CLARKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLPARENT HANDBOOK

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Clarke Elementary School! This handbook has been prepared to assist you in becoming familiar with the policies of Clarke and the policies of the Killeen Independent School District. We feel parents share our concerns and goals for their children and want to be informed.

In this handbook, you will find the expectations for the education of your child and an explanation of the services we offer. We hope that you find this information useful and helpful in answering questions that may arise during the school year. If you have questions after reading it, please feel free to call 336-1510 or come by the school.

At Clarke, children are our top priority. We are working to ensure that the coming school year will be the best one possible for your child. The faculty and staff will be working together to foster an atmosphere that will encourage your child to look forward to each school day and perform at his/her maximum potential.

Good communication between parents and school will help make this a successful year. We encourage you to be actively involved in your child’s education and in school activities at Clarke. Our door is always open. Please come talk with us, ask questions, visit our classrooms, and become a part of our school.

We look forward to serving you and your child throughout the school year. We are happy to have your child here. We expect this to be our best year ever. We feel confident that, with all of us working together, this goal will be accomplished. Please let us know if we can help you or your child in any way.

Sincerely,The Staff of Clarke Elementary School

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Our Motto: “Comanches Aim High”

Clarke Elementary School

Beliefs Being innovative and resourceful to build 21st

century learners. Embracing teamwork and collaboration to hold

all stakeholders accountable for learning. Building relationships through nurturing, loving

and caring for each child to enable them to achieve their greatest potential.

Accepting and encouraging diversity through the use of differentiated learning.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPIC PAGE #

School Schedule 1Absences 1Attendance of Students 1Bad Weather Days 2Bicycles 2Birthday 2Cafeteria Charges 2-3Cafeteria Food 3Campus Discipline Plan 3-5Checking Students Out During the Day 5Child Abuse 5Classroom Assignment 5Clinic 6Commercial Deliveries 6Conferences with Teachers 6Campus Visits 7Dismissal 7-8Doctor Appointments 8Emergency Cards 8-9Facebook 9Family & Parent Engagement 9

Trips for Field-based Instruction 9-10 Fire Drills/Tornado Drills 10 First Day of School 10-11 Foyer (Security Vestibule) 11 Guardianship 11 Home Baked Food Items 11 Lost and Found Articles 11-12 Nutritional Guidelines 12 Parties 12

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Report Cards 12School Counseling 13School Dress 13School Pictures 13Substitutes 13Tardies 14Telephone Use 14Volunteers 15Withdrawing your Child from School 15School Supply List 16

DEPT OF THE ARMY Command Policy APPENDIX 1 FORT HOOD POLICY ON WALKING HOME APPENDIX 2

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SCHOOL SCHEDULE

7:00-7:20 AM Breakfast7:25 AM Warning Bell7:30 AM Tardy Bell3:00 PM School

Dismissed

If your child eats breakfast, please send them between 7:00-7:20 AM. There will be no one on duty to supervise before that time. If your child does not eat breakfast, he/she should arrive by 7:25 AM. Additionally, the breakfast line is closed at 7:20 AM, so students need to be in line before 7:20 AM if they wish to eat. You may eat breakfast with your child, however, you must sign in with the office prior to entering the cafeteria. In addition, the parent may purchase a school breakfast but cannot eat off their child's tray nor can they remove any food from the cafeteria. This applies to siblings as well.

1. ABSENCESPlease call 336-1522 to report each absence. This number is available 24 hours a day. Phone messages should include: date, your child’s first and last name, teacher, the date(s) absent, a brief reason. If your child is absent we will attempt to call parents at work or at home. Keeping your phone numbers updated on office records is critical in the event that we need to reach you about your child’s absence. Written documentation is still required when your child returns to school. A note for excused absences should include: date, your child’s first and last name, teacher, the date(s) absent, a brief reason, and a parent signature.

2. ATTENDANCE OF STUDENTSState law requires official documentation of each student’s attendance. Students who arrive late to school disrupt instruction and have a difficult time “catching up” with the

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class. Promptness to class is an important life skill for children to learn.

3. BAD WEATHER DAYSIf severe weather should occur during the school day, students will be kept at school and dismissed at the regular time. In the event that ice or snow forces the cancellation of school, the superintendent will notify radio and TV stations by 6:00 A.M. Parents will also be notified of delayed start times or school closings due to weather through Blackboard Connect, an automated system.

