors must be “buzzed in” from the front door (you may park in the street but please avoid the bus lane).

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Under no circumstances will unexpected visitors be permitted to interrupt classes. This is not only for security reasons, but also to protect instructional time for all of our children.

School Dress Code:It is important that your child come to school each day prepared and dressed appropriately according to the IPS dress code. The district’s dress code can be accessed at: https://www.myips.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=48482&dataid=29487&FileName=2018_07_dress_code_revised.pdf

Our school’s dress code complies with our district one that can be found on the IPS website. The Daniel Webster Dress Code is to be adhered to by all students:

Shirts: solid color, must have collar, must be tucked in at all times for grades 3-8, no tee-shirts

Pants: solid color – no denim blue jeans allowed, must be worn with a belt, if shorts - must be long walking shorts

Sweaters/Fleece Jackets: solid color, must be over approved collar shirt – collar showing

Shoes: must be closed-toe Socks/Leggings/Tights – no restrictions, but

leggings may not be worn as pants – must be under a skirt if worn.

Daniel Webster School #46’s Bullying Policy:Our school district has published the following board policy regarding bullying:

“Bullying is prohibited in IPS as referenced in Indiana Code 20-33-8-13.5 and the IPS Board Resolution No 7520.

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https://www.myips.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=48482&dataid=29487&FileName=2018_07_dress_code_revised.pdf




Students may not engage in bullying on school grounds, or while traveling to or from a school activity, function, or event. Furthermore, bullying is prohibited off school campus when students are representing IPS at any activity, function, or event.

Bullying is defined as deliberate, repeated acts or gestures by a student or group of students with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, or harm another student or group of students. Bullying can take the form of spoken words, written or electronic communication, physical acts or any other type of behavior that fits the definition above.

Principals are responsible for informing students, parents, teachers, and staff that bullying will not be tolerated and will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and expulsion. Further, principals are encouraged to engage students, staff and parents in meaningful discussions about the negative aspects of bullying.

Parents and/or students who suspect that bullying is taking place should report the matter to a school staff member or can report online at: http://www.myips.org Upon receiving the report, the incident will be investigated at the building level and consequences will be applied, as appropriate, consistent with the Board’s policy entitled “Student Discipline.”

The following information can be used as a guide in helping families understand and define, and discuss bullying with children and the kinds of behaviors that are typical vs. those of concern that may require an intervention.

The first step in addressing any concerns you may have regarding school behaviors of your child or another is to begin at the classroom (teacher) level. By letting the teacher know that there is a problem, a response from adults can happen much quicker.

If after speaking with your child’s teacher there are still concerns, please call the school office at 226-4246 to set up an

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appointment with an administrator regarding the issue. We want your child to be happy, healthy, and engaged in productive learning activities!

If your child feels that he/she may be a victim of a bully, it is vital that they feel supported. We have a built-in school process to help your child get immediate assistance. Any child who feels that bullying may be occurring should report their concerns to their teacher. Students can then complete a “Bullying” reporting form (available in all classrooms, our school’s office, and the social worker’s office) as a first step. The form asks for detailed information about what is going on. Smaller/ younger children can have an adult at home or here at school assist them with filling it out. Reporting the details of the situation in writing is very important as it assists our adult bullying team in “getting all of the facts” so that a complete investigate can occur. Keep in mind, our school administration is not always readily in the office because we are most often in the school observing classrooms. Any adult can assist a child is securing a bullying reporting form.

Once our Bullying Response Team determines how to assist, they determine whether the behavior is true bullying (launching a more formal process) or a situation involving peer conflict (which we deem as just as serious, but requires a

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different response from adults): The issue is then addressed as one of the following:

o Bullying Substantiated: If the situation reported to the team is a situation where there is an imbalance of power (for example and older child picking on a younger one) or a pattern of intentional intimidation has been established, the team will refer the situation to administration (Mrs. Linn or Mr. Akers) for follow up or

o Peer Conflict Substantiated: If a situation that has been reported is between students who are normally friends or if not friends are on “equal footing” socially the situation is deemed a “peer conflict situation”. We view this kind of conflict as very serious as it can impact not only the students involved, but others in the classroom and school environment. Adult responses to a “peer conflict” include:

1. Assistance from our in-house behavior facilitator, who is trained to help kids work through conflicts in a positive way

2. Intervention by an administrator a group or one on one discussion with those involved that is designed to mend the relationship or come up with an agreement to avoid future conflict

3. A session of peer mediation with our social worker to work on mending the relationship between the students

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4. A student-led “get along” conference where a neutral student volunteer helps their friends work out the problem (while supervised by an adult monitoring the discussion)

5. A teacher intervention plan - a teacher sets aside time to talk with the students involved and a plan is agreed to

6. If all students involved agree, and bullying criteria has been ruled out, there can be a group talk with administration and/or the social worker to help solve the problem and come up with a solution that everyone feels good about.

