South Hill Elementary School



South Hill Elementary School

520 Hudson Street

Ithaca, NY 14850

607 – 274-2129

Dear South Hill Families:

South Hill School is alive and well! We are looking forward to making this coming year a great one for our school community. Over the summer the school district maintenance crews and our own school custodians have been hard at work preparing for our opening. You and your child are about to become involved in an academically and socially challenging year. We are eager to work with you, as you are the most important educator in your child’s life. Your active interest and cooperation will enable us to provide the best learning experiences for your child’s individual needs.

School atmosphere is an important factor in the social, emotional and intellectual growth of a child. This year we have developed a South Hill Elementary School handbook to provide information regarding our daily procedures, available services and our Civil Rights and Responsibilities. We want to continue our positive, comfortable, accepting and safe environment in which learning will be fun. During the first few days of school these Rights and Responsibilities will be presented to all of our students in their classrooms, during announcements and during our grade level welcome meetings. Throughout the year, there will be regular follow-up meetings to ensure that all members of the South Hill School Community clearly understands and practices our Civil Rights and Responsibilities.

You can help your child get off to a great start by reading the handbook together. Please emphasize the section on your child’s right and responsibilites. Then, sign and return the last page to your child’s classroom teacher. The Ithaca City School District Code of Conduct will be sent home separately from our handbook. Please review this material as well. We hope this year is rewarding and enjoyable for you and your child.

Table of Contents

South Hill Mission Statement, Performance and School Development Plan Goals

Daily Procedure

• Attendance

• Arrival

• Dismissal

• Bus Expectations

School Lunch Program and Noon Hour

• Grade level lunch/recess times

• Cafeteria Expectations

• Recess

• Playground Expectations

Special Activities

• Assemblies

• Field Trips

South Hill Code of Conduct

• Basic Principles

• Student Expectations

• Staff Expectations

• Family Expectations

• Behavior Rewards for Appropriate Behavior

• Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior

• South Hill Civil Rights and Responsibilities

Health Services

• Medication

• Immunization

• Physical Exams

• Health Screenings

• Communicable Diseases

Other Information

• Emergency Closing

• Money

• Bus Notes

• Telephone

• Proper Clothing

• Parent Participation

• Parent – Teacher Communication

• Homework Policy

Parent Signature Sheet

• Please sign and return to your child’s classroom teacher

Mission Statement

Our vision involves the education of the whole child. Through the development of critical thinking, problem solving, risk taking and enjoyment of learning we will strive for excellence. We will foster an appreciation of all types of diversity and a sense of one’s rights and responsibilities within our community. Essential to this commitment is a secure and supportive environment where all students learn and respect themselves and others.

Performance Goals

To improve student achievement in reading and writing for all students as demonstrated by yearly progress toward 93% of all our students performing at or above level 3 on the New York State English Language Arts assessment.

❑ Increase student performance on Standard 3-(Students will read, write, listen and speak for critical analysis and evaluation). Additional strategies that encourage critical thinking and a variety of “mapping” templates will be provided to students. Students will be given more opportunities to compare and contrast fiction and non-fiction literary pieces.

❑ Increase student performance on the PEEL writing scale by providing additional instruction in the areas of voice and conventions.

To improve student achievement in mathematics for all students as demonstrated by yearly progress toward 95% of all our students performing at or above level 3 on the New York State Mathematics Grade 4 assessment.

❑ Increase students’ problem solving skills by providing additional practice including daily word problems, improving mathematics vocabulary development, using concrete models to explain process and solving self created word problems.

❑ Increase students’ ability to use mathematics in content areas, such as science and social studies by providing additional experiences in data collection and graph interpretation.

School Development Plan Goals

To enhance student and staff awareness of diversity and equity by continuing to provide and increase these perspectives in classroom and school wide events.

To foster a safe and secure learning environment where everyone (students, staff and families) is respected, valued and included.

To promote curriculum continuity across grade levels and throughout the school.

To enhance student and staff knowledge of technological opportunities and concepts.

