STUDENT HANDBOOK

2018-2019

PERSHING PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1500 Central Texas Expressway

Killeen, Texas 76549

Phone: 254-336-1790

Fax: 254-336-1804

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Table of Contents

Mission Statement ............................................................................................................................................. 3

Vision Statement ............................................................................................................................................... 3

Arrival and Drop-Off Procedures ..................................................................................................................... 4

Absences ........................................................................................................................................................... 5

Before and After School Care .......................................................................................................................... 5

Behavior Expectations ...................................................................................................................................... 6

Bell Schedule .................................................................................................................................................... 6

Bicycle Riding, Skateboards, Scooters, Roller Blades, Skate Shoes, Cleats .................................................... 6

Birthday Celebrations ....................................................................................................................................... 7

Breakfast ........................................................................................................................................................... 7

Bus Expectations .............................................................................................................................................. 7

Cell Phones ....................................................................................................................................................... 7

Clinic ................................................................................................................................................................ 8

Contacting Students .......................................................................................................................................... 8

Deliveries to School ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Dismissal .......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Dress Code .................................................................................................................................................. 9-10

Extracurricular Activities ............................................................................................................................... 10

Field Trips ...................................................................................................................................................... 10

Leaving Campus (Signing out Students) ........................................................................................................ 11

Library ....................................................................................................................................................... 11-12

Lost and Found ............................................................................................................................................... 13

Lunch .............................................................................................................................................................. 13

Office Hours ................................................................................................................................................... 13

Parent and Family Engagement Policy / Home School Compact ............................................................. 14-15

Parties ............................................................................................................................................................. 16

Prohibited Items ............................................................................................................................................. 16

Safety Drills .................................................................................................................................................... 16

Snacks ............................................................................................................................................................. 17

Staying After School ...................................................................................................................................... 17

Supply List ..................................................................................................................................................... 18

Tardies ............................................................................................................................................................ 19

Telephone Use ................................................................................................................................................ 19

Tutoring .......................................................................................................................................................... 19

Visitors ........................................................................................................................................................... 19

Pershing Park Guidelines for Visitors ............................................................................................... 20

Killeen Independent School District Guidelines for Visitors ....................................................... 21-23

Volunteers ...................................................................................................................................................... 24

Wet/Soiled Clothing ....................................................................................................................................... 25

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MISSION STATEMENT

I will do my best every day. Approved May 2017

VISION STATEMENT

Through the creation of innovative and rigorous

lessons, we will inspire all students to achieve their

personal best. Approved May 2017

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PERSHING PARK ELEMENTARY

2018-2019

ARRIVAL AND DROP-OFF PROCEDURES

Breakfast 7:00 a.m. – 7:20 a.m.

First Bell 7:25 a.m. (Cafeteria entrance locked. Use office entrance.)

Tardy Bell 7:30 a.m.

Early Out Bell 1:00 p.m.

Dismissal Bell 3:00 p.m. (See map on back for dismissal areas.)

Note: Students may not be signed out after 2:40 p.m. due to dismissal procedures in progress (12:40

p.m. on early out days).

All students are expected to remain on campus once they have arrived.

We have staff on duty to watch breakfast students at 7:00 a.m. It is unsafe to drop off students before

7:00 since there will be no one to supervise them. Students may come for breakfast between 7:00 -7:20.

The breakfast lines close at 7:20. Students who arrive after 7:20 will not be able to eat breakfast at

school. However, if students arrive late to school on KISD buses, they will be able to eat breakfast even

if the bus arrives after the breakfast lines close.

Students not eating breakfast should arrive no earlier than 7:00 a.m., and they should report to their

assigned areas where staff will be available to watch them. The first bell rings at 7:25, and the entrance

to the school at the cafeteria door is locked. Students arriving after 7:25 should use the office entrance.

Students not riding the bus who arrive between 7:00 - 7:25 a.m. should enter through the cafeteria

entrance. Parents may park and walk children to the office entrance; however, the front entrance may not

be used as a drive through drop off area. After 7:30, students should enter through the office entrance.

All bus students are dropped off in a supervised area at the rear of the school and are directed inside the

building.

All students who arrive to class after the 7:30 bell rings are considered tardy and must come to the

office for a tardy slip to enter class. Please be sure your children are on time for school since students

who are late miss valuable instruction and can have a difficult time catching up with their peers. See

section on TARDIES for procedures and consequences. (This does not apply to tardies for medical

appointments.)

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To ensure safe and controlled traffic patterns, please be mindful of the following information. We have

several areas where students may be dropped off and picked up. (See map on the back for drop off and

pick up locations.) The small Faculty Only parking lot off of Bonnie Drive is not for drop off or pick up.

Please park your vehicle in slots provided in all parking lots. Students who are picked up from

school will only be dismissed to adults who show ID and are listed on the student’s registration

card.

