Gonzalez SchoolFor Young Children

1212 Long Rd.Denton, TX 76207

(940) 369-4360Fax 940-382-4285

Mrs. Felicia Sprayberry, PrincipalMs. Lisa De Los Santos, Campus Administrator

Pre-K and PPCDParent Handbook

Campus Contact Information

Office StaffMain Number - 940-369-4360Fax Number - 940-382-4285

Receptionist - Nancy Dobson(ndobson@dentonisd.org)

Secretary - Monica Contreras (mcontreras@dentonisd.org)

School Nurse - Valerie Kubala(vkubala@dentonisd.org)

Fred Moore at Gonzalez Contact Information

Site Director - Claudia Charon - 940-369-2340Curriculum Director - Jessica Rogers - 940-369-2340

Executive Director - Dinora Padilla - 940-387-8214

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Class Times:

Morning Class- 7:50 a.m.-10:50 a.m. (breakfast will be served to morning students

from 7:30-7:50 a.m. ALL MORNING STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FREE

BREAKFAST).

Afternoon Class- 12:15 a.m.-3:15p.m.(lunch will be served to the afternoon students

from 11:50a.m.-12:15 p.m.)Be sure to apply for free/reduced lunch on-line.

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As a Gonzalez Parent, I can expect to:1. be welcomed to the campus and in the classrooms in a positive manner (With

approved background check).

2. be involved in the school and support the classroom and school activities

whenever possible

3. be informed regularly about my child’s progress

4. always be treated with respect and dignity

5. expect guidance for my child from teachers and staff, as this will help my child’s

total development

6. be informed about all school and community resources concerned with health,

education, and improvement of family life

Student Expectations

1. All immunizations must be updated prior to school entrance.

2. The first day your child attends school please bring a complete set of clothing that

will remain at school. (Teacher discretion)

3. Should it be necessary for the school to provide clothing – we request you return

it CLEAN as soon as possible.

4. Our school may not administer any medication without written authorization from

your physician and medication request form signed by the parent or guardian.

(See page 13 for further information).

5. You must bring your child to the activity center each morning or afternoon. If

you are late, you will have to bring them to the office.

6. ANY CHANGES in employment, phone number, or address must be reported to

the school office immediately (within 48 hours).

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7. Children are required to wear shoes and socks to school.

8. Children are required to wear appropriate clothing to ensure safety and comfort.

9. No toys or any other items from home should be brought to school.

Attendance and AbsencesAll students enrolled in the Denton ISD are required to follow the state attendance guidelines and we are required to enforce these with all students at Gonzalez. Children are expected to be in school each week day. If your child is absent, we will need to have a note explaining the absence within 72 hours upon the child’s return to school. If the child is absent for five or more consecutive days, we will require a note from a doctor. Please contact the school office or your child’s teacher with questions regarding student absences or attendance.

Family Code Section 65.003 - A child engages in truant conduct if the child is required to attend school under Section 25.085, Education Code, and fails to attend school on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year.• Parent/Guardian Notice: If your student is absent from school on 10 or more days

or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year, you are subject to prosecution and your student is subject to a referral to a truancy court for truant conduct.

• If a student fails to attend school without excuse on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period, the school district shall initiate truancy prevention measures on the student.

Unverified Absences/Irregular Attendance

Consequences

1-2 unexcused/unverified //LOSIT Parent called and/or parent conference3-4 unexcused/unverified //LOSIT Warning Letter5-10 unexcused/unverified //LOSIT

Truancy class referral made/Placed on an attendance contract

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Basic Classroom ProceduresEach student will have a place in which to put their backpacks and other belongings upon classroom arrival. When everything is put away, students will begin the classroom schedule for that day. Classes will follow a daily schedule and students will be taught as well as practice the daily routines and what is expected of them daily. Procedures will be taught by explaining and modeling what procedures look like, practicing routines with direction and supervision, and reinforcing procedures until they become student habit.

Behavioral ReferralA student whose behavior shows disrespect for others, disregard for authority, mistreatment of others, property offenses, and interference with others’ access to a public education and safe environment may be subject to disciplinary action. Attempts will be made prior to a discipline referral being handed out to conference with the student and parent and discuss/model appropriate school behaviors. Teachers will follow the steps in their classroom management plans and referrals to the school counselor can be made

Class timeMorning classes are from 7:50 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Afternoon classes are from 12:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Clothes closetThe Gonzalez Clothes closet is located in our Community Room, across from the office. We have clothes, shoes, and jackets available for children from infant sizes up to sizes 8-10. We ask that you take no more than 3 outfits per child per visit so that we can accommodate as many families as possible.

