|
COLUMBINE
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2011-2012
“We Are Columbine”
Through the halls and spaces
Coming here to learn
Each from different places
Eagerly we turnEach one to another
Hoping we will find
A sister or a brother
Here at Columbine
Day by day we’re growing
Growing in the sun
Growing to be different
Growing to be one
We can make a difference
If we take the time
Caring for each other
We are Columbine
We are Columbine
INDEX
1. From the Principal’s Desk…Columbine Statement of Purpose
2. Columbine Girls’ and Boys’ Pledge
3. Hallways
Playground
Sidewalks
Cafeteria
4. Safe Schools Law
Proper Dress
Personal Treasures
Parents, Visitors, and Volunteers
5. Attendance
School Day
School Closing
Student Council
Lost and Found
Before and After School Activities
6. Fire Drills
Lunch
PTO
Health Services
7. Report Cards
Homework
8. Library/Media Center
Friends of the Library
Computer Lab
Change of Emergency Information
Requests for Specific Teachers
Transportation
9. Telephone Messages
Physical Education
School Supplies
From the Principal’s Desk…
Dear Parents:
The staff at Columbine Elementary School is anxiously awaiting the arrival of your child. We are anticipating a challenging and rewarding year for all of the students that we serve. In order to accomplish this, we have prepared this handbook to establish our paths of communication with home, as soon as possible. It is important to us that you are informed and that you stay informed. Please join us in committing to communicate frequently. If you have any question during the course of the year, do not hesitate to ask.
Please take a few moments and read through this handbook. It will help your child to understand how to be successful at following procedures and policies.
Thank you for the trust that you have placed in this staff. We understand how important it is to you that your child have every advantage. We pledge our best efforts to make this happen.
Sincerely,
Cris Gammill, Principal
COLUMBINE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Create community, love of learning, and a sense of responsibility to others.
We believe the following are essential:
* An inclusive environment.
* The arts.
* Intrinsic motivation.
* High expectations for behavior and learning.
* Independent thinking and problem solving.
* Enthusiastic lifelong learners.
THE HALLWAYS OF COLUMBINE
The “Hallways of Columbine” should reflect the calm respectful standards that we value. It should look and sound like this:
* Student greeters welcome everyone into our building after the 7:30 AM bell rings.
They will be looking for passes to admit any student earlier than that.
* Classical music is played on the intercom. It can be heard at all times, whether
there are children in the halls or not.
* Staff model to students how to walk quietly on the right hand side of the hall.
They lead the line and use the door on the right when enetering and leaving.
* You can hear polite words like "thank you, please, and excuse me."
* The right of way is given to anyone moving in a wheelchair.
* Staff stand at their doors or int he halls before and after school to provide a
supportive presence.
* Students have passes when using the restroom or telephone during the day.
* Hats are not worn inside the building.
THE PLAYGROUND OF COLUMBINE
* Students are respectful of the adults, each other and their school
facilities.
1. They interact positively with each other.
2. The directions of adults are followed.
3. Trees and other assets are treated with respect.
* Students make safe choices for themselves and others.
1. They stay within the boundaries marked by the stakes painted orange
and the backstops.
2. Equipment is used for its designed purpose.
Swings: seated, one at a time, without jumping out.
Slides: seated, going down, hand and feet inside
3. Tackle games are not permitted.
4. Potentially harmful game equipment is left at home (metal or wooden
bats, hard balls, etc.)
5. Rocks, sticks and snowballs are left on the ground.
THE SIDEWALKS OF COLUMBINE
Our sidewalks have a “walking speed limit”.
THE CAFETERIA OF COLUMBINE
The purpose of the lunch period is to eat a healthy lunch while practicing social skills with your peers.
* Students eat lunch in the commons area.
* Students may bring lunch from home or purchase a school lunch.
* Students are respectful of the adults, each other, and their school facilities.
* Students will walk in the lunchroom, sit down to eat, and use inside voices.
* Students will clean up after themselves and others. When finished eating and
cleaning their area, students will remain in their seats and talk quietly until they
are dismissed to line up.
* Students make safe choices for themselves and others.