The south entrance bus lane is for school buses only. For the safety of students, only school personnel

are allowed in the bus lane area while school is in session.

ABSENCES

If your child will be absent, please call 336-1793 to report the absence. The attendance clerk will

answer calls beginning at 7:00 a.m. every morning, and messages can be recorded 24 hours a day.

You will receive a ConnectEd automated call if your child is absent and we have not received

previous verification from you.

In addition to calling, when your child is absent, please send a note when your child returns to school.

According to State of Texas guidelines, students are counted absent for the entire day if they are not at

school at the official accounting time – 9:30 a.m. If a child is absent for a medical appointment, you

will need to provide the school with the original doctor’s note. We will accept the original doctor’s note

or a note faxed directly from the doctor’s office. (If you would like to keep the original doctor’s note,

the school will make you a copy of the original.) The absence will not be counted as an absence if the

child attends school during that day. School attendance is extremely important to your child’s

academic success. Please do everything possible to see that your child has regular attendance.

Excessive absences could result in your child's retention and/or a request for a court appearance.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE

Please be aware that we do not have staff on duty to watch students in the morning until 7:00. It is not

safe to drop students off and leave them outside before that time because no adults are there to watch

them. If your child is eating breakfast, he or she may come into the building at 7:00. We have staff on

duty in the cafeteria at 7:00 only for students eating breakfast. If you need to drop your child off before

that time, we have the YMCA available. The YMCA opens at 6:00 a.m. in the morning and will watch

students until 6:00 p.m. after school. There is a fee for this service. You may contact YMCA at 254-634-

5445.

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BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

All students must adhere to the Killeen ISD Student Code of Conduct. The Student Code of Conduct can

be accessed online at www.killeenisd.org or parents may request a hard copy from the school. At

Pershing Park Elementary, traits of good character are taught and followed. The traits of good character

are to be respectful, responsible, caring, trustworthy, fair, and a good citizen. Expectations for behavior

are written in a student / parent / teacher / principal compact that is signed by all. Students are expected

to:

1. Be in the assigned seat / area, ready to work when the tardy bell rings.

2. Have paper, pencils, books and all needed supplies every day.

3. Use appropriate manners in speech and actions. No inappropriate language, rude gestures, teasing or

put-downs are permitted. Keep hands, feet, books and objects to self.

4. Respect the rights and property of the school district and others.

5. Follow all directions, campus and classroom rules, and the Student Code of Conduct.

If students are unable to follow established expectations for behavior, administrators and teachers will

employ time-outs, buddy room, denial of a privilege, parent conferences and parent contacts. Persistent

misconduct and /or serious offenses may result in an alternative educational placement such as an ISS

Class (In School Suspension) for a varying number of days, OSS (Out of School suspension) for one to

three days, lunch detention, or assignment to an alternative campus.

BELL SCHEDULE

Breakfast 7:00 a.m. – 7:20 a.m. (Use cafeteria entrance.)

First Bell 7:25 a.m. (Cafeteria entrance locked. Use office entrance.)

Tardy Bell 7:30 a.m.

Early Out Bell 1:00 p.m.

Dismissal Bell 3:00 p.m. (See map on back for dismissal areas.)

Note: Students may not be signed out after 2:40 p.m. due to dismissal procedures in progress (12:40

p.m. on early out days).

BICYCLE RIDING, SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS, ROLLER BLADES/SKATE SHOES,

CLEATS

Students may ride their bicycles to school, but riding is not permitted on the school campus or on the

bridge. Bicycles are to be walked on the school grounds at all times. The bridge is an extension of the

school grounds and bikes must be walked over the bridge. Students riding in prohibited areas may lose

the right to bring a bicycle to school.

Bicycle racks are provided for storage during the day. Be sure your child has a bicycle chain and lock.

The school will take no responsibility for lost or stolen bicycles. Only the owner of the bicycle is to ride

the bike.

Skateboards, scooters, shoes with wheels or shoes with metal cleats are not permitted on campus. Shoes

with plastic or rubber cleats may be worn only during PE for soccer or kickball.

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BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Parents may provide store bought cupcakes only for birthday

celebrations. Parents should provide napkins as well. No candles are

permitted. Birthday parties will begin at 2:30 and end at 2:45 p.m.

unless permission is granted by the principal for a different time.

No commercial deliveries are permitted to students at any time.

Additionally, parents are not permitted to bring balloons, gifts, etc. to

deliver to children since these constitute a distraction.

Family members may attend a student’s birthday celebration.

Siblings may not be checked out of class to attend birthday parties.

Children may pass out birthday invitations as long as every child in the class is invited.