Note: It’s always best to try to help kids solve their problems peacefully with peers independently. Sometimes, however, children need help learning conflict resolution skills. It is our belief that school is not only a place to learn about academic subjects, but how to navigate social relationships and handle peer conflicts appropriately. Empowering students, focusing on the future and mending hurt feelings, solving problems in a non-violent way and coming up with a peaceful solution when we disagree is always our goal. We want our children to be able to understand their peers and positively view differences they may have. This will help them grow into well-adjusted adults who will be able to manage relationships in their lives in a healthy way. We ask for your support in teaching tolerance and positive conflict resolution skills at home.

IPS Student Code of Conduct: Our school district and Daniel Webster School #46 has adopted a district-wide student and family support system regarding behavior. Our school expectations coincide with our district’s Code

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of Conduct which assumes the best of intentions and expectations at all times, but also defines potential consequences for infractions of our rules. If you have questions that you feel cannot be answered at the school level or concerns about any of these policies you can access the IPS Student Code of Conduct at the following web address: https://www.myips.org/domain/9453

Cell Phone Policy: We at Daniel Webster realize that some students have cell phones. We realize that for some families, that is the mode of contact for parents and kids to communicate after school and that is how you stay in contact. Therefore, we have a cell phone policy to accommodate this:

Students are to turn in their phone to the school office upon arrival. Each child who has a phone will place their phone in a bag with their name on it. It will be placed in a container with their homeroom number and locked up in the main office. Just before dismissal we will return their phone.

If a student does not turn in his/her phone they are breaking a rule. If they attempt to use it or if it is observed during the school day it will be turned into an administrator. The 1st offense’s reprimand will be an administrative conference with the student and parents are required to come to the school and pick-up the phone; 2nd offense is one day of in-school suspension and parent pick up of the phone; 3rd offense is 1 day out of school suspension and parent pick up with a required re-entry conference.

Meal Service Program/ Cafeteria Policies:Daniel Webster is a “Universal Feeding School.” This means that all students receive free lunch and breakfast

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https://www.myips.org/domain/9453


regardless of family income. All families, regardless of income, are required to fill out the free and reduced lunch/textbook application. These have been mailed to your home. If you for some reason did not receive one, they are available in our office.

Cafeteria Protocols:

If your child brings a lunch: Soft drinks or any canned or glass bottled drinks as well as fast food is not permitted in the cafeteria. Students are not permitted to bring just a bag of chips or “junk food” for their meal. Please make sure that if you choose to have your child bring a lunch from home it is a nutritious one.

Students enter the cafeteria in an orderly manner where they will be greeted by lunch duty staff. We feel that mealtime is a time to relax and enjoy a break from class and rejuvenate our bodies. We ask that only soft talking occur during meal times so that the environment can remain calm and inviting for all. Loud or boisterous behavior that offends other people will not be tolerated. The adults on duty will monitor the activity level and serve as support for students.

As students prepare to enter the serving area, the adults on duty can provide information about the various choices available that day – posted near the door of the entry to the food line. They are also announced on the morning announcements for that day’s lunch, and afternoon announcements tell

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what breakfast the following day will consist of. The menu is posted on our school and district’s websites too! Younger children will be assisted by adult helpers if needed.

