Spring Creek Student/Parent

HANDBOOK

“Spring Creek School, Where Everyone Teaches and Learns Together. Expecting Success, Celebrating Achievement”

“Spring Creek Sharks”

Revised May, 2017

1203 Russell Street Laramie, Wyoming 82070

(307)721-4410

Albany County School District # 1 Dr. Jubal Yennie, Superintendent

Liann Brenneman, Jerri Rauer, Principal Administrative Assistant

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SPRING CREEK SCHOOL SONG

Written by our first Sixth Graders – Spring, 1993 In cooperation with their teacher, Mrs. Marge Richardson

To the tune of “We are the B-E-S-T, Best Of All The R-E-S-T . . .

Spring Creek is great, come join the fun. We are a team, we’re number one. Spring Creek, built in ’92. We are the sharks of silver and blue. We are the SH-A-R-KS. We are the B-E-S-T, best Of the R-E-S-T, rest. Spring Creek kids are best. Read, write and learn to be responsible. Learn what we need to know in school. Friendships, teachers, classes, grades. Spring Creek Sharks are cool. We are the SH-A-R-KS. We are the B-E-S-T, best Of the R-E-S-T, rest. Spring Creek is always best! OH, YES! School colors: Royal Blue and Silver (or White) School Mascot: Shark

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Our mission:

“Spring Creek School, Where Everyone Teaches and Learns Together. Expecting Success, Celebrating Achievement”

Welcome to Spring Creek Elementary School – home of the Sharks! We hope this will be

another exciting year for our students and that they and you will enjoy the school activities we are planning! If you have questions or concerns any time during the school year, please feel free to call. We welcome your calls and look forward to seeing and visiting with you.

The teachers have been in their classrooms throughout the summer getting ready for the new year and making their classrooms warm and welcoming for the children. We are anxiously waiting to begin another great year at Spring Creek.

The expectations and guidelines in the handbook have been developed cooperatively, reviewed and revised by teachers, monitors, and the principal at Spring Creek. The guidelines in our handbook are in addition to those listed in the District-wide Elementary Parent/Student Handbook, which is included in this material. There are an assortment of changes and additions to this edition, so please take a moment to look closely at the information contained in the handbook.

Our goal is to work together with parents and children for order, safety and effective school discipline and to help children become increasingly responsible for themselves and their actions. We want all of our children to enjoy their time with each other and the adults at school. We will promote a mutually respectful environment for children and adults. The rules we have are in place for the safety of the children.

We ask you to sit down with your children and talk about behavior expectations, game rules, and the contents of our student handbook. Please call if you have any questions. We wish you and your child (ren) a wonderful school year.

The Spring Creek Faculty & Staff

Spring Creek Elementary Vision Statement It is the vision of Spring Creek Elementary school to prepare all students to reach their unique, personal potential, in a broad range of endeavors, so as to succeed in an ever-changing global community. To accomplish this, the staff of Spring Creek Elementary School is dedicated to providing a safe, respectful, responsible, and productive learning environment in which both adults and children can develop as lifelong learners.

School Arrival Time: Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. There is a monitor before school in the corridor beginning at 7:30 a.m. Only those children who must arrive early may come at that time. If you have questions about arrival time(s), please call.

School Hours: 8:05 a.m. - 3:05 p.m. (Grades K – 5)

REGISTRATION PACKET

The beginning year registration packet will include: information letter to parents, handbook, school lunch letter and menu, school calendar, insurance forms, and pupil information form, health form, and misc. permission letters.

Release of Records. Permanent records and cumulative folders are school records under the law.

Parents/guardians may view and ask for copies of these papers. If you anticipate moving out of the Spring Creek area or outside Albany County School District #1, please notify your child’s teacher and the school office ahead of time. This will allow the teacher time to update your child’s records and provide you with a transfer slip on the last day of the child’s attendance.

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ATTENDANCE

REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS CRITICAL TO RECEIVING AN EDUCATION.

For good educational reasons and because it is the law, students must be present every day that classes are in session unless excused for justifiable reasons. Therefore, students will be required to attend school regularly and be punctual. They will be excused for personal illness, death in the family, or other reasons the principal considers justified.

