Family and Student Handbook

2015-2016

Under Construction: Building on Success

Principal - Mr. Williams

Assistant Principals - Ms. Hudson & Dr. Perkins

Annex Manager - Dr. Massenburg-Johnson

Office Hours – 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Academic Hours (Main Building) – 8:50 AM - 3:45 PM

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Greetings Families of Blackwell Elementary School,

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! We are Building on Success at

Blackwell! We are focusing on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports or PBIS,

which was created by the US Department of Education. Our students are expected to

learn the following rules called The Bear Facts. The students will focus on how to

interact with the school environment in a positive manner by being:

Respectful

Responsible

Safe

Prepared

As the children arrive to school each day, make sure they are prepared and

ready to learn. This means that they have rested at least 9 hours, completed their

homework, and came to school ready to follow directions. We encourage them to

speak up and be responsible if there are things that they do not understand or things

that are stopping them from learning. We care about their growth and expect their very

best every day.

We hope this handbook has the information you need to understand the basics of

Blackwell Elementary and the expectations of our students, families, and community

members. Our goal is to make sure everyone understands the rules of the school. We

will also reinforce the great respect and manners you have taught our Bears at home in

order to make sure our Bears focus on their education to make a positive impact on the

global community.

In our efforts to make sure our Bears have a wonderful educational experience,

we would like to ask for your help in making sure to communicate with teachers about

behavioral and academic concerns. We also ask that you read this handbook with our

Bears and help increase the level of success we can see by working together.

At Blackwell Elementary School, we believe that every child can find success if

they work hard and follow the rules. We believe that each child has a special gift to offer

the world. We believe that our Bears must understand that there is a time to work and a

time to play. We appreciate our Bears and want to help them reach their goals!

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Attendance Coming to school regularly helps children stay focused and meeting their learning goals successfully. We ask that our families work toward ensuring that students are present each day and come to school on time. The School Attendance Support Team (SAST) meets weekly and is looking forward to implementing new programs to help promote regular school attendance. Notifications are sent home when a student has 4 or more unexcused absences to meet with and discuss the absences. Excessive unexcused absences may also be submitted to the court system by the SAST if left unresolved. Tardy students MUST BE SIGNED IN BY AN ADULT!

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Birthdays and Celebrations Birthday invitations for out-of-school gatherings can only be passed out during school hours and on school grounds if there is an invitation for every student in the class and at the discretion of the teacher. If you plan to send snacks for your child’s birthday, please check with the teacher first. We encourage lunch-only visits for snacks as to not interrupt the instructional process. Please consider the nutritional value of the snacks you provide. Alternatives to cupcakes and candies are appreciated, like non-edible items such as birthday pencils It is also important to be mindful of food allergies associated with peanuts and egg products. Always check with the teacher first! Bullying and Harassment According to stopbullying.gov, bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. Bullying is not “when two kids with no power imbalance fight, have an argument, or disagree.” Students are to remember that teasing and bullying are not the same and that bullying does not apply to situations where students do not “get their way.” Although bullying and harassment sometimes overlap, not all bullying is harassment and not all harassment is bullying. Under federal civil rights laws, harassment is unwelcome conduct based on a protected class that is severe, pervasive, or persistent and creates a hostile environment. We will do all we can to ensure that our students learn and grow in a safe environment. Cyberbullying is NOT tolerated. Facebook and Instagram state that you must “be at least 13 years old to create an account, and in some jurisdictions, the age limit is higher. Creating an account under the age of 13 or creating an account for someone under the age of 13, is a violation of the terms.” For more information please go to the Facebook Parents and Educators page. If a student is found to have a Facebook and/or Instagram page, a request for deletion will be sent to Facebook (owner of Instagram) in order to follow the rights of children under the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000 enacted by Congress. For more information on the policies and laws to protect children please go to www.fcc.gov/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act. Remember there are other social media sites created just for children that are not violating different policies and federal regulations such as: Ages 4-7: Webkinz.com and ClubPenguin.com

Ages 8-12: iTwixie.com, Jabbersmack.com, Kidzworld.com, and FranktownRocks.com

Bus Transportation Riding the bus is a privilege and with that privilege, there is an expectation to follow the rules. Safety on the bus is mandatory and families are asked to teach students the correct way to ride the bus. Bus drivers are focused on the road and the safety of the students on the bus. Students who distract the driver from maintaining the safety of all passengers may be dismissed from the bus for an extended period of time. Students must remain seated at ALL TIMES,

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Bus Transportation CONTINUED follow directions given by the bus driver, and keep their body and other objects on the bus. Bus referrals will be handled by administration and may require conferencing with the transportation department. Please reinforce safe riding skills with your children each day Parents/guardians must be ready to meet students at their designated stop. Students who are not met and are younger than 10 years old may be returned back to school by the bus driver. It is very important that the child is picked up from the school by 4:15 PM, as Child Protective Services (CPS) may have to be contacted. Make sure to update all of your information with the office so you can be reached in a timely manner if your child is returned to school by the bus driver. For the safety of all children at the bus stops:

