Table of Contents Page - Sumter District Schools

Dear Webster Elementary Parents,

Thank you for entrusting your child to us for this school year. Please carefully read this handbook which explains our policies, procedures, and programs.

Webster Elementary continues to maintain its accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

We are now in year three of he Florida Standards. We will continue to focus on "productive struggle" so students are taught to think more critically and independently, read more carefully, and persevere in their work to solve problems and make meaning of information presented to them.

Our improved website contains more curriculum based information and news for parent and student events. Please check and sign your child's folder/ planner each night for notices, notes, and homework. Parents are encouraged to use these folders/planners for questions or to set up contact with the teacher.

Students in grades 2 ? 5 will be part of the AVID program which encourages students to become more active learners in their pursuit of college and career readiness. Students' responsibilities grow in each grade level. We were pleased with the growth shown by students last year, and we are looking forward to further increases in student ownership of learning this year.

Please communicate with your child's teacher whenever you have concerns or questions. We have many opportunities for parents throughout the year. Check the new school website, newsletter, planners and look for notes in your child's backpack for upcoming events.

2014-15 School Grade: B 2015-16 School Grade: Not determined at time

of print

School Logo: Yellow Sun with smiley face School Motto: Where Everyone Shines School Colors: Royal blue and yellow

A hotline, 793-6061, is available for Spanish speaking parents to call for information in regard to their children's educational program.

NOTICIA SOBRE NUMERO DE TELEFONO PARA PADRES HISPANOS

Una l?nea telef?nica, 793-6061, est? disponible para los padres que hablan espa?ol para pedir informaci?n al respecto en el programa educativo de sus hijos.

Table of Contents

Page

Sincerely, Eileen H. Goodson

CURRICULAR PROGRAMS

2

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT

2

COMMITTEES/ ORGANIZATIONS

3

Mission Statement

SCHOOL DAY SCHEDULE

3

ATTENDANCE

4

BUS RIDING PRIVILEGE

4

Webster Elementary School, teachers, staff,

SCHOOL BREAKFAST/ LUNCH

4

students, parents, and community work as a team to enable all children to reach their potential by

HEALTH/WELL BEING PROCEDURES SCHOOL SAFETY HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

5 5 7

providing engaging experiences which will

VOLUNTEERS AND MENTORS

7

maximize the growth of each child and staff member

OTHER INFORMATION

8

in a safe, challenging environment.

PE GRADING DAILY CHECKLIST

10

1

CURRICULAR PROGRAMS

There are many programs used at WES, but these are a few that you may hear your child talk about or are most commonly used. During the 2014-2015 school year, WES spent $9179 per full time equivalent student direct school expense on these programs.

Reading Initiative - Each student at WES receives at least 120 minutes of reading instruction per day. This instruction will address the phonics, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency using methods proven by research to be effective. Struggling students get more individual attention, focused on their areas of need.

Accelerated Reader-The Accelerated Reader program is used to increase students motivation to read as well as improve test taking skills by giving children the opportunity to read books, answer comprehensive questions on the computer and earn points. Teachers establish reading goals for students using the child's reading record and levels in the classroom. Students are required to read twenty minutes per night.

BrainPop for all academic areas k-5, Gizmo, for math and science, IStation for reading, and Kidbiz reading for 5th grade, and Flocabulary are instructional software tools that we use to support learning in the classroom. Usernames and passwords for home use are available for some of these programs.

SuccessMaker- SuccessMaker is a computer based program used to enhance reading and math skills. Students take a pretest, which places them at the appropriate level according to the skills they need. The students are assessed throughout the year to measure growth.

The 21CCLC After School Program is available during the year for students who qualify. Information will be sent home as we have it available. Activities include science, technology, engineering, arts and math. A snack and homework time are provided each day. More information will go home with those students.

Music Program - Every child in K-5 has music at least once per week. In addition to teaching music appreciation and basic music reading, students also perform musicals throughout the year.

Testing Programs: Students in grades K-5 participate in district and state testing programs. Standardized testing information and test results are provided for parents when they become available. Students in grades K-2 participate in the Discover Education Assessment, which is part of the promotion criteria. Third, fourth and fifth graders participate in the Florida Standards Assessment, as required by state law. Fourth and Fifth grade students will take the state writing test. Fifth grade students will take the state science test. Third graders must score proficient on the reading portion of the end of the year test. Students will take baseline, midyear, and end of year assessments evaluate their reading, math, and science. These assessments are used in promotion considerations.

