13995 Jason Crandall Dr.

El Paso, Texas 79938

Phone: (915) 937-8801

FAX: (915) 937-8889

www.sisd.net

Updated: October 17, 2011

2011-2012

Parent Handbook

Welcome to another great school year at Chester E. Jordan! On behalf of the faculty and staff, I would like to thank you for your help and cooperation this past year. Our Texas Academic of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) results indicate that Chester E. Jordan is a “Recognized” school for the fourth year in a row! Without a doubt, our students’ success is a reflection of your support and participation in school activities. We extend our gratitude and appreciation to you. An attempt has been made with this handbook to be as comprehensive as possible in outlining school policies and procedures. However, it is impossible to anticipate every situation or circumstance that might arise during the school year. If at any time, you have a question or need clarification of some operational regulation or school procedure, please don’t hesitate to contact the office personnel or administrators at 937-8801. We are looking forward to another exciting year of learning filled with many rewards and successes. Welcome! Respectfully,

Michelle Aube-Barton

Administration Principal: Michelle Aube-Barton

Phone: 937-8802 Email: maube@sisd.net

Assistant Principal:

Belen Segovia Castillo Phone: 937-8804 Email: bsegov01@sisd.net

Campus Personnel Campus Secretary: Sylvia Gomez Phone: 937-8805 Attendance Clerk: Sonya Solano Phone: 937-8810 Campus Aide: Mona Cossio Phone: 937-8801 Parent Liaison: Shannon Hoff Phone: 937-8807 Nurse: Inez Vasquez Phone: 937-8808 Support Staff Counselor: Lewis “Albert” Mendoza Phone: 937- 8816 Curriculum Coach: Mary Salas Phone: 937-8803 Librarian: Esther Rodriguez Phone: 937-8886 Cafeteria Manager: Malena Garcia Phone: 937-8885 Cafeteria Cashier: Dolores Martinez Phone: 937-8879

District Website www.sisd.net

School Website http://schools.sisd.net/cje/ ATTENDANCE POLICY As per Texas School Compulsory Attendance Law Section 25.094, 25.085 and 51.03, students between the ages of 6-17 must attend school. In order for an absence to be excused, the parent or guardian must send a written, dated note to the teacher within 48 hours of the student’s return to school. Please try to schedule your doctor appointments after school hours. If a student is absent for more than three consecutive days, you must provide a note from a physician upon your child’s return to school. Any student who is absent from school 5 consecutive days without notifying the school is subject to automatic withdrawal.

Students are required by state law to be in attendance at least 90% of the school year in order to be eligible for promotion to the next grade level. For students who do not attain the required level of attendance, an attendance committee will meet to consider any extenuating circumstances at the request of the parent or teacher. Should absences become excessive, the family will be taken to county court to determine the consequence by a judge.

In order to avoid this unpleasant situation, we strongly encourage that students be at school regularly.

With the rigorous curriculum ahead of us, it is imperative that students come to school every day. We are following the district’s MAKE IT COUNT campaign and, throughout the year, we will continue to teach students the value of coming to school each day. We will promote high expectations for all students and provide an environment that fosters self-directedness. Ms. Sonya Solano, our attendance clerk, may be reached at 937-8810 between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tardies The second bell rings at 7:45 am. Students who have not entered their classrooms prior to the tardy bell are considered late. Discipline referrals will be given to students after the third tardy. Students who are late will be directed to the front office to pick up a tardy slip. We ask that students arrive to school on time to ensure that they are prepared for the day. Arriving on time affords students the opportunity to participate in morning announcements and organize their thoughts for the day. We know traffic is very busy in the mornings, but if you will adjust your arrival time by 5 or 10 minutes, this will ensure that you arrive on time.

School Hours First Bell: 7:40 am Tardy Bell: 7:45 am PK AM: 7:40 am – 10:45 am PK PM: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm Kinder to 5th: 7:40 am – 3:15 pm

The following are helpful hints to discuss with your child that will promote responsibility:

Lay out school uniform the night before.

Prepare book bag and other supplies the night before

Have student set their own alarm clock

Have student prepare their lunch the night before.

Leave your home at 7:15 am. You and your child may want to

set up a morning schedule to help your child self-monitor their preparation time.

*Students with excessive tardies (10 or more) will not be eligible for perfect attendance recognition at the end of the school year.