BREAKFAST

Breakfast will be provided to all students at no cost. Each student will have a badge to keep at school

with a personal identification number (PIN) which must be swiped for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast

will be served between 7:00 – 7:20 a.m. Breakfast lines close at 7:20 a.m. Students are to enter the

building for breakfast through the cafeteria door. Bus students will be directed to the cafeteria for

breakfast as buses arrive. Visit the KISD School Nutrition website for adult breakfast prices.

BUS EXPECTATIONS

The Killeen ISD Code of Conduct applies to the students at the bus stops and

during the time they are on the bus. Students must remain seated, have only

quiet conversation and follow the bus driver's directions. Prekindergarten and

kindergarten students must be picked up at the bus stop by an adult with proper

identification who is listed on the bus release form. Parents may not go to

the bus loading area at school. If parents need to pick up bus students

from school, they must go to the front office and check out the students

before 2:40 p.m. (12:40 p.m. on early out days).

CELL PHONES

Students may carry a cell phone to school, but the phone may not be displayed, turned on, or used during

school hours to include riding to and from school on the bus. If this policy is broken, the device may be

confiscated and the parent asked to pick up the device. A student code of conduct referral may result for

misuse of cell phones or subsequent infractions.

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CLINIC

A school nurse, present on a part time basis, and a full time clinic aide will attend to students’

emergency medical needs and injuries which occur at school.

Please do not expect the school nurse or aide to treat injuries that occur at home.

If your child must take medication at school, see the nurse or clinic aide to fill out the required

paperwork.

Students are not permitted to carry prescription medication with them. Prescribed medication can be

kept in the clinic and administered under medical and district guidelines. Parents may also come to

school to administer prescription medicine to their children.

Students are not permitted to carry over-the-counter medication to include vitamins and cough drops,

nor are these items kept in the clinic. Parents may come to school and administer over-the-counter

medication to their children.

CONTACTING STUDENTS

Students may only place or receive telephone calls while they are at school with permission from school

personnel. If you have an emergency message to get to your child, it will be delivered by the office.

DELIVERIES TO SCHOOL

No commercial deliveries are permitted to students at any time. Additionally, parents are not permitted

to bring balloons, gifts, etc. to deliver to children since these constitute a distraction.

DISMISSAL

Adults picking up students will be asked for identification. Adults may not pick up children without

identification. Prekindergarten and kindergarten students who are released to siblings enrolled at PPE

must have written statements from parents authorizing the release.

Students may not change regular dismissal procedures without written

notification from the parent or a parent phone call to the office prior to 2:40

p.m. Please make sure there are current emergency contacts with updated

phone numbers on the registration card.

Students begin dismissal procedures at 2:45 p.m. and exit the building at

3:00 p.m. To insure student safety, roll is checked when students report to

dismissal areas, and this takes a few minutes. (Students may take longer

exiting the building during the first few weeks of school.) Prekindergarten

and kindergarten students dismiss at 2:55.

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DRESS CODE for KILLEEN ISD

Students shall be dressed and groomed in a manner that is clean and neat and that will not present a

health or safety hazard to themselves or others. Clothing will be worn as it is designed to be worn. All

dress code issues will be subject to the campus administrator’s judgment.

Students who are considered to be in violation of the dress code shall be advised by the campus

administrator and shall be given an opportunity to comply. The opportunity to comply may take a

variety of forms. In most cases the student will be allowed to call parents for a change of clothes. While

awaiting the change of clothes, the student may be required to (a) wait in the office; (b) attend ISS; (c)

go to class (if not a severe violation); or (d) any other option deemed necessary or appropriate by the

administrator. Those who then fail to comply or who repeatedly violate the code shall be subject to

disciplinary action.

Exceptions to the dress code include students who wear principal approved uniforms on designated dates

and who participate as members of official school groups or organizations. Certain elective courses or

extra-curricular activities may require more stringent dress or appearance standards than for the general

student body. The district prohibits pictures, emblems, or writings on clothing that:

Are lewd, offensive, vulgar, or obscene.

Advertise or depict tobacco products, alcoholic beverage, drugs, or any other prohibited substance.

Contain derogatory remarks concerning any identifiable race, color, creed, national origin, religion,

age, gender, or disability.

The following standards of dress and grooming apply except as noted:

1. Pants, slacks, and jeans are acceptable attire. Spandex pants or shorts, boxer shorts, “cut-offs”, and

shorts or pants with holes any higher than 6”above the knee are not permitted. Pants or shorts shall

not be more than one size too large, and must be worn at the waist, with no “sagging.” Shirts and

blouses shall be appropriately sized and may not be worn in any way that reflects gang affiliation or

may conceal contraband. Shirts may not extend beyond the student's fingertips when worn outside

the pants or a skirt.

2. “Sagging” (wearing pants below the waistline or showing underwear) is not permitted.