Please make sure to sign in with the school office before going into the clothes closet.

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Communication

Keeping in contact with parents and guardians is very important to the success of your child at school. It is important to keep your email addresses and phone numbers up to date with the office so that we can make sure that our correspondence is able to reach you. Our program will use the following platforms to keep in contact with parents: Weekly emails, campus televisions, classroom and school newsletters, School Messenger (recorded phone calls), Remind 101, and Tuesday folders/envelopes. For you to be informed of upcoming events and your student progress, please make sure your contact information is updated with the teacher and the front office. Tuesday folders/envelopes. Students will take home a folder/envelope every Tuesday that will include a newsletter including information pertaining to his/her class and school events. Please sign the folder and return to your child’s teacher the following day, keeping all the contents except for those requiring a signature.

Counseling

At times, students and parents must deal issues that are difficult to process or require assistance for support and resources. Our school counselor, Mrs. Sabrina Polk, provides on-site lessons to the classrooms that support our character traits, school rules, and bucket filling philosophies. She works with individual students, at times, as well as their families to provide support, strategies, and resources that can help the child to be successful at school and at home. She will also be sending home information on parenting tips and strategies via our school email and newsletters.Mrs. Polk also oversees the Food4Kids program which provides snacks for children over the weekend. This program is based on family need and snacks will be passed out on Fridays. If you have any question or need information about community resources, please contact our school counselor at 940-369-4396 or email her at spolk@dentonisd.org.

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Curriculum

All Gonzalez teachers meet highly qualified status and are certified teachers by the State of Texas. They follow a district adopted curriculum which is aligned with the Texas Pre-Kindergarten guidelines. We use a variety of materials and strategies, that are specific to pre-k aged students and the developmental and academic needs of each child.

DisabilitiesIf you have concerns about your child’s development, our diagnostician is available to speak with you. Parents have the right to ask for their child to be evaluated. Let the front office know that you would like to speak to Ms. Hubbard. She can be contacted at chubbard@dentonisd.org.

DisciplineWe use the Positive Behavioral Support Strategies and philosophies for classroom management. Through this program, we teach developmentally appropriate behaviors and social emotional skills through songs, rhymes, and consistent practice. Usually, young children can be guided in a firm, loving manner when in an environment where:

1. Their needs are being met.2. They have a consistent daily schedule designated so they know what will happen

next.3. They have materials and equipment that are age appropriate and will stimulate

growth.4. Children can plan their day, make choices and initiate their own work/play.

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5. Teachers can redirect a child to another activity when necessary.6. Problem solving will be encouraged between children with adult assistance.

Our job is to teach children how to become confident, self-assured students who understand the expectations of following basic rules and routines. All children attending Gonzalez are expected to:

BE SAFEBE KIND

BE READY

We use these standards to teach the children how to cope with problems, interact with peers, and understand the expectations in different parts of the school. Each teacher individualizes these expectations within their classroom to meet the needs of their students. Please contact your classroom teacher for specific questions about how they manage their own classroom.

Some children require more opportunities and need to practice these expectations more often than others. It is our responsibility to teach the children, to guide them in understanding and to follow through with expectations in a positive manner. Positive reinforcement is used continuously to encourage appropriate behavior and reinforce those students making the appropriate choices. Specific steps for addressing behavior are used with the students. When children are extremely disruptive to the classroom environment or a danger to themselves or others, then additional interventions may be required. Some of these include (but are not be limited to):

Student discussionRole playing situations with students Practicing and re-teaching expectationsLoss of a privilege (such as recess, centers, etc.) for a short period of timeRemoval from instruction to a quiet area or cool down location within the classroom (not to exceed number of minutes that correspond to the child’s age)Assistance from other staffParent communication/call homeOffice referral

No corporal punishment is permitted.

Children who exhibit overly aggressive behaviors that cause bodily harm to self or others require immediate intervention, such as:

1. Problem solving solutions between the teacher and child.2. Parent-Teacher conference.3. Student-Parent-Administrator conference.