POSITIVE BAHAVIOR SUPPORT (PBS) - Our Character Development and our school wide Positive Behavior Support Program give children the opportunity to practice good behavior while making positive choices to promote a safe and orderly environment. Appropriate student behavior is a shared responsibility which can be accomplished when teachers, students, parents, and the community work together to meet the social and emotional needs of children. Each morning, as part of our PBS program, students recite the Webster Elementary

SHINES Pledge:

Show respect Have a positive attitude Inspire others Nurture my education Endeavor to do my best Strive for safety

We believe that all children can shine through the high expectations we hold for them and the good 2

choices that they make. Please help us to encourage your child to be the best they can be. Character Counts assemblies are held monthly. Students of the month are recognized at these school-wide assemblies. Parents of those students being recognized are welcome to attend the assembly.

Student Transfer Process: Thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of each semester, the district will post a list of the out-offield teachers on the district web-site. A parent whose student is assigned an out-of-field teacher may request that his or her child be transferred to an in-field classroom within the school and grade in which the student is currently enrolled. Any parent may request his or her child to be transferred to another classroom teacher once during a school year. The request must be made in writing and given to the school principal. The parent does not have the right to select the specific classroom teacher. These requests may not put a classroom over the state mandated class size. The principal must approve or deny the transfer within two weeks after receiving the request. If the request is denied, the principal must notify the parent and specify the reasons for denial.

Committees and Organizations

School Advisory Council-The School Advisory Council (SAC), which involves parents, school staff, and community members, is responsible for developing and monitoring our School Improvement Plan. All parents, teachers, staff, and community members are encouraged to be a part of this planning process. Voting members are elected each year in the fall. The SAC meets quarterly to provide input and direction of school based operations and policies.

Title I: Webster Elementary is a Title I school. This means that we meet federal criteria to received specific programs, training, and funding to further our school's goals. Information about Title I is sent home with students throughout the year. The Title I Plans for Webster Elementary, the Sumter School District, and the Webster Elementary Title I Parent Involvement Plans may be reviewed in our front

office. You may also review these plans on our website.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)-PTO is an active group within our school. PTO conducts many activities to help raise funds for our school, improve student performance and increase parent involvement. We encourage you to join the PTO and to help support its fund-raising efforts for our students.

SCHOOL DAY SCHEDULE

BELLS: First bell - 7:55, Tardy bell - 8:00, Dismissal - 2:30 and Early Release Days - 12:20

ARRIVAL: For those students who ride with parents, they must arrive no earlier than 7:30 when supervision begins. They must be dropped at the student drop off area on the south side of the campus before 7:55, as the gates close promptly at 7:55, regardless if you are in line or not. The front of the school is not a drop off area. At 7:30, students may go to breakfast or their early room. Students arriving by bus should go directly to their early room or to breakfast.

DISMISSAL: When classes are dismissed, children who are picked up go directly to the supervised area at the south side of the campus and load at the direction of the teacher in charge. Bus students walk to buses under the direction of their teacher.

CHANGES IN TRANSPORTATION: To make changes in the way a student is to go home, the school MUST HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION from the parent/guardian before 2:00 pm. For the safety of your child, phone calls are not acceptable. Students can be picked up at the office before 2:10. Please have your photo I.D. ready.

TRANSPORTATION: Parents bringing or picking up students during arrival and dismissal times are asked to load or unload students at the PICK UP AREA ONLY. Do not use the driveway in front of the office to drop off or pick up students.

3

Students who walk or ride bicycles must wear a helmet and are encouraged to use caution while crossing streets to reach the campus. Bikes are to be walked while on campus and parked on the north side of the office where a bike rack is provided. The school is NOT responsible for damage and/or theft. LOCKS ARE RECOMMENDED.

without prior approval. Make up work will count at half credit, per county policy. Special note: All absences after 10 days in a semester will be unexcused unless the child brings an original note from a medical doctor.

NEW THIS YEAR!

Students will ride only the assigned bus unless written permission has been given in advance. For safety reasons, it is necessary that every student abide by bus rules and obey the driver. Rule infraction or disrespect to the driver will be reported to the parent/guardian and will result in consequences for the student, following county discipline guidelines.

TARDIES: Children who are regularly tardy (not in class by 8:00am bell) are considered tardy. By county policy, the fifth unexcused tardy will become an unexcused absence. This means that the student's work for that day will be.... EARLY CHECK OUTS: Children who leave before the end of the day are early check out. The fifth unexcused early checkout will become an

unexcused absence. Throughout the year, each fifth

ATTENDANCE

unexcused tardy or fifty unexcused early checkout

will Tardies and early check-outs will be

ATTENDANCE: Make sure your children come to school every day on time. Students and teachers

reflected on student report cards. To acknowledge the importance of good school attendance, perfect

both lose valuable instruction time when a child is

attendance with no tardies and no early checkouts

late to class, misses a day, or is withdrawn early.

will be rewarded at the end of the year. Early

Tardies and early check-outs are tracked by the

checkouts are excused when a doctor's note is

county and accumulate toward an unexcused

provided.

absence, which will have an effect on your child's learning and grades. If an absence is unavoidable, please follow these guidelines below.

