Wescott School Handbook

  

                               

 

   Dear Wescott Family,    As our Wescott School mission states, we are committed to providing the highest quality education possible while developing responsible citizens through Character Counts!  This works because of the strong partnership between parents, faculty, students, and our community to form our “One Big Family.”   Rigorous academics are one part of the path to being a successful student and are implemented each day in the classroom. This handbook reviews the practical, day­to­day operations of the school, which will also help our children to be successful students at Wescott.   Take a few moments to review these topics with your child. This will help build self­responsibility as your child is a student in our school, and help avoid problems and distractions from an amazing learning experience.   Please let me know if there are any questions or concerns and I look forward to partnering with you for a successful school year!     Sincerely,   Mr. Christopher M. Brown Principal                     

 

TOPIC PAGE   ABSENCES………………………………………………………………… 1 APPOINTMENTS………………………………………………………….. 1  ARRIVAL PROCEDURES………………………………………………… 1 BAND/ORCHESTRA………………………………………………………. 1 BEHAVIOR…………………………………………………………………. 2­3 BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, & ROLLER BLADES……………………. 3 BUS REGULATIONS………………………………………………………. 3 CHILD CARE PROGRAMS………………………………………………... 3 COMMUNICATION………………………………………………………... 4 DISTRICT 30 HANDBOOK………………………………………………… 4 DRESS……………………………………………………………………..... 4 DROP­OFF PROCEDURES/PARKING AREAS………………………...… 4­5 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES…………………………………………….. 6 FIELD DAY………………………………………………………………..... 6 FIELD TRIPS……………………………………………………………....... 6 FOOD PRACTICES…………………………………………………………. 6­7 HEALTH SERVICES……………………………………………………….. 7 HOMEWORK POLICY…………………………………………………….. 7­8 LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER (LMC)………………………………………. 8 LOCKERS…………………………………………………………………... 8 LOST AND FOUND………………………………………………………… 9 LUNCHROOM PROCEDURES…………………………………………… 9 MEDICATION………………………………………………………... 9 PARTIES – BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AND INVITATIONS……. 10 PARTIES – CLASSROOM………………………………………………… 10 P.E. CLASSES……………………………………………………………… 10 PETS AND ANIMALS……………………………………………………… 11 PLAYGROUND/RECESS PROCEDURES………………………….. 11 RESPONE TO INTERVENTION – RtI……………………………………. 11 SELLING ITEMS AT SCHOOL…………………………………………… 11 SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES………………………………… 11­12 SUPPLIES…………………..……………………………………………… 12 TARDINESS………………………………………………………….. 12 TELEPHONE………………………………………………………………. 12­13 VACATIONS…………………………………………………………. 13 VALUABLES/MONEY……………………………………………………. 13 VISITORS IN THE BUILDING – ADULTS………………………………. 13  7/2016   

 

ABSENCES  Student absences which are due to illness, appointments, or vacations, need to be reported by parents to the Wescott Health Office, (847) 400-8760. If no call is received, the school will attempt to contact the parent by 10:00 A.M. Voice mail is in use before and after school. Students who are not in school for at least half a day may not participate in after school or evening activities on that day. Any requests for an exception must be directed to the principal. APPOINTMENTS The school should be notified by a note or telephone call from the parent in advance of appointments. A student who has an appointment must be signed out in the school office and picked up in the office by a parent, or a person designated by the parent. ARRIVAL PROCEDURES Students should arrive at school no earlier than 8:30 A.M., because there is no playground supervision until that time. Students who walk to school should cross with the crossing guard at Techny and Western, Scott and Western or Farnsworth and Western Avenues. Bus riders must walk around the building to their designated areas. The first bell rings at 8:40 A.M., and students line up at their grade level doors. During inclement weather, students wait in assigned areas in the building. Students are to be in their classrooms by 8:45 A.M. BAND/ORCHESTRA Students at Wescott may start instrumental music in fourth grade. Registration is offered in May of fourth grade or in the fall of fifth grade. Students may choose to play string instruments (in fourth grade) or brass, percussion, woodwind instruments (in fifth grade), taught by the Band or Orchestra Director. Students have a half-hour weekly lesson during the school day and meet for whole group rehearsals when scheduled. Instrument rental is managed by the Band or Orchestra Director.