An unexcused absence means an absence other than illness or death in the family that the principal does not consider justified, even though the parent, guardian, or other person having control of the child may have considered “excused”. Absences: If a student is absent or tardy, a call is required to the school’s office before 9:15 a.m. on the day of the absence. A written note or a telephone call from home at the time of absence stating the nature of the absence may excuse the absence. If we do not receive the written note or telephone call by 9:15 a.m. stating the reason for the absence and asking for the absence to be excused, the absence will be recorded as unexcused. When five (5) unexcused absences have been recorded for any student during the school year, the matter may be referred to the Truancy/Youth Officer of the Laramie Police Department.

If a student is not in attendance before 10:00 a.m., the student will be marked absent for 1/2 day. After 2:00 p.m. the absence is considered to be an early dismissal and not counted as an absence. Absences and Tardies are reported on the report card. Tardies: All students coming to school after the last bell has rung will be considered tardy and must report to the office with an explanation before going to class. Every tardy may be excused by a written note or telephone call from home or personal visit from parent stating the nature of the tardy. If we do not receive a written note or a telephone call stating the reason for the tardy, the tardy will be recorded as unexcused. Habitual Truant: As defined by law, a habitual truant is any child with five (5) or more unexcused absences in any one school year. It is the duty of the Board and those parents who serve as its attendance officers to investigate and initiate legal proceedings against parents and guardians whose children are habitual truants under the legal definitions. W.S. 21-4-101. Unexcused absences shall be referred to the Albany County Youth Officer. Unexcused tardies may be referred to the Albany County Youth Officer. If a student accumulates ten (10) excused absences within any year, verification of further excused absences may be required, i.e. doctor’s excuse. Students without verifications for further absences may be referred to the Youth Officer of the Laramie Police Department. After ten (10) consecutive days of absences, a student will be dropped from the rolls. The student will need to re-enroll. Exceptions will be made in the event of a prolonged illness when homebound instruction is provided by the school district. W.S. 21-4-402 Cited information from Wyoming Education Law 21-4-101 through 21-4-107 and 21-4-402, 2000 Edition.

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STUDENT PICK-UP AREA

Russell Street and Bus Lane:

There is NO PARKING ALLOWED on Russell Street or in the BUS LANE in front of the school.

Please arrange to pick your children up on 11th Street or at the far north end of the parking lot by the fence.

We do not want children to jaywalk across Russell to an illegally parked car and risk accidental

injury. Our buses MUST have a clear lane in front of the school for accessibility and safety for your children.

North and West sides of the school:

1. Please note the area marked with yellow paint – it is a NO PARKING area. If you need to park and come into the school to visit, please park in the unmarked area further north or park in the parking lot. Do not leave your car parked and unattended in the yellow drive along the gym or the fence next to the parking lot.

2. Please note the two handicapped parking spaces available in our parking lot. These spots are

reserved for the parents, visitors, and students who have handicaps and have the proper signage. Do not park in these spaces while waiting for a student.

When dropping students off, or picking them up, do not block the handicap access or any parked

cars.

PARENT VISITS

We encourage parents to visit school; however, to reduce any interference with the educational process we prefer that parents who wish to visit their child’s class telephone ahead and coordinate their visit with the classroom teacher. We ask that during the PAWS testing window in the spring, parents refrain from calling or visiting the classroom. All visitors must report to the office before entering a classroom. If you are picking up your child before 3:00, we ask that you sign them out in the office.

FOOD SERVICE

We have a breakfast and lunch program. Each child has an account which will be credited each time money is deposited. Each time your child eats, the appropriate amount of money is deducted from the account. You are strongly encouraged to pay for multiple lunches on a monthly or weekly basis. Extra milk is available for purchase. Your child may buy additional food items or a second full lunch each day with your permission. Applications for free or reduced price meals are available in our office. Please fill out applications if you qualify. The numbers of free and reduced meals provided at our school often determines money for Federal programs. That determination is based on the numbers recorded on October 1st of each school year.

Lunch Expectations. Classroom teachers escort their students to the lunchroom where monitors supervise them inside and outside until the bell rings for their grade level. Children are expected to enter the lunchroom quietly, to eat with good manners and consideration for their neighbors and to be polite to and cooperative with lunchroom personnel. The classroom teacher will review lunchroom rules, and the rules will be posted in the lunchroom. Lunch Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Kindergarten 11:10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Grade 1 11:25 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Grade 2

11:35 p.m. – 12:25 p.m. Grade 5 11:50 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. Grade 3

11:55 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Grade 4

Times are subject to change based on class size and schedule changes.