WITHDRAWAL OF STUDENTS: Should it be necessary for a student to transfer to another school, parents/guardians are asked to notify the school as

early as possible. A transfer sheet and a copy of

ABSENCES: A child returning to school after an absence is required to bring a note from his parent/guardian to be given to the teacher on the day the child returns. Any absence without

health information will be given to the student on the last day of attendance if the school is notified early. Students must return or pay for all texts and library books before transferring.

a written note will be considered unexcused.

When a student has three (3) or more unexcused

BUS RIDING PRIVILEGE

absences within 90 days, parents will be notified. If

the number of unexcused absences increases, other

Students in Prekindergarten and Kindergarten, by

actions will be necessary. Work completed for an

county requirement, must be met at their bus stop

unexcused absence is given half credit.

each afternoon by an adult on their approved pick

up list. If an approved adult is not at the stop

Excused Absences: personal illness, death of a

multiple times, the child is brought back to the

family member, religious holiday or special

school and these students may lose their bus riding

emergencies must be approved by the school per

privileges.

County policy. Prior approval must be requested of the principal to receive consideration for excused

1st incident - warning to parent 2nd incident ? warning about loss of privilege upon

absences for family trips and vacations. Make up work must be completed within 5 days.

next incident 3rd incident - loss of bus riding privilege

Unexcused Absences: shopping trips, vacations,

pleasure trips or other avoidable absence taken

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SCHOOL BREAKFAST and LUNCH

BREAKFAST: All students participating in the breakfast program should go directly to the lunchroom upon arrival at school. Breakfast brought from home may be eaten in the cafeteria during breakfast time.

LUNCH: Each class has a 25-minute period. Students are expected to display good manners and courteous behavior. Students may pay for their meals by the day, week or month. District policy does not allow us to accept checks nor allow students to charge lunches, but parents may prepay meals online through . Application forms for free and reduced meals are always available in the school office. You are urged to apply in the case of need. New students will pay full price until their application has been approved.

Prices: Full Price: Reduced:

Adults:

Breakfast......$0.75 Lunch.........$2.30 Breakfast......$0.30 Lunch.........$0.40 Extra Milk....$0.50 Lunch.........$3.50

If your child brings his or her lunch to school, please remember that sodas are not allowed unless with approval for a special situation or event. Super caffeinated drinks are never allowed. Snacks from home, including chips, are not allowed to supplement school meals.

Parents who wish to eat lunch with their child will sit with their child at their assigned lunch table or outside the lunch room.

To reduce waste and make students aware of the importance of recycling, they are recycling daily in the lunch room and classrooms. Please encourage your child to practice recycling at home.

It is extremely important that parents fill in this form completely and correctly and return the back to school as soon as possible. Information on the form will be used to contact parents or a designated contact if a child becomes ill at school. We must have a working telephone number to contact the parents, even if there is no phone at home. For the student's benefit, parents should notify the school of any changes in telephone numbers, addresses, etc. as they occur.

UPDATE!! MEDICATION: Medication: Prescription and Over-The-Counter (OTC) Students who require medication during the school day must provide the school with an order from a licensed health care provider (PP-SR-125) and deliver the medication to the school in the original unaltered pharmacy-labeled container. Over-thecounter medication shall be delivered in an unopened container. No medication will be administered without proper consent/permission from the parent/guardian (PP-SR-035). All medication is administered by the school health staff or other trained staff. It is against school and district policy for students to have or transport medication (without proper authorization on file at the school) and may lead to disciplinary measures.

HEAD LICE: It is primarily the parent's responsibility to check their child for head lice.

Teachers or the school nurse will periodically check for head lice as well. Parents are encouraged to contact the school if lice are found. Steps will be taken that may prevent the spread of lice to other students. A child with head lice will be sent home with a letter explaining the proper treatment. After treatment, the child may return to school with proof of treatment.

HEALTH AND WELL BEING PROCEDURES

SCHOOL SAFETY

ILLNESS: Students should not come to school when feeling ill. The classroom teacher and the office should be notified if a child has a health problem. An EMERGENCY INFORMATION FORM will be sent home early in the school year.

LEAVING CAMPUS: All students, including preK, are to be checked out through the school office. Parents/guardians must come to the office to sign a student out. A person other than a parent/guardian must be listed on the emergency data form of the student and provide identification to the office 5

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