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BEHAVIOR Student actions and behavior are supported through instructional programming that is embedded throughout the school day. As students are taught the behavioral expectations of District 30, they will be held accountable for their actions. Therefore:  

1. Students are expected to: a. Act in a manner that will ensure a positive learning experience for

themselves and others. b. Enact the role of the “upstander” by trying to prevent bullying (i.e.

report the behavior to a parent or teacher, ask the bully to stop, support classmates in an active manner when it appears that assistance may be needed).

c. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles involved in bullying behaviors (i.e. aggressor: the bully, target: student being bullied, and bystander: student who watches as bullying occurs without action or response) and take appropriate action, as necessary, to ensure a positive environment across school settings.

d. Demonstrate an understanding of bullying and the repercussions involved in such behaviors. The definition of bullying involves any repeated behavior that is meant to hurt someone physically, emotionally, or socially and may include excluding people, spreading rumors, gossiping, and even joining in by laughing at someone else who is being teased; any level of participation in bullying behaviors, even passive participation, will be considered a violation of the discipline policy.

e. Take responsibility for their individual actions. f. Adhere to disciplinary guidelines established by the District, each

school, and individual classroom teacher.

2. Parents are expected to: a. Be aware of the school expectations regarding student behavior. b. Reinforce the roles and responsibilities of acting as an “upstander”. c. Cooperate with the District and schools by supporting school rules

and implementation of the discipline policy. Behavior guidelines are established for each school activity and are made clear to the students by teachers, aides, and other school personnel. These guidelines emphasize respect as well as individual and group safety to insure an optimal learning environment.

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Inappropriate behavior will be dealt with by school personnel and, if necessary, will include parental involvement. One type of consequence used at Wescott is “Respect Time”. A student must stay after school until 3:30 if he/she is given respect time. A staff member supervises the student while they complete a reflection sheet, which asks them to summarize their inappropriate behavior, the consequences of their behavior, and how they will behave differently in the future. Parents are notified by a staff member if their child needs to stay for respect time so they can make arrangements to pick their child up at 3:30. For further information regarding the Discipline Policy, please refer to the District 30 Handbook. BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, AND ROLLER BLADES Students may ride bicycles to Wescott if they follow Bicycle Safety rules. Bicycles should be walked on the sidewalks leading in or out of Wescott School and locked in the bike racks. At no time are students to ride on the blacktop when children are present, or through the parking lot on the south side of the school. Children should wear bicycle helmets at all times when riding. Skateboards are hazardous and are not allowed on school grounds. They are not to be brought to school. Roller blades may not be worn on the blacktop when other children are present. BUS REGULATIONS Bus service is available to students at Wescott and is arranged directly with the bus company by the parent. There is a fee. Students who ride the bus must adhere to the safety rules or risk losing the privilege of riding the bus. Children who normally ride the bus must bring a note if there is a change in their transportation plans. CHILD CARE PROGRAMS A Before School Child Care Program is available on a fee basis. More information can be obtained by contacting the Wescott Office. The Northbrook Park District sponsors an After School Child Care Program which is housed at Wescott. Contact the Park District for more information.