3. As a general guideline, dress/skirt length and shorts should be no shorter than 6 inches above the top

of the knee, and must allow students to walk, stoop, kneel, and sit with modesty.

4. Apparel designed for recreation, such as tank tops, fishnet (mesh) shirts, etc., is unacceptable.

ELEMENTARY ONLY: Tank tops and similar apparel may be worn by students in grades Pre K-2,

especially in hot weather.

5. Apparel designed as underwear or night wear may not be visible or worn as outer garments.

6. Tight and/or revealing clothing or accessories that may draw undue attention to the student is

prohibited. Clothing which is of transparent and/or see-through material should not be worn.

Students must wear tops that cover the upper body (ex. no halter tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps,

etc.) and shoulders, and extend beyond the midriff leaving no skin exposed in the normal activities

associated with school.

7. Head coverings, bandanas (in any manner), hoods, and sweatbands may not be worn inside the

building. The campus administrator must approve any exceptions to this policy for religious or

medical reasons.

8. Students must wear footwear which is appropriate for school. Examples of inappropriate footwear,

although not inclusive, are the following: house slippers, shoe skates, water shoes, sock shoes, and

shoes with metal spikes.

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9. Hair must be neat, clean, and well groomed. Facial hair, if worn, must be neat and well-trimmed.

Types of apparel, including jewelry, trench coats, emblems, badges, symbols, signs, or other items or

manner of grooming which, by virtue of color, arrangement, trademark, symbol, or any other

attribute indicates or implies gang membership or affiliation, or would substantially disrupt, distract,

or materially interfere with the school environment, activity, and/or educational objectives, are

prohibited on school grounds, or at any school-related activity, regardless of time or location.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Students participating in any activity after the instructional day may not walk home without adult or

teenage supervision. This is a safety issue.

FIELD TRIPS

Students are provided opportunities for field trips throughout the year. The KISD sponsored trips are

attended only by students and school employees as seating is limited. You may be asked by a teacher

to serve as a chaperone for field trips sponsored by Pershing Park Elementary. In order to serve as

a chaperone, you will need to fill out the appropriate volunteer paperwork, to include a background

check. Parents may accompany their own children on a field trip; however, the parent is

responsible for providing his or her own transportation, paying his or her own entrance costs, and

the parent may only interact with his or her own child. Please make arrangements for siblings as the

trips are curriculum/instruction based and are only for students enrolled at Pershing Park.

The following guidelines will be in place for all Pershing Park sponsored field trips:

Sponsors will be Killeen ISD personnel or approved chaperones.

For a student to attend a field trip, the parent or guardian must fully agree by signing the Killeen ISD

field trip permission slip.

Teachers will take student permission slips and a student roster with them on all field trips.

Students will be accompanied by an adult sponsor with the exception of restrooms. Students will go

with a buddy when attending the restroom.

Sponsors will take student medication and epi pens on all field trips. A first aid kit will be available.

Teachers will use a seating chart for buses.

Teachers will take frequent counts of students.

A student will be allowed to ride home with a parent or guardian if school administration has been

notified and agreed to the arrangement at least two days in advance. The parent or guardian must

have photo identification and be listed on the child’s registration card.

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LEAVING CAMPUS (Signing out Students)

Parents, guardians, and designated persons with proper identification who are listed on the enrollment

card are permitted to check out students by coming to the office. Please remember to come to the school

to list your new emergency contacts or day care providers when changes occur. Please do not check your

child out early from school unless it is for an appointment or an emergency. Instruction is still going on.

Students may not be checked out after 2:40 p.m. (12:40 p.m. on early out days) since students are in the

process of dismissing from school. Neither parents nor students leaving campus are permitted in the bus

area.

LIBRARY

Loan Policies

Each school year, students are required to return a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian before

they can begin borrowing library books.

Students in grades two through five will be allowed to borrow two library books at a time. Students in

first grade and younger will be allowed to borrow one library book at a time. The loan period for

borrowed books is ten school days. Books may be renewed. Renewals may be limited for books that are

new and/or in high demand.

PPES students are not charged fines for overdue library books.

A parent or guardian of a PPES student may borrow up to ten library books for 21 school days. Please

visit the library to set up an account.

Lost or Damaged Books

A student’s borrowing privileges will be restricted in the case of an overdue, lost, or damaged library

book. Please do not try to repair books that have been damaged. When possible and appropriate, repairs

will be made at school using glue and tape especially for that purpose. Depending on the extent of

damage, a fine may be assessed.

If a library book is lost or damaged beyond use in the library, a fine that reflects the replacement cost of

the book will be assessed. If the book is found in good condition within 90 days, any fine paid for

replacement of the book will be refunded.

Payments for fines must be paid in cash or by check payable to PPES. If a financial burden exists

making payment of a fine impossible, please contact the librarian to discuss alternative ways that a

student may be able to satisfy the fine.

