Parent Student Handbook
by Sharon McIntosh
July 23, 2011
STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK
2011-2012
Marcum-Illinois Union Elementary School District
Sharon McIntosh superintendent /principal
Marcum-Illinois Board of Trustees
Alan Menigoz Board President
Rocky Stevenson Board Clerk
Tyson Earhart Board Member
Cindy Gander Board Member
Brad Lauppe Board Member
Mission Statement
It is the belief of this school that all children can learn. The mission of Marcum-Illinois School is to improve the basic skills of all children attending this school and to create a school climate conducive to learning by encouraging good citizenship, good attendance and high academic standards. It is our intent to provide an environment, which fosters in children the ability to recognize and accept responsibility to the end that they may participate productively in a democratic society.
The “Guiding Rule” at Marcum-Illinois School is:
TREAT OTHERS WITH RESPECT AND KINDNESS AND HELP CREATE A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
Marcum-Illinois Union Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is responsible for adopting a vision for the district and setting district policies. The Board of Trustees meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meeting locations are announced in the school newsletter. Board agendas are posted at the school office. Board agendas and minutes from prior meetings can also be found in the district office. Parents and community members are encouraged to attend Board meetings.
School Colors: Blue and Gold School Mascot: Wildcat
Daily Schedule
Kindergarten-Eighth Grade: 8:30am to 3:00 pm
Individual class schedule to be handed out by classroom teacher.
Minimum Days
Minimum days are scheduled periodically during the school year. At the beginning of the school year all minimum days are scheduled in advance and noted on the school calendar. Students are dismissed at 12:30 p.m. on these days
Student Support Services
- School wide homogeneous ability groupings for reading
- Pre-teaching and re-teaching of standards to at risk students
- Staff provides small group and/or individual instruction to groups of at risk students who have not been identified as students with disabilities to accelerate achievement and prevent them from falling farther behind
- Students with identified special needs may be eligible to receive services in the learning center as specified in the student’s Individual Educational Pan (IEP) Speech and Language Therapy Program Students with concerns regarding speech and language development may be referred for screening by our Speech and Language Specialist.
- at risk students receive explicit instruction in Math and or Reading to support standards mastery
- Para-educators provide instruction to students with limited English proficiency to accelerate mastery of English
Gifted and Talented (GATE)
The Gifted and Talented Education program will be offered after school. In their daily class work, identified students will be offered opportunities for enrichment and extension of the curriculum. Marcum-Illinois’s after-school program will be taught by selected instructors who will provide enriching activities, i.e. computer instruction, music, science, etc. Students must provide their own transportation.
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Assemblies______________________________
During the year, a variety of assemblies are provided. Assemblies vary from year to year. Parent’s Club has been a major contributor to our assembly funding. Assemblies will focus on supporting classroom curriculum and/or building positive learning environment. Parents are always welcome to attend assemblies. Please watch the Marcum Matters for assembly dates and times.
Back to School Night______________________
Back to School Night will be held Thursday, August 25, 2011
The evening is designed to orient parents to the school and its programs by providing an overview of the upcoming school year. This presentation includes information for parents about specific classroom policies, procedures, and curriculum.
Field Trips_______________________________
Throughout the school year, teachers may schedule a field trip. Parent permission slips must be signed and returned to school at least 24 hours prior to the trip. All school and transportation rules will be observed and enforced by school personnel. Lunches will be available to students who choose to pre-purchase a lunch prior to the trip. Parents Club has been a major contributor to our classroom field trips.
Library_________________________________
Students will be scheduled to visit the library regularly throughout the school year. Students are permitted to check out books for a one-week loan period, with an additional one-week renewal policy. Students are accountable for the books they check out of the library. Students and parents will be charged for lost or damaged books.
Open House_________________________________
Each year, we like to open our school for parent visitation. Our annual Open House will be held Thursday, May 24, 2012 is held to allow students and teachers to "show off" their work and allow parents time to visit the campus. This is an event for the whole family. Due to the nature of this special night, teachers are not available for conferences during this time.