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COMMUNICATION

The school has several ways of communicating with parents. The Wescott Word, our weekly newsletter, gets emailed every Friday and is also posted to the school’s website. Report cards are sent home in December, March, and June. There are also conferences twice a year, in October and February. During the fall and spring of each year, parents are invited to attend the Curriculum Night and the Lighted School House which focus on the sharing of curricular information. It is equally important that parents communicate with the school. Anything that would affect the student’s progress, emotionally or academically, should be discussed with the teacher. Teachers can be emailed or reached by phone between 8:00 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. daily, but keep in mind that when they are teaching, the phones in their rooms are turned off. Feel free to leave a message on staff members’ voice mails. Open communication will benefit everyone. DISTRICT 30 HANDBOOK Northbrook/Glenview School District 30 maintains a student handbook with more detailed information. Parents are encouraged to reference this handbook for important District procedures and policies. It can be found on the District website at: www.district30.org/parents/Handbook.cfm. DRESS

In order to provide the most conducive atmosphere for learning, children should be dressed and groomed in a clean, neat, and appropriate fashion. Clothing should be comfortable and permit full participation in school activities. It should not be a distraction to others.

When weather permits, the children go outside for recess before or after lunch. Mittens, scarves, hats and boots are necessities in the winter. Children can not play in the snow unless they are wearing snowpants and boots. It is suggested that children keep an extra pair of socks at school. Please label outerwear with the child’s name.

DROP-OFF PROCEDURES/PARKING AREAS

Many students are driven to and from school, thus causing some traffic congestion before and after school. Students may be dropped off or picked up in front of the school building along the curb of the circular drive. If students are dropped off on a side street across from Wescott, they must cross with the crossing guard.

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Cars may not be parked in the circle drive right before, during or after drop-off or pick up times: 8:00-9:00 a.m. and 3:00-3:30 p.m.

• During the busy drop off/pick up times, all traffic must enter the drive from the north. No left turns or traffic from the east is allowed into the circle drive during drop off and pick up times. Cars must wait in one line alongside Wescott Park to enter the drive.

• The crosswalk must be left open at all times; cars should wait behind the

intersection to enter the circle drive. • A suggested traffic flow to use to enter the line of cars waiting on

Western Avenue is to take Fieldwood to Farnsworth to Western. • Cars should not make U-turns in the middle of the street or turn around in

resident’s driveways. • If a student is not in the circle drive when the driver is at the front of the

pick-up line the driver must circle around and go to the back of the line. Therefore, parents should plan their arrival times for when their child will be in the circle drive.

Cars and buses back out of their parking spots and aren’t always able to see children walking in front of or behind their vehicles. When using the Parking Lot, please: • Obey the “Do Not Enter” signs. • Follow the designated traffic flow. • Hold the hands of young children and walk next to older children. • Remember that students can not be picked up or dropped off in the

parking lot/drive. Double parking and/or waiting for a child to exit the building is not safe or allowed in the lot. Students cannot be picked up or dropped off in the school parking lot. The only exception is for kindergarten students who do not have a sibling at Wescott using the kindergarten shuttle going to and from Willowbrook School. Please take your kindergarten student by the hand while walking them to the bus as cars are driving through the parking lot at this time. Double parking is not allowed. Buses are given the priority in the parking lot. Please remember to obey the "Do Not Enter" signs at the back of the lot and follow the designated traffic flow.

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EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Fire, disaster, bus evacuation and lockdown drills are held throughout the year so that students are trained in the proper procedures to protect their health and safety in any emergency. Should it become necessary to evacuate the building during school hours, there is a contingency plan in place. If school is to be closed because of extreme weather or other emergencies, the closing will be announced on the district website, EmergencyClosings.com and radio stations WSCR (670 AM), WGN (720 AM), and WBBM (780 AM). The automated phone system will be used to call homes/cell phones to inform families of the closing or other information. Please see the District 30 Handbook for more information.

FIELD DAY Field day is an annual end of the year event at Wescott School. It is an all day activity with the children and teachers participating in track and field events. Because Field Day is held outside, a rain date is always scheduled. These dates are listed in the District calendar and the Wescott calendar. FIELD TRIPS Field trips are carefully planned throughout the year and add depth and dimension to subjects taught in the school curriculum. A permission letter stating the location, date, time, costs and method of transportation will be sent home with the student prior to the trip. This form must be signed and returned in advance of the trip in order for a student to participate in the field trip. Parents will be asked to chaperone. Younger siblings may not accompany the parents on the field trip. FOOD PRACTICES Our first concern is for the safety of our students at Wescott. We strive to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for the increasing number of students entering our school with food related allergies. Allergies can affect a child’s physical and emotional health and can interfere with daily activities. Additionally, a severe allergic reaction with rapid onset, anaphylaxis, can be life threatening, and foods represent the most common cause of anaphylaxis among children and adolescents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated a 50 percent increase in child food allergies over the past 10 years. Our experience at Wescott is consistent with this national trend, and thus, we adhere to the following food practices, with the goal of sustaining a safe and nurturing environment for all students.

