Welcome to Midland Elementary School

August 2007

As the administrators, teachers, and staff of Midland Elementary School, we are dedicated to educating and caring for your children each day. Not only are we concerned about your child’s academic well-being, but also his/her emotional, social and physical growth. Together, we have a responsibility to ensure that your children fit into and are successful in the society in which they will live. The demands on our children are greater than ever, and the best way we can prepare them is through communication, cooperation, and collaboration between home and school.

It is our greatest hope and desire for the school, parents, guardians and the community to establish a partnership that will foster well-prepared, well-adjusted successful citizens for our community and for society.

This handbook is provided to the students and their families to familiarize themselves with school rules, expectations, procedures and other relevant information. The provisions of this handbook are not to be considered as irrevocable contractual commitments between the school and the student. Rather, the provisions reflect the current status of the rules, practices, and procedures as currently practiced and are subject to change. The contents of this handbook were discussed and shared with Midland Elementary School Building Curriculum Committee, the Midland Elementary School Principal’s Advisory Committee and with the Midland CUSD #7 Board of Education in April 2007.

Please feel free to contact me at any time throughout the school year should you have any questions or concerns.

Ms. Julie Albers

Midland Elementary School Principal

Table of Contents

Board of Education, Faculty, and Staff--------- - p. 3-4

Absences------------------------------------------------ p. 5

Aggressive Behavior/Bullying --------------------- p. 6

Animals in the Classroom ------------------------- p. 6

Appointments------------------------------------------ p. 6

Arrival/Departure from School-------------------- p. 7

Asbestos Management ----------------------------- p. 7

Books and Materials--------------------------------- p. 8

Breakfast/Lunch programs------------------------- p. 8

Bus Transportation and Bus Discipline --------- p. 8-9

Challenge Procedures ------------------------------ p. 9-10

Curriculum Review ---------------------------------- p. 10

Discipline----------------------------------------------- p. 10-11

Discipline Policy – Students with Special Needs p. 11

Due Process ------------------------------------------ p. 12

Dress Code-------------------------------------------- p. 12

Exceptional Children Rights ---------------------- p. 13

Field Trips---------------------------------------------- p. 13

Gang Activity ----------------------------------------- p. 13-14

Grading Scale---------------------------------------- p. 14

Grievance Procedure------------------------------- p. 15

Illness--------------------------------------------------- p. 15

Immunizations---------------------------------------- p. 15

Internet Use ------------------------------------------ p. 16

Make-Up Work--------------------------------------- p. 16

Medication-------------------------------------------- p. 16

Parent Teacher Relations ------------------------ p. 16-17

Parties-------------------------------------------------- p. 17

Phone Usage----------------------------------------- p. 17

Photographing Students -------------------------- p. 17

Physical and Dental Exams----------------------- p. 17-18

Playground Rules------------------------------------ p. 18

Recess Outside--------------------------------------- p. 18

Release of Information ----------------------------- p. 18

Retention of Students------------------------------- p. 18

Sexual Harassment Policy ------------------------ p. 19

Special Services and Other Programs--------- p. 19

Student Records------------------------------------- p. 19

Talented and Gifted Students-------------------- p. 19

Vacations---------------------------------------------- p. 19-20

Valuables---------------------------------------------- p. 20

Visitors-------------------------------------------------- p. 20

Weather-related Closings------------------------- p. 20

Special Services and Rights---------------------- pp. 21-23

Elementary Handbook Changes for 2007-08

The following items have been added, deleted or changed from last year’s student handbook. Please review all sections of the handbook, especially changes that have been made from last year’s handbook. Please call the office if you have any questions.

Item Page Comments

Animals in the Classroom 6 Dogs, cats and other pets are not permitted on school grounds during the school day.

Arrival/Departure 7 Students who arrive after 8:30 am must check in at

the office and be signed in by parent/guardian.