Arrival and Dismissal Please drop your child off in the horse shoe drop off area in the front of the building facing Tierra Dorada street. For your child’s safety please have him/her exit your vehicle through the passenger side. You may also choose to park your vehicle, in an appropriate parking spot and walk your child to the side walk or building entrance. Students will enter through the Cafeteria entrance located on the west side of the building. Students will then line up in the cafeteria (Pre-K and Kinder) or gymnasium (1st and 2nd Grade). Weather permitting, our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will be directed to our outside playground. Signs with teacher’s names will be clearly posted for students to identify their class. In order

to preserve our gymnasium floor, all students will be required to wear tennis or shoes with non-marking soles. Students will be dismissed at the end of the day in the front of the building. To ensure safety, administrators, teachers and/or staff members will escort students to their cars or buses. Please allow teachers to reach their designated pick up location before asking for your child. We also ask that you help us keep the traffic flowing by pulling up your vehicle. It is important that you stay in your vehicle to ensure safety and to adhere to the fire code. This will help the teacher effectively and safely dismiss all students.

Bicycles: Students are encouraged to ride their bikes to school with parental knowledge and permission. Students may lock their bicycles in the racks located in the front of the school. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen bicycles. Skateboards, rollerblades/skates, scooters, Heelys or in-line skates are not allowed on school grounds.

Cross Guard/Monitors Crossing guards are on duty from 7:00 am to 8:00 am and from 2:15 pm to 3:45 pm during school days. We encourage parents/guardians to use the designated

crosswalks and to follow all posted signs while driving to protect the safety of our students and staff members.

Inclement Weather In the event of inclement weather before/during school, please listen for information to one of the following stations at 6:00 am: KTSM 1380 AM, POWER 102 FM; Y96 FM. Conference Calls to Teachers If a parent wishes to speak to a teacher or student, calls must be made before or after school or during the teacher’s conference period. Telephone calls made at any other time will be forwarded to the teacher’s voice mail in an effort to minimize interruptions during instruction. A message for the student may be left in the front office and will be delivered to the student. Discipline Our school houses a small community of learners. Each student is a citizen who acts in accordance with expected standards of behavior. With this in mind, rewards are not given for expected behavior-just as society does not give rewards for behaving properly. Also, irresponsible behavior is seen as an opportunity for growth, rather than punishment. Our approach encourages students to exercise self-discipline through reflection and self-evaluation. Students learn to control their own behavior, rather than always relying on the teacher for control.

We want our classrooms to be encouraging and conducive to learning at all times. We want our students to feel safe. In this way, young people develop positive attitudes and behavioral skills that are so necessary for successful lives. *We are a bully-free school. Any form of physical violence or bullying is not acceptable and may result in student suspension.

SISD has adopted The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) which is the most researched and best-known bullying prevention program available today. Backed by more than thirty-five years of research and successful implementation in many different countries, the OBPP is a whole-school program that has been proven to prevent or reduce bullying throughout a school setting. OBPP is designed for students in elementary, middle, and junior high schools. OBPP is used at the school, classroom, and individual levels and includes methods to reach out to parents and the community for involvement and support. School administrators, teachers, and other staff are primarily responsible for introducing and implementing the program with the goals of improving peer relations and making the school a safer and more positive place for students to learn and develop.

We are very pleased that Chester E. Jordan Elementary implemented this program last year and it reduced our discipline referrals from 50 to 42. We attribute this to pro-active teaching. We will also be hosting parenting classes on this and other topics throughout the year. Should you be interested in learning more, please contact our Parent Liaison, Shannon Hoff or our counselor, Albert Mendoza at 937-8801.

Please review the following school expectations with your child:

JORDAN’S EXPECTATIONS - RECESS Be Safe

Play nicely and with caution (without being rough)

Move at a controllable pace Watch where you are going

Be Respectful

Use Polite Language Be kind to others using good

manners Listen to Monitors and other

adults because they are here to keep you safe

Be Responsible

Play fairly Use play equipment correctly and

help put equipment back properly Wash your hands before eating

lunch

JORDAN’S EXPECTATIONS - CAFETERIA Be Safe

Pick up food, drinks, and trash off the floor and table

Finish your meal before getting up and remain seated when eating

Keep hands, feet and objects close to your body

Be Respectful Use indoor voices Use polite language Be kind to others by using good

manners

Be Responsible

Keep your food on your tray Keep the area around you clean Wait in line patiently and move

slowly Walk in the cafeteria at all times

JORDAN’S EXPECTATIONS-RESTROOMS

Be Safe

Move slowly in the restroom Keep soap, water and trash off the

floor Wash your hands before you leave

with soap and water to prevent germs

Be Respectful

Use indoor voices One person per stall Respect each other’s privacy

Be Responsible

Put all trash in the trash cans Flush toilet after each use Only visit restroom when needed