Daily Procedures

As a result of S.A.V.E. Legislation we are required to have only one entrance to our building. All doors except the Hudson Street entrance will be locked throughout the school day. In the mornings between 8:10 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. the back parking lot door will be unlocked and supervised for arriving students.

Attendance

• Each day is important. You must be in school unless you are ill. The Hudson Street doors open at 8:00 a.m. School begins at 8:10 a.m. and concludes at 2:10 p.m. Students are considered tardy after 8:15 a.m. and must sign in at the main office. If your child is going to be absent please call the main office prior to 8:20 a.m. at 274 – 2129. For safety reasons, the Hudson Street door will be the only door open after 8:15 a.m.

• When your child is absent or tardy, a written excuse is required. Excuses should be returned the day following the absence. Note from Home pads are available in the main office. If a written excuse is not received the absence is considered illegal.

• Children who need to leave the building during the day must be signed out by a parent or guardian in the main office, prior to leaving and signed in when they return.

Arrival

• Students are allowed to enter the building at 8:00 a.m. using the Hudson Street Door only. They should report directly to the cafeteria. They may eat breakfast or sit in the supervised area.

• Parents dropping off students and are using the Aurora Street door, please remember that is open between 8:10a.m. and 8:15a.m. only. The Hudson Street entrance is the bus entrance. If dropping students off there, please wait until the busses have finished unloading. Remember it is illegal to pass a school bus when it is loading or unloading students and has its red lights flashing.

Dismissal

• Dismissal begins with bus #97 being called at 2:05 p.m.

• Other busses, walkers, students being picked up and After School are called beginning at 2:10 p.m.

• If you are picking up your child please use the Aurora Street door and meet them at that door. If you are coming into the building to pick your child up it is necessary to sign in at the Main Office. Please do not park in the bus lane during dismissal time.

Bus Expectations

• Walk safely on the sidewalk to and from the bus. Be courteous and cooperative with staff members who are supervising the busses.

• Follow the bus driver’s rules when getting on the bus, while riding, and when getting off the bus.

• Students must ride the busses, to which they have been assigned, except in case of emergencies. A request for a change in a bus requires a written notification from the parent.

School Lunch Program and Noon Hour

• Lunches and Recess times

K – 11:10 – 11:50 3 – 11:00 – 11:40

1 – 12:10 – 12:50 4 – 12:00 – 12:40

2 – 11:40 – 12:20 5 – 11:30 – 12:10

• Students may purchase hot lunch with milk each day, purchase milk separately or bring lunch from home. If you are sending money into school please place them in a sealed envelope with the student’s name, teacher and which days they are paying for. Checks should be made out to the I.C.S.D.

• Cafeteria Expectation: Students should show respect and appreciation by saying “please” and “thank you.” Students are expected to wait their turn in the lunch line. Students should enjoy quiet conversation with classmates at their table. Students are responsible for picking up and disposing of their own paper, lunch trays and food. All students should remain in their seats until their table is called to line up for recess. These expectations will be reviewed during the first week of school.

• Recess: After lunch, weather permitting, students will be going outside for recess. Primary students (K, 1, 2) will use the upper playground, Intermediate students (3, 4, 5) will use the lower playground. Students will be expected to line up and walk quietly when going outdoors. Paraprofessionals will be supervising the cafeteria and the playgrounds. At the end of recess, students will line up by class and re-enter the building at their assigned door.

• Playground Expectations: On the playground all students are expected to show respect for themselves and others. When sliding down slides students should sit down with feet in front and check that it is clear before sliding. Students are expected to sit on swings. Paraprofessionals directions on the playground must be followed for safety. When the whistle is blown students should line up quickly. In the event of an emergency, respond immediately to the whistle. A complete listing of playground expectations appears on the next page. These expectations will be reviewed during the first week of school.

Playground Expectations

1. Be respectful of all children, and all adults, regardless of age.

2. Follow directions from ANY South Hill staff member.

← Always ask an adult for permission to get a pass to go inside.

← Line up at the FIRST whistle sound.