Library Behavior Expectations

Students are expected to show appropriate behavior while in the library and to follow all school rules.

1. Follow directions quickly.

2. Talk quietly when appropriate.

3. Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat.

4. Walk when moving in the library.

5. Keep the shelves neat and use a shelf marker appropriately.

6. Be respectful of both people and materials.

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LOST AND FOUND

Please mark student jackets, coats, backpacks, etc. with your child’s name in permanent ink. If an item of

clothing is lost, you may sign in at the office and check the Lost and Found area located at the cafeteria

entrance. After a reasonable amount of time, unclaimed possessions will be donated to charity.

LUNCH

Lunch will be provided to all students at no cost. Each

student will have a badge to keep at school with a personal

identification number (PIN) which must be swiped for

breakfast and lunch Visit the KISD School Nutrition website

for adult lunch prices.

After the first two weeks of school, extra items such as chips

and ice cream are offered for purchase to students for lunch.

Parents may deposit any amount of money into student

accounts for the purchase of extra items. To avoid the

possibility of lost or forgotten money, please take advantage

of keeping money in your child’s account. Money is to be deposited by 9:00 a.m. daily. If a parent does not

wish for a child to purchase extra items, the parent may opt out by sending a note to the cafeteria.

You are welcome to join your child for lunch at your cost. The cost of an adult lunch can be found on the

KISD School Nutrition website. Please notify the teacher as this will allow for an accurate lunch count for

that day. We request you follow the following guidelines for the safety of children: 1. Only visitors listed on the registration card or legal guardians are permitted to eat with children.

2. Visitors must check in at the front office with proper ID.

3. Visitors may eat with students during their designated period for lunch. When the class gets up to leave

the cafeteria, the student should rejoin the class.

4. Visitors will eat at the parent tables and are not permitted to interact with other students or enter the area

where classes are eating. Other children cannot be pulled to join you.

5. The visitor’s pass is for visitation in the lunchroom only and does not include visiting other areas of the

building.

6. Visitors will use the restrooms in the office area if needed. Visitors are not permitted in student

restrooms.

Lunch Room Rules 1. Food is not to be traded from one student to another.

2. Food is not to be thrown or misused in any way.

3. Students must stay in their seats, obey lunch room monitors, and raise their hands if they need help.

4. Good manners are valued, taught, and encouraged.

OFFICE HOURS

There is someone in attendance in the office to help you between 7:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. Our busiest time is

between 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. If you call during morning announcements, you

will be put on hold until we are finished (approximately 7:30 a.m. -7:45 a.m.)

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PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICY

At Pershing Park Elementary School, we believe that a healthy partnership among students, parents and

community is necessary to educational success. Pershing Park has planned the following parent and

family members and community activities:

Meet the Teacher

Open House

Parent and Family Engagement Policy and Home School Compact

Public Hearing for Campus Plan and Title I Program

Pershing Park Website

Volunteer Opportunities

YMCA Childcare

Little Pumas Club

After School Clubs for 3rd-5th

Honor Assemblies

Grade Level Events, Party Days, Music Performances, Festivals, STEM Night, Field Day

Review of Parent and Family Engagement Policy and Parent Compact (for upcoming year)

PK/K Roundup and PK Parent and Family Members Night

On Campus Summer Registration

Pershing Park promotes communication between parents and teachers through conferences, newsletters,

telephone calls, daily planners, Parent Connect, email, progress reports and report cards. We strive to

provide information in languages other than English, and we have Spanish speaking staff and

counselor/s on campus available for parents and family members to discuss policies, procedures and

programs.

We have a Spanish speaking parent liaison on campus and a district specialist available to assist with

volunteer opportunities and offer materials and training to help parents and family members work with

children. Communication is sent home about parent and family member opportunities available at

Pershing Park and through the KISD Parent and Family Engagement Program.

Pershing Park has high expectations for success of all students both academically and behaviorally. Our

mission is to empower children to reach their highest potential by pursuing a lifelong passion for

learning through a collaboration of home, school and community.

Revised January 10, 2018

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HOME SCHOOL COMPACT

A compact for the principal, teacher, student and parent is signed during the fall each year.

Pershing Park Elementary School

Principal/Teacher/Student/Parent Compact

As part of the Pershing Park School-Wide Title I Program, we ask that parent(s)/guardian(s) review the

Pershing Park Elementary Compact Agreement.

Please sign in acknowledgment of your understanding and commitment to your child's academic success.

PRINCIPAL TEACHER

I agree to carry out the following responsibilities to the As a teacher it is my responsibility to:

best of my ability:

Use a variety of strategies to address all learning styles.

Provide a quality curriculum. Use innovative lessons to promote an enjoyment of

Maintain a welcoming learning environment. learning.

