NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY HANDBOOK

NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY MISSION STATEMENT

North Park will develop knowledgeable and productive leaders who have a positive

impact on their school and society.

BELIEF STATEMENTS

We Believe:

Reading is an essential lifelong skill. Daily Practice of all reading components is necessary to develop this skill.

A child’s opportunity for reading success increases with parental involvement and reinforcement.

Social skills are important for lifelong success and that they should foster a feeling of teamwork and unity.

Through active participation and use of research based teaching practices using a variety of experiences each child will develop a desire to become a lifelong learner.

Students need to learn that being responsible, accountable, and showing kindness and empathy are essential habits for functioning in society.

All children should be taught to be responsible for their own actions in a safe, nurturing environment.

Teaching responsibility is a joint effort between home and school.

NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY STAFFULTY

2013-2014

Bambi Slater Principal Deanna Martineau Instructional Coach

Teriann Hanks Secretary Carol L Anderson Instructional Para

Marta Earl Office Aide/Lunch Clerk Tracy Fox Instructional Para

Lexi Holverson Kindergarten Shanna Westergard Instructional Para

Rachel Holdaway Kindergarten Amber Richins Speech

Karly Roberts Kindergarten Kaitlin Hoxsie Speech

Kaylene Vance Kindergarten Lorie Rasmussen Special Education

Becky Holland Kindergarten Para Penny Peterson Special Education Para

Emilee Stromness First Grade Janelle Esquivel Special Education Para

Barbra Haramoto First Grade Tami McMinn O.T. Para

Lacy McKnight First Grade Alexis Lyons Functional Skills

Kelli Nessen First Grade Nancy Anderson Functional Skills Para

Mindy Stuart First Grade Jennifer Manning Functional Skills Para

Jona Barfuss Second Grade Barbara Alexander Functional Skills Para

Kelly Esplin Second Grade Shelli Jensen Computer/7 Habits Para

Nancy Gray Second Grade Karen Moyes Physical Education Para

Crystal Buck Second Grade Carla Zundel Library Para

Hollie Allen Third Grade Teri Chairez ELL Para

Carrie Greer Third Grade Denice Jensen Unit Manager

Shiloh Reese Third Grade JaNae Bunderson Cook

Linda Cullimore Fourth Grade Shauna Anderson Cook

Cindy Payne Fourth Grade Becky Johnson Cook

Nicole Cecil Fourth/Fifth Grade Glenda Hansen Cook

Melissa Murray Fourth Grade Amelia Potter Literacy PLC Substitute

Tami Kimball Fifth Grade Michelle Seamons Literacy PLC Substitute

Jennifer Lewis Fifth Grade Julia Christenson Literacy PLC Substitute

Suzette Stevenson Fifth Grade

Phil Albright Head Custodian

Carol Anderson Custodian

Cleve Atkin Custodian

NORTH PARK GENERAL INFORMATION

Opening and Closing Times The school day begins at 8:20 a.m. Students may enter the building at 8:05 a.m. Students

arriving before 8:05 may enter the big gym through the east door and wait for the

building to open. The school day ends at 2:40 p.m. Except on Wednesday when school ends

at 1:40 for early out.

Kindergarten Schedule Morning Session:

8:20 a.m. to 11:00

8:20-10:30 (Wednesday)

Afternoon Session:

12:00 p.m.-2:40 p.m.

11:30-1:20 (Wednesday)

Attendance and Tardies We believe the success of each student’s day begins first thing every morning! We

encourage you to make every effort to arrive at school on time. Tardies are disruptive to

the classroom and also have an adverse effect on your child’s educational progress. Any

student arriving after school begins should check in at the office before going to their

classroom.

Please call in all absences by 9:00 a.m. If you would like to pick up homework or have it

sent with another student, please make necessary arrangements through the office. In

order to satisfy the State Compulsory School Attendance laws, the following procedures

have been established:

1. Teachers will make a contact home when a student has been absent 3 or more

days, if a parent has not notified the school in advance of the absences.

2. A written request for parental support will be will be sent when a student has

missed 5 days during the trimester. There will be a student, teacher and

administrator conference where the problem will be reviewed and solutions

discussed and implemented.

3. If excessive absenteeism (5+ per trimester) continues, administration will work

with the parents to correct the problem.

Research shows the pattern of attendance developed in elementary school is almost always

carried over into secondary school. Each year the school board plans a district calendar.

We ask that you plan your vacations or appointments around this calendar. Since concepts

build daily, students who miss school will fall behind quickly. All students who are absent

are expected to make up assignments, tests or other work to avoid missing vital concepts.