Asbestos Management 7 Updates in dates of re-inspection and surveillance

Breakfast and Lunch Programs 8 Students who purchase/receive hot lunch are not

permitted to bring additional food or beverage items to school to eat with their lunch; Juice is permitted to

be purchased by all students

Bus Discipline 8-9 Bus discipline may consist of the following steps, but

the building principal will determine level of consequences for inappropriate bus behavior

Curriculum Review 10 Include Halloween as an example

Discipline 10-11 Delete “without school work” from in-school

suspension consequence

Dress Code 12 Include flip-flops and clogs as reason for no participation in PE; flip-flops and clogs can not be worn at recess when using equipment, playing games, jumping rope, running, etc.; delete halter tops and spaghetti straps from not allowed sentence; add that these may worn when they are appropriately covering a student’s body; delete sentence about hair dye restrictions; use good judgment when applying temporary tattoos on students

Field Trip Chaperones 13 Add that chaperones are not allowed to purchase gifts for children other than their own child

Playground Rules 18 Flip-flops and clogs are not to be worn on the playground equipment and are not to be worn while participating in most recess activities (i.e.: kickball, jumping rope, ball games, running, four-square)

Talented and Gifted Program 19 Changes in qualification process and grades served

Valuables 20 Baseball cards and other popular trading cards like Yu-Gi-Oh are not allowed at school; Portable CD players, iPods, MP3 players, walkmans, Gameboys and any other electronic device is not allowed at school; the exception to this rule would be during a school field trip and the classroom teacher allows the devices to be brought on the bus during the trip

Visitors and Security 20 Children who arrive at school after the start of the school day will be required to be signed in at the office by the parent/adult who brings them to school; Parents are strongly encouraged to drop students off at building door rather than enter school to walk students to their classrooms. This fosters student independence and helps children feel comfortable with the routine of the school day.

Weather-related Closing 20 Inclusion of television stations, radio stations and websites to consult in the event of cancellation of school due to weather.

MIDLAND COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #7

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Mr. Steve Jesse, President

Mr. Pat Strong, Vice President

Mrs. Jenelle Colvin, Secretary

Mr. Jim Foster

Mr. Karl Koehler

Mr. Mark Leigh

Mr. Dave Streitmatter

ADMINISTRATION

Mr. Dean Irlbeck, Superintendent

Ms. Julie Albers, Elementary School Principal

FACULTY AND STAFF

Midland Elementary Faculty

Mrs. Cecelia Kimble Starting Blocks Pre-Kindergarten

Mrs. Sheila Hartwig Early Childhood Education

Mrs. Bernadette Bennett Primary Special Education

Mrs. Laurie DeSmet Intermediate Special Education

Ms. Jennifer Baker Kindergarten

Miss Michelle Daum Kindergarten

Ms. Jan Rothberg Kindergarten

Ms. Deb Breen First Grade

Mrs. Krista Lohnes First Grade

Mrs. Heather Markovich First Grade

Miss Meredith Anderson Second Grade

Mrs. Jennifer Davis Second Grade

Mrs. Chris Downey Second Grade

Mrs. Diane Crook Third Grade

Mr. Terry Ricci Third Grade

Mrs. Jackie Smith Third Grade

Mr. Chad Fuller Fourth Grade

Miss Lauren Gallion Fourth Grade

Ms. Lee Anne Morrissey Fourth Grade

Mr. John Heggen PE

Mrs. Steph Oltman Music/Technology

Mrs. Wylee Bickerman Title I Reading/Math

Mrs. Sue Riddell Title I Reading/Math and Gifted Education

Mrs. Melissa Grandsart Speech and Language Pathologist

Mrs. Toni Moroni Speech and Language Pathologist

Mrs. Martie Scott Reading Specialist

Ms. Lauryl Newell Social Worker

Midland Elementary Staff

Mrs. Patti Kargol Building Secretary

Mrs. Sherry Schoepke Office Assistant/Cook

Ms. Tereasa Downs Classroom Aide/Crossing Guard

Mrs. Carol Dubois Starting Blocks Classroom Aide

Mrs. Terri Lambrecht Classroom Aide/Technology

Mrs. Margaret Langner Classroom Aide

Mrs. Sue Snow Media Center Aide

Mrs. Donna Thompson Classroom Aide

Mrs. Diane Wunder Head Cook

Mrs. Tracy Cotton Cook

Mr. Tim Pyles Head Custodian

Mrs. Chris Schoepke Custodian

Mr. Rick McMahan Custodian

Absences Excused/Unexcused

The normal school day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.