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4. Response to Intervention Process. (RTI)

RTI members would then make appropriate referrals and recommendations.

We also utilize several programs to reinforce and teach positive behaviors. We use the Character Counts program, where certain character traits and behaviors will be taught and reinforced throughout the year. We also follow a BUCKET FILLING philosophy, based on the book How Full is Your Bucket. It follows the idea that everyone has an imaginary bucket, and when they do nice things for others, then they are filling that persons’ bucket. However, when they do something that is not appropriate or hurtful to another person, then they are dipping from that person’s bucket. The teachers and staff will be recognizing our bucket fillers throughout the year. We also will ask parents to be involved in recognizing their children at home when they show good character or are caught filling someone’s “bucket”. We will utilize the Garden of Good Character wall where children can be recognized for having good character.

Drop Off ProceduresParents will be able to participate in our early drop off time between 7:20-7:30 a.m. for morning students. Parents will drive up to the inside curb of the drive way closest to the Activity Center. Students will be unloaded from the car and escorted into the building by Gonzalez staff. Parents may then follow the cars around to exit the parking lot.

If you choose to not participate in the early drop off opportunity, then you may park in either parking lot (if you have a handicapping condition, please park in a handicap spot with your sign visible.) and walk your child into the building through the Activity Center doors. You will need to help your child get their breakfast/lunch tray if they are going to eat, and walk them to their classroom pod areas. We ask that you give last hugs and kisses and exit through the Activity Center doors promptly. Please do not remain in the eating area with your child, as space around the tables is limited and this is a good time for the children to socialize with each other and their teachers.

At dismissal, you will form in the car line with your car tag visible. Please stay in your line unless otherwise asked to move. Pink Tags will line up on the outside curb and Yellow tags will park along the inside curb. A staff member will be calling the car tag numbers. Other staff members will bring your child to the car and put them in the car. They will not buckle them in. Please do not get out of your car. If your child cannot buckle himself or herself in, please pull into the parking lot by the activity center. This will help us expedite the dismissal time more quickly. There will be a staff member directing traffic as well. Please heed their directions as we want to ensure the safety of every child. You will receive 2 car tags from your child’s teacher. Whoever is picking up your child must have a car tag displayed. If they do not have the tag, they will be

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required to go to the office and sign the child out with a driver’s license and be on the approved pick- up list. If you lose a tag, you may purchase another one in the front office for $1.00. Your child will also receive a tag with their car tag number on it to place on their back pack. If that tag gets lost, those may also be purchased in the front office for $1.00.

If you need to change how your child will be going home, please contact the office before 10:30 a.m. or 3:00 p.m., as we cannot guarantee that the children will receive the message in a timely manner if you call after these times.

Also, please make sure that anyone that will be picking up your child is on your child’s pickup list. Anyone picking up a student will need to provide a picture ID before we will release the child to that person. Please make sure that you communicate this to any and all people that are on your child’s pickup list. Also, please make sure that children are picked up on time. If your child is left after school and we are unable to get in touch with a parent, the emergency contacts will be called. If we are unable to reach anyone, after a certain period of time, we are required to contact the Denton Police Department, so please make sure you communicate with the school or make arrangements for your child to be picked up on time.

Early Pick Up

No student will be released to any person that is not listed on the designated pick up list OR who does not

have proper identification.

Any time a child needs to be checked out of school during class times, they must be signed out in the office and provide a picture identification. The student will be called from the classroom and delivered to the office by Gonzalez Staff. Parents/visitors that attend a classroom event will sign in with the classroom teacher. If that person is on the designated pick up list, that person will sign the student out with the teacher and indicate the time they departed the building. Unless it is an emergency, students cannot be picked up 10 minutes before dismissal. Whomever is picking up the child will need to wait in the parent room until dismissal is over. At that point, the children will be delivered to the office and released, pending office verification and approval.

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Emergency InformationIf your child becomes ill or injured while at school, you will be notified and either you or someone on your emergency list must come for your child immediately. It is imperative that your emergency card is kept current. Should any information change on the card, please notify your child’s teacher and the office staff within 48 hours.

Family PartnershipsGonzalez SYC believes that parents are the greatest influence on their child’s development. We encourage parent participation in the form of attendance at parent meetings, fundraiser events, PTA, and as a volunteer in the classroom/school.