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PROHIBITING HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYING

The Albany County School District One (ACSD1) is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, volunteers, and patrons free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. Albany County School District One prohibits harassment, intimidation or bullying of students at school. “Harassment, intimidation, or bullying” is defined as any intentional gesture, or any intentional electronic communication, or any intentional written, verbal or physical act initiated, occurring or received at school that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of:

• Harming a student physically or emotionally, damaging a student’s property or placing a student in reasonable fear of personal harm or property damage;

• Insulting or demeaning a student or group of students causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the schools; or

• Creating an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student or group of students through sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive behavior.” (W.W. 21-4-312)

Harassment, intimidation or bullying can take many forms including: slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, oral or physical actions. “Intentional acts” refers to the individual’s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the action(s). “School” includes a classroom or other location on school premises, a school bus or other school-related vehicle, a school bus stop, an activity or event sponsored by a school, whether or not it is held on school premises, and any other program or function where the school is responsible for the child (21-4-311 (a)(i)(C)(ii)). (In the event of any ambiguity, this policy should be interpreted in conformity with the Wyoming Safe School Climate Act W.S. 21-4-311 through 21-4-315.)

The district’s complete policy can be accessed on the district’s website at http://www.acsd1.org/acsd/prohibiting-harassment-intimidation-and-bullying/

HEALTH

Medication Administered at School

No medications, prescribed, or over the counter, may be given by school personnel without a written request from the parent and attending physician. A district form must be signed by the parent and physician. Medications must be in its original container and be kept in our school office. Liquid medications can only be given by the nurse. We strongly encourage parents to administer the medicine before or after school, if possible. For more information, contact the school.

Accident, Injury and Illness

When students are ill or injured, first aid will be administered by the school nurse or other qualified personnel. Parents will be notified if the illness or injury is serious. Students who have vomited and/or have a temperature of 100 or more will be sent home. We strongly encourage them to remain at home for at least a day to recuperate. Under no circumstances will the child be sent home unattended. Make sure your home, cell phone, work and emergency numbers are current in the office. The school is not to be used as a substitute for recuperation at home for an illness.

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Allergies

Spring Creek Elementary School is aware that some students and adults have asthma and or allergies. When health and allergy issues become known to the school, we will do everything we can to protect the individuals from coming in contact with that substance. We do have ways to make modifications for individual needs to allow students the opportunity to achieve success at school. In the case of food allergies, we ask that you comply with our school’s request for restricting the types of foods brought by students on a daily basis or brought by parents for special occasions.

If you have a child with food allergies, please ensure that the school nurse and/or principal are notified. Immunizations

The Mandatory School Immunization Law is in effect. You will be contacted if your child’s record is incomplete and you will be allowed 30 calendar days to present proof of immunization. If you have questions, please call our school office and visit with the secretary or the school nurse. We will help you in any way we can. Reporting Child Abuse

According to law, any teacher or staff member who has reasonable cause to know or suspect a child has been subject to abuse or neglect or who has observed the child being subjected to circumstances or conditions which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, must immediately notify the principal, who by law, must notify the Albany County Department of Social Services.

ROUTINES AND EXPECTATIONS

We expect our students to behave appropriately at all times. In order to help them do that, we need to make sure we are very clear about our expectations and consistent about our routines. School Arrival. Please plan to arrive after 7:45 a.m. unless coming for breakfast. Children are expected to report TO THE PLAYGROUND area on the north side of the building. They may leave their book bags at the outside entry to their classrooms and, when the bell rings, they should move quickly to their outside classroom entries. Hallways and Classrooms. Students are not allowed in the hallways or classrooms without teacher supervision. We require students to go to the outside door of their classroom when they have permission to work with their teacher before school or during a recess. This ensures the presence of a teacher in the room, ensuring the safety of all children.

Inclement Weather. If the temperature is 0 degrees or below, with or without the wind-chill factor, children at Spring Creek will stay inside or be brought inside according to instructions from the principal. When children arrive before school begins during really cold, questionable weather, they should look for a red sign at each outside end of the Gallery. RED means they MUST come inside. Once the children are inside, they will be able to “Walk the Loop”. This means they will leave their things at their classroom doors and walk the hallways. Monitors will be stationed to encourage the children to exercise safely. Inside at recesses and lunch. When the weather is too bad, the children will remain indoors. The monitors will supervise students maintaining order and encouraging responsible behavior. Children will return directly to the hall near their classrooms after lunch or “walk the loop”.