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Daily Snack To support your classmates safety and welfare, we ask that you very carefully consider the foods that you send to school for snack. Sharing of foods containing dairy or nuts or not washing hands thoroughly after eating these foods may trigger a possibly life threatening situation. We are limiting snack options to fruits and vegetables. If you feel that your child requires a snack, please send only a fruit or vegetable, preferably cut into bite size pieces to make it easier for them to eat. Any fruits or vegetables are safe. Some examples would be: baby carrots, apple slices, grapes, blueberries, pears, bananas, cucumber slices, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, raisins and dried fruit, “GoGo” squeezes, plain applesauce, plain canned fruit in its own juice, etc. Please do not send in condiments such as dips or salad dressings. Lunch No nut ingredients are included in the the lunches prepared by Sodexo, the contracted vendor for the District 30 school lunch program. However, students may bring lunches containing nut products (e.g., pb&j, granola bars) to be consumed in the lunchroom only. Willowbrook maintains a specific allergy safe lunch table (or tables) for students who are sensitive/allergic to specific ingredients (e.g., nuts, dairy). The decision to access one of these tables is made by the child’s parent(s) in consultation with the school nurse. HEALTH SERVICES Health services are available to all students through our health office. Additional services may also be available based upon a medically diagnosed condition. Levels of service depend upon the medical needs of the students involved. Health forms are available online through the district’s website and are also included within the registration system. Additional information can be provided through the health office or by contacting the Director of Student Services at (847) 498-4190 or (847)-400-8964. HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework assignments are given at all grade levels but vary in the amount and number of days assigned. The purpose of homework is to afford the students additional reinforcement in a skill and to develop responsibility in completing and returning the homework assignment. Completed homework is expected on the designated date. Students in all grades are expected to complete certain assignments at home. These include collecting items at home to bring to school, studying math facts, reviewing vocabulary words or classroom notes, working on projects, and completing assignments given as homework. In grades 3-5, students are expected to use the Assignment Notebook that is provided by the school.

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Parents can assist in the homework process by:

1. Providing a time and place which is free of distractions.

2. Checking assignment books. 3. Encouraging the student to complete the assignment

independently. 4. Being available to help with tasks that require parental assistance.

Students who have difficulty with their homework should ask for help from their teachers. A note from the parent would be appreciated if there is a problem completing the homework.

If a student is ill, homework may be requested on the second day of an absence of more than two days. Parents desiring homework may call the office on the morning of the second day of absence. Homework can be picked up after school in the office.

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER (LMC)

The Wescott LMC may be used freely by Wescott students. It is open during school hours, and before and after school by special arrangement with the LMC director and teachers.

Students may check out one or two books for a period of one week. Books must be returned or renewed on their due date. There are no fines for overdue books, but after a second notice to the child, a letter is sent to the parents advising them of the cost of the book. Audio-visual materials such as videotapes and DVD’s may be checked out by the students.

Parents are encouraged to read to their children and to support independent reading on the part of the child. Independent reading is an important part of our reading curriculum and all students are encouraged to check out books from the LMC.

LOCKERS Each student has a locker for his or her use. No locks may be put on lockers. Students are expected to keep lockers neat and free from items which may cause damage or attention by others. This includes stickers, stick-on mirrors, posters, etc. Lockers should be cleaned and organized regularly so that books, materials and clothing can be easily found. Lockers are the property of School District 30 and are subject to inspection for safety and cleanliness.