We offer parent education classes on campus. Watch for information about these opportunities.

ALL volunteers MUST be screened with a background check before volunteering or accompanying on field trips. Visit the DISD website to sign up and be cleared to be a volunteer.

FRED MOORE AT GONZALEZThe Denton ISD Pre-K program is not a child care program and does not provide child care before or after class hours. Fred Moore Day Nursery School and Denton ISD have a partnership that allows Gonzalez students to receive extended care on campus. Fred Moore is a licensed daycare facility that is housed on the Gonzalez campus. They provide childcare for students from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They operate on a sliding scale for tuition and accept funds through CCMS (Child Care Management Services). All of the students attending the Fred Moore program attend a half day Pre-K program with Gonzalez.

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Contact Claudia Charon 940-369-2340 or ccharon_fmds@dentonisd.org for more information about this program.

HealthGonzalez health services makes certain that your child has all needed immunizations to be able to attend school.

Each child, who is four years old or older, will receive the following screenings at school:● Vision/HearingParent/Guardian will be notified of the results of these screenings and any follow-up care needed.

When Your Child is Ill:Although we expect your child to attend classes regularly, there are reasons to keep a child home from school:● Fever - 100 or higher may return after being fever free for 24 hours without

medication● Conjunctivitis (pink eye) – may return after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment

with a doctor’s note or if completely symptom free● Infection – must be treated with antibiotics for 24 hours before returning with

a doctor’s note or if completely symptom free ● Lice – must be cleared by nurse before returning to class● Ringworm – may return after treatment begins and area is covered

Our school may not administer any medication without the pharmacy label on the medication. Medications to be given 3 times a day should be given before school, after school and before bedtime.

Holidays/CelebrationsThe school will host three celebrations throughout the year: Winter Holiday celebration, Valentine’s Day party, and End of Year/ Graduation party. Parent/Guardian is responsible of informing the classroom teacher of customs, traditions, and practices that cannot be observed in the classroom. Parents may work with the classroom teacher to organize personal celebrations, such as birthday recognitions, etc. Please make sure that the teacher has approved any items or party favors that would be distributed to students.

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****Treats or food for these celebrations may not be homemade, as they must be purchased and delivered in the original packaging. This allows us to be able to check the labels in the event a child may have a food allergy, etc.

NutritionAll families have the opportunity to apply for Free or Reduced lunch or purchase a lunch through the USDA Childcare Food Program. If your child has a food allergy, please provide a doctor’s note stating such so that the kitchen staff and the teacher are aware of that fact. If you have a religious prohibition for certain foods, please make that known to the kitchen staff and to the teacher.

***PLEASE NOTE, any student who attends Pre-K in the morning session will be able to receive a FREE breakfast, regardless of whether or not you qualify for Free or Reduced lunch, as we qualify for the Universal Breakfast program. Children that attend the afternoon session and plan to eat lunch at school, will need to complete the Free and Reduced lunch application to receive a meal for free or at a reduced rate.

Parent Teacher ConferencesParents/Guardians will meet formally with their child’s teacher to discuss progress during the district designated parent conference week. Informal conferences will take place when considered necessary by staff or parent.

CLI Engage Progress MonitoringCLI Engage is the tool our program uses to assess student progress every quarter. Parents will receive a progress report and teachers will use CLI to update progress on student goals.

School SafetyStudent and staff safety is one of our top priorities. At Gonzalez, we are very diligent about following safety protocols and making sure that we know who is in our building and working with our students. For this reason we require a picture identification, and

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enforce the traffic, volunteer, and visitor expectations as outlined in the handbook. Please adhere to these procedures and policies, as they are in place to protect your children and our staff. Thank you in advance for your help!

Also, throughout the year, we will be conducting a variety of safety drills. We will have one fire drill each month. We will conduct weather drills, lockdown drills, and off site evacuation drills throughout the year. These drills are practiced throughout the year to ensure that students know how to react in the event of an emergency.

Snacks or treatsAll snacks or party/birthday treats must be store bought items. No homemade items are allowed to be distributed or consumed by other students. Please make sure that the teacher has approved any items or party favors that would be distributed to students.

Student’s Personal PropertyPlease make sure to label your child’s personal items, such as jackets, lunch boxes, and backpacks. The children will have a cubby or individual area in which to leave their personal items. Children should not add or remove objects from another child’s personal items/cubbies. There is a lost and found located in the office.