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Office and Restrooms. Children may enter the building to go to the office or restrooms in the Gallery before school begins or during any recess. If they need to go to their classrooms, they are to use their outside classroom entries and knock on the classroom door. Before School Activities. We will let the children (and parents) know in advance, by note, what these activities are and when they will occur. Personal Property. Please put your child’s name on any personal items he/she brings to school. When possible, please write your child’s name on the inside, where it is less noticed by strangers. Do NOT bring any toys or sports equipment to school. End-of-Day Dismissal. All students will exit the school from their outside door. Children are expected to leave the school grounds immediately after school. Parents who pick up their children should be at the parking lot by 3:00 p.m. Any student who is not picked up by 3:20 will be taken to the school office to wait. If you live nearby, please do not allow your children to return to school grounds until after 4:30 p.m. Buses. Students waiting for buses will adhere to instructions from the bus monitor and the teacher on duty. Students waiting for buses will remain in their bus line. Students must wait behind the yellow line until the bus monitor tells them to get on the bus. When on the bus, students need to follow the instructions of the bus driver. It is a privilege, not a right, to ride the school bus. Proper conduct on the bus is expected and will be strictly enforced. A note from a parent is required if a student is to ride home with a friend or ride a bus other than his/her usual one. For more information on bus assignments and schedules, please call the bus garage at 721-4470. After School Activities. Students need to report to the assigned location of the activity and report to their supervisor. Grassy, Unsupervised Areas. Children should play on the north side or the east side of the building in the playground areas. The south and west sides are off limits and should only be used as necessary to get from one place to another. Students are not allowed to climb or break any of the trees on the premises. School dress. Children should be dressed neatly, cleanly, and appropriately for the weather and for learning. Hats, T-shirt and sweatshirts, and jewelry with messages or pictures of drugs or alcohol, rude or unacceptable behavior, language or offensive appearance is not allowed. Blouses/shirts should be constructed so that the top of the shoulders is covered and is fitted under the arms (no halter tops, tank tops, strapless tops, spaghetti straps, or bare-shouldered tops of any type will be allowed). Blouses/shirts which expose any portion of the waist, hips, or midriff are not allowed. Blouses/shirts which are not appropriate for school include those which are low-cut, see-through, backless, or tube tops. Shorts and skirts should be mid-thigh or longer. You may be asked by your teacher or the principal to call home for appropriate clothing or required to wear a “loaner” for the remainder of the school day. Boots, hats, gloves and adequate outerwear are most important in cold weather. Students will be outside everyday for recess unless the temperature or wind chill is below zero. Hats. We ask both boys and girls to remove their hats and scarves, worn as hats, inside the building. We also encourage visitors to observe this rule. Snow Days. Occasionally, severe weather necessitates closing of school. An announcement will be made by 6:45 a.m. on local AM radio stations – KOWB or KLDI and FM stations- KCGY, KRQU and UW station KUWR. If weather becomes severe during the school day and school is dismissed early, an announcement will be made over the same radio stations. You may also visit the ACSD#1 website at: www.acsd1.org for the most current alert information. With a valid e-mail address or cell phone number, you may subscribe to receive alerts via e-mail or text message.

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Lost and Found. Lost and found is located in a bin in the Gallery of our school. Students are reminded for a week to claim their belongings before we donate them to a local agency in town. Approximately every 3 months the box is cleaned out. Student Phone Usage. Students are allowed to use the phones in the room or in the office for emergencies only. Students are not allowed to call and make arrangements or change after school arrangements with friends. Personal phone calls will not be put through to classrooms. Messages will be delivered at the end of the day. If a student carries a cell phone to school, it must be turned off and put away unless the parent provides written permission to the principal. (The school is not responsible for lost or stolen property.)

BIKES Children must “walk” their bikes onto the school grounds and into a parking stand. The

same is true when leaving the school grounds. With parental permission, children may ride their bikes or scooters to and from school. The

stands are not to be played with or pushed. Bikes may not be ridden at recess or during the noon hour except in coming to school or

going home. Bike riders are expected to obey all traffic and safety rules. They are expected to watch the

traffic and not to weave in and out of the street. Children should use hand turn signals to let drivers and pedestrians know what they intend to do.

Some means for locking bikes should be used. The school cannot be responsible for loss or damage to bikes.