Student and Parent Complaints Board policy #5350 indicates that complaints should be addressed at the “first possible

level.” We invite students and parents to visit with the teacher, if it is a classroom

matter, or the principal regarding any concerns as soon as the concern arises.

Dropping Off or Picking Up Students For the safety of our students we ask parents never to drive on the blacktop on either the

north or the west side. These are parking lots for school personnel they are NOT a

driveway. When you drop your student off on the south side of the school we have a no

parking zone right in front of the school for bussing purposes. Please make sure you do

not create a safety problem by stopping or parking in this area. Two signs identify it. For

the safety of everyone, Please do not ask or motion for your student to cross the

street or enter your vehicle away from the curb. Your cooperation is greatly

appreciated.

Pick Up After School Student not picked up immediately after school will be taken to the office to wait for

their ride. Parents will need to come into the office to sign student out. There is no

supervision available for students once they are released at the end of the day.

Student Check Out Students will be released ONLY to their PARENTS or the representative listed on their

individual information card. Students may ONLY be checked out through the office.

Parents or their representative must come into the office and sign the student check out

form. For your child’s safety, parents are asked not to go directly to the classroom.

Medications Students receiving medication during the school day must have a Request for

Administration of Medication form on file in the office signed by their parent or legal

guardian and their physician. All medications will be administered according to Board

Policy #5065. Parents should bring medication to the school in the original container

labeled by the pharmacy with the name of the student, name of the physician, name of the

medication, the amount to be given (dose), and the duration of the treatment. Over the

counter drugs must be in the original package and labeled with the student’s name. Never

send medication to school with your child. The parent or legal guardian should deliver

all medications to the office.

Telephone and Address Changes Please notify the school immediately if there is a change in your address, telephone

number, babysitter, or person to contact in an emergency. This information is very

important in the case your child becomes ill or injured.

Lost and Found Lost and found articles will be held for ONE TRIMESTER ONLY. Please label ALL of your

child’s belongings and check the lost and found often.

School Breakfast and Lunch Breakfast is served every day from 7:45 – 8:15 a.m. We encourage all students to

participate in our free breakfast program. A good breakfast gets you off to a great

start! Hot lunch is served every day. A menu will be available on the school websites.

Students are encouraged to purchase lunches in advance by the week or month. Please

make every effort to keep your child’s lunch account current. Prices are as follows:

Breakfast Lunch

Regular Free $1.75

Reduced Free $ .40

Adult Not Available $3.00

Applications are available for free/reduced lunches. These applications may be obtained

at anytime through the school or district office.

School Visitors All visitors are asked to check in at the office. Parents are always welcome at North Park

Elementary and may visit or volunteer at any time; however, an appointment should always

be made with the teacher before visiting classrooms.

Dress/Grooming and Electronic Devices Appropriate dress, hairstyle, and personal cleanliness are left to the good judgment of

parents. However, the following guidelines should be considered. Bizarre clothing, any

clothing associated with gang membership, short clothing, sleeveless tops, bare midriffs,

mesh shirts, and tank tops are not acceptable and should not be worn. Students will not be

allowed to wear clothing that advertises alcohol, tobacco, drug-related products, or that

displays an inappropriate message. Hats, caps, and sunglasses may not be worn in the

building. Electronic devices are discouraged at school. If these items are brought to

school they will be held by the teacher or in the office until a parent can pick them up.

Items such as these are easily lost, broken, or stolen. Students should not attend school

with painted hair or anything that would distract from the educational environment.

Student Grade Book and Progress Reports Box Elder School District has implemented a standards based report card. Parents will be

notified as soon as possible when a student’s performance or attitude becomes

unsatisfactory. Parents will receive a mid-trimester and an end of trimester report card.

Student grades may be viewed at anytime by logging on to the district web page. If you do

not have a login and password to view your student’s grades, please contact the school

office.

In addition to progress reports, parent teacher (SEP) conferences will be scheduled two

times during the school year. Conferences will focus on academic success and goal setting.

Parents are invited and urged to contact the teacher or principal at any time to discuss

their child’s progress. If you have any questions regarding your child’s achievement, an

after-school appointment with your child’s teacher can be made by calling the office.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco Policy 5290 The Box Elder School District Board of Education recognizes that the use, possession,

distribution, or sale of tobacco, alcohol, narcotics, and all other controlled or dangerous

drugs and drug Paraphernalia constitutes a hazard to students and is illegal according to

Utah State Law (UCA 58-37-8 and 32A-12-13).