4. BICYCLESBicycles are to be parked in the racks provided. All bikes should be locked when not in use. Bicycles are not to be ridden across school grounds. This includes parking areas and sidewalks. The owner should walk the bicycle off the campus and through crosswalks.

5. BIRTHDAYSBirthday party invitations will not be passed out at school, this includes dismissal as well. Home baked birthday treats are not allowed at school. Other birthday surprises for your child or classmates (such as balloons, stuffed animals, baskets, etc.) are not allowed. We celebrate your child’s birthday by announcing his/her name over the intercom, presenting your child with a special birthday ribbon, and pencil. Store bought cupcakes only can be given out during the last 30 minutes of the day. No drinks/juice allowed for birthdays. Parents may deliver cupcakes to the front office and a staff member will deliver them to the classroom. Parents are not allowed to go to their child’s classroom for birthday celebrations.

6. CAFETERIA CHARGESThe school does not allow children to charge their lunches. If a child forgets his/her money or lunch, he/she will be allowed to call home. If no one can be reached by phone, the child will be given a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. Parents may

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pay in the cafeteria between 7:30-10 AM. We encourage you to put money into the child’s account. You may check your child’s account daily by going to http://www.paypams.com. You will be unable to go into the cafeteria to put money in your child’s account from 7:00-7:30 AM. However, envelopes will be available at the Hugs and Kisses Station or the office for your convenience.

7. CAFETERIA FOODA menu for breakfast and lunch is available online. If your child is allergic to a specific food, a physician’s statement must be provided, to the nurse, that defines the food to which he/she is allergic. It must also state the specific foods that can be substituted for the allergic food. No other food substitutions can be made. Per federal law parents and siblings cannot eat food off of student trays.

8. CAMPUS DISCIPLINE PLANIt is our privilege to have your child in our school. Our goal is to prepare students for future endeavors academically, socially, and emotionally in a safe and orderly learning environment. In order to do so, we encourage students to begin every day with positive attitudes and willingness to learn. During an investigation of a referral, a student may be placed temporarily in the ISS room under adult supervision until administration can conclude his/her investigation.The following, intended to be discussed between you and your child(ren), are Clarke’s behavioral expectations for all students:

Cafeteria Rules Follow directions of school personnel Talk quietly while in the cafeteria Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself Walk. Do not run, skip or dance Raise your hand if you need help

Hallway Rules Follow directions of school personnel Remain quiet Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself

Playground Rules Follow directions of school personnel

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Use both hands when using climbing equipment Do not throw any playground material Freeze when you hear a whistle

Restroom Rules Respect other’s privacy Use toilets and sinks appropriately Use an inside soft voice Take care of ‘business’ Leave restroom neat and clean

Assembly Rules Sit flat on your bottom Voices off Applaud appropriately Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself Follow directions of school personnel

Classroom Rules are consistent throughout the school and include rewards and consequences designated by individual classroom teachers.

Be in your assigned seat/area, ready to work when the bell rings Have paper, pencils, books and all needed supplies and materials

everyday Keep hands, feet, books and objects to yourself No cursing, rude gestures, teasing, or put-downs Follow directions of school personnel

Consequences for Misbehavior may include, but not limited to: Child will be counseled by teacher or administrator Child will be counseled and parents will be contacted Detention Behavior Contract Loss of privileges In-school suspension (ISS) Out of school suspension (OSS)

Consequences for Good Behavior may include, but not limited to: Verbal Praise by school personnel Tangible Awards Earned privileges You can find the Killeen Independent School District Code of Conduct on the KISD website: www.killeenisd.org

If you do not have access to the Internet, you may pick up a hard copy in the school office on campus.

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Please be sure to review its contents with your child(ren) and refer to it when needed.

During enrollment, you will receive a signature card to indicate that you and your child have read and understood the contents of KISD’s Code of Conduct. It must be signed and returned to your child’s teacher.

9. CHECKING STUDENTS OUT DURING THE DAYAnyone picking up a student is required to show a picture ID. If parents, not emergency contacts, choose to pick up their children prior to dismissal, students will remain in class until the parent arrives at school to pick up the child. No child will be called out of class to wait for the parent to arrive. Students will not be dismissed from class between 2:30-3:00 without an appointment slip verifying the need to leave school early. Students will not be dismissed from class or the hallway without parents signing the child out in the front office. Emergency contacts will not be allowed to pick up students prior to the end of the day unless the school has contacted them regarding an emergency.