PLAYGROUND

The rules we have established are in place for your safety both inside and outside anytime you are at school. Disrespect. Any form of disrespect, teasing, fighting, name-calling, swearing, inappropriate actions and/or language toward other children or adults are not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Harassment of children or adults is not acceptable behavior and is against the law. Playground Equipment. Balls and jump ropes from the outside storage room are available before school, during all recesses, and during the lunch hour for all of our students. Equipment. Equipment should be used only for its intended purpose. For instance, jump ropes are to be used for jumping rope only. Swings are intended to be used by 1 person at a time. No flipping or jumping out of swings at any time. Climbing. Please climb on climbing structures only – not on fences, flagpoles, tables, backstops or trees. Horizontal Bars. The horizontal bars on our playground are to be used only for developing upper body strength. Children may grab the bars with both hands and do chin-ups or pull-ups. Tube Slides and Climbing Structures. Please use the equipment as it is intended. No climbing on the top of the tube slide or climbing up the slide.

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Yellow Line. The straight yellow line on the blacktop is there to remind you to not play close to the building so you won’t interrupt and disturb classes. Play on the north side of the yellow line. Snowballs, Rocks, Wood Chips. The City of Laramie, by law, prohibits snowball and rock throwing and fines may be issued. In addition, we have wood chips surrounding the big play equipment to help cushion accidental falls. The chips are not for throwing. Weapons. Guns, knives, replicas of guns or knives, dangerous toys or objects are not allowed at school. If you see any of those things, tell an adult immediately. Children possessing those items may be suspended from school. Animals on Playground. Please do not bring pets onto the school grounds. In order to insure the safety of our students, Animal Control will be called to remove any animals from the premises. Special permission is to be obtained if you plan to bring an animal. School Roof. The number of balls at Spring Creek is limited, therefore, the more balls that are on the roof, the fewer balls students will have to play with. Our custodians will retrieve balls periodically as their time allows.

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DISCIPLINE

Spring Creek utilizes positive reinforcement and recognition to acknowledge appropriate

student behavior. Linked systems of individual student, classroom and school-wide positive reinforcements communicate to students that their contributions to a positive school environment are noticed, expected, and appreciated. Our goal is to work together with parents and children for order, safety and effective school discipline and to help children become increasingly responsible for themselves and their actions. We will promote a mutually respectful environment for children and adults.

We recognize that problem behavior in schools is both a significant social challenge and a barrier to effective learning. The school acknowledges the interdependent relationship between academic achievement and behavioral competence. We are dedicated to promoting an environment that optimizes opportunities for teaching and learning. In order to achieve our mission of creating a positive leaning community that supports high levels of academic and social achievement, we have adopted a Positive Behavior Intervention Support System (PBIS) for classroom and school-wide behavior management.

PBIS is a school-wide system for creating change in schools by emphasizing positive behavioral expectations and outcomes for all students, consistency in responding to discipline concerns, and using a data driven problem solving model to develop interventions for school-wide concerns. The PBIS approach is different in four key ways.

Prevention – Correct behaviors are established, taught, modeled, and acknowledged in a systematic way throughout the school. Students are “caught” engaging in desired behavior and this behavior is regularly reinforced and recognized.

Response – The response to undesirable behavior is organized, systematic, consistent and careful. Considerable thought and effort goes into getting the entire school community on the same page with respect to common definitions of and the most effective response to problem behaviors.

Data-Driven – Discipline data is collected school-wide. When this information is entered and analyzed in an established on-line database, the data provides guidance for understanding when and where problem behavior is more likely to occur. Strategies to address behaviors in these situations are developed, and the data then provides evidence for whether the strategies are working.

Process – PBIS is not a curriculum or a prepackaged program. Rather it is a framework that guides the school community through a process of addressing the unique culture, climate and behavioral issues within each school.

School Rules and Behavior Expectations The Spring Creek Elementary School Rules are:

Be Safe Be Responsible Be Respectful

Each student has the right to learn and each teacher has the right to teach. A respectful

environment is everyone’s right and responsibility. Students attending Spring Creek School are expected to:

Communicate positively Follow all adult directions right away, without arguing Treat themselves and others with kindness

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Spring Creek Behavioral Expectations Matrix 2017-2018

THREE SCHOOL RULES

BE RESPONSIBLE

BE RESPECTFUL

BE SAFE

ALL AREAS Follow all adult instructions right away, without arguing Treat yourself and others with kindness Communicate positively (use good manners)