1. Children are not to throw rocks or any other objects. 2. Children are to wait on the side of the street for the bus. 3. There should be no chasing or running at the bus stop. CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS

Parents are welcome to visit the school to observe the normal daily routines and to see first-hand how the instructional program is implemented. A classroom visit is not a teacher conference and prior to being allowed to observe the class the protocol used during the observation will be shared by an administrator. Parents are to request their visit at least one day in advance. The request can be made through an administrator or directly through the teacher.

Community Meetings/Title I Meetings/PTA Each month, by notification, our school will host informational events that help improve the lives of our students in the areas of academics, social growth, and even leadership. We look forward to working with our families and the community with a clear understanding of what helps advance our school to excellence. Communities in Schools (CIS)

In partnership with the school division, CIS of Richmond identifies the most critical needs of our students and their families, locates and coordinates community resources, with the input of dedicated volunteers and agencies to serve in partnership with the schools. We have a full-time CIS Coordinator at the school who works firsthand with our volunteers, behavior counselors, students, and families.

Concerns We respect our families and understand that there may be concerns with different situations or occurrences in the school. In every instance, respectful interactions are important. As we teach our students to speak kindly to others, that is also expected of every adult that enters through our doors. We want to devote the time needed to address your concern without interruption and the best way to do this is to schedule time so your concern receives the attention it needs to be resolved.

Meetings with teachers and administrators must be scheduled. Teachers are working hard to educate the children and unscheduled pop-up meetings at the classroom without teacher permission will not be tolerated. Administrators are active participants in the teaching and learning process. Families that want to meet with administrators must schedule an

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Concerns CONTINUED

appointment. Office staff will be ready to receive an appointment request for staff members during office hours via phone or in person. Please remember that Blackwell staff members conduct after school tutoring, attend professional development, and on/off campus staff meetings after school hours. Blackwell instructional hours are 8:50 AM-3:45 PM. We will try our best to return calls/requests for appointment confirmations within a 24-hour time frame.

Conferences

Conference notices go home at least one week before the conference day. Families are asked to return the form back to school as soon as possible to make sure to get a time slot for a conference with a teacher. Forms are due at least 2 days BEFORE the conference date to help teachers accommodate families with one of the 3 requested time slots. RPS Parent/Teacher Conference Days are November 18, 2015, March 10-11, 2016.

Confidentiality

Our personnel are held to a very high standard of expectation to maintain confidential information about children, staff, and families. It is against policy to discuss discipline matters between students without the family of all involved parties being present to divulge the information. This means that if an incident occurs between your child and another child, the school cannot disclose the name of the student, actions taken, or any other information without a member of his or her family present.

Curriculum Overview

The Standards of Learning in can be viewed online at The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) site. The standards are there to ensure that students are being instructed each day and prepare them for success in the global community. Important points to help your child find success are:

Kindergarten - know at least 60 sight words and be able to count to 100 by 5s and 10s

First grade - read on grade level, tell time, understand important people in U.S. history, and count money to make change

Second grade - compare whole numbers, write a paragraph, mass/volume, and magnetism

Third grade - solve math word problems, multiply and divide, analyze data, process of government, and understand how humanity effects the planet

Fourth grade - add and subtract fractions with word problems, learn the history of Virginia and the United States, and analyze complex fiction and non-fiction

Fifth grade - understand the writing process, read on grade level, know Kindergarten through 5th grade science content, and complete complex math problems including dividing decimals and analyzing information

Discipline Concerns

There are times when students will forget the positive behaviors they learned at home and school and consequences will be given based on the situation. Students who decide that it is acceptable to frequently disrupt the classroom, leave the classroom, touch other students inappropriately, and disrespect themselves and others, will have consequences. The Student

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Discipline Concerns CONTINUED Code of Responsible Ethics (SCORE) is available online at Richmond.k12.va.us > News >Student Code of Responsible Ethics tab. Please remember that if a staff member is reminding you of behaviors of a student, it is because it is not helping the learning environment and we want all students to do well while learning there are consequences for positive and negative choices. SEE Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports for the new system. Dismissal Procedures It is very important to notify the school in writing if you need to change your child’s dismissal procedure. If you need to make a change to your child’s dismissal, such as change from pickup to van rider, it must be submitted in writing. For safety purposes, we cannot permit such changes over the phone as we cannot identify who is speaking. Requests to the office for early dismissal will be taken between 8:50 AM to 3:00 PM. The office will not interrupt instruction unless it is an emergency. Please remember when the school day ends. We want the children to make every minute a learning moment. Picking your child up early means that it counts as an early dismissal and under the RPS attendance policy 5 early dismissals equal one unexcused absence. NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 CAN SIGN A STUDENT OUT. If the student is meeting a family friend, relative, etc. who is UNDER 18 to walk home with them, the student is NOT a pickup but a walker. They can meet the person outside when the walkers are dismissed.