3. Keep hands and feet to yourself.

← Wrestling, karate, “play” fighting and tackling are not allowed.

4. Use all playground equipment safely.

← Go DOWN ONLY on slides, sitting feet first

← Only 3 at one time on tire swings, keeping feet inside

← NO standing on, running under or through swings. NO spinning or jumping out.

← Sitting only on ends of red spring bouncers.

← NO pushing from outside of bouncers.

5. Food should only be eaten in the cafeteria.

6. Sticks, snow, woodchips and stones stay on the ground.

Special Activities

• Assemblies: Sitting quietly shows respect and allows everyone to see and hear. Unless it is an emergency, it is impolite to leave an assembly during the performance. Applauding shows that you enjoyed the program.

• Field Trips: Field trips are scheduled by teachers to provide visits to places as a means of enriching and expanding the school curriculum. While away on such trips, students are expected to observe the highest standards of conduct and to dress appropriately. Emergency contact slips are required for field trips that are outside of Ithaca.

South Hill Code of Conduct

Basic Principles

• We need to keep people and our environment safe from harm.

• We need to treat people and our environment with respect.

• We need to create an environment in which learning can take place.

• We need to give students the skills they need to help resolve conflicts.

• We need to provide frequent and open communication between all South Hill School Community members.

Student Expectations

• Honor and follow the South Hill Civil Rights and Responsibilities and classroom expectations.

• Respect and follow the directions of any South Hill staff member.

• Be respectful of all members of the South Hill School community.

Staff Expectations

• Support and enforce all expectations in a consistent manner.

• Acknowledge and reward appropriate behavior.

• Be proactive

• Post South Hill Civil Rights and Responsibilities and develop, with your students, classroom expectations.

• Supervise students, in the classroom, in the halls and to and from the cafeteria.

• Be on time to greet students when they enter at 8:10 a.m.

Family Expectations

• Discuss and support South Hill Civil Rights and Responsibilities with your child.

• Reinforce appropriate behavior.

• Direct problems, including conflicts among students in school to the classroom teacher.

Behavior Rewards for Appropriate Behavior

• Classroom rewards

• Positive verbal praise

• Positive parent phone calls and notes

• Spotlight announcements and other types of school wide celebrations

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior

• Parent Contact

• Classroom consequences

• Office time out and referral

• Lunch &/or recess detention

• Suspension from school (or bus)

South Hill Civil Rights and Responsibilities

I have a right to be happy in this school.

This means that no one will laugh at me or hurt my feelings.

I have a responsibility to treat other with respect.

This means that I will not laugh at other or hurt their feelings.

I have a right to be myself in this school.

This means that no one will treat me unfairly because I am dark or light, fat or thin, tall or short, boy or girl.

I have a responsibility to let others be themselves.

This means that I will not treat others unfairly because they are dark or light, fat or thin, tall or short, boy or girl.

I have a right to be safe in this school.

This means that no one will hit me, kick me, punch me or hurt me.

I have a responsibility to help make the school safe for others.

This means that I will not hit, kick, punch or hurt others.

I have a right to hear and be heard in this school.

This means that I will not interrupt, shout or make noises.

I have a responsibility to listen when others are speaking.

This means that I will not interrupt, shout or make noises.

I have a right to express myself in this school in an acceptable way.

This means that I will be free to express my feelings and opinions in an acceptable way.

I have a responsibility to allow others to express their feelings and opinions.

This means that I will allow others to express their feelings and opinions in an acceptable way.

I have a right to expect my property to be safe in this school.

This means that no one will steal, damage, or destroy my personal or school property.

I have a responsibility to respect my property and the property of others.

This means that I will not steal, damage, or destroy property belonging to others or the school.

Health Services

The school nurse acts as a liaison between home, school and the community. If there is a problem concerning a student’s health, the parent is encouraged to contact the health office at 274 – 2255. Student information sheets requesting phone numbers of the parents and of a relative or neighbor will be sent home at the beginning of the school year.