CLASSROOM Be prepared to learn Be an active learner Follow classroom routines Leave cell phones in desk or

backpack

Be an active listener Allow others to learn Keep room clean

Only adults will open outside doors

Keep pathways clear Know emergency procedures Use materials safely

HALLWAY Stay on the right and allow others to pass

Keep hands to yourself

Use a quiet voice Keep a reasonable space

between self and others Allow adults to pass through

lines

Walk at all times Watch where you are going Face forward

GALLERY

Take proper care of all personal belongings

Use a quiet voice Keep a reasonable space

between self and others

Walk at all times Keep gallery doors closed Use coat racks properly Keep doors and pathways clear

CAFETERIA Clean up after yourself Keep food and drink in the cafeteria

Use a quiet voice Stay in your own space Wait your turn in line

Walk at all times Stay seated Eat your own food

OFFICE AREA Wait to be helped Wait in assigned seat

Use a quiet voice Stay in your own space Ask permission respectfully to

use phone or other equipment

Keep doorways clear

RESTROOMS Always flush Keep restroom clean Walk directly to and from restroom

Use a quiet voice Give others privacy Keep walls and stalls free of

graffiti

Report all unsafe behavior and conditions

Keep lights on Wash with soap and dry hands

PLAYGROUND Put away equipment Line up quickly as soon as the bell

rings Dress for the weather Leave personal belongings at home

or in backpacks

Take turns Follow the rules of the game Be a good sport

Use equipment correctly Stay in assigned area Always walk on front sidewalk Sticks, wood chips, rocks, &

snow stay on the ground.

INDOOR RECESS

Get what you need before recess starts

Clean-up and return materials at the end of recess

Listen to and follow all adult instructions

Use a quiet voice

Keep walking path clear Play safely Stay in designated area

BUS Keep track of your belongings Keep bus clean

Use a quiet voice Stay in your own space

Enter and exit in an orderly fashion

Back to back – seat to seat Keep aisle clear All body parts inside the bus

FIELD TRIP/ASSEMBLY

Dress appropriately Keep track of your belongings

Stay in your own space Listen, watch, and learn Use appropriate applause Be courteous to presenter

Stay with the group

ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL AREA

Go directly to your destination Keep track of your belongings

Report problems to adults

Pay attention – look both ways Walk ALL wheeled items on

school property Wait in assigned areas

BUS AREA Go directly to your bus line Take care of your personal

belongings Ask permission to leave assigned

area.

Use a quiet voice Stay in your bus line

Wait in assigned area Wait for the bus/van to stop

before approaching Walk to the bus/van

TRANSITIONS Have all necessary materials Leave your area neat and organized Go directly to destination

Wait quietly Hands to self Follow signals

Walk Single file line

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HOMEWORK POLICY OF SPRING CREEK ELEMENTARY

Research studies have consistently shown that the amount of time devoted to learning is related to achievement in a subject. Homework, therefore, is important in a student's overall success in his/her academic program. The Spring Creek Elementary Staff recognizes the importance of homework as a vital part of the learning of essential skills taught in the classroom.

Homework is defined as work completed outside the classroom that is designed to:

Reinforce or provide practice of skills and concepts addressed instructionally.

Stimulate effort, independence, responsibility and self-direction.

Extend skills and concepts addressed instructionally.

Collect evidence of student understanding and application of what has been taught.

Communicate learning to student, parent and teacher which is a cooperative experience. It is not intended as a punishment.

THE PURPOSE OF HOMEWORK

Homework is one of the many learning activities in which students engage; its purposes should be to:

Extend learning and/or provide practice in applying concepts initially presented in the classroom.

Provide opportunities for independent work.

Strengthen concept and skill development.

Provide opportunities for enrichment.

Develop initiative, responsibility, self-direction and organizational skills.

TIME ALLOTMENTS

Nightly reading is recommended for all students (K-5). There is a positive correlation between the amount of time parents listen to, or read to children, and academic success. We believe it improves classroom performance. Therefore, we strongly encourage parents to set aside time for reading (15-30 minutes) to build fluency, comprehension and confidence. In upper grades, reading may be done independently with parent supervision. In order to allow time for parents and child to read together each evening, the following parameters for written work are followed:

Kindergarten: 15 minutes (reading only)

First Grade: 15-20 minutes

Second Grade: 20-30 minutes Third Grade: 30-45 minutes Fourth Grade: 45 minutes to 60 minutes Fifth Grade: 60 minutes

When enough time has been allowed in school for class work, and that work has not been completed, it may be assigned as homework thereby exceeding the recommended daily time allotted to homework.