PARENT PICKUP INFORMATION - IN THE BACK ENTRANCE OF THE SCHOOL

Kindergarten Media Center

First Grade Media Center

Second Grade Room 113

Third Grade Room 114

Fourth Grade Room 115

Fifth Grade Cafeteria

Dress Code As our students range in age from 2 to 12 years old, we have an expectation of dress that is appropriate for those children. Students are not permitted to wear flip flops for safety according to the RPS policy. Sandals with back straps are permitted. We ask that ALL persons entering the building, refrain from wearing the following items:

sagging pants

exposed underwear

very short shorts and skirts

night clothing (pajama pants, slippers, robes, etc.)

very low cut tops

see-through clothing

half shirts

heelies The administration reserves the right to approach anyone that enters the building about concerns with dress that may not be on the list above. Words and symbols on clothing should be appropriate for the elementary school setting.

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Dress Code CONTINUED Violation of the dress code may result in failure to be serviced. Persons who are approached about their attire and are not responsive may be asked to leave the premises. We want to teach the children to dress their best and present themselves respectfully.

Electronic Devices Students are not permitted to bring electronic devices to school unless it is used for the classroom setting and is written in the IEP or 504 plan for instruction. The school reserves the opportunity to permit students to bring in devices, however, the school is not responsible for any lost or damaged items. Any student brining devices without permission can be picked up in the office.

Emergency Numbers and Residence Changes

It is IMPORTANT to update the school when phone numbers, who has permission to pick-up, and addresses change. Emergency numbers and those with permission to pick-up are very important. If a student has not been picked up or the bus has to return the student to school because no one was at the stop, we must have updated information on all contacts. If a student is not picked up by 4:30 PM or is constantly being picked up late, Child Protective Services (CPS) will be contacted. Any person that is picking up a student who was left late that is not on the list will not be able to pick up the student without confirmation from the parent first.

Update the school with changes as soon as they change happens!

FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION “OPT-OUT” PROCEDURES

The “opt-out” procedures shall be provided to ensure communication with that parent or guardian for permission for students to be excused from all or part of the program. Parents may exercise the “opt-out” procedure for any or all the counseling or Family Life Education Curriculum by requesting an “opt-out” form from the school.

Family Style Seating We encourage our families to visit, especially during non-instructional time, such as lunch. Students are asked to sit with their families; however, we do not encourage conversations with the children of others outside of what is happening in class. Administration reserves the right to ask persons who are visiting to move to a different location in the cafeteria to sit with the child they are visiting to avoid confrontational conversations with students.

Field Trips

As a part of the educational experience, students may have the opportunity to go on field trips. Just like riding the bus, going on a field trip is a privilege. Students who have discipline concerns may not be permitted to go on field trips. Parents may be asked to attend trips with students who have discipline concerns in order for the student to attend. School rules apply for all students and chaperones on the trip. Chaperones may be permitted on some trips, however not every person that requests to chaperone may have the opportunity. All chaperones must go through a background check. Any student who rides the bus to the field trip must ride the bus back. Families and students who attend field trips by driving are not a part of the school field trip and are enjoying the day on their own. Students who arrive late to the trip and were unable to ride the bus to the location, may ride the bus back if a permission slip was completed. Any confusion about field trips, please see a staff member.

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FIELD TRIPS CONTINUED

Field trips are sometimes very expensive, but no child will be denied a trip due to his families’ situation. Please contact your child’s teacher if this is a concern, and the school will work with you.

Fire Drills and Mandatory Evacuations

Fire drills are required by law to be conducted each week the first month of school and once a month afterward. ANYONE in the building during the drill must evacuate. This is not subject to questioning as it is mandated by the Code of Virginia. Any other drills that take place require immediate action by any visitor to adhere to without question for the safety and security of everyone in the building. This includes but is not limited to tornado drills, evacuation drills, earthquake drills, etc.

Food Allergies

Many students have sensitivities to various foods, including but not limited to, eggs, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, and milk. Following exposure to one or all of these foods, our food sensitive students can experience reactions that range from mild to life-threatening. Please make the school (nurse or teacher) aware if your child has the allergies listed above or any food allergy in advance.

Food Service and Wellness

Children are permitted to purchase snacks, however, we encourage them to refrain from purchasing them in excess. Some students are eating ONLY cookies and chips for lunch instead of the full lunch and become hungry and tired later in the day. We want to encourage our children to focus on their health by eating well, playing well, and behaving well. Teachers are now including recess into their daily instructional lessons to make the learning process even more engaging. Please remind your children to make healthy choices with their mind and their body.