Parents Club____________________________
The Marcum-Illinois Parents Club supports and supplements the school programs each year. Parent’s Club needs all parents to participate in fundraisers and educational projects held throughout the year. By creating an informal working relationship, both during and after school hours, the Parents Club identifies and responds to the needs of the community. Where appropriate, funds are provided for special school projects and activities that may not be otherwise possible.
Reading Incentives________________________
Research indicates that exposing children to books and providing them time to read increases their reading ability significantly. Teachers often include a period of pleasure reading in your child's homework assignment. Please encourage and support your child to make valuable use of this time by taking him/her to the library or obtaining books that your child enjoys reading. Family reading time also supports reading achievement!
School Site Council_______________________
Marcum-Illinois Union Elementary School receives funding through participation in the School/Library Improvement Program (SLIP). The School Site Council assists in the development of an instructional improvement plan. The School Site Council is comprised of parents and staff members. Each year, the School Site Council reviews school data and identify ways to maintain or improve the quality of the instructional program. If you are interested in being a part of the School Site Council, please contact the school office. All parents are always welcome to attend School Site Council meetings.
PARENT INFORMATION & POLICIES
Academic Assessment_________________
Improving student achievement is our main goal at Marcum-Illinois Elementary School. To monitor student learning, students are given classroom, district and state assessments. Assessments are used to recommend student placement in various school programs and to plan how to increase student achievement at the school and across the district.
Classroom Assessments
On a daily basis, teachers check for student understanding of grade level standards using classroom assessments. Each trimester, teachers complete a series of assessments to report student progress on the standards-based report card.
State Assessments
In the spring, all students in grades two through eight take the state’s STAR test. The test is given over a one to two week period. For the California standards test portion, achievement is reported by performance band. The district’s goal is to have students score at the proficient or advanced levels. Test results are sent home during the summer. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions about interpreting these test results. To help your child do well on this test, and in their normal school work, please ensure that your child gets plenty of sleep and has a healthy breakfast each day.
Appointments__________________________
We urge you to schedule medical and dental appointments so they do not conflict with class time. If it is necessary for your student to leave campus before the regular dismissal time, please send a written note to the teacher, or call the office indicating your intentions. Students are not released to anyone other than their parents or guardians without authorization from parents, and must be signed out of the office. If they are able to return to school the same day, students need to check back into the office before returning to class.
Arrival and Departure Times________________
Student arrival time is 8:15am. If students arrive before 8:15am they will need to be signed into daycare (Room 23). Students who arrive before 8:15am will be charged for daycare.
Students who arrive after 8:30 am must report to the office for a Late Slip. Students will be dropped off and picked up by bus in the front of the school. If you are picking up your child you will need to park in a SPACE, do not block bus lanes.
Students not picked up by 3:10 pm will be sent to the Wildcat Care program and the parent charged. Please make sure that you are on time in picking up your child.
Closed Campus_____________________________
To ensure student safety and supervision, the Board of Trustees has established a closed campus policy. Once a student arrives on the school grounds, they must remain on campus until the end of the school day unless there is a note from the parent or guardian and permission from school office staff. If a student leaves school grounds without this permission, a student is considered truant and is subject to disciplinary action.
{Reference: Board Policy 5112.5 and Education Code 44808.5}
**Reminder--- Students must check in at the office when late for school or when returning from an appointment. This will enable the attendance clerk to keep accurate records.
Conferences____________________________
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be scheduled at the end of the first trimester. The Marcum-Illinois Union School Elementary School District schedules minimum days during conference week so that teachers may have sufficient time to confer with parents and students. The average length of a conference is 15-20 minutes. Conferences are used for reporting progress and charting goals for students. General descriptions of the curriculum and classroom procedures are presented at Back-to-School Night in August. Parents and teachers are encouraged to set up additional conferences as the need arises throughout the school year.
Grading and Report Cards/Progress Reports__________________________
The primary purpose of grades and report cards is to clearly communicate a student’s areas of strength and areas needing improvement based on the district’s grade level standards. To provide students and parents with specific information on student achievement, students receive standards-based report cards at the end of each trimester. The goal is for students to meet each grade level standard by the end of the school year. Teachers use a set of district-developed assessments to determine whether a student is meeting standards.