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SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES

Well-planned homework assignments involve the following principles:

Assignments support classroom instruction.

Assignments will be varied and require the use of a number of skills.

Every homework assignment will be evaluated.

Homework should grow from classroom tasks, projects and concerns. Types of homework assignments may include practice or reinforcement of skills learned, long-term projects, unfinished class work assignments, and enrichment activities.

Where team teaching is utilized, effort will be made to coordinate assignments.

Students in grades 3-5 will use a planner in which to fully record daily and long-term assignments which requires a parent signature nightly.

Make-up work will be assigned to the student upon his/her return to school after the student confers with the teacher.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Be aware of assignments and seek further explanation if needed.

Organize his/her time to work on assignments.

Turn assignments in on time.

Turn in assignments reflecting high standards of quality and completeness.

WHAT PARENTS CAN DO

While the student should assume the major responsibility for completing homework assignments, parents are encouraged to take an active interest in the student's homework by:

Providing a study area that is quiet, comfortable and free of major disturbances.

Providing a definite time for study.

Making available, if possible, resource materials.

Assisting students with homework.

Checking the student's work for neatness and legibility.

Help student utilize and maintain student planner by reviewing regularly.

A carefully planned program for homework assignments may be a very effective means of increasing the students learning. A well-planned program of homework activities provides another opportunity for the home and school to work together. It points out the vital role both have to play in the cooperative efforts to provide quality education for our students.

(April, 2009)

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SITE COUNCIL

Each school in Albany County School District One has a shared decision-making model

and a site council that involves both direct decision-making and input into decisions in a number of areas. Our council consists of teachers, parents, staff members and the principal. Our meetings are open to anyone who would like to attend. Please call the principal if you would like more information.

PTO

We are proud and fortunate to have an active, supportive PTO at Spring Creek. We meet once each month. Please join us! Parents and friends in the community are a large and important part of our schools. They volunteer thousands of hours during any given year. We encourage you to join our association and support the children of our school and our PTO. Information about joining PTO will be sent to you with your child or you may contact the school office.

Box Tops for Education. Our PTO collects box tops from General Mills products. You will receive information regarding this program early in the school year. We are able to purchase playground equipment and classroom supplies with the profits from the program. Parent volunteers are always needed for this program. RIF (Reading is Fundamental) During the year, your children are given the opportunity to choose a free book to keep as their own. The funding for our RIF program comes from PTO. We are not fully funded so we depend on PTO and the profits from their fund-raising activities to support this worthwhile program. Field Day. PTO sponsors this activity just a few days before school is out in the spring. Field Day is a noncompetitive event in which students participate in a variety of fun, physical activities in celebration of the end of the school year. PTO recruits many parents and other adult volunteers to assist with running the day’s events. In addition to the day of fun activities, the PTO provides treats for both the students and the adult volunteers. Book Fairs. PTO sponsors Scholastic book fairs each school year. Parent volunteers are needed throughout the school day hours and during the “Family Night”. Currently, this is a major source of fundraising for our PTO. OPEN HOUSE. PTO assists with our open house at Spring Creek Elementary School early in the fall and again in the spring. This is a great opportunity for you to visit the school and for your children to show you their classrooms and some of the work they do. Teton Science School. Teton Science School offers 5th graders an opportunity to have an extended science field trip to the TSS in Jackson, Wyoming to study the ecology of the Yellowstone ecosystem. They will explore the area on snowshoes or skies and participate in field activities. They will also study animal tracks and signs, study habitats and streams, and observe migration patterns of animals that move through Teton County. All activities are designed to enrich students’ science knowledge. Fundraising is used as a method to fund the expenses of the trip. ** We are exploring options of more affordable locations with similar opportunities for our students. **

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PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS Spring Creek Singers

Students in grades 4 and 5 may participate in this program, sponsored by our music teacher. The children meet one day a week. They perform throughout the community several times during the school year. Instrumental Music Program

Band and Orchestra classes are offered to 5th grade students. No previous experience is necessary. Participating students will have opportunities to perform for their community and their peers. More information is available from your music teacher. Student Council

Spring Creek Student Council is under the guidance and sponsorship of Spring Creek staff members. Student Council officers and class representatives are elected by their classmates to voice their ideas for activities promoting student government and school spirit. They regularly sponsor popcorn sales and they also participate in altruistic projects.