It is important to keep funds on the school lunch account. Please keep up with the student accounting information. Every student in Richmond Public Schools currently receives a free breakfast and lunch.

Health and Medication

Medical forms are required prior to the dispensing of medicine to students. Students are NOT allowed to bring ANY TYPE OF MEDICINE (prescription and over-the-counter) to school in pockets, bookbags, in-hand, etc. to take at school. Students are NOT allowed to dispense medication to other students. This is a serious violation and consequences will be given immediately for such action, despite the age of the student. Medicine should be taken under the care of the family or the nurse/designee as listed on the medical form. Any student who has asthma needs to complete a Virginia Asthma Action Plan. This plan can permit students, with a legitimate doctor’s order, to carry an inhaler on their person at school. Otherwise, the student is carry medicine on them without the proper information and it is a violation of SCORE.

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Homework

Practice makes perfect! The teachers are focusing on purposeful homework in order to gauge where the students are in their learning. Families are asked to help, not complete, homework with students. Teachers know when a child has done his or her own work. Family support is paramount to a successful school environment.

Hours

Students will not be able to enter the building until 08:50 AM. There is no adult supervision available prior to that time. Students arriving after 9:15 will be counted tardy and must be “signed in” at the office by their parents. Students who ride the bus will not be counted tardy if their bus arrives late to school. The Parks and Recreation Department offers early arrival service at the school is for parents to drop off their kids at 7:00 AM for a fee. Students can stay

after school until 5:30 PM with Parks and Recreation.

Playground

The Blackwell Elementary playground is open to the neighborhood and because of this, students are only monitored during the school day by their teacher. When sending students to the playground before or after school, it is the responsibility of

the family to monitor the actions of the child. We want to make sure our students are safe and having a positive time. Again, flip flops are not permitted during school hours due to safety. DO NOT PARK ON THE BLACKTOP for safety

POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS (PBIS)

The school-wide discipline plan now includes PBIS to ensure our students are learning positive behaviors and interventions are being used to target behaviors that are not in line with what students are supposed to be doing. In addition to RPS policies and procedures, the school has implemented a plan of action to protect instruction and increase academic success. Each classroom has the school expectations for PBIS and each common area is also labeled with the same information. Teachers are trained to know how to implement PBIS and explain it to the students on a daily basis.

Promotion and Retention

Any student whose reading and /or math achievement is not satisfactory is subject to retention in that grade level. If it becomes evident that consideration must be given to retaining a child, the parent is informed of the possibility after the first semester. These decisions require close communication between the child, parent, and teacher, We will exhaust support to all of our students to ensure their success as all students will be provide to ensure the success of all of our students (small group instruction, tutoring, title I pull out, extended day and Saturday Academy) if needed. The final decision for promotion or retention lies with the principal.

Safety and Sign-In

Any visitor, volunteer, behavioral coach, family member, or any non-Blackwell employee that comes into the main building or walks around to go to the annex MUST sign in. This is a safety measure required by RPS in case an emergency takes place. It does not matter if you have been a guest of the school for many years. A visitor’s badge, usually yellow MUST be visible to everyone. Persons who refuse to sign-in to the system will be asked to leave the premises.

Access to the annex building is around the back of the school. Walking through the school to get to the building is not permitted for safety reasons.

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STUDENT SERVICES

Access to Student Records:

The regular cumulative folders and special education folders, are kept in compliance with existing laws and regulations. Parents may have access to all educational records pertaining to their child. If parents wish to review records or receive copies of cumulative records, it is required that advance notice be provided; an administrator may also be present for records review. Custody Papers: If a parent or guardian has legal custody documents, the school office must have a copy on file. Without proof of custody, legally, we must release a child to either parent. If you are uncertain whether or not we have a copy on file, please contact the school office.

Telephone

The telephones in the school office and clinic are business telephones. Students are restricted in the use of these telephones. Emergencies, as determined by office personnel, are the only exception.

Visitation

Visitors to the classroom must be approved by administration after consulting with the teacher. This includes walking students to class unannounced, at any time during the instructional day. If the teacher has not been consulted about the visitation, the visitor will leave a message in the front office for the teacher to contact them.

Volunteers

We encourage volunteers and anyone interested in volunteering at the school needs to complete a volunteer application. After receiving the application, you will be contacted after the background check has been completed on placement within either the main building or the annex. Please be patient as this process may take some time.

Thank you for taking the time to read the handbook. We hope that it helps

answer questions that you may have about the school. If you need further

assistance, please contact the school by calling: 804-780-5078

RPS Site: richmond.k12.va.us – go to Elementary Schools – click an administrator to send an email