At grades kindergarten – fifth report cards include teacher comments about student achievement. At grades sixth to eighth, report cards include letter grades. Based on grades, students may be eligible for the school honor roll and other academic awards. To qualify for the honor roll a student cannot receive a grade below a C in any given subject.
Progress reports will be prepared and sent home approximately six weeks prior to end of each trimester.
Health Services__________________________
The district will verify that students have complied with legal requirements for health examinations and immunizations before enrolling a student in school. The district administers vision, hearing, and scoliosis screening as required by law.
{Reference: Board Policy 5141.3 and Administrative Regulations 5141.3 (a-b) and 5141.3 .1}
Health/Medication________________________
The district recognizes that students may have special medical needs. The Education Code (49407) outlines conditions for administering medications at school during the time the student is under the supervision of school personnel. Medications can only be given if there are written instructions from a health care provider and permission from the parent/guardian. Written instruction must be renewed at the start of each school year.
Medication must be labeled and in the pharmacy container. Specific guidelines must be followed for students to use over the counter and prescription medication at school.
{Reference: Administrative Regulations 5141.21(a)}
Illness or Accidents________________________
If a child becomes ill or is injured on campus, his/her parents or another adult authorized by the parents on the child's Enrollment/Emergency Card will be notified and, in most cases, will be sent home with the responding adult. Therefore, it is imperative that you keep information on the Enrollment/Emergency Card current. Please notify the office immediately if any changes occur. Phone numbers are especially important for your child's safety and well-being.
Immunizations_________________________
In accordance with state law, all students must show proof of immunizations in order to register and stay enrolled in school. The required doses are:
4 doses of Polio
5 doses of DPT (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) with the last dose given on or after the second birthday
2 doses of MMR with the last dose given on or after the first birthday
3 doses of Hepatitis B
Students who do not meet minimum immunization requirements will be excluded from school until immunizations are updated and current. Verification of immunizations must be by written medical records. Exemptions are allowed under the following condition: A signed doctor statement verifying that the child is to be exempted from immunization for medical reasons. This statement must contain a statement identifying the specific nature and
probable duration of the medical condition.
Medication_______________________________
State law prohibits school personnel from administering any medication to a student without written notice from a medical doctor and parent. This includes aspirin, decongestants, or any over-the-counter medications. A form is available from the school office. Specific guidelines must be observed in order for any student to use medication, including aspirin, vitamins, decongestants, and over-the-counter medications, during the school day.
Please contact the school office immediately in the event that your child requires medication and the proper medical form will be made available to you. Signatures of both the parent and health care provider are necessary before school personnel can administer the medications. All medications must be kept in the office in the original container. Parents may wish to personally visit the school to administer medication in order to forgo these procedures.
Students who are unable to participate in Physical Education for 3 days of longer must have a written release from a medical doctor.
Messages and Deliveries____________________
Due to the volume of requests and multiple classroom interruptions, the office staff is unable to deliver personal messages to children except in case of an emergency. Parents who need to deliver lunches to students may deliver them to the office prior to lunchtime. Parents should try to make arrangements for students to get home before the child leaves for school in the morning. Messages can be left for students in cases of emergency and every attempt is made to deliver emergency messages, but it is not always possible to contact a child before the end of the day, especially on short notice. We cannot guarantee that students will receive messages unless the message is received by 2:30pm.
Physical Examinations______________________
All pupils are to have completed a health screening examination before entering first grade. This examination must have occurred within 18 months of entering first grade. This examination can be obtained from your family physician or through services provided by the county health department. You will need to provide verification of this exam in writing. Forms can be obtained from the school office.