Student absences should be reported to the school by 8:15 AM each day that a student is absent. Notice may be in person, by written and signed notification, or a phone call. Notice may be made by a parent/guardian or designated reporter.

If you leave a phone message please include the following information:

1. your name

2. student’s name

3. teacher’s name

4. reason for absence

Elementary Phone: 246-7215 or 246- 2775

If a student is absent 5 consecutive school days, a doctor’s excuse will be required to re-enter school.

Law requires the school to call you if a student does not attend or is not reported absent. The principal, secretary, and teachers analyze attendance data periodically to identify patterns or trends in student absences. If a student misses more than 18 days without valid excuse, that student is considered truant and truancy officials will be notified.

Students tardy to school must report to the school office and sign in before going to their classroom. A parent must accompany them to the office when tardy or make a phone call to the office – otherwise the tardy will not be considered an “excused tardy”. A student is considered tardy if they are not in the classroom by 8:30 a.m. Students with excessive tardies will also be considered truant and the truancy officials will be notified.

The School Board supports the principle that local school districts have the responsibility for matters pertaining to student attendance.

Parents or any person having custody or control of a truant child may be fined up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail for a class “C” misdemeanor when a child continues to violate the Illinois Compulsory Attendance Laws. A child found to be a “Truant minor in need of supervision” might be fined from $5.00 to $100.00 per day that school is missed.

Students are not allowed to participate in after school programs of any sort (sports, academic, extra curricular) on a day that they are sick from school. If the child comes for the afternoon half of the school day, then he/she may participate in the after school program.

A student arriving at or leaving school at other than the regular time must sign-in or sign-out at the office. No student will be excused without a parent note or phone call prior to dismissal. Parents are encouraged not to pick up their children before 3:30 p.m. unless special circumstances deem it necessary.

Aggressive Behavior/Bullying

The Board of Education has determined that a safe school environment facilitates learning. Accordingly, it is the policy of Midland’s Board of Education that aggressive behavior of students towards school personnel and other students of the district shall not be permitted.

Aggressive behavior is defined as: Any behavior that may cause physical or emotional harm to someone else and/or urging other students to engage in such conduct. Prohibited aggressive behavior includes, without limitation, the use of violence, force, noise, coercion, threats, intimidation, fear, bullying, or other comparable conduct.

The main types of aggressive behaviors are:

Physical (hitting, kicking, grabbing, spitting, etc.)

Verbal (name calling, racist remarks, etc.)

Indirect (spreading rumors, wearing or possessing items depicting or

implying hatred or prejudice, etc.)

Grounds for disciplinary action apply whenever the student’s prohibited aggressive behavior is reasonably related to school or school activities, including, but not limited to:

1. On school ground before, during, or after school hours or at any other time when the school is being used by a school group;

2. Off school grounds at a school-sponsored activity, or event, or any activity or event which bears a reasonable relationship to school;

3. Traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event; or

4. Anywhere, if the aggressive behavior may reasonably be considered to be a threat or an attempted intimidation of a student, visitor, or staff member or an interference with school purposes or an educational function.

Students who are the victims of aggressive behavior, as stated in this policy, at

anytime by anyone are encouraged to notify any school district employee who in turn, reports the alleged incident to a building Administrator.

When there is substantial evidence of violation of this policy, the administration and/or Board shall take appropriate action in accordance with School Board Policy. Appropriate action may include expulsion, suspension, detention, police contact and report, warning, and/or other disciplinary action as may be warranted.

Animals in the Classroom and on School Grounds

Animals may be brought to school only with permission from the student’s teacher and the principal. Dogs, cats and other pets are not permitted on school grounds and/or at bus stops during the school day, before school and after school.