Ensure that all students have an opportunity to learn Provide a caring, safe and secure classroom.

and grow. Help children become independent thinkers.

Principal Signature: Teacher Signature:

STUDENT PARENT

In order to support my learning in school, I agree to do I agree to carry out the following responsibilities and

the following: promote my child's learning and achievement in school:

Come to school daily and on time. Support my child in all academic areas.

Follow school rules. Strive for a positive home-school connection.

Always be prepared to learn and do my best. Encourage my child to always do his/her best in

academics and as a citizen.

See that my child is punctual and comes to school

daily throughout the school year.

Student Signature:

Parent Signature:

Revised January 10, 2018

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PARTIES

Classroom parties will be held at school three times a year. Pershing Park will celebrate with a

Christmas party, Valentine’s Day party and an end of the year celebration. In order to volunteer for a

classroom party, you must fill out the appropriate paperwork, to include a background check. You can

see our parent liaison for volunteer paperwork.

If you have more than one student, you will need to sign out children from their individual classrooms

after you have attended all the parties. Students are not permitted to attend a sibling’s party.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Students are not permitted to bring electronic devices, toys, athletic equipment or games to school

without the permission of administration. Candy and gum are not permitted. Students will receive a

warning for the first offense, and a student code of conduct referral may result for subsequent

infractions. Electronic devices, toys, or games may be confiscated and the parent/guardian asked to pick

up the device. After a reasonable amount of time, unclaimed property will be donated to charity.

SAFETY DRILLS

The campus performs safety drills each month at different times of the day. If parents come to check out

students during any of our safety drills, they will need to wait until the drill is over before we send

someone to get the student. During a lockdown, no one except first responders are permitted to come

inside the building or leave the building until the lockdown is lifted. We will do our best to post signs on

the doors letting you know we are currently in lockdown, and we will get a Connect Ed call out to

parents as soon as possible.

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SNACKS

All students may have water in a closed container while at school. Children in prekindergarten and

kindergarten are allowed one snack per day at a snack time after lunch designated by the teacher. Snacks

provided by the school or other parents must comply with nutritional guidelines and the District

Wellness Policy (FFA Local).

STAYING AFTER SCHOOL

Students will not be kept after school longer than 10 minutes unless parents have prior

notification. Students participating in after-school activities will know in advance when they

are expected to stay and how long they will stay, and should let parents know the day before.

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SUPPLY LIST

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TARDIES

Students who are tardy will be accompanied by an adult into the office. Ultimately, it

is the responsibility of the parents to see that their children are at school on time.

Persistent tardies will be treated as a discipline problem, and consequences could result in

a KISD Student Code of Conduct referral, Lunch Detention and/or Saturday Detention.

TELEPHONE USE

Students are not permitted to use the telephone at school except in an emergency. In the

case of inclement weather, please make arrangements ahead of time with your child and

with the teacher or office. If there is a change in your child’s daily routine, please call the

office before 2:40 p.m. to let us know. We will inform your child.

TUTORING

Early in the year, students needing help are identified and scheduled for interventions

during the school day.

VISITORS

At Pershing Park Elementary, we believe that

education is a shared responsibility between

parents/guardians and school personnel. Parents are

welcome to observe in their child’s classroom except

during periods of testing. To ensure a positive visit

to the classroom, we ask parents/guardians to adhere

to the following Pershing Park Guidelines in

addition to Killeen ISD Guidelines:

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PERSHING PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GUIDELINES FOR VISITORS

For the first week of school in August, parents may walk their children to class. After the first

week, children should walk by themselves.

Check in at the school office prior to visiting in the classroom.

The parent/guardian should be the only visitor in the classroom.

Parents/guardians should not bring younger siblings or children while visiting in the

classroom.

Visitors will be provided a place to sit and observe in the classroom that is separate from

the students.

Interaction with any students during visits in the classroom is prohibited.

During your visit, the teacher is responsible for instruction and monitoring students. If

you want to speak with the teacher, please schedule a conference at another time.

Visiting in the classroom shall be permitted only with the principal’s or teacher’s

approval and such visits will be permitted if their duration or frequency do not interfere

with the delivery of instruction or disrupt the normal school environment. Visits are

limited to 30 minutes per visit.

Students are not permitted to bring other children to school to visit.

Pershing Park welcomes parents to attend breakfast or lunch with their children. In order

not to compromise security, we require parents to eat lunch with their children at the

visitor table. At no time is interaction with other children permitted. Only visitors listed

on the registration card or legal guardians will be permitted to eat with children. Other

children cannot be pulled to eat with your child when you are visiting at lunch.

We ask visitors to respect our dress code. If you are visiting in the classroom, appropriate

attire is expected. Please remove hats when entering the building. We also request that

respect is shown for the pledges and one minute of silence. This occurs between 7:30 a.m. –

7:40 a.m. daily.