TardinessAll students are expected to be on time: if not, they are tardy. By definition, tardiness occurs when the student is not in the classroom when class starts and there is a loss of instructional time.

If a parent/guardian fails to get the student to class on time, you must:1. Bring the student to the front office2. Make sure that your child has eaten breakfast or lunch if they arrive after 7:50

or 12:15 as breakfast and lunch time will be over..

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Loss of Significant Instructional Time (LOSIT) If a student is habitually late or frequently leaves early, the school can take court action to ensure your child receives the maximum amount of instructional time daily. The TEC: Sec.25.094 states, “(a) An individual commits an offense if the individual fails to attend school on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year or on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.” In grades Pre K – 5, “parts of days” may be defined as 15 minutes or more of instructional time throughout the day. If a student consistently misses any part of the school day including, but not limited to, coming in late or leaving early, a district attendance letter may be sent to parents warning them of possible court action if the LOSIT continues.

TransportationIt is the Parent’s/Guardian’s responsibility to transport your child/children to and from school on time. Gonzalez School for Young Children does not provide transportation. Students with IEPs may be eligible for district-provided transportation.

Visiting the Classrooms We welcome parents to volunteer in the classroom as much as they are able. Classroom observations or visits are allowed, as long as the visit has been pre-approved by the principal and classroom teacher. Visits are to be no longer than 45 minutes so that instruction is not disrupted as per District policy. (See below)

Denton ISD061901COMMUNITY RELATIONS GKCVISITORS TO THE SCHOOLS (LOCAL)DATE ISSUED: 9/17/2007 1 of 1UPDATE 81

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GKC(LOCAL)-A

ADOPTED:Prominent notices shall be posted at each campus requiring allvisitors to first report to the campus administrative office. This shall apply to parents, Board members, volunteers, social service workers, invited speakers, maintenance and repair persons not employed by the District, vendors, representatives of the news media,former students, and any other visitors.

Visits to individual classrooms during instructional time shall not be permitted if their duration or frequency interferes with the delivery of instruction or disrupts the normal school environment.

Volunteers Anyone volunteering in the school and/or classrooms, must pass the criminal background check and be cleared to volunteer before they can work in the school.The volunteer application may be found on the district web site under the community involvement tab. Click on the Volunteer Program and then the Volunteer Application. Once you are cleared to volunteer, we welcome you to come and help us in a variety of ways!

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The Gonzalez SchoolParent Code of Conduct

In an effort to make our school the best place to be, we ask that you read the expectations below and sign acknowledging your agreement to follow them.

As a parent of the Gonzalez School for Young Children I will:

● Be respectful of all staff, students, and other parents. I will refrain from using inappropriate language or arguing with other parents while on school property.

● Turn in all required paperwork on time.● Bring my child to school on time and pick them up on time.● Call the school immediately if I am running late, or if my child will

be absent.● Make sure my child is fed if they have missed the scheduled

breakfast or lunch times.● Keep my child at home when ill, and provide a note to the office

the day my child returns to school.● Keep pick-up information (phone numbers and addresses) updated

with the office and my child’s teacher. ● Keep my child safe by not allowing anyone to pick up my child

from school under the influence of drugs or alcohol.● Avoid sending my child to school with food, candy, toys, or money

unless otherwise requested.● Honor all conferences with faculty and staff unless otherwise

rescheduled in advance.● Assist my child with their homework assignments (avoid doing the

work for them.)● Reinforce and practice appropriate behaviors with my child at

home and at school (no hitting, kicking, screaming, biting, pinching, talking back, (to peers and adults) etc.

● Respect confidentiality.Because of student confidentiality issues, all chaperones are expected to refrain from posting on Facebook or other social media any stories, photos, comments, etc. related to the event they are chaperoning. 

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Chaperones are expected to report any concerns during the event to the teacher or administrator in charge.  Campuses must follow strict guidelines in maintaining student privacy and confidentiality.  Your cooperation is appreciated!

Parent Receipt of Handbook

Child’s Name:__________________________________________

Teacher: _____________________________________________

I have received the Gonzalez School for Young Children Parent Handbook and Parent Code of Conduct and I agree to the

terms stated.

_________________________________ _____________Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Thank you for making Gonzalez a great place to grow!

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