Even if a student BRINGS a lunch from home, they are still entitled to parts of a school lunch as long as they pick 3 items from the choices (for example, a milk, vegetable, and a fruit). They may not, however, just take a “free milk” without getting 3 items total. So if you would like your child to bring a lunch and get a free milk, remind them to go through the line and pick their 3 items even if they are eating their own food from home. (government policy)

If a student wants to purchase additional a la cart (single) items, these are the prices. Students pay lunchroom staff as they pass through the line:

Lunch:o Extra Milk: 40 centso Extra Main Lunch Entrée Item: $2.00o Extra Vegetable, Fruit, or Extra Bread: 60

cents

Breakfast:o Extra Cereal or Yogurt: $1.00o Extra Main Entrée: $1.40

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o Extra Graham Cracker: 40 centso Extra Juice: 40 centso Extra Milk: 40 cents

Eating Lunch with Your Child: From time to time parents may wish to eat lunch with their children. We welcome you and hope that you do! We only ask that if you plan to bring food from a fast food restaurant that you understand that we will ask you to eat in an alternative location away from the cafeteria as this could make other students feel left out and due to the fact that fast food is not allowed in our cafeteria. If you would like to eat a school lunch with your child in the cafeteria, simply write a note indicating your wishes to do so to your child’s teacher so that we can count you on our daily lunch count. Parents who eat a school lunch with their child are welcome to eat in the cafeteria (we have additional round tables available for you so that you can sit with your child).

Extreme Weather or Other Emergency Procedures:Occasionally, school must be delayed or closed due to snow or other emergencies. Be sure to listen to the local radio stations for reports of school closings or delays. A Connect-Ed (phone message from Mrs. Linn, Mr. Akers, or another IPS leader) will notify families of the changes. In the event that school would close early due to bad weather or another type of emergency, your child needs to know where to go should you not be home if an emergency arises. We need current phone numbers at all times so that we can reach you in the event of a weather or health emergency that involves your child. Please visit our school’s website to read our building safety plan at www.myips.org/danielwebster46 for more information

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about our school wide procedures for. Please contact the office with any safety concerns at 226-4246.

Contagious/Communicable Disease and Head Lice Policy:In order for our children and staff to maintain good health and prevent spread of infection or infestation, we have the following restrictions regarding the health of our school community:

Any student who is vomiting or has had diarrhea is required to stay home from school for at least 24 hours after their symptoms have stopped. For example, if a student is sent home from school on a given day vomiting, he/she is not to attend school the next day. It must be at least 24 hours since their symptoms stopped before they are allowed back. Please keep in mind, this policy is in place in order to protect all students from a potentially aggressive and contagious illness.

If a student has a fever of 99 degrees or higher they should stay at home. A student must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Any students with a fever of 99 degrees or higher must be picked up immediately. If we are not able to reach a parent of a sick child, an immediate referral to our social worker will occur. For the safety of your child, we must be able to reach a parent at all times. If your child is ill they must be picked up within 30 minutes of being notified by the school.

Any rashes or unexplained skin outbreaks will require a student to be picked up from school immediately and a doctor’s note must be turned in before the student is allowed back in school.

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All students must have up to date immunization records on file in order to attend school.

A current “Secure Pick-Up Form” must be on file in the office. If your home, work, or emergency telephone numbers change, please let us know. If an emergency or illness arises, we must be able to reach you. If you move during the school year, you will need to change your address with the school office.

Student Medications:

All student medications must be kept in the office. Original bottles are to be brought in to the school office by the child’s parent/guardian and must be accompanied by a completed “Medical Form.” We have these forms in the office, or you can download one online at www.myips.org/danielwebster46. If this form is not on file for your child, we are not permitted to administer medication to your child. All medications will be given in the office. Students are NOT EVER allowed to self-administer medications in classrooms or anywhere on school grounds!

Homework Policy:Homework is an important part of your child’s education. Your child will have some sort of homework Monday-Thursday night.

There are times when your child may not have a paper activity to do, but may have something like reading aloud to an adult for a reading log or reviewing math facts as part of their homework. This is important work and is also considered homework! Please communicate with your child about his/her homework. They should be

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engaged in some sort of school practice activity every night Monday-Thursday. Older children may have additional times when doing homework on the weekends is expected. Remember, it’s all to move your child forward and grow academically. Your support of your child’s homework and school participation is vital to his/ her success.

You can help! Being involved in your child’s education largely hinges on how you support your child at home with the day to day activities like homework completion and getting ready for each school day (eating breakfast, dressing appropriately, getting enough rest, getting exercise and spending time with friends). We do not expect parents to DO homework! We just ask your support so that your child has a predictable routine for getting it done.