Room Mothers and Volunteers Room Mothers are needed for each class and volunteers for the many activities the PTA

provides for the children. These activities include some of the following: Carnival, Book

Fair, Bookmobile, Teacher Appreciation Week, Health & Safety Fair and many other

activities throughout the year. We appreciate the many hours of time donate to the

school.

Reflections All students are encouraged to participate in Reflections. The categories are

photography, arts, music, 3D art, dance, and literature. Each student can enter each

category once: therefore, he or she could have a total of five entries. Please remember

this is your child’s work and not the parents. It should be your child’s idea and creation in

all aspects. As the reflection contest draws closer, more information will be sent home

with your child.

Book Fair Two Book Fairs will be held this year in conjunction with the SEP Conferences. This year

we will be offering the “Buy One Book, Get One Free” again. We would like for every child

to have the opportunity to have books in their homes. If children learn now to enjoy

reading, they will carry this with them throughout their lives.

Fluoride The PTA offers a weekly fluoride rinse program for the children. This simple method of

applying fluoride is safe and effective in reducing tooth decay and is highly recommended

by dentists.

Weekly Newsletter We will place a “week at a glance” newsletter every Friday on the school website. We hope

in doing this to have better communication between the school and parents.

Fund Raisers Under the direction of the School Board, we are allowed two fundraisers a year. The PTA

is allowed one and the school is allowed one. We hope parents will support the PTA and the

school in our fundraising efforts. Every dollar helps make our school better for kids.

Maturation Programs These programs are offered to all 5th grade girls and boys through the school nurse. This

program is held in the spring. Students are allowed to opt out of the program.

Health and Safety Fair

We will be offering a Health and Safety Fair again this year. The children will be

learning about health-related issues as well as safety. These programs are

organized through the local Police Department, Fire Department and Health

Department. They are offered in order to educate your child and help them

respond in various situations.

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT INITIATIVE

Schools Connecting with Families

To connect schools and families, North Park will use learning contracts as part of the SEP

Process that define goals, expectations, and shared responsibilities of schools, parents,

and students. This contract is predicated in the belief that teachers, administrators, and

parents working together can make a positive difference in student achievement.

Parents and families can do the following:

1. Schedule daily homework times and review the homework regularly. Discuss what the

child has learned.

2. Read with the child and let him or her see older children and family

members reading.

3. Use TV wisely. Limit the time, help the child select programs, and watch together and

Discuss.

4. Keep in touch with the school. Stay aware of what the child is learning. Maintain open

communication with the school through visits, phone calls, or notes.

5. Offer praise and encouragement to the child. Cultivate a warm and caring home

environment while emphasizing the importance of school work.

NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY CITIZENSHIP PLAN

North Park uses the 7 Habits of Happy Kids as a positive approach to student self-

responsibility based on the premise that teachers have a right to teach and students have

a right to learn. No one else has the right to neither interfere with the teaching/learning

process nor violate the best interest of any individual in the school community.

This plan establishes a consistent, systematic approach to deal with both appropriate and

inappropriate student behavior. Students are taught what is expected of them in the

classroom, on the school grounds, on the bus, and in the common areas of the building.

Students also know the consequences for inappropriate behavior and the rewards for

appropriate behavior. This consistent, systematic approach enables each student to be

secure in understanding the conduct expected of him or her from kindergarten through

fifth grade. Each student is empowered to reach the worthwhile goal of self-discipline.

Our goal is to help all students develop the skills of responsible behavior and self-

discipline by creating an environment in which those skills may be acquired.

SCHOOL WIDE RULES

B…Behave Appropriately at All Times

E…Excel in All That You Do

S…Show Respect and Act Responsibly

T…Treat Others with Kindness

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR REINFORCEMENT

North Park Elementary School Staffulty will implement the following incentives as its

positive behavior reinforcement. The goal is to promote positive behavior that fosters and

environment conducive to learning.

1. When a student has met the B.E.S.T. criteria, he/she will have an opportunity to

participate in the monthly Proactive Activity. Students must meet 3 out of the 5

guidelines.

a. Attendance - Be at school and on time every day during the month.

b. Assignments – Have no missing assignments for the month.

c. Behavior - Follow all classroom rules for the month.

d. White Slips – No white slips or office referrals for the month.

e. Complete Weekly Reading – 20 minutes per day for 5 days.