Appointments

If a student needs to leave school for an appointment, please notify the school a day in advance, if possible. The parent will be required to come to the school office to pick up the child and sign the student out.

Arrival/Departure

Students may enter the building before 8:20 AM only if they are participating in the breakfast program. Otherwise, when students arrive at school, they stay out on the playground and teacher supervision begins on the playground at 8:00 a.m. If your child arrives before 8:00 a.m., they will not be supervised. Breakfast begins at 8:00 a.m.

In instances of inclement weather, students will report to the school gym when they arrive at school. Students are not permitted to visit their lockers or classrooms until they are dismissed from the gym by a teacher supervisor.

Parents are strongly discouraged from dropping off children before 8 am. Early supervision is provided for students who are riding/arriving on district buses; supervision for all students on the playground/in the gym begins at 8 am.

School begins promptly at 8:30 and students will be counted tardy if not in their respective classrooms by that time. All students who arrive after 8:30 must check in at the office and be signed in by parent/guardian.

Regular school dismissal is 3:30 and students should exit the buildings and leave the school premises unless waiting for a bus or ride. Town students who are waiting for a ride are to wait in the assigned areas near the school sign on the southwest side of the building. Students are not allowed to go out on the playground during dismissal time, unless they are supervised by a parent/guardian.

Students leaving before the end of the school day must “sign out” in the office. PARENTS ARE ASKED TO “SIGN STUDENTS OUT” AND PICK CHILDREN UP IN OFFICE RATHER THAN GOING TO THE CLASSROOM.

Students will be sent home by their “normal” mode of transportation, unless a note is written or a phone call is made before dismissal stating the contrary.

During storm warnings students will NOT be dismissed from the buildings unless parents pick up the students by stopping in the office first.

Asbestos Management Plan

The Midland School District has asbestos within the school(s). Our school is required to notify students and parents of the asbestos and the containment annually. As required our buildings were initially inspected for asbestos. Our inspection was conducted on July 12, 1988. The AHERA law requires that a visual surveillance of asbestos containing areas is completed every six months, and a reinspection conducted every three years. We had our last three-year reinspection on August 28, 2006 and our last Periodic Surveillance was on February 9, 2007.

On March 9, 2007, an air and water quality inspection was also conducted No significant concerns or problems were reported.

The inspection/management plan is available for public view in the Midland School District office.

Books and Materials

Parents are expected to pay for book rentals at registration as part of the registration fee. Supply lists are provided from each teacher. Students should have these supplies the first day of class. If a student loses or damages a school book so that it can no longer be used, that student will pay the replacement cost of the book before a new book is issued and/or before his or her report card is issued.

Breakfast and Lunch Programs

Midland Schools offer a breakfast program and a hot lunch program for students. Menus are sent home monthly with the school newsletter and are available on the elementary website.

Lunch tickets may be purchased each morning starting at 8:20 am outside of the office. Student lunches cost $2.00 ($.40 for reduced). Students may purchase a one day ($2.00), 5 day ($10.00), 10 day ($20.00) or 20 day ($40.00) lunch ticket. Money/checks for purchasing lunch tickets should be placed in an envelope and clearly marked, indicating type of ticket to be purchased.

Breakfast costs $1.50 ($.40 for reduced). Breakfast can be paid for each morning in the cafeteria or tickets may also be purchased. This money should also be placed in an envelope and clearly marked as breakfast and lunch ticket purchases should be made separately.

Milk is sold for 25 cents. Students may also purchase a milk ticket good for 5 milk purchases for $1.25. Milk tickets are also purchased outside of the office, starting at 8:20 am. Canned fruit juice is also available for purchase during the lunch hour. Juice costs 75 cents. Soda is not permitted to be sold during the lunch hours. Students at Midland Elementary are not permitted to bring soda as a beverage as part of their cold lunch.

Students who purchase/receive a hot lunch are not permitted to bring additional food or beverage items to school to eat with their hot lunch. Juice is permitted to be purchased by all students.