All visitors are expected to enter the building through the front doors only, sign in at the

office, show proper ID and receive a visitor’s badge. A visitor is limited to the visiting area

only, and may not visit other areas of the school. For example, a parent eating lunch with a

child may not leave the cafeteria to go to another area such as the classroom or library. Please

return your visitor sticker when you leave.

These precautions are taken to protect your child from intruders and unauthorized visitors

you have not approved.

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KILLEEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT GUIDELINES FOR VISITORS

The Superintendent has adopted the following Administrative Guidelines to assist staff in

providing administrative support regarding campus visits by parents and other adults.

I. Parental Rights

By statute, parents are partners in their children’s education and are to be encouraged to

participate actively in creating and implementing educational programs. Parents also have

access to all written records, the right to review all teaching materials, and access to all

open meetings of the board of trustees, unless otherwise stated by judicial restrictions.

These rights do not include unregulated access to school facilities. School officials have

the authority to control activities on school property, including denying access to parents

to maintain order and to prevent disruption. This authority includes reasonable limitations

on classroom visits and other parental activities on campus.

Also, the district takes seriously its responsibility to provide a safe school environment

for its students and staff. Recent well-publicized violent incidents on public school and

college campuses underscore the vulnerability of school children and the need for

heightened security on school campuses in regard to all visits.

This procedure is intended to protect students and to avoid disruption of instructional

time by placing reasonable limitations on campus visits by parent and other adult visitors.

II. Access Rules - Identification Required

Unless otherwise provided in this procedure, all visitors to any school campus in the

district must comply with the following access rules:

1. Upon arrival, all visitors must enter the campus through the safety vestibule and

report directly to the main office entrance and present a picture identification

consisting of 1) a current U.S. Driver’s License, 2) a current State Identification

Card, 3) a current DISTRICT ID badge, 4) a current military identification card,

or 5) the visitor’s name appears on the list of approved visitors for that campus.

2. In lieu of a driver’s license, an individual presenting a State of Texas picture

identification card, identifying the individual as an employee of a law

enforcement entity or the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

(CPS), shall not be required to provide any other form of identification.

3. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will be required to show a picture

identification and court documentation as supporting evidence to grant access to

visits with students.

4. While on the campus, CASA and CPS service workers will display either his or

her state identification badge or shall be issued a visitor’s badge to be displayed

while the visitor remains on campus.

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5. If a visitor presents a current driver’s license or identification card, it will be

scanned by the district’s visitor identification system, and further access will be

granted or denied based on the result of the scan. Fort Hood campuses will

comply with Fort Hood safety requirements of the Random Antiterrorism

Management Program (RAMP). This process requires the driver’s license or

registered picture identification card to remain in the office until the visitor

returns the adhesive badge and checks out in the office.

6. If further access is granted, the visitor will be issued an adhesive identification

badge which must be worn at all times while on campus.

7. All visitors must return the adhesive badge and check out in the office prior to

leaving the building. Principals have the discretion to require the driver’s license

or identification card to remain in the office until the visitor returns the adhesive

badge and checks out in the office.

8. All visitors who go to other parts of the campus must comply with any other

access rules established for that campus.

9. A visitor who cannot provide the requisite identification shall be restricted to the

main office and may not go to any other part of the campus.

10. The responsible campus administrator has discretion to deny access to any

visitor when information is received (from any reliable source) that the individual

poses a substantial risk to the safety of students or staff.

11. Persons who are identified as registered sex offenders shall be denied

access to the campus. Any person seeking review of this prohibition may pursue

an administrative grievance through board policy FNG (LOCAL) or GF

(LOCAL).

III. Public Events

The access rules do not apply to persons attending athletic contests, assemblies, open-

houses, parent nights, and other events to which the general public is invited unless

restricted by a court order.

IV. Persons Affiliated With District

1. District Trustees. All school board members must comply with the access rules

each time they enter a campus.

2. District Employees. A district employee who is wearing a district ID badge may

have unrestricted access for work-related purposes to any campus. If accessing a

campus as a parent, the district employee is required to follow visitor guidelines.

Any district employee who cannot present a district ID badge must comply with

the access rules.

3. Professional Contract Employees. All professional contract employees who visit

campuses on a regular basis, such as instructional consultants, must wear a district

ID badge. A contract employee who is wearing the badge may have unrestricted

access to the campuses where assigned. Any contract employee who cannot

present a district ID badge must comply with the access rules.

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V. Parents All parents, including parent volunteers, are subject to the access rules.

