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Alta Vista Handbook
Dear Parents:
The staff of Alta Vista Elementary School and I welcome you to a new school year. We look forward to working with your child and making it a very successful year for them. Our top priority is the success of your child in school and to help them develop the skills necessary to be successful in their future. I invite you to be a part of your child’s educational journey. There are many ways to be a part of this process. As you have questions or concerns, please call or visit with me and/or your child’s teacher. A common vision of the parent’s and school’s expectations will help your child be successful. Together we can make a very positive difference in your child’s experiences.
This Student Expectation Handbook is supplied to all families to provide information about specific routines and policies at Alta Vista. The general routines and policies of the Laramie County School District #1 Elementary Schools are contained in the Elementary Parent Handbook. Please review the contents of both of these handbooks with your child. If you have questions, please contact the school office for further information and clarification.
We hope you and your child will enjoy your experience at Alta Vista. I am sure we will have a positive and successful school year.
Sincerely, Martin McGuffey
Philosophical Statement
Students learn best when there are consistent, equitable, known, and fair school expectations. These expectations extend through out the school and students are taught the expectations and the skills required to meet these expectations.
School Expectations
(in all classrooms and teaching areas)
Be Respectful
Be Responsible Follow Directions Social Skills The social skills necessary for students to meet these expectations will be taught in the classroom and supported administratively.
Office Referrals Students will be referred to the office when they chose to demonstrate improper social skills. The following behaviors listed below will earn a student an office referral: Serious misbehavior or infraction of school expectations:
Fighting Substance abuse (examples but not all-inclusive: drugs (legal or illegal), alcohol, tobacco) Verbal Abuse: swearing, disrespectful language toward someone, sexual harassment Physical Abuse Willful disobedience-blatant refusal to follow directions Threat of harm to self or others Weapons Vandalism Extortion On-Going-Misbehavior A student continuously argues or displays inappropriate behavior when a staff member is giving him/her feedback Continuous Minor Misbehavior Over time, a student does not adhere to the rules of the class/school Discipline is an on-going teaching process at Alta Vista Elementary School.
The safety of children is the utmost concern to the staff of Alta Vista. The playground is one of the most favorite spots of the school. With that, it is also the spot that has the most opportunity for an injury. To lessen the risk of injury to students, there are several expectations of our students and their use of the playground and its equipment. Chin-up and parallel bars: Students are not to stand on the bars or jump off.
Slides: Students are to sit on the slide and go down feet first. When students get to the bottom of the slide they should get off right away so the next person can come down. Please do not put objects on the slide. Rings: Students should go across the rings in one direction, one at a time, using their hands. The next person may start when the other student is finished.
Tetherball: Students are to follow the rules as learned in P.E. class Field: The field area is to be used for organized games, i.e. soccer, football, kickball, ect. Students who are not playing in the game should not be on the field. Cartwheels, tag, etc. should be done on the ends or sides of the field. Tag: Tag may be played in the open areas. (Not on the equipment)
Tunnel Slide: Play on the inside only. (Not on the top)
No food or gum on the playground. Snow, ice, rocks, etc. must be left on the ground. Throw only things that are made for throwing. Play that involve tackling, wrestling, pretend fighting, or rough play are not allowed. Hitting will result in parent conference and a trip home. Students should not go into the building without permission and a pass from one of the staff on duty.
Entering the Building From the Playground Grades K-3 classrooms have designated places that students are to line up at and will enter the building escorted by their teacher.
Grades 4-6 will enter the building at the east entrance. Students are to line up single file and enter the building in an orderly fashion, going directly to their rooms.
Students will be taught the expectations. If students fail to meet these expectations, consequences could range from a warning and reteaching to a loss of recess privileges or a referral to the office depending on the severity of the transgression.
Attendance: When your student is absent from school, please call the office (771-2310) to let the office know the reason why. If your child is not here and we have not heard from you, we will initiate a call to you. The safety and welfare of your child is very important to us. A student who is absent and has not been accounted for by a phone call or note from the parent or legal guardian will be marked as an unexcused absence. Excessive absences will result in a disciplinary process that could involve the county attorney. Concerns: If you have a question or concern regarding your student’s academic needs, please schedule an appointment with the classroom teacher. If you are not satisfied for any reason with results of this meeting, please schedule an appointment with the principal. If you have other questions or concerns about the building, please contact the principal. Behavioral Expectations: Students are expected to be on there best behavior at all times during school. The learning environment is to be maintained through excellent teaching of expectations, reasonable consequences and being accountable for behavior. If a student uses a physical form of expression, i.e. hitting another student, the student will be sent home for the rest of the day and a parent conference will be held. Physical aggression is not acceptable. Telephone Calls: Office staff will take messages for teachers during the school day. Teachers will make every effort to return calls as soon as possible. Students will be permitted to use the telephone for important or emergency calls only. To use the phone, students must have permission from the school office. Arrangements for after school activities should be made prior to coming to school. If you have a message to send to your child, please call school before 2:30 p.m. if at all possible. Messages received in the office after 2:30 p.m. may not be delivered prior to the end of the school day. Bicycles, Skateboards, Scooters, Roller Blades, Electronic Equipment, and Card Games: Students who ride bicycles to school are not to ride them on the school grounds at any time during the school day. It will be the student’s responsibility to provide chains and lock for his/her bicycle. Skateboards, roller blades, scooters, solid hard balls, bats, hockey sticks, electronic devices, and card games are to be brought to school due to safety issues and interference with learning. These items may be confiscated if brought to school and redeemed only to parents. Computer Managed Learning Systems: We are fortunate to have several computer managed learning systems at Alta Vista. A learning system is a computer program that can measure a student’s skill level in a specific subject. This is beneficial for teachers, parents, and students because it alerts us to skills that need to be taught and practiced. It also allows individualization in the learning process. The learning systems include Accelerated Reading and Math, STAR Reading and Math , and keyboarding. Your child’s teacher will be providing more information to you about how these tools impact your child’s education. Title I: Alta Vista is a Title I School. Title I is a program that provides extra monies that will be used to work with students who are not achieving district standards in their studies. The extra help will be in the forms of specialized instruction, extended learning times, and materials. Students who are to receive the additional help will be identified through the district assessment procedures. Parents will be notified if and when their child receives Title services. Title I also has a required parent component. There will be several opportunities for parents to participate in activities to assist student performance. Qualified Staff: As a parent of a student at Alta Vista Elementary School, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct your child. Federal law allows you to ask for certain information about your child’s classroom teacher, and requires us to give you this information in a timely manner if you ask for it. Specifically, you have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teacher:
If you would like to receive any of this information, please call Martin McGuffey at 771-2310
Grading Scale: Please see the District Elementary Handbook for a summary of the grading system. Promotion/Retention: The Laramie School District # 1 School Board’s policy for promotion and retention of students states, “In grades one through six, students shall demonstrate proficiency of District standards in language arts, reading and math to be considered for promotion. Students failing to demonstrate proficiency in District language arts, reading or math standards must avail themselves of all recommended, extended learning opportunities in order to be considered for promotion to the next grade.” Students will be placed at the grade level of their demonstrated performance. Students must demonstrate their achievement of standards through their class work and district assessments. Leaving School During School Hours: If it is necessary for your child to leave school early, we do need a note from a parent or guardian regarding his/her dismissal. If you are picking up your child at the office, we ask that you come into the school and sign the student out. After you have signed the student out in the office, the office staff will call your child to the office using the school intercom. PTO: You as a parent are encouraged to participate in your child’s education. PTO is one way. There are a variety of activities planned and conducted by the PTO. There are fundraisers, which benefit the children of Alta Vista. Family Nights are also planned. These nights are activities for the entire family. Please get involved either in the planning or conducting these great activities. Report Cards and Parent Conferences: The school year is divided into four quarters of nine-week grading periods. At the end of each quarter, students will receive report cards. In addition, at the end of the first quarter, each student’s parent(s) will be scheduled for a conference with the student’s teacher. We feel that these conferences are of extreme importance and do a great deal to develop and keep open the lines of communication between home and school. Please plan to attend. Conferences will not be scheduled for every student at the end of the other quarters. However, conferences may be held any time of the year at the request of the teacher or parent. We encourage parents to feel free to contact the school at any time. Good communication is essential. An early explanation of facts or clarification of misunderstandings can often solve what may appear to be a serious problem. Midterm reports will be sent home with your child at the middle of each nine-week period.
Parent Volunteers: Many times throughout the school year parents volunteer at school. Often it is in the best interest of students to have parent volunteers in a classroom other than their own child’s. Parent volunteers will be requested, as needed, by the child’s classroom teacher.
According to board policy: All individuals who volunteer for more then five days in any school year for activities not associated with their own children will be screened just as though they were prospective employees. The screening will be provided through the Wyoming Department of Family Services.
Parents Can Help: Parents can help their children to become better readers! Here are some ideas from the Parent Institute: Encourage your children to read a little every day, (20 - 30 min.) *Visit the local library with them often.
*Read aloud to your child everyday, even if it is only for ten minutes.
*Don’t tell your kids they have to turn off the TV and read, you wouldn’t want them to perceive reading as a punishment. It is okay to tell them to turn off the television, but then ask if they would like to read with you.
*Take a family field trip to a place you have read about.
*You might want to extend the lights out time on the weekend, as long as they are in bed reading.
*Schedule a time at least once a week for the whole family to sit and read silently together.
*Even if you are not a good reader yourself, you can still help your child to become a better reader. It will be time well spent!
Parties: If parents wish to bring treats on their child’s birthday, they may do so. Teachers need to know ahead of time so arrangements can be made during the day. We request private party invitations not be passed out at school. Addresses and phone numbers of students and staff may not be given out. Classroom parties are typically held for Christmas and Valentines Day. The Alta Vista staff has planned other activities in place of the traditional Halloween Party. Please contact your child’s teacher if you would like to help as a room parent. Alta Vista School Educational Compact Students, parents, and school staff must work together in the education of the children. It is extremely important to work together for our children. The more congruent vision we have for the children of our school, the greater they will achieve. We all have a role to play in the success of our children. The following is a consensus of teachers, students, and parents as to the different roles and responsibilities that are vital to a child’s success. While the list is not all-inclusive, it will serve, as a starting point on which to focus during our children’s journey to develop the necessary skills required in their future. Student Roles Come to school with a desire to learn and a willingness to participate in learning.
Be prepared for class with necessary materials, assignments, and completed homework. Know the school expectations and rules and meet them by being a good school citizen who respects self, fellow students, teachers and staff. Talk with teachers and parents about school experiences.
Teacher Roles Be a positive role model who helps children develop love of learning and demonstrates enthusiasm for learning.
Teach classes through interesting, meaningful and challenging lessons and have high expectations for all students.
Be fair and understanding. Have patience and show respect by listening to and understanding students.
Provide an environment that is warm, caring, and safe. Enforce rules equitably.
Communicate with parents about their child in school. Work with parents for the benefit of the child.
Promote education in the community.
Parent Roles Support the child at home by helping with homework, discussing school experiences, providing study support and a stable learning environment.
Promote education by setting examples of school involvement, communicating with school personnel and developing a working trust with the child’s teacher.
Love your child unconditionally and accept him/her for what s/he is, a priceless and most valued treasure.
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