If your child is having difficulty in any environment at Columbine, you can expect to be notified by your child's teacher, the school counselor, or the principal. Behavior Reminder Slips (pink slips) may be given to communicate the behavior has occurred.
SAFE SCHOOLS LAW
* The Safe Schools law is intended to ensure the safety of all students while
attending school. It mandates specific rules and consequences.
* The use or possession of drugs, alcohol and tobacco products is prohibited.
* Weapons of any kind are not allowed on school grounds.
* Physically harming another person is not tolerated.
* These serious infractions will be handled according to the law.
PROPER DRESS
Colorado’s weather is noted for its unpredictable nature. Snowstorms and cold weather are possible any day of the school year and are often unforeseen. Proper dress is essential for your child’s safety and comfort during recesses and the trip to and from school. School dress can greatly influence a positive learning environment. Wearing appropriate clothes that do not distract from learning is most helpful.
PERSONAL TREASURES
All personal items, such as collectible cards and electronic games and equipment should be left at home. They are a distraction to the learning environment and if misplaced, a heart break waiting to happen.
PARENTS, VISITORS, AND VOLUNTEERS
Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!
* Visitation at Columbine is welcome. Parents, visitors and volunteers need
to check in with the office. Background checks will be completed on all
volunteers.
* Staff members will ask adults in the building without a visitor badge if they can
help them and direct them to the office to check in.
* Parents are always welcome to visit Columbine to view the many interesting
and fun activities the students may be participating in.
* Volunteers provide a valuable service to our school. They need to attend
the PTO training and abide by the guidelines established there.
* Middle School and High School volunteers are used to support classrooms.
They are asked to enter the building at the main entrance and check in
with the office.
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance is of prime importance for every student. Both absences and tardiness will be recorded each morning. For the attendance to be kept accurately, the office must be notified if a student arrives at school late or when a student leaves during the school day. Parents, please phone the office at 686-2300 by 8:30 AM to let the secretary know when your child is absent. Being on time is a very important lesson for a child to learn. Students with excessive tardiness may be referred to the principal. If you know of an upcoming extended absence, please contact the school office for pre-excused absence procedures.
SCHOOL DAY
Children may arrive on the playground at 7:20 AM when playground supervision begins. School starts at 7:35 AM, and ends at 2:40 PM.
SCHOOL CLOSING
In the event of severely inclement weather or mechanical breakdown, school may be closed or starting time delayed. The same conditions may also necessitate early dismissal of students. School closing, delayed starting time or early dismissal will be announced over local radio and television stations.
STUDENT COUNCIL
Third, fourth and fifth grade classes will select representatives to serve on the student council each semester. Student council meets during lunch with their staff sponsor. The student council provides a two-way communication system between the staff and the students. Student council gives students a share in the management of our school and a chance to help identify and solve school problems as well as make suggestions for the improvement of our school.
LOST AND FOUND
Students who find lost articles are asked to take them to the office. Children and parents are encouraged to check for lost articles often. The articles that are left for an extended period of time are donated to a charitable organization.
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Intramurals are periodically available for fourth and fifth grade students. Students have the opportunity to participate in such activities as jump roping, cup stacking, omincan ball and art classes.
Third, fourth and fifth grade students have the opportunity to learn to enjoy music, make friends and prepare for programs by participating in the Columbine Choir.
FIRE DRILLS
A fire drill plan is posted in every room. Students and staff study this plan so that everyone will know what to do in an emergency or during a drill. When the alarm rings, students will form an orderly line to leave the room. No one is to pass another line. Running and talking are not permitted. The first student to reach an outside door is to hold it open until all have left the building. Students are to listen to teacher instructions and remain a safe distance from the building until the “all clear” signal is given.
LUNCH
Children may bring lunch from home or purchase a school lunch. All food services in the Woodland Park School District are contracted through Chartwells Food Service. Lunch and milk credits may be purchased during the scheduled lunch times in the commons. Questions concerning your child’s meal credits may be answered by calling 686-2036.
PTO
Columbine Elementary has an active Parent Teacher Organization. Please inquire in the school office for more information.