10. CHILD ABUSEThe reporting of suspected child abuse is a state law that teachers and administrators must observe. Our school is interested in the health and safety of children and will abide by the state law for reporting suspected child abuse.

11. CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTClassroom placement is at the discretion of the administration.

12. CLINICSee Appendix III for KISD procedures for student wet/soiled clothing.

PK4-1st and 3rd graders at Clarke Elementary will have vision and hearing screening in the fall. You will be contacted if

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your child needs further testing once the screening is completed.

Please provide the school with home, work, and emergency phone numbers. We will be contacting you to pick your child up from school if your child has a temperature of 100 or greater, vomiting (greater than two times), diarrhea, possible pink eye, head lice, or ringworm (if it cannot be covered). Students will be excluded from school until fever free without use of fever suppressing medications for 24 hours if they have had a temperature equal to or greater than 100 degrees. It is critical to keep your phone numbers updated in case the clinic needs to contact you.

13. COMMERCIAL DELIVERIESDistrict policy prohibits the commercial deliveries of food, flowers, balloons, etc. while your child is at school.

14. CONFERENCES WITH TEACHERSConferences with teachers may be scheduled during their conference time or after school. To make an appointment, please call the secretary at 336-1510 and leave a message for the teacher. You may also arrange a conference time by sending a note to the teacher or coming to the school office. There is also a place provided on the report card to request a conference. It is always appropriate to make an appointment so that the teacher can set aside time to conference with the parents and/or guardians.

Please see Appendix 1 for DEPARTMENT OF ARMY Command Policy.

15. CAMPUS VISITSIn order to provide the highest level of safety for our students, all personnel must be checked in through our computer system in the front office. A valid military identification card or a driver’s license are acceptable forms of ID. Individuals will have their picture taken and identifications swiped on the

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first visit. A visitor’s pass will be printed for the visitor to wear and must be visible at all times on campus. Passes are to be returned to the office before leaving the building. Messages or items for individual students may be left in the office and will be delivered during the day without disturbing the class. The office also reserves the right to deny access to classrooms in certain circumstances.

For your child’s safety, ALL visitors to our school must report to the front office upon entering the building.

16. DISMISSALThe State of Texas requires children to receive 75,600 minutes of instruction yearly. Clarke upholds this requirement. As a result, students will not be dismissed from class between 2:30 and 3:00 without an appointment slip verifying the need to leave school early. The last few minutes of the school day are crucial. Teachers are reviewing concepts and preparing students for dismissal. This is the busiest time of day within a classroom, and requires focus on behalf of the teacher. Thank you for working with us to ensure that the last few minutes of every school day are productive. Rainy Days: In case of inclement weather, all grades will be dismissed from inside the building at 3:00. After all parents have picked up their children, walkers will be released, weather permitting, at 3:10.

There have been some questions as to why we ask parents not pick up their students after 2:30 PM. Our main concern is the safety of every child. This is an extremely hectic time for the classroom teacher. The teachers have multiple tasks they are attempting to complete such as: concluding their classroom instruction, making notes in students’ journals for the day, getting backpacks and jackets on students, picking up the room and ensuring all students are ready to go home. When a call comes from the office to the classroom to send a student to the office, all other tasks stop to accommodate the office. With these distractions, the focus is sometimes lost

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and the results can vary from a late dismissal for the remaining students, inability to complete some of the other required tasks, or the worst scenario a misplaced child.

It is against school procedure to allow a teacher to release a child to an adult as they are moving to their assigned release location. This is also one of the reasons we ask parents to remain outside the building. Again, the teacher’s focus is ensuring all students remain together and get to their assigned location. Please do not conference with your child’s teacher during dismissal. If you know your child has an appointment, please check your child out prior to 2:30 for the safety of all students and reduce the amount of distraction to the end of day procedures.

17. DOCTOR APPOINTMENTSWe encourage parents to schedule all medical appointments around school hours. If this is not possible, parents are required to come to the office to sign their child out for the appointment. Students may not be signed out between 2:30 – 3:00 PM without written verification of an appointment.