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LOST AND FOUND There is a lost and found box in the Multi-Purpose Room for clothing and other lost items. Small valuables which have been found are taken to the office. All items sent to school should be labeled and things of great value are to be left at home. Please notify First Student (847-724-7200) if any items have been left on the bus. LUNCHROOM PROCEDURES

Students at Wescott are encouraged to stay at school for lunch. Supervised lunch/recess periods are scheduled for each grade between 11:15 – 1:00. The children eat for approximately 25 minutes and have a 20 minute recess period after lunch. Tables are assigned by classroom.

Children are expected to demonstrate good manners and appropriate behavior in the lunchroom. Inappropriate behavior may result in the child eating at a separate table or in the office. Students are responsible for helping to keep the lunchroom clean. At all times, students must be responsive to direction from the supervisors and must stay seated until dismissed.

Milk orders are placed with your on-line registration for the entire year. The fee can be paid on-line or you can bring a check to the district office along with other district fees. Wescott School provides a hot lunch program. If students bring their lunch, parents are asked to send a nutritious, well-balanced lunch and to limit the amount of candy and other sweets. Children are discouraged from sharing their lunches or trading food. A forgotten lunch is to be dropped off at the office.

Once a month, the P.T.O. sponsors Special Lunch Days and Ice Cream Days when the children may order lunch in lieu of Sodexo lunch or ice cream. Special Lunch and Ice Cream Days are available by preorder only using the online registration form. Ordering instructions are included with the registration packet.

MEDICATION Medication taken during school hours by students must be stored with the Health Aide. Students may not keep medication in their desk, locker, or pocket. Parents must complete the necessary forms, available from the health office, before medication can be given by school personnel.

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PARTIES - BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AND INVITATIONS

Wescott has a “no food or drink” birthday celebration practice. We want our students to know there are other ways to celebrate birthdays besides treats. If you want your child to bring something in for their birthday, we encourage you to donate a book to our library through the PTO Birthday Book Club. You can also send in school supplies such as pencils, erasers, stickers, bookmarks, etc. It may be helpful for party planners to ask these 3 questions:

1. What is the goal of the event/activity? 2. Can this goal be achieved without food? 3. If not, how can we choose foods that will allow everyone to fully and

safely participate? Please do not send birthday invitations to school unless a girl is inviting all of the girls, a boy is inviting all of the boys, or the entire class is invited.

PARTIES - CLASSROOM There are 3 PTO-sponsored classroom parties: Halloween, Winter Holiday and Valentine’s Day. The PTO room parents are responsible for the planning and execution of these parties. On Halloween, we hold a parade on school grounds. The Winter Holiday festivities occur on the Friday before winter break. There is an all-district sing at Maple School in the morning, followed by a Wescott assembly and room parties in the afternoon. With the rise of food allergies, we have eliminated food and drink from all classroom parties. P.E. CLASS Wescott School has a daily Physical Education program. The students are provided with structured, sequential learning experiences in games, dance, gymnastics, health, exercise, and sports which provide them the opportunity for the development and maintenance of physical fitness. No particular dress code is required for P.E. classes, but in order to provide a clean, safe environment, the students are required to have a clean pair of athletic (gym) shoes that they can leave in school at all times for the purpose of P.E. classes only. Students are encouraged not to wear jewelry during P.E. class.

P.E. classes are part of the curriculum and students are expected to participate every day. If for any reason a child is unable to attend a P.E. class, a note from the parent or physician stating the cause and duration of the excuse is required.