1. Dropping Off and Picking Up Children. Each campus will have a procedure for

dropping off and picking up students, which will be distributed to parents. Parents

will be required to follow the established campus procedure. Parents identified as

registered sex offenders shall remain in their vehicles when dropping off and/or

picking up their child. If they are to pick up their children from school prior to the

school day being over, the registered sex offender must contact the campus office

to make arrangements for an escort. Children should be dropped off and picked up

in the designated areas.

2. Substitutes and Dropping Off/Picking Up Children. Campus principals must

ensure that a verbal and written notification process is in place and consistently

implemented to notify substitutes of campus procedures for dropping off and

picking up students.

3. Meals. If the building configuration and available supervisory staff permit,

principals may (at their discretion) waive the access rules for parents who wish to

attend breakfast or lunch with their children. This must be done without

compromising security. This does not apply to parents identified as registered sex

offenders because they are denied campus access altogether.

4. Parent-Teacher Conferences. Parent-teacher conferences should be arranged with

the teacher in advance and should be scheduled for the teachers’ conference time

in order to avoid interference with instruction. Parents must comply with the

access rules for conferences or the conference will take place in the main office.

Parent-teacher conferences involving a parent identified as a registered sex

offender will take place at the main office and should be held after school hours.

5. Classroom Observations. Classroom observations require the permission of the

principal or designee and the teacher. Parents, who wish to observe their children

in class, must call the school office in advance, make an appointment and must

comply with the access rules. This does not apply to parents identified as

registered sex offenders because they are denied campus access altogether. If it is

determined that excessive visits are interrupting the learning environment, the

principal has the discretion to limit visits on a case by case basis.

6. Parent Volunteers and Tutors. All parent volunteers and tutors must first be

cleared through a criminal background check conducted by Personnel Services

and then comply with the access rules. Parent volunteers may participate in on-

campus activities and in field trips and other off-campus activities only with the

permission of the sponsoring teacher or administrator. This does not apply to

parent volunteers or tutors identified as registered sex offenders because they are

denied campus access altogether.

7. Interactions with other students. While visiting campus, parents are prohibited

from verbal or physical confrontations with students. Failure to comply may result

in loss of campus access privileges.

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VOLUNTEERS

A visitor in the classroom is different from a volunteer.

A volunteer is any adult who helps with school

activities. Since volunteers may interact with students

other than their own, all volunteers are required to

attend a parenting session and pass a criminal

background check. Please let the office know if you are

interested in becoming a volunteer.

Pershing Park has a large and active volunteer program

for which we are most grateful! Please consider being a

volunteer in our school, if only for a few minutes a week. We ask all volunteers to follow

the dress code. There are many ways you can help by being a part of your child’s

educational experience. Inquire in the office for information or visit with the parent

liaison to fill our necessary paperwork to include a background check before

volunteering.

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WET/SOILED CLOTHING PROCEDURES FOR KILLEEN ISD

General Information

Parents of all PK and K students must provide an extra set of clothing (to include

shirt, shorts, pants, underwear, socks and shoes) labeled with the child’s name in a

grocery sack or Ziploc bag. The clothing will be stored in the classroom. At the

change of seasons, the clothing should be sent home to be replaced by season-

appropriate clothing.

If a child is unable to change his/her own clothing, the parent will be required to

come to the school to change the student’s clothing.

Before assisting any child with zippers, buttons, clasps or belts, permission from the

child will be obtained.

The school will not provide clothing for any student. The parent must provide all

changes of clothing.

If a child appears ill (no energy, pale, stomach cramps) and has diarrhea (liquid

stool), they will be sent to the clinic for evaluation.

Wet Clothing PK – 5th Grade

The teacher will allow the student to change their wet clothes in the classroom

restroom.

The teacher will notify the parent. The teacher will send the wet clothes home in the

bag that was provided by the parent for the dry clothes.

If the classroom doesn’t have a restroom, a staff member can accompany the student

to the restroom where the student will change his/her clothes in the restroom.

If the child has wet his/her clothes, he or she will clean themselves with wipes,

change their clothes, place their clothes in a bag and wash their hands before

returning to the learning environment.

Most students should be able to change wet clothing by themselves. However, if the

child needs assistance with zippers, buttons, belts or clasps, a staff person can assist

with a minimal task, and then allow the child to remove the clothing by

himself/herself.

If clothing is not provided and/or the child is unable to change by themselves, the

parent will bring a change of clothes and change their child.

The child cannot be sent home on the bus or to after school day care with wet

clothing.

Soiled Clothing PK – 5th Grade

If the child has soiled his/her clothes, the parent will be called immediately and

required to come and take care of the child’s personal needs as soon as possible. The

child will await the parent in a campus designated area (not to include the clinic) and

be given the option to stand until the parent arrives.

The parent may take the child home to properly clean the child. The parent may

return the student back to school once he/she is in clean clothes.

The child cannot be sent home on the bus or to after school day care with soiled

clothing.