JORDAN’S EXPECTATIONS – HALLWAYS Be Safe

Always walk single file on the right side of the hall

Hands and feet to self Eyes forward, ears open and use

inside voices Be Respectful

Always use your inside voices Smile and wave to others Enjoy hallway decorations (with

your eyes only) Be Responsible

Sit quietly in line if waiting to enter classroom

Report unsafe conditions to an adult

Ensure that you take home all personal items such as backpacks, coats, notes, etc.

PEANUT ALERT – NUT FREE LUNCH TABLE

We would like to enlist your support in a very important matter. We have some students who are HIGHLY allergic to peanuts! We ask that you speak to your child about this matter and that you help them develop an understanding of how people can react to certain foods that they are allergic to. We will continue to talk to students in school about this topic during our counseling classes. We have designated a “Peanut Free Table” in the cafeteria for any students with severe peanut allergies. We are confident that by educating everyone and taking pro-active measures, we can avoid any unpleasant situations with our students with severe allergies. When shopping for your child’s lunch fixings, I invite you to consider the soy products on the market, They are very comparable to the peanut products. As usual, thank you for your support. Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) At the beginning of each school day all students are offered the opportunity to eat breakfast in their classroom -- at "No Charge" -- regardless of family income. Student participation is optional. Breakfast in the classroom menus are simple and planned to reduce mess and waste. Menus include items that are hand-held and easily eaten by students. BIC food items are delivered to the classroom via coolers. Each classroom receives 2 coolers. One cooler contains hot food items and another cooler is for cold food items. The students have approximately 5-15 minutes to eat.

Studies show that students who eat a wholesome breakfast do better in school and are generally in better health. In order for this program to be successful, it is important that the students are in school and in their classroom by 7:45 am. Breakfast menus will be planned to be nutritious, delicious, and easily consumed. Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV) The Texas Department of Agriculture has mandated Nutrition guidelines for all Texas public schools in an effort to promote a healthier environment. It is believed that foods available on school premises should provide for the nutritional well-being of children. Our purpose in reporting this information to you is to enlist your assistance in helping our campus comply with new policies. While the policy information is more detailed than we can provide you in this handbook, we do want to offer these highlights: NO food of minimal nutritional value (FMNV) and competitive food can be offered or sold anywhere on school premises until the end of the last scheduled class period. This applies to school staff, parents, and school organizations. Cupcakes are allowable for birthday celebrations after lunch. The school district has been provided the opportunity to select three days per calendar year in which restricted treats may be offered to students. These days are: October 31, 2011, December 16, 2011 and June 1st, 2012. If you need further information regarding these regulations, you may contact the Child Nutrition Services office at 937-0705.

Lunch Payments We encourage parents to prepay cafeteria charges on a regular basis, in multiples of weeks ranging from one week to one or more months. You may also choose to pay online. Go to our district website (www.sisd.net), select online meal application and then select mlunchmoney.com. Regular Lunch: $1.65 Reduced Lunch: $0.40 *Should students run out of funds in their account, they will be provided an alternate lunch consisting of a cheese sandwich and milk. Please make every effort to ensure that your child’s account is current at all times. If you would like to pay on your child’s account, you must do so after 8:00 a.m. as the cafeteria is serving breakfast to the students until then. Please check in the office for a pass. We do not permit any visitors in the building before school hours for safety reasons. School Dress Code It is the philosophy of the Socorro Independent School District and our school that all students should maintain standards of dress. We will enforce a uniform policy this year. Students are expected to wear a hunter green, orange or white polo shirt with

khaki pants, shorts, or a skirt. The school logo is not necessary but is preferred. You may purchase school uniforms at Apple Uniform on 1515 North Lee Trevino Drive (915) 590-0585 or at Sports World located at 11440 Montwood Drive (915) 590-8689.

Fridays will be designated as a free dress day. However, students must adhere to the dress code outlined below:

All students will wear respectable clothing free of gang association, team logos, alcohol and drug related illustrations.

Students will wear pants that fit properly. (Baggy pants and bicycle shorts will not be allowed.)