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TITLE ONE READING

Albany County School District #1 will promote partnerships that will increase parental involvement and participation in promoting the social, emotional, and academic growth of all children. Our Title I mission is to facilitate literacy learning that supports each student as a unique individual. Our Spring Creek mission is to create an environment where everyone teaches and learns together, expecting success . . . celebrating achievement. The Spring Creek staff, with parent support, is dedicated to providing effective instruction for every child. We believe that high academic performance and healthy social-emotional behavior are essential for success in life. With dedication and pride we commit ourselves to helping each child achieve his/her potential. Within this context, what follows is a district/building level written policy for establishing the expectations for involving parents of participating Title I children. Our intent is to encourage Title I schools to further involve parents of participating children in the education of their children through an organized structure that: A. includes an annual meeting for parents of participating children to explain the Title I program, the school/parent compact, and the parents’ right to participation in the program. The time and/or location of the meeting will be flexible to accommodate parental needs; B. provides opportunities for parents to participate in meaningful activities for learning and enhancing parenting skills that encourage student achievement; C. provides opportunities for parents to observe classroom instruction and encourages parents to volunteer in classrooms; D. provides opportunities for parents to be involved in the development of the Title I plan and if needed, a school improvement plan; E. ensures parents access to their child’s assessment results, including an interpretation of these results; F. encourages access to community and support services for children and families under other programs.

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Spring Creek Elementary “Spring Creek School, Where Everyone Teaches and Learns Together.

Expecting Success . . . Celebrating Achievement.”

The federal law, commonly called “No Child Left Behind”, requires that schools which receive Title I money notify parents that they may request certain information about their children’s teachers’ qualifications. The specific information about which parents may inquire includes:

1. Whether the teacher has met Wyoming’s licensing criteria for the grade level and or subjects s/he teaches;

2. Whether or not the teacher is teaching on emergency licensure or has had licensing criteria waived; and

3. The teacher’s college major, any graduate degrees or certifications, and the field of discipline for those degrees or certifications.

In addition, if a child receives services from a paraprofessional, parents may request information about the paraprofessional’s qualifications. If you desire to obtain this information, you may contact your principal or the assistant superintendent for personnel for the District, at 721-4400. Please rest assured that Albany County School District One takes pride in the quality of teachers and paraprofessionals it employs to serve your children. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your principal.

The State of Wyoming provides Hathaway Merit and Need Scholarships for Wyoming students attending the University of Wyoming and

Wyoming community colleges. Every Wyoming student who meets the merit requirements can earn a Hathaway Merit Scholarship. Contact your school counselor for more information.

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Appendix A

To: Parent/Guardian

From: The Albany County School District One

The Internet has become an integral part of our world. It is important that ALL students in Albany

County School District One learn how to access the Internet. As a part of the curriculum, your child will

learn the proper and safe use of the Internet. Without this opportunity, your child will miss out on a

valuable resource not only for his/her acquisition of knowledge, but also for personal growth in the 21st

century.

In the fall of 1998, the school board, the superintendent, and the technology director implemented a

content-based Internet filter throughout the school district. This "firewall" attempts to protect the district's

computers and users from unwanted intrusions from outside the district. It also blocks most materials that

might be objectionable; for example, material that is considered to be pornographic, illegal, socially

unacceptable, or violent in nature.

In the Spring of 2000, Albany County School District One approved the policy that students would be

granted permission to use the Internet at school unless parents/guardians returned a slip to the school

saying that the child DID NOT have permission to use it.

Internet Curriculum may include— • E-mail procedures

• Netiquette (which deals with proper behavior on the Internet)

• Browsing and searching the Internet• Evaluating search engines

• Evaluating search engines

• Knowledge of bibliographic format to cite resources

• Understanding of safe practices and procedures to follow when using the Internet

• Proficiency in developing projects using Internet resources for content area classes

• Using critical thinking skills to interpret documents found on the Internet

For complete information regarding the conditions, rules and agreement your child will be required to

follow, please refer to the student handbook, or access it on the school district's web site at —

http://www.acsd1.org

Please return this form to your child's school if you

DO NOT want your child to use the Internet.

Albany County School District #1 Student Opt-Out Form Date: _________________________

Printed name of STUDENT USER (last name, first name)

Parent or Guardian: As a parent or guardian of this child, I DO NOT want my child to use the

Internet.

Printed name of Parent or Guardian: _______________________________________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian: ____________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________ Phone # _________________