2024-2025 HANDBOOK
PARENT / STUDENT HANDBOOK OF BERRYTON ELEMENTARY
Berryton Elementary School 2921 SE 69th St. Berryton, KS 66409
Phone: (785) 861-1300 Fax: (785) 861-1315 https://bes.usd450.net/
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CONTENTS
WELCOME ..............................................................................................................................................PAGE 1 OUR MISSION SCHOOL HOURS ADDRESS ATTENDANCE.......................................................................................................................................PAGE 2 ARRIVING LATE OR LEAVING SCHOOL DURING SCHOOL HOURS ALCOHOL/DRUG POLICY...............................................................................................................PAGE 2 AUTHORIZED USER AGREEMENT.............................................................................................PAGE 2 BULLYING................................................................................................................................................PAGE 2 SCHOOL BUS PROCEDURE...........................................................................................................PAGE 3 PHILOSOPHY SCHOOL BUS SAFETY REGULATIONS
PRIOR TO LOADING WHILE ON THE BUS AFTER LEAVING THE BUS BUS DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES EXTRA-CURRICULAR TRIPS TRANSPORTING ASSIGNED SCHOOL PROJECTS BUS DISCIPLINE POLICY FROM BUS CONDUCT NOTICE
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT/MANDATED REPORT LAW.......................................... PAGE 4 CRISIS PLAN...........................................................................................................................................PAGE 4 DIRECTORY INFORMATION “RIGHTS AND PRIVACY”....................................................PAGE 5 DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS AT SCHOOL........................................................................PAGE 5 DRESS CODE..........................................................................................................................................PAGE 5 ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, PLAY EQUIPMENT AND TOYS..........................................PAGE 5 E-MAIL PRIVACY..................................................................................................................................PAGE 6 ENTERING SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME............................................................................PAGE 6 EXPECTATIONS FOR SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITIES..............................................PAGE 6 FACILITY USAGE................................................................................................................................. PAGE 6 FIREARMS/WEAPONS..................................................................................................................... PAGE 6 GIFTS TO STUDENTS AT SCHOOL............................................................................................ PAGE 7 HEALTH INFORMATION..................................................................................................................PAGE 7 HEALTH HISTORY FORM................................................................................................................PAGE 7 HEAD LICE............................................................................................................................................. PAGE 7 IMMUNIZATIONS................................................................................................................................PAGE 8 INTRAMURALS.....................................................................................................................................PAGE 8 LUNCH INFORMATION AND POLICIES...................................................................................PAGE 8 MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL...........................................................................................................PAGE 9 SELF ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS..........................................................................PAGE 9 NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY...............................................................................................PAGE 10 PARENT COMMUNICATION.......................................................................................................PAGE 10 PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES........................................................................................PAGE 10 PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION......................................................................................PAGE 10 PARTY INVITATIONS DISTRIBUTED AT SCHOOL............................................................PAGE 10
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CONTENTS cont.
PHYSICAL EXAM...............................................................................................................................PAGE 11 RECESS...................................................................................................................................................PAGE 11 SCHOOL CLOSING...........................................................................................................................PAGE 11 SCHOOL PARKING...........................................................................................................................PAGE 11 SCHOOL PARTIES.............................................................................................................................PAGE 11 SCHOOL VISITATION......................................................................................................................PAGE 12 SELLING ITEMS AT SCHOOL.......................................................................................................PAGE 12 SEXTING................................................................................................................................................PAGE 12 SEXUAL HARASSMENT.................................................................................................................PAGE 12 EARLY CHILDHOOD SCREENING PROGRAM...................................................................PAGE 12 SPECIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE.................................................................................................PAGE 13 STUDENT DISCIPLINE....................................................................................................................PAGE 13 CONFIDENTIALITY OF DISCIPLINE AND CONSEQUENCES......................................PAGE 13 STUDENTS WITHDRAWING FROM SCHOOL....................................................................PAGE 13 TOBACCO USE POLICY.................................................................................................................PAGE 13 UNPAID ACCOUNTS.......................................................................................................................PAGE 13 PARENT/STUDENT CALENDAR HANDBOOK ADDENDUM.......................................PAGE 14 PROOF OF IDENTITY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS SUSPENSION/EXPULSION...........................................................................................................PAGE 15 REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT..........................................................................................PAGE 15 INFRACTIONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY OR AT SCHOOL FUNCTIONS WHICH MAY RESULT IN SUSPENSION/EXPULSION.......................................................................PAGE 16 STUDENT STATE ASSESSMENT SCORES..............................................................................PAGE 16 PARENTS RIGHT TO KNOW........................................................................................................PAGE 16 STATE BUILDING REPORT CARD.............................................................................................PAGE 16 ANNUAL NOTICE TO PARENTS & STUDENTS OF RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT...................................................PAGE 17 SHAWNEE HEIGHTS USD 450 AUTHORIZED AGREEMENT.................................... PAGE 19 EMERGENCY SAFETY INTERVENTIONS.............................................................................. PAGE 21 THE 8 KEYS OF EXCELLENCE.................................................................................................... PAGE 25
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WELCOME Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! As we enter another year as a community of learners, our staff looks forward to welcoming your returning or first-time student to our school. As part of the Shawnee Heights U.S.D #450 school district, we hold high expectations for success and achievement for all children. As principal at Berryton Elementary, it is exciting to work in an innovative district, with outstanding students, parents and staff. I pledge to you a school focused on the education of all children; dedicated to helping our students grow academically, socially and emotionally as we learn, follow rules, make new friends and have fun!
Kyrstin Bervert, Principal
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS USD 450 MISSION
The mission of Shawnee Heights U.S.D. #450 is to provide quality education that ensures academic achievement for all students and develops caring, productive and responsible citizens. This will be achieved through: • Diverse academic opportunities •
Staff committed to continuous improvement • Student, family and community involvement • Safe schools
OUR MISSION Berryton Elementary staff and families provide a safe and supportive environment that ensures academic excellence and develops productive, responsible, and respectful citizens prepared for a lifetime of learning in a dynamic society.
OUR MOTTO “Buffalo Strong ”
SCHOOL HOURS
Elementary