2. Students will be able to earn “Owl Prides” from Cooks, Custodians, and Office

Staff, for appropriate behavior. Several drawings will be held at each monthly

Wise Skill Assembly. Under special circumstances, an “Owl Pride” may be earned in

the classroom.

3. 7 Habits Instructional Program

Students will be taught one of the 7 Habits each week. All teachers will be

expected to reinforce the skills as they are taught, the last 5-10 minutes of

every day. The 7 Habits program is research based preventative and proactive

approach to character education. The primary focus is on using instructional

strategies before problems occur.

Habit 1: Be Proactive – You are in Charge!

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind – Have a Plan!

Habit 3: Put First Things First – Work First, Then Play!

Habit 4: Think Win-Win – Everyone Can Win!

Habit 5: See First to Understand – Listen First, And then Talk!

Habit 6: Synergize – Together is Better!

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw – Balance Feels Best!

4. Wise Owl Assemblies

We will hold Wise Owl Assemblies on the second Wednesday of each month. Two

classes each month will be involved in the assemblies, with each class presenting the

assigned habit. It has proven most effective to have the students participate in

deciding how they would like to present the skill.

SAFE SCHOOL POLICY

Box Elder School district and North Park Elementary School are committed to

fostering an environment in the public schools for student, staff, community,

neighbors, and visitors which is safe, conducive to the learning process, and free

from unnecessary disruption. A safe school environment includes the school

grounds during school hours, district-provided transportation, and school

sponsored activities.

The following policy and guidelines have been created for this purpose in accordance with

Utah State Law.

A. Students shall:

- Be given notice of applicable rules of conduct.

- Comply with applicable rules of conduct as well as all federal, state, and local laws and

ordinances.

- Show respect for other people and obey persons in authority at the school.

B. Students shall NOT, at any school or activity on any school premises or sponsored

activity.

- Possess, use, sell, or attempt to possess, use, or sell any firearm, weapon, knife,

explosive, fireworks, chemical weapon, flammable material, martial arts weapon, or

other instrument including those that eject anything, or other material, including illegal

drugs, alcohol, and other controlled substances, dangerous to persons or property, or

any replica or facsimile of any of the above, regardless of intent and whether

functional or nonfunctional.

- Cause, attempt, threaten or conspire to cause damage to personal or real property, or

cause, attempt, threaten, or conspire to cause harm i.e., create a situation of imminent

danger, to a person or persons, individual or in a group, through: arson, burglary,

larceny or stealing, criminal mischief, battery, assault, harassment, vandalism, hazing,

participation in any activity which violates an applicable school rule or federal, state, or

local law or ordinance, or disrupts normal school proceedings or through threats of

participation in any plan or conspiracy relating to the foregoing.

- Continually and willfully disobey or openly persistently defy proper authority.

- Use language that is profane, vulgar, obscene, inflammatory, or fraught with sexual

connotations or overtones.

In incidents involving weapons, if a student is found to have violated this policy:

- Following parent notification the student will be immediately suspended until the

parent is able to conference with administrator.

- In extreme or dangerous situations, the student may be released to law enforcement

personnel.

- Due process procedures under Policy #5005 will be followed.

NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Everyone at North Park is committed to making our school (including bus and all sponsored

activities) a safe caring place for all students. We will treat each other with respect, and

will not tolerate bullying in any form.

Our school defines bullying as follows:

Bullying is unfair and one-sided, It happens when someone chooses to hurt, frighten, threaten, or exclude someone on purpose. Examples of bullying include:

Hurting someone physically

Ganging up on someone

Teasing someone

Using put-downs, such as insulting someone’s race or gender

Touching or showing private parts

Spreading rumors or gossiping about someone

Excluding someone or trying to get other kids not to play with him/her

The adults at North Park will be committed to doing the following to prevent bullying:

Supervise students in the school and on the playground

Watch for signs of bullying and stop it immediately when it happens

Educate our students about violence prevention, anti-bullying practices and teach

appropriate social/emotional skills through programs such as: prevention Dimension,

DARE and 7 Habits for Happy Kids

Respond quickly and sensitively to bullying reports

Parent’s concerns about bullying will be taken seriously

Look into all reported bullying incidents

Document all bullying incidents

Assign consequences for bullying based on school discipline guidelines

Provide immediate consequences for retaliation against students who report

bullying

Students at our school will do the following things to prevent bullying:

Taking or damaging another person’s belongings

Treat everyone respectfully

Refuse to bully others

Refuse to let others be bullied

Refuse to watch, laugh, or join in when someone is being bullied

Try to include everyone in play, especially those who are often left out

Report bullying to an adult immediately