Promotion/Retention Policy________________
Students progress from grade to grade by meeting the district’s standards for promotion. If a student is at risk of retention due to academic achievement, the parent or guardian will be notified early in the school year and school staff will meet with the parent to develop and implement an intervention plan to help the student meet the standards for promotion. It is the district’s intent to identify struggling students early in the school year so that interventions can be provided during the school year that will enable the student to meet the promotion criteria by the end of the school year. Intervention opportunities will be provided for students who are at risk of retention. The district has a clear process and schedule for informing parents about their child’s progress toward meeting promotion criteria. The intervention process includes written notices and multiple meetings between the parents and teacher(s). It is the district’s intent to work collaboratively with parents/guardians to help a student gain the skills needed for promotion to the next grade level. Ultimately, state law (Education Code 48070.5) identifies that school professionals have the authority to retain a child. {Reference: Board Policy 5123(a-c) and Administrative Regulations 5123 (a-d}
Signing In and Out_________________________
If, for any reason, it is necessary for you to take your child out of class early, parents must sign their students out of school in the office. Students can be released ONLY to those persons designated on the emergency card unless prior arrangements have been made between the office and the parent. Students who return to school after being signed out must sign in before returning to class.
SCHOOL POLICIES & GENERAL INFORMATION
Accidents_______________________________
If a serious injury occurs on the school grounds or on the bus, parents will be notified and asked to pick up the child for their own observation or examination by their family physician. Parents will be promptly notified of all injuries not considered minor. In the event that the parents cannot be reached, the student may be released to the person named on the emergency card. It is critical that the emergency card be filled out and updated throughout the year as necessary. If the accident or injury is serious, the school will call 911 and notify the parents immediately.
Attendance_____________________________
The State of California and the Marcum-Illinois Union Elementary School District expect children to be in school everyday unless they are ill. A child who is in school will benefit from all aspects of learning. Students who are late disrupt the learning of the entire class, as well as themselves. Students who are excessively tardy or absent will be referred to the School Attendance Review Board. This may result in a home visit by law enforcement or Child Protective Services.
Campus Supervision_______________________
Teachers and campus supervisors share the responsibility for monitoring the behavior and safety of our students while on the campus. Students are expected to respond quickly, courteously, and obediently to any adult supervisor. Students who fail to do this may be referred to the office and may lose campus privileges. All staff members enforce the school-wide discipline plan.
Classroom Parties________________________
Each class may schedule parties after lunch during the school year. These parties are arranged between the teacher and the room parents. This is an excellent opportunity to help by providing refreshments and assisting the teacher. Classroom teachers will notify parents of parties well in advance. To spare hurt feelings, please do not pass out birthday invitations on the school campus unless all students in the class are invited to your child’s party.
Classroom Visitations______________________
Parents/guardians and interested members of the community are encouraged to visit the school and observe the educational program. Visits during school hours should be arranged in advance with the teacher or principal. If a conference with the teacher is desired, an appointment should be set with the teacher during non-instructional
time. When school is in session, all visitors must go directly to the school office to register (Penal code 627.6) before going into instructional areas.
{Reference Board Policy 1250 and Administrative Regulations 1250(a,b)}
Student Responsibilities____________
When using technology, students shall be responsible for the following:
1. Properly using network resources.
2. Keeping last name, personal account number, password, home address and telephone number private.
3. Using network resources only under his/her account.
4. Using network resources for educational purposes only.
5. Using proper network etiquette.
6. Immediately reporting security problems or misuse of network resources to the teacher or principal.
Student Prohibitions____________________
When using technology, students are prohibited from doing the following:
1. Using network resources for commercial, political or personal use.
2. Using network resources to encourage the use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco.
3. Promoting unethical practices or any activity prohibited by law or District policy.
4. Accessing or creating material which is threatening, obscene, disruptive or sexually explicit.
5. Accessing, displaying, saving or creating material which may be construed as harassing, discrediting or degrading to other persons based on race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion or political beliefs.
6. Using copyrighted material without the author’s permission.
7. Accessing or interfering with other students’ or users’ mail or files.
8. Vandalizing district resources. Vandalizing includes, but is not limited to, malicious attempts to harm or destroy equipment, materials, software or data.
Students should not expect privacy while using district technology and should understand that authorized district staff may monitor or examine system activities and files to ensure proper use.
Students who fail to abide by the policies and procedures for technology use will be subject to disciplinary action and/or cancellation of network resource privileges. Violation of this policy will result in District sanctions and/or reported to civil authorities and may be prosecuted. {Reference: Administrative Regulation 6163.4(a)}
District Instructional Technology Use Policy_____
Prior to using school computer resources, students and parents must review, sign and return the Instructional Technology Acceptable Use Contract provided by the classroom teacher. The purpose of the contract is to clearly communicate expectations for student use of school technology resources and for the student and parent/guardian to agree to abide by the specified user obligations and responsibilities described in the contract.