18. EMERGENCY CARDSWe keep an emergency card on file for each student. Please keep phone numbers updated in our front office. Parents must show id to make changes. Parents must update the emergency card in person. No phone requests for emergency card changes will be honored. We request that at least two working phone numbers for emergency contacts be listed in case an emergency arises or a parent cannot be located at dismissal time. In the event of a major emergency, time is critical in contacting parents. Your emergency contact will be required to show identification before the child can be released. No child will be released to anyone that is not on the registration card.

19. FACEBOOKClarke Elementary has a Facebook page, which is used as an additional way to communicate with parents.

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https://www.facebook.com/Clarke-Elementary-Fort-Hood-Texas-316967501808386/

20. FAMILY & PARENT ENGAGEMENT POLICY FOR CLARKE ELEMENTARYEducation succeeds best when there is a strong partnership between home and school; a partnership that thrives on communication. Parents are partners with teachers, administrators, and the Board and are encouraged to:

Attend “Meet the Teacher” Receive and return the Parent Survey to evaluate

school/programs Attend Schedules parent training session Be actively involved in campus activities such as family

nights Attend parent/teacher conferences or other scheduled

meetings Check your child’s folder on a daily basis

21. TRIPS FOR FIELD-BASED INSTRUCTIONField-based instruction is an important part of learning. When field instruction is taking place, the child’s place of instruction is on the trip. As a result, we feel that it is inappropriate for a teacher, administrator, or parent to deny field instruction to punish a child. Field instruction is an instructional experience that the teacher feels will benefit a child, and class assignments are often made based upon these experiences. The only time that it is appropriate for a child to stay at school during a field-based instruction is if going on the trip presents a danger to the child or others. Parents will be notified about such concerns before the trip. Written parent permission is required before students may leave campus for field-based instruction. Parents are not allowed to ride the bus. All volunteers are required to undergo a background check in order to volunteer on field-based instruction. Parents are not allowed to sign out their child from the trip.

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22. FIRE DRILLS/TORNADO DRILLSFire and tornado drills are held at unannounced times throughout the year. A set of instructions for such drills will be posted in each room. Each student should be familiar with these instructions and know what action to take anywhere in the building at any time. Each class will have a procedure for leaving the building.

Loud, repetitive, beeping signal. . . . . . . . . Tornado DrillContinuous bell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fire/Exit

buildingAnnouncement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Return to

building

23. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOLThere are several things that you can do to make the first day of school a success. Your child’s teacher and his/her room number will be posted on the windows at the front of the school. On “Meet the Teacher Day” or the first day of school, please check these lists and go directly to the assigned room. If you do not find your child’s name, go to the office for assistance.

Be sure your child knows what to do for lunch. He/She must have a sack lunch, lunch money, or money in their account. Lunch prices and procedures are available on the KISD website.(www.killeenisd.org)

Be sure your children understand what to do after school. Please refer to the Out of School Child Supervision Policy mandated by Fort Hood. PK3-1st grade students must be accompanied by an adult to and from school. If your child is to leave with someone else, you must notify the school, and that person must be listed on their emergency card. Once students are dismissed, they are to immediately go home. If a parent wishes for a child to change their regular routine at dismissal (example: walk home instead of being picked up), a written note to the teacher is required.

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Every personal item that is brought to school should be marked with the student’s name. This is important later in the year when coats, hats, and gloves are brought to school.

24. FOYER (Security Vestibule)Parents and visitors are to refrain from using inappropriate language or behavior while in the building. Additionally, the noise level in the foyer must remain low as instruction is occurring in nearby classes. The foyer is not a gathering place for socializing during the school day. The administration reserves the right to deny parent access to this area if the above requirements are not met.

25. GUARDIANSHIPTexas law requires that students live with their parent, guardian, or managing conservator. Proof of legal guardianship must be provided within 30 days of enrollment by persons other than parents. Proper paperwork can be secured in the school office. Questions may be directed to the Central Office at 254-336-0149.

26. HOME BAKED FOOD ITEMSNo home baked food items will be passed out to students at any time. This includes food that parents prepare at home with store bought supplies. This protects your child from becoming ill from food sources that are not maintained by health code regulations, as utilized in the cafeteria.

27. LOST AND FOUND ARTICLESIf a student loses anything, he should immediately report it to the office. It is possible that the lost article has already been turned in to the lost and found. Clothing, lunch boxes, and other similar items are placed in the lost and found located at the front entrance. Valuable items such as watches and eyeglasses are kept in the office. All unclaimed items are donated on the last day of school.