Lunch charges are discouraged, but a student may charge if he/she forgets cold lunch. If a student fails to pay for lunch and has a total of three previous unpaid charges, the student will be given a peanut butter sandwich, fruit and milk until charges are paid in full. Students should not call home for forgotten lunches.

Lunch tickets that are lost, stolen, or laundered will not be replaced. Students are responsible for their lunch tickets.

Students may go home for lunch with prior parent notification to the office.

Bus Transportation

Students who ride Midland busses will be expected to follow these safety rules as well as any established by the bus driver. Riding the bus is a privilege and students who violate the rules will be suspended from riding the bus. Students who are not normally transported by bus need permission by the principal to ride the bus. Only under special circumstance is permission granted.

1. Stay off the road while waiting for the bus.

2. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before entering or exiting the bus.

3. The emergency exit is for emergencies only.

4. STAY IN YOUR SEAT WHILE THE BUS IS IN MOTION.

5. Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times

6. KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF.

7. Do not throw anything out the bus window.

8. Do not lower the windows below the black line.

9. Animals are not allowed on the bus

10. No eating, drinking, or chewing gum on the bus.

11. No unacceptable conduct and/or use of unacceptable language.

12. Students who want to be let off at a different location from the normal stop must receive permission from the principal’s office.

13. Students are expected to sit in assigned seats if assigned by the bus driver or the principal.

14. No skateboards, rollerblades, rollerskates, or electronic devices are

allowed.

Bus discipline may consist of the following steps, but the building principal will determine level of consequences for inappropriate bus behavior:

First offense – warning

Second offense - 1-day suspension from the bus

Third offense - 2-day suspension from the bus

Fourth offense - suspension from the bus until further notice

Fifth offense - suspension from the bus for the remainder of the year

Depending on the severity of the offense, the principal has the right to give other punishments and/or go directly to the suspension from the bus.

Challenge Procedure

Parents shall have the right to insert in their child’s school student record a statement of reasonable length setting forth their position on any disputed information contained in that record. The school shall include a copy of such statement in any subsequent dissemination of the information in dispute.

Parents shall have the right to challenge an entry exclusive of grades in the school student records on the basis of accuracy, relevance, and/or propriety.

The parent or a qualified student may request a challenge hearing provided the request is made in writing to the proper school official. The hearing request must state specifically what entry is to be challenged. Hearings may be for temporary or permanent records.

The hearing format is as follows:

1. An initial informal conference with the parents, within 15 school days of receipt of the request for a hearing.

2. If the challenge is not resolved by the informal conference, formal procedures shall be initiated

a. The school shall appoint a hearing officer, who shall not be employed in the attendance center in which the student is enrolled.

b. The hearing officer shall conduct a hearing within a reasonable time, but no later than 15 days after the informal conference, unless the parents and school officials agree upon an extension of time. The hearing office shall notify parents and school officials of the time and place of the hearing.

c. At the hearing each party shall have the rights outline the Act (see Art. 50-7, (b) (1) through (4).

d. A tape recorder or a court reporter shall make a verbatim record of the hearing. Either party in the event of an appeal of the hearing officer’s decision may prepare a typewritten transcript. However, a typewritten transcript is not required in an appeal.

e. The decision of the hearing shall be transmitted immediately to the parents and school district. It shall be based solely on the information presented at the hearing and shall be one of the following:

1. To retain the challenged contents of the student record.

2. To remove the challenged contents of the student record; or,

3. To change, clarify or add to the challenged contents of the student record.

Curriculum Review

Curriculum content may contain certain topics/activities that a parent may find objectionable, and the pupil shall not be required to take that portion of the course if the parent submits a written objection, i.e.:

Recognizing and avoiding sexual abuse

Activities/courses based on religious beliefs (swimming, co-ed PE, Halloween, etc.)

Sex education/ family life courses

Parents may review textbooks and preview films or videos. Please contact the teacher or principal to schedule such a preview.

Discipline

Students are expected to follow school and classroom rules so that learning may take place to its fullest. All students will be informed of the rules and for those who choose not to follow the policies the following actions may b