HEALTH SERVICES
Columbine Elementary School has a part-time school nurse. Secretaries also care for sick or injured students when needed. Parents should report any accidents or illnesses to a teacher or to the office. The school staff may give medication, prescription or over the counter, only with specific written instructions from a doctor. If it becomes necessary for a student to take medication at school these steps must be followed:
1. A signed note from the parent must be presented to the office.
2. A written order from your physician stating medication, dosage and times to be administered must accompany parent permission.
3. Medication must be in its original labeled container. All medication will be kept at and dispensed through the main office or nurses’ office.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards will be given out each quarter with Parent-Teacher Conferences scheduled at the end of the first and third quarters. Parent-Teacher Conferences will be scheduled for each child at Columbine Elementary School and are a very important event. We encourage 100% parent attendance at each conference.
HOMEWORK
The purpose of homework is to provide practice and reinforcement for skills that have been learned in class and to communicate with parents about what their children are learning. As a general rule, homework will be designed so that parents have the opportunity to work with their children or that children may complete it independently. Students who do not finish work in class may be responsible for completing it as homework.
Students are accountable for completion of homework as well as for legibility, spelling, and accuracy. Homework may be checked on either a regular or random basis and may be corrected or spot-checked by the teacher, the student, or by other students. The following are minimum standards for homework on a weekly basis. Parents may also expect additional long-term projects from individual teachers.
Kindergarten: Kindergarten homework is to be done sometime during the week that it is received. Reading with children is always a good homework activity.
First Grade: The purpose of homework is to provide practice and reinforcements for skills that have been learned in class. As a general rule, homework will be designed for parental assistance. The following are minimum standards for first grade homework on a weekly basis: 15 minutes per night of reading (read-aloud or independent reading), three or four math Homelinks per week, once per week spelling lists and occasional literacy practice worksheets.
Second Grade: As a minimum, second graders are expected to do math homework four nights per week and read by themselves or to someone for a least 15 minutes per night. Individual teachers may require additional assignments.
Third Grade: Math homework for 4 or 5 nights, one night of spelling, 15 minutes of reading for 5 nights.
Fourth Grade: Four days per week, twenty to thirty minutes per evening.
Fifth Grade: Four days per week, thirty minutes per evening.
LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER
Students are encouraged to use the Media Center for any information needs. The center offers a full range of service, including access to many different kinds of media.
The Media Center is open for use during the school day. No fines are charged for overdue materials but there is a charge for lost or damaged items.
Columbine Elementary School’s Library/Media Center is a pleasant place and students are encouraged to use it extensively.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
“Friends of the Library” is a program through which people can donate money towards the purchasing of books for the library. Books may be donated in honor of a teacher or a child.
COMPUTER LAB
The Computer Lab is located in the Library and is available for student use. Personal software/games and joysticks should not be brought from home. Software is available for check out in the Library/Media Center.
CHANGE OF EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Doctors and hospitals require parent permission before providing any services for a minor. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT THE SCHOOL HAVE CURRENT INFORMATION ON HOW AND WHERE TO CONTACT A PARENT IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. Parents/guardians, PLEASE notify the school if there are any changes made in your information at any time during the school year, such as phone numbers, place of employment, address and any other emergency contact information.
REQUESTS FOR SPECIFIC TEACHERS
Our teachers, counselor and principal take great care in assigning students to their next year’s class and teacher. Beginning in April of each year, many hours are spent examining the needs of each child and creating class lists that are balanced according to many different factors. We welcome your suggestions about the learning environment that you feel serves your child’s needs best. Specific teachers should not be included in your letter.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation for the Woodland Park School District is contracted through Durham School Services. Questions regarding busing may be answered by calling the bus barn at 687-4411.
TELEPHONE MESSAGES
Teachers will not be interrupted by the intercom during class time for phone calls. Messages can be taken and delivered to the teacher at the end of the school day or left in the staff member’s voice mail box. Messages for students will be transmitted to them over the intercom before the end of the day.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
There is a current school supply list with the registration papers. You may also obtain a list in the school office. Each grade level of teachers has decided what is needed and appropriate for their class and each student needs to bring these basic supplies as listed. Please contact our school counselor if you have difficulty providing these items for your child.
|