All students will wear shirts with appropriate sleeves. (Spaghetti straps or halters will not be allowed.) No midriffs showing.

All students will wear shorts and/or skirts at an appropriate length. (The length of the shorts/skirt must exceed the length of finger tips at arms length.)

Students will bring tennis shoes or sneaker for P.E.

Students must wear clothing and accessories that do not cause a disruption or a safety/health hazard. This includes Heelys as they pose a danger to our children’s safety.

The school’s instructional community works hard to provide a cohesive curriculum that challenges all students. Teachers implement research-based instructional programs that are aligned with national and state standards. Instructional pedagogy includes a balance of skills and concept development. Students are assessed using both traditional and alternative assessment models. Teachers and students alike are encouraged to engage in group projects that promote cooperation and collaboration. All students are provided instructional safety nets when the need arises, through our Super School small group tutorial classes, accelerated instruction in reading and math, and intersession classes. Every child is encouraged to participate in extra- curricular activities including UIL, after school clubs, sports and art contests. Through acceleration and enrichment, students will leave elementary school prepared for a successful middle school life! GRADING INFORMATION In order to provide all students the Opportunity to succeed, the grading policy has recently been updated. Below you will find information regarding the grading system that all teachers will be implementing here at Chester E. Jordan. GENERAL INFORMATION 1.Report card will shall be sent home and signed by the parent every 9 weeks. 2. Evaluation of progress shall be determined using the Texas Essentials of Knowledge and Skills.

3. Grading System: a. PK-K: 1-4 b. 1st–5th grade: 0-100 pt. scale 4. Student must be enrolled a minimum of 25 days to be eligible for grades. 5. There will be no early withdrawal during the last 3 weeks of school. 6. Progress reports will be sent out every 3rd and 6th week. GRADING 1.Students will be given the opportunity to redo any failed assignments or tests within 5 days of the notification. (new grade will replace failing grade)

2. Parents will be informed as soon as evidence exists that a student is not making sufficient progress to be promoted to the next grade. 3. Contents graded with a 0-100 pt. scale: a. Language Arts-listening, speaking, reading, writing and research; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies 4. Subjects graded with a pass/fail score: a. Health; Physical education; Fine arts (music); Technology; Enrichment (super school tutoring /enrichment for 3rd – 5th/ small group tutoring for grades 1st – 2nd) 5. Citizenship: a. E-consistently demonstrates a high level or appropriate behavior that reflects the Habits of Mind b. S- demonstrates a high level of appropriate behavior that reflects the Habits of Mind most of the time c. N- demonstrates some appropriate behavior that reflects the Habits of Mind; progress must be made.

d. U-unable to demonstrate or apply the appropriate behavior that reflects the Habits of Mind. 6. 9-Week Grades 1. Daily Grades: 70% of 9-weeks grade 2. Test Grades: 30% of 9-weeks grade 3. Students will have the opportunity to redo an assignment/test for which he/she received a failing grade within 5 days of being notified of the failing grade. HONOR ROLL SYSTEM Scholars Honor Roll Percentage score of 90-100 in all subject areas Satisfactory or Excellent grades in Citizenship in all subject areas Pre-Kinder and Kindergarten students: Score of 4 in all subject areas Achievers Honor Roll Percentage score of 80-100 in all subject areas Satisfactory or Excellent grades in Citizenship in all subject areas Pre-Kinder and Kindergarten students: Score of 3 and 4 in all subject areas HOMEWORK POLICY 1. Assignments include: a. Practice exercises; Preview assignments; Extension assignments 2. Time required to complete assignments a. PK- 1st Grade: 15 min. + daily read aloud b. 2nd Grade: 20 min. + 15 min. Read to Self c. 3rd Grade: 30 min. + 20-30 min. Read to Self d. 4th Grade: 40 min. + 20-30 min. Read to Self e. 5th Grade: 50 min. +30 min. Read to Self 3. Students are expected to turn homework in on time. Every 9-week period your child’s homework

responsibilities will be reflected in his/her citizenship grade.

Beginning in spring 2012, the State of

Texas Assessments of Academic

Readiness (STAAR™) will replace the

Texas Assessment of Knowledge and

Skills (TAKS). The STAAR program at

grades 3–8 will assess the same subjects

and grades that are currently assessed on

TAKS. The resources on this website

provide information and sample test

questions to familiarize Texas educators

and the public with the design and format

of the STAAR assessments. The

information is intended to help educators

understand how the new STAAR program

measures the Texas Essential Knowledge

and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards.