Although students receive training and are monitored by their teacher while using school technology, it is not possible to control all materials that a student may accidentally or deliberately view while on the Internet. Parents should be aware that some material obtained via the Internet might contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive.
Dress Code______________________________
1. Shoes will be worn at all times. A substantial sole is required and enclosed toe and heel footwear is highly encouraged.
2. Extremely brief garments that are a distraction to the educational environment are not appropriate. Clothing shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times.
3. Clothing or accessories shall be free of writing, pictures, or any other insignia which are crude, violent, obscene or sexually suggestive or which advocate racial, ethnic, religious, or other prejudice or the use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol.
4. Earrings, jewelry, or accessories, which present a safety hazard to the wearer or others, are not suitable for school wear.
5. Only prescription sunglasses may be worn in class. Other types of sunglasses may be worn on campus outside of class.
6. Identified gang attire such as bandannas, haircuts or hair rollers, or any gang paraphernalia are prohibited.
7. Students are allowed to wear sun protective clothing, including hats, while outdoors during the school day.
Emergency Procedures_____________________
The school has a well-developed and complete emergency response plan that is coordinated with local agencies. The emergency plan clearly identifies the specific actions for any emergency situation. Students and staff practice emergency procedures such as fire drills and classroom evacuations during the school year and are familiar with how to respond in an emergency situation. Information on possible school closures due to inclement weather or other situations will be announced on Radio Station KFBK 1530 AM and Television Station KCRA Channel 3. A notice may also be posted in front of the school. During an emergency situation, the superintendent will only dismiss children to go home if there is time for children to safely return to their homes and a parent/guardian have been notified. If a student’s parent cannot be contacted and/or the parent is unable to pick up their child, the school will maintain responsibility for the child until the parent or an authorized individual can pick up the child. The safety of individual students is our highest priority. Students will not be excused except to the care of a parent or another adult designated on the emergency card.
If evacuation of the school is necessary, students will be transported to a predetermined location where their parent or another designated adult can pick them up. Information on this location will be announced on the Radio Station KFBK 1530 AM, Television Station KCRA Channel 3 and posted near the school. The school will not be evacuated unless absolutely necessary.
Homework_______________________________
Homework should be an extension or practice of what was learned in school. Students are expected to complete and hand-in homework. Homework should be designed so that parents can serve as a resource to their child. Students who miss school because of an excused absence will be given the opportunity to complete comparable homework assignments and get full-credit if work is completed satisfactorily and within a reasonable amount of time. Students who miss schoolwork because of unexcused absences may be given the opportunity to complete comparable homework assignments for either partial or full-credit. {Reference: Board Policy and Administrative Regulations 6154 (a-b)}
Student work should be requested only when a student is ill or absent for three or more days. It is the experience of the school staff that school work may be easily made up on the student's return to school when less than three days are missed. If your child will be out for three or more days, you may request homework through the office. Please allow 24 hours from the time of the request so that teachers may prepare a complete packet. If your child is out for less than three days, please use a homework buddy. A homework buddy is a classmate who can write down the assignments and collect the necessary materials to bring home for your child. Please encourage your child to find a homework buddy!
Independent Study Contracts________________
Students who are going to be out of school for five or more days for reasons other than illness or injury may be eligible for independent study. Independent Study Contracts length is not to exceed ten (10) school days. There is a specific set of district criteria for independent study. The criteria for approval include an acceptable reason for requesting the independent study and evidence that the student will work independently to complete assignments. This program requires a contract signed by the parent, student, teacher and administrator. The contract specifies the amount of work to be completed, the amount of time to be spent each day, when the work will be turned in to the teacher and how the work will be evaluated. An independent study contract must be requested more than three days prior to a planned absence so that teachers can prepare materials for the student. The contract must be completed BEFORE the student is out of school. Independent Study Contract forms are available in the school office. Independent Study contracts may be used for students who are habitually absent. {Reference: Administrative Regulation 6158 (a)}
Lost and Found___________________________
Many articles become lost or unclaimed each year at school. Please mark all of your child's personal belongings, including clothing, (especially sweaters and jackets,) backpacks, book bags, lunch boxes and rain gear with a permanent marker. All items found on the campus are kept in the multi-purpose room until the end of each trimester. Left over items are donated to a local charity at the end of each trimester. Parents are encouraged to check the Lost and Found for your child's missing articles.