Grades:

Now is the time to set academic goals! Encourage your child to aim high and accept nothing less than their personal best! Daniel Webster School #46 follows the IPS grading scale below for grades 1-8. Kindergarten uses a somewhat different scale due to the curriculum at that level. For students in grades 1-8 we use the following scale.

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Honors Celebrations/Awards: Each grading period/quarter we will have an “Honors Recognition Assembly” in the gym for our students who have demonstrated superior levels of academic achievement, citizenship, and attendance. It will be held generally the week after report cards are sent home.

The following levels of achievement will be recognized in the celebrations in the gym. (There may be other awards given in classrooms as well). Special area grades (Music and P.E.) are counted too.

Perfect Attendance – No absences (excused or unexcused), and no more than 2 tardies

Good Citizenship – Consistently displays superior behavior (including daily compliance with dress code). Demonstrates the “Warrior Way” in all

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Grade % ValueA 93-100A- 90-92B+ 87-89B 83-86B- 80-82C+ 77-79C 73-76C- 70-72D+ 67-69D 63-66D- 60-62F 0-59


areas of the school and in transit to and from home each day.

High Honor Roll (All A’s) Honor Roll (All A’s and B’s – no C’s) Honorable Mention (All A’s and B’s and no more

than one C). Most Improved – Can be behavior or academic (2

per classroom) Kroger Super Star Scholars: All students in

grades 1-8 who have earned Honor Roll, have no more than one day unexcused absence, modeled good behavior for a full semester will be considered a super star candidate. All candidates are required to complete a super star project (directions will be given to them each semester) and based on their project, they can earn $500.00 per semester/$1000.00 for the year as a scholarship for use toward college.

Food Pantry: Our school is fortunate to have a Gleaner’s Food Pantry housed in our building. Our pantry is generally open on Thursdays from 9:30-2:30. We can also accommodate other times if given notice of your need.

Important Dates: AugustThursday, August 2nd: Ice Cream Treat/Open House/Registration, and Kindergarten Round-Up 4:30-6:30Monday, August 6th: First Day of School! Welcome back!

SeptemberMonday, September 3rd: Labor Day – No SchoolTuesday, September 4th: No School – Teacher’s Training DayFriday, September 7th: Grandparents Day 2:30-3:30Thursday, September 13th: Family Bingo Night 5:00-6:30Wednesday, September 26th: Parents in Touch Day (PIT)

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OctoberMonday, October 8th – Friday, October 19th Fall BreakMonday, October 22nd: No School – Teacher trainingThursday, October 25th: Fall Festival Family Night 5:00-6:30Friday, October 26th: Honors Day (First Quarter)

NovemberTuesday, November 6th: No School – Election DaySaturday, November 17th: Community Bazaar 10:00-2:00Wednesday, November 21st – Friday, November 23rd: No School – Thanksgiving Break

DecemberThursday, December 13th: Snowflake Ball and Winter Learning Land 5:00-6:30Friday, December 21st- January 4th: Winter Break

JanuaryThursday, January 17th: Movie Night 5:00-6:45Friday, January 18th: Honors Day (Second Quarter)Monday, January 21st: No School – MLK DayTuesday, January 22nd: No School – Teacher training day

FebruaryFriday, February 14th: Family Cupid Shuffle 5:00-6:30Monday, February 18th: No School – Presidents’ Day

MarchThursday, March 7th: Family Literacy Night Celebration 5:00-6:30Monday, March 25th – Friday, April 5th: Spring Break

AprilFriday, April 12th: Honors Day (Third Quarter)Monday, April 15th: Pizza with Parents Family Night 5:00-6:30

May

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Monday, May 6th – Friday, May 10th: School Staff Appreciation Week

JuneWednesday, June 5th: 2019 New Kindergarteners Round Up/Family Night 5:00-6:30Wednesday, June 12th: Honors Day (Grades 1-7) and 8th Grade PromotionThursday, June 13th: Kindergarten PromotionThursday, June 13th: Last day of school (unless we have snow days to make up)

Our Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO): Please join! We welcome any parents, guardians, and grandparents! Meetings are held about once a month. We are looking for new ideas and members! It is a great way to be involved at school at whatever level you desire.

Thank you for choosing IPS! It’s going to be a great year!

-Ms. Linn and Mr. Akers

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