These resources are intended to support,

not narrow or replace, the teaching of the

TEKS curriculum.

For more information regarding our new state assessments, please log on to: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/

Parent Tips to Prepare for Success

1. Start early. Meet your child’s teacher in person on the first day of school at orientation or through e-mail or by phone.

2. Ask your child’s teacher to go over the results of the required reading inventory that each student takes in Kindergarten-third grades.

3. Attend the school’s open house and parent-teacher conferences. Find out if there are activities you can do with your child at home to help improve reading skills.

4. Read and discuss a variety of materials with and to your child daily.

5. Review what your child has read, discussing the meanings of new words and comparing stories.

6. Don’t be afraid to talk, ask questions, and keep in touch with your child’s teacher and principal throughout the entire school year.

7. If your child seems to be struggling, ask the teacher about tutoring programs or other forms of assistance.

8. Come to our Family Math/Science/Technology Nights offered throughout the year!

Textbooks

According to Policy TEC 31.104 B, parents’ are responsible for the following guidelines regarding textbooks:

1. Keep textbooks covered at all times.

2. Return textbooks at the close of the session or when the student withdraws from school.

3. Write the student’s name inside the front cover of the textbook in ink.

4. Keep the textbook in good condition. Any misuse of the textbooks due to carelessness or neglect may be considered cause to charge the student a fine for the textbook.

5. Reimburse the school for any lost, destroyed, or damaged textbooks issued to that student. Any student failing to return all books shall forfeit his right to free textbooks until the books previously issued, but not returned are paid for by the parent or guardian.

SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES One of the major functions of school health services is to keep all students at their maximum educable potential. A child learns better when he/she is healthy. The following procedures may serve your best interests and the best interests of our students. Medications Students are not allowed to carry medications on the campus. If a student needs to take medication during school hours, he/she needs to report to the nurse’s office. Medications from Mexico cannot be administered. Only medication prescribed by a physician licensed to practice in the state of Texas, in its original container and properly labeled will be administered. If your child is required to take a prescribed medication during school hours, you must complete a

permission form that is available in the nurse’s office. Physical Education Excuses If for some reason your child needs to be excused from P.E., please send a note stating the reason. A student cannot be excused from P.E. for more than three days without a doctor’s note.

Emergency Information It is very important that we are able to contact you in case of an emergency. Please notify us immediately when the information on the student’s information form (Consent for Medical Treatment) has changed. This includes any changes in address, phone numbers, place of employment and any change in the student’s health status. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE SCHOOL BE ABLE TO CONTACT YOU IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. Immunizations If your child requires an immunization, you will receive a written notice that will be sent home with your child. The notice will state the immunization needed and the date that it is to be received. After your child receives the immunization, please bring the immunization record to the nurse’s office so your child’s records may be updated.

(Failure to maintain proper immunizations may result in suspension from school until immunizations are received.) Communicable Diseases Please notify the nurse immediately if your child has contracted a communicable disease (chicken pox, mumps, measles, etc…). If you are unsure if your child has a communicable disease, please contact the nurse for assistance. Pass to Nurse’s Office Students must present a pass from the teacher before they are admitted to the nurse’s office during class time. Students who feel ill must first report to class and obtain a pass from the teacher so they will not be counted tardy or absent. Students will not be allowed in the nurse’s office between classes unless it is an emergency. You will be contacted if your child needs to be taken home. You must sign your child out in the front office by showing your ID before taking him/her home.

School Safety School safety is of the

utmost importance at our campus. All

visitors to the school must present a photo ID and sign in with office personnel before

entering the rest of the building. A visitor’s pass will be issued and must be visible while visiting the campus. No child can be signed out of school by an adult who does not have proper identification and written authorization by the parent or legal guardian. This is a district policy.

Visitors may not go to individual classrooms unless they are here for a scheduled conference with the teacher. Parents are not permitted to escort their child to the classroom in the morning. Nor will parents be permitted to wait outside the classroom to pick students up after school. We strive to minimize all adult traffic inside the school to ensure the safety of our students. We are looking forward to a very successful school year. We know that it takes the home and school coming together to achieve student success. We will be hosting various meetings through-out the school year so that we can become acquainted and answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your support! As stated above, should you have additional questions, please feel free to call our office at 937-8801. Sincerely, Michelle Aube-Barton Principal