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PETS AND ANIMALS Students may not bring animals to school unless the principal and classroom teacher have approved an exception. The teachers and principal will decide if an animal should come to school and for how long it should stay. PLAYGROUND/RECESS PROCEDURES Good sportsmanship is to be practiced on the playground. Students have the opportunity to show outstanding character learned in school and are expected to do so. Students can play on the blacktop, playgrounds or as weather permits the field. Equipment to play with is provided by the school. Students do not need to bring equipment from home. Students are to line up promptly in assigned areas when the bell rings. When inside recess is necessary, students will remain in their classrooms. Quiet activities and games are allowed. RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION - RtI Response to Intervention or RtI is a level of service that is available to all District 30 students that demonstrate a need for additional academic assistance. It is an integrated component of the district’s educational programming. Wescott’s provision of RtI service is based upon student performance on standardized assessments, and classroom performance. The types of assistance vary based on the level of need demonstrated by our students. District 30’s RtI program is intended to provide a proactive intervention to prevent academic difficulties and enhance student performance in the key curricular areas of reading and mathematics. The district follows a team approach in determining the most appropriate diagnostically aligned interventions to address the needs that have been identified. Once a service plan has been developed, parents will receive an informational letter describing the proposed interventions. Please see the District 30 Handbook for more information. SELLING ITEMS AT SCHOOL Items are not to be brought to school to sell to other students or staff members. SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES Special education services are provided in accordance with Article XIV of the Illinois School Code, Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (I.D.E.I.A or IDEA 2004) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The district provides a comprehensive program of special education for students

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who have been identified as having a disability under one of the federally recognized disability categories. The district follows all required procedures involved in eligibility determination to ensure that all students receive the necessary services to achieve academic success. District 30 values the establishment of strong home/school partnerships in its provision of special education services. In order to meet the needs of Wescott students, resource/special education teachers, speech language pathologists, social worker, school psychologist, and occupational therapist services are available as needed. Through a transdisciplinary model and parental involvement, Wescott students are appropriately supported by individual education plans. Wescott has developed programming that can accommodate students through co-teaching, specialized instruction, resource programming, and therapeutic supports. In addition, Wescott staff work on an ongoing basis with all special education personnel to build in the requisite supports within grade level coursework to ensure that students are educated in the Least Restrictive Environment as identified with each IEP. SUPPLIES Students are required to have the supplies designated by their teachers which are necessary for the completion of assignments and participation in activities. Supply lists are sent home with the report cards at the end of the year. Parents are asked to help their children monitor their supplies and be certain they are replenished as needed. TARDINESS Students are expected to enter the building to begin their day at 8:40 A.M. The tardy bell rings at 8:45 A.M. A student who arrives after the tardy bell must get a pass from the office before reporting to the classroom. Please help your child arrive promptly at 8:40 A.M. to allow sufficient time to prepare for the day. Tardiness disrupts the school program. TELEPHONE Students may use the school phones in cases of emergency and with the approval of the teacher. Emergency messages should be given to office personnel who will see that they are conveyed. A student who plans carefully will not need to use a telephone to call home. There are times when a student may need to use a telephone. At these times, a student should ask permission of the teacher to use the telephone. Parents are urged not to call the school with a message unless it is an emergency.

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We recognize that some students will carry cell phones to school. If a student brings a cell phone to school, it should be silenced and remain in the student’s locker throughout the school day. We reserve the right to confiscate student cell phones and hold them at the front desk if they are misused. VACATIONS Because vacations and holidays are built into the school year, additional absences are discouraged. If there is an unusual circumstance which requires a child’s absence, the teacher should be made aware of it well in advance. School work may be provided in advance at the discretion of the teacher. Work provided must be made up in a reasonable amount of time. Please note that because of the many hands-on and activity-centered lessons now being taught, it is often difficult for a child to make up missed work. VALUABLES/MONEY Students should not bring expensive or breakable items to school. This includes jewelry, digital cameras, media players, electronic games, etc. Parents are asked to be sure that money is not brought to school except for purchases from the school store and field trips. Sending the money in a marked envelope is essential. VISITORS IN THE BUILDINGS - ADULTS All visitors are required to enter through the front door, sign in and leave a Drivers License or State ID in the office. After obtaining a visitor’s name tag, they will then be admitted into the school by the office personnel. Visitor’s ID’s will be returned when they return to sign out. Parents are welcome to visit the school, but teachers should be notified of a desire to visit so that any schedule conflicts can be avoided. All visits should be purposeful.

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