Medication: Medication cannot be given in school without written instructions from your doctor or practitioner and signed by you. The medicine must be in the original labeled container. Do not send medication to school in your child’s lunchbox for him/her to take at lunch. Children with severe allergies (stings, nuts, etc.) are urged to keep medication. Please return this form to the school office. If a phone number is changed during the school year, please notify the school office. Unlisted numbers are kept confidential. It is imperative that the school personnel be given an emergency number where a parent, guardian, or caregiver can be reached. Parents should also fill out new entrant forms so the district can change the information as well.

Immunization: Before entry to school, children are required to be immunized against Diphtheria (3 doses), polio (3 doses), measles (2 does, the first after the first birthday), mumps (1 dose), and rubella (1 dose). Children entering Pre-K are required to have HIB (1 dose). Students will be excluded from school if proof of immunization has not been received within two weeks of the beginning of school. Consideration will be given for religious or medical exemptions.

Physical Exams: New York State has a law requiring all school children to be examined when entering a new school district for the first time and at grades Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 10th.

Health Screenings: All children have their vision and hearing check annually in elementary school. A color perception test is done once in the child’s school career. Beginning in the second grade all children are checked annually for scoliosis or curvature of the spine. Parents should feel free to request additional testing during the school year if they suspect a vision or hearing problem. Parents are notified if further follow up to the screenings is necessary.

Communicable Diseases: Please do not send a sick child to school. We are not able to accommodate sick students. If you suspect illness, take the child’s temperature before sending him/her to school. Every effort is made to keep communicable diseases out of the school to protect both your child and others. Parents are asked to keep children at home when any of the following symptoms appear:

Discharge from the nose Coughing

Inflamed throat or sore throat Inflammation or discharge from eyes or ears

Headache if persistent or severe Vomiting or diarrhea within 12 hours

Chills Fever, within 12 hours

Body rash Lice or their eggs

Any communicable diseases or conditions (such as chicken pox, strep throat, impetigo, head lice, pin worms, ringworm, scabies, etc.) must be reported to school. When a child becomes ill in school, the parents will be called. They are responsible for seeing that an ill or injured child gets safely home or to the physician.

Other Information

Emergency Closing: If school is to be closed because of weather conditions, road conditions or some other emergency, the Ithaca radio and television stations will broadcast this information. Should an emergency require us to dismiss students early, this will also be broadcast on area media stations. Parents are advised to review with children an emergency plan should we be forced to dismiss students early.

Money: When you give your child money for lunch, milk, ice cream or the school store, please put it in an envelope and write on the envelope your child’s name, teacher’s name, the amount enclosed and the purpose for which the money is sent.

Bus Notes: If you wish your child to ride home on a bus other than the one regularly ridden, please use the “note to school” form. This note should be given to the teacher in the morning and should contain the bus number and the address where the child should be dropped off. Please do not call the school to request a dismissal change unless it is an emergency.

Proper Clothing: Clothing appropriate to the weather should be worn, since students go outside, weather permitting, and every day for recess. Students are required to have sneakers for their physical education classes. Please put your children’s names in any item of clothing they might take off during the day- (coats, jackets, sweaters, mittens, boots, hats). Stray items are held at school. Periodically they are placed on a table or on hooks in the cafeteria for identification by parents when they visit the school. If “shoe boots” are worn, shoes should be brought also to wear while inside school.

Parent Participation: You are encouraged to participate in the following ways:

• Visit the classroom to read a story, share a hobby, talent or your job, or work with small groups or individual children.

• Go on field trips

• Attend parent conferences

• Attend school functions and PTA meeting and events.

Parent – Teacher Communications: Classroom newsletters are sent home regularly (usually weekly) to keep you posted on daily activities. There is also a monthly PTA newsletter. In November and March parent-teacher conference days are planned to review student progress. The parent-teacher contacts are opportunities for you to share your knowledge of your child so that we may be aware of individual needs. In addition to attending the regularly scheduled conferences, you are encouraged to immediately contact your child’s teacher when questions, comments, or observations arise. Effective home – school communication forms the foundation for positive student perceptions of school as a place where family involvement is expected and warmly welcomed.

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