Steps for Addressing Concerns_______________
The district has adopted a clear set of procedures to address concerns and complaints. Please use the following steps when you have a concern.
1. Concerns should first be brought to the attention of your child’s teacher. Please call the teacher to explain your concern. Small concerns may be addressed through a phone call; larger concerns are better addressed in a conference.
2. If the classroom concern is not satisfactorily addressed with the teacher or the concern is a school level concern, then please call the school administrator. Small concerns may be addressed through a phone call; larger concerns are better addressed in a conference.
3. If the concern is not satisfactorily addressed with the school administrator, then you may use the UNIFORM COMPLAINT PROCEDURE . (See annual notification of parent rights.){Reference: Board Policy 1312.3(a) and Administrative Regulations 1312.3(a)}
Student Absences________________________
Daily school attendance is critical for a student’s success. By law, parents are obligated to send their child to school daily. Parents are strongly encouraged to schedule medical appointments during non-school hours. Absence from school will be excused for health reasons, family emergencies, attendance at funeral services for a family member, appearance in court or observation of a religious holiday or ceremony. All other absences are considered unexcused. Whenever possible, a student who is absent for a reason other than illness should attend at least the minimum school day.
When a student who has been absent returns to school, the parent needs to provide a written note or contact the school office to verify the reason for the absence. School absences are monitored carefully throughout the year. If a student has more than fourteen absences in a year for illness, a physician may verify further absences for illness. Excessive excused absences may also require notification to the School Attendance Review Board
(SARB).
A student absent from school without a valid excuse or tardy in excess of thirty minutes (30) or more on three (3) or more days in one (1) school year is considered truant. Parents will receive written notification in the event their child is truant. This is a requirement of the California Education Code.
{Reference: Board Policy and Administrative Regulations 5113} {Education Code: 48200}
Student Records__________________________
The Marcum Illinois Union Elementary School District maintains cumulative records for each student as required by law. The school will also keep records that document helpful ways of providing maximum educational opportunity for our students. These records are available for parent review. If you would like to review your child's records, please call the school office to set up an appointment with a school administrator. Cumulative files must be viewed in the company of a school administrator.
Tardiness________________________________
If you transport your child to school, please make every effort to deliver him/her to school on time each morning. Students who arrive at school after classes have begun are considered tardy. Students with three tardies in one trimester may be subject to disciplinary action, including detention. Students, who arrive at school after 8:30am but before 8:35am, may report directly to the classroom and the teacher will mark him/her tardy.
If a child arrives after 8:30 am, he/she must report to the office to receive a LATE SLIP. If a child is habitually tardy, he/she may be referred to the Student Attendance Review Board (SARB).
Telephone Use and Messages________________
The office will always try to relay important telephone messages to your child in case of emergency. To prevent continually interrupting teachers while they are instructing their classes, we request that telephone messages be in case of emergency only. We cannot guarantee that messages called in after 2:30 p.m. will reach your child.
In the event that a parent wants to get a message to a student, the parent may have to identify himself by giving the office the information that is on the emergency card. This is for the protection of the child. Students are not permitted to use the office phone to call home at any time except in case of an emergency.
Cell Phones
Students may bring cell phones to school but cell phones must remain off in the student’s backpack during the school day. Cell phones that are found in the on position during the school day will be confiscated and placed in the school office.
Volunteer Confidentiality____________________
We value the contributions that parents make in our schools. We welcome volunteers in our classrooms and on our campuses. There are times when a volunteer may see or hear something in a classroom or on the campus regarding a student’s academic progress, a discipline issue or other matters that must be kept confidential. Therefore, we ask volunteers to be aware that individual students’ information should not be discussed with anyone other than the appropriate school officials.
DISCIPLINE & BEHAVIOR POLICIES
Discipline Policy
The safety and welfare of your child is the primary consideration in implementing and enforcing the Marcum-Illinois Union School Wide Discipline Plan. Our primary mission is to develop a structure of consistency in discipline using a proactive, preventative approach where students develop respect for others, themselves, and learning. An important element of this policy is in how well the students understand the rules and consequences. All students and parents are asked to review these rules together at the beginning of the year and throughout the year to ensure clear understanding of our expectations.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
The following is a list of expectations for students to adhere to:
- Respecting school property, including keeping campus clean
- No running in from classroom/cafeteria to play area.
- Being cooperative and allowing the learning process to continue uninterrupted
- Being on time to school and all classes
- Leaving personal items not necessary for the learning process at home. This includes tape or CD players, beepers, playing cards, etc.
- Consuming food in designated areas only. Gum is not permitted on campus.
- Remaining in designated supervised areas only
- Following directions first time given
- Keeping hands, feet and objects to oneself at all times
- Finishing classwork and homework on time
- Listening to the one who is speaking
- Always treating others with respect and kindness
RULES AND CONSEQUENCES
The Marcum-Illinois School Rules are:
- Be Respectful
- Be Kind
- Help to create a positive learning environment
If a student chooses to break a rule, the following consequences may be applied at the discretion of the teacher:
- Warning
- Appropriate “time out” (another classroom, school office)
- Parents contacted by phone or note
- Conference between parent, teacher and/or principal and possibly student
Discipline procedure
Marcum-Illinois Union School District is dedicated to ensuring that our campus is safe for everyone. Therefore, students may be recommended for a referral, detention, suspension, or expulsion based on the severity of the infraction.
REFERRALS: Teachers may refer a student to the principal for classroom behavior that is impacting the student or others learning. The parents will receive a copy of the referral and the action taken by the principal. Outdoor Referrals: Yard Duty Supervisors will refer students to the principal for outside behavior. Warnings will be issued and parents will receive copies of the report.
A student may be referred to the office immediately for any behavior that should result in a home suspension or expulsion. These behaviors include:
1. Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person
2. Caught stealing or trying to steal.
3. Caught damaging or attempting to damage school or another's personal property.
4. Committing an obscene act or habitual profanity.
5. Willfully and habitually defying school authority.
6. In possession of a gun, knife, explosive, drugs, paraphernalia, or replicas of any of the
listed items.
7. Sexual harassment
Administrative Consequences
When a student is referred to the office, parents will be notified via a phone call or a copy of referral will be sent home with the student. Parents are asked to sign and return school correspondence related to a discipline issue including time out forms, office referrals, and suspension reports. Students who do not return this form on the following school day will be asked to call home and may not be permitted back into the classroom until the note has been returned or parent contact has been made. Consequences for office referrals include detention, loss of school privileges, suspension from school, parent conference, or other administrative action as deemed appropriate. Habitual misbehavior from any student may result in suspension and/or the implementation of a behavior contract between school and home.
Loss of Privileges/Loss of Recess/Time Outs
While serving a loss of recess, time out, or loss of privilege, students are expected to follow all directions from the supervising adult, sit quietly during the period or recess and complete any assignments without any assistance from others. Students who arrive late or are uncooperative will be asked to serve additional time as well as the remainder of the original assigned time.
A student may receive a "Time Out" in another classroom. The purpose of "Time Out" is to allow the student the opportunity to think about their behavior, communicate with his/her parent about the problems, and to think about ways to improve behavior before returning to the classroom.
Suspension and Expulsion__________________
The Education Code clearly identifies the student actions that are grounds for suspension and expulsion. Students may be suspended or expelled from school depending upon the behavior. Grounds or suspension and expulsion include but are not limited to:
• Attempts, threats or actions that causes physical injury to another.
• Unauthorized possession of a dangerous object (or imitation) or substance (i.e., knife, firearm, explosive material).
• Use, sale or possession of a prohibited substance (i.e., alcohol, drug or nicotine product).
• Commits or attempts to commit robbery or extortion or knowingly receives stolen property.
• Cause or attempts to cause damage to school or private property.
• Commits an obscene act or habitual vulgarity or profanity.
• Disrupts school activity or willfully defies school personnel.
• Committed or attempted sexual assault/sexual battery
• Harassment of other students.
• Terrorist or hate threats against school officials or school property.
Students who are referred for suspension or expulsion are reported to the principal. In non-emergency situations, an informal conference will be held to clarify the reason for the disciplinary action and to clarify the events or evidence. At the time of the suspension, a staff member will contact the student’s parent/guardian regarding the suspension and notify the parent/guardian of the suspension in writing. The school may request to meet with the parent/guardian about the suspension. Under state law (Education Code 48914) the parent is then obligated to meet with school staff without delay. Suspensions are effective immediately. Suspended students are not allowed to be on school property, participate in school activities, or attend Marcum Daycare during the period of the suspension. Suspended students are responsible for contacting their teacher to make up missed assignments.
A student will not be suspended from school for more than five days unless the student is
recommended for an expulsion. When the Board is considering a suspension or disciplinary action (except expulsion) a closed hearing will be held to avoid violating a student’s right to privacy (Education Code 49073-49079).
Students who are suspended for more minor offenses may participate in an in-school suspension program, if that program is available. Major offenses are grounds for expulsion.
Note: This is a brief summary of a long and detailed policy and process. For specific steps and processes, see the Board Policy and Administrative Regulations. These may be requested through the school.
{References: Board Policy 5144.1 (a-e) and Administrative Regulations 5144.1 (a-u), 5144.2 (a-i)}
Playground Rules
General: Every student has the right to be and feel safe from physical and emotional harm. All individuals on campus will respect this right by acting in a safe manner and refraining from harmful or inappropriate physical contact, rough housing, calling other students names, teasing another student, or harassing another students. Play fighting and practicing karate are never permitted.
Safety Procedures: Students will walk to and from the blacktop and play field areas at the beginning and end of each recess. At the conclusion of recess students will walk orderly and quietly to their classrooms and line up. Students are not permitted outside the designated recess areas for any reason.
Transportation
Students may only ride the bus to and from school from their designated bus stop on their assigned bus. This means that students may not change buses, get off at a different bus stop or ride a bus other than their assigned bus unless parents have notified the office before 2:30pm. ENHS is not a bus stop.
Bus Rules
The following bus rules have been developed to ensure safe bus transportation. These rules are to be followed whenever a student rides on a bus. Parents are asked to review bus rules with their child and encourage their child to act safely by following the bus rules.
1. Riders follow the bus driver’s instructions and directions at all times.
2. Riders should arrive at the bus stop on time and stand in a safe place to wait quietly for the bus.
3. Riders shall enter the bus in an orderly manner and go directly to their seats.
4. Riders shall remain seated while the bus is in motion and shall not obstruct the aisle with their legs, feet or other objects. When reaching their destination, riders shall remain seated until the bus stops and only then enter the aisle and exit in an orderly manner.
5. Riders should be courteous to the driver and fellow passengers.
6. The following actions are prohibited on buses and may lead to suspension of riding privileges: loud talking, laughing, yelling, singing and whistling. Scuffling, throwing objects, smoking, eating, drinking, standing and changing seats are also prohibited.
7. No part of the body (i.e., hands, arms or head) should be placed outside a bus window. Nothing shall be thrown from a bus window.
8. Riders shall help keep the bus and the area around the bus stop clean. Riders shall not damage or deface the bus or tamper with bus equipment.
9. No animals shall be allowed on the bus without express permission from the principal or designee.
10. No glass containers are permitted on the bus at any time.
11. Riders should be alert for traffic when leaving the bus.
Riders who do not follow the bus rules will be reported to the school principal.
The principal will determine the severity of the misconduct and take action accordingly. In all instances of misconduct, the rider and his/her parent shall be given notice and warning. In cases of a severe violation or repeated offenses, the rider may be denied transportation for a period of time that is determined by the principal.
{Reference: Administrative Regulations 5131.1(a)}