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28. NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINESNew state wide nutritional policies and guidelines are in effect. These new guidelines include the following:

a. Parents may send in food with their children as long as it is only for their child.

b. Parents cannot send in food for the entire class, unless they have signed up to bring a nutritional snack for the entire class for snack time.

At Clarke we try to encourage healthy eating habits, please do not send candy to school with your child for snack or breakfast.

29. PARTIESClassroom parties may be held during the year in December, February, and May/June. If you would like to help your child’s teacher with the parties, please notify him/her. Pre-packaged store bought items are allowed at parties. No home baked foods or treats are allowed for classroom parties due to KISD policy. Parties will be held the last 30 minutes of the day. Parents who do not wish their child to participate in class parties need to inform the classroom teacher so that arrangements may be made for the student during this time.

Birthday and farewell parties are not permitted. Birthday party invitations will not be passed out at school.

30. REPORT CARDSStudents will receive report cards each nine weeks. Progress reports will be sent home at the midpoint of the marking period. Report cards are to be signed and returned to the teacher.

31. SCHOOL COUNSELINGClarke Elementary students receive classroom guidance from the school counselors who teach character traits. Clarke Elementary School Counselors provide individual and group counseling as well. Self-control, anger management, divorce,

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grief, study skills, and deployment represent some of the topics covered by the individual and group counseling support. Counselors assist parents with their questions and concerns about their children.

Military Family Life Consultants (MFLC) provides additional support to Clarke Elementary families. In addition, Fort Hood provides School Behavioral Health Counselor that can assist parents and families. Please feel free to contact the front office if you need assistance from these resources.

32. SCHOOL DRESSWe enforce the KISD policy as outlined in the student code of conduct handbook. Anything deemed a distraction by administrators will be addressed—hair color, fake nails, makeup—anything that would interrupt the instructional process.

33. SCHOOL PICTURESYour child will have several opportunities to have pictures taken throughout the school year. Individual pictures are taken for fall. Class group pictures and individual spring pictures are taken during the second semester. Notices will be sent home the week prior to pictures being taken.

34. SUBSTITUTESOn occasion, it may be necessary for students to have a substitute teacher. The same high expectations of behavior will be enforced as if the regular teacher were in class. Substitutes are required to check ids of all parents at dismissal, before releasing your student.

35. TARDIESChildren learn many things throughout the school day while attending school. One such lesson is to be at school on time. Learning to be in their classroom on time is a way to teach children that punctuality is an important life skill.

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Parents should make every effort to see that their child gets to school by 7:25 AM. Students are tardy at 7:30 AM. Students who are tardy need to have a parent sign them in at the office. Dropping students off at the front of the school is not acceptable. Please remember that students miss instructional time when they are tardy.

Each 9 weeks parents will be notified each time their child has been tardy beginning on the third incident of tardiness. The school will establish contact with the parents on the 5th tardy to establish a plan of action to eliminate the tardiness. Students in grade 3 are subject to lunch detention upon persistent violation of the tardy policy. The time from 7:25 to 7:30 is especially critical to students because of the academic activities, which occur each morning. Academic progress can be significantly limited by continual late arrival to the classroom.

36. TELEPHONE USEPlease do not call to speak to your child during school hours. If needed, a message will be taken and relayed to your student. Students participating in after-school activities should tell their parents in advance when they plan to stay and when they will be dismissed. Unless parents have prior notification, students will not be kept after school.

Students will not have access to cell phones during the instructional day. Cell phones should be turned off and placed in their backpacks. Clarke is not responsible for any lost/stolen/damaged items.

37. VOLUNTEERSParents and other community members of Clarke are encouraged to volunteer. You are not allowed to volunteer in your child’s classroom. If you want to assist in a classroom, on campus, or on field experiences, you must successfully complete a personal background check. This form is available from the Clarke Elementary or Killeen ISD websites. This process may take up to 2-3 weeks. People who volunteer

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undertake a variety of projects that enhance our students learning in the classroom. Volunteers that wish to utilize the KISD Media Center must schedule and attend a training.

38. WITHDRAWING YOUR CHILD FROM SCHOOLParents must notify the school as soon as possible when they know that a student will be withdrawing from Clarke. A minimum of 3 days’ notice is required in order to process records. Parents must come into the office and sign a withdrawal form to start the process. If parents want to hand carry records, they may pick them up after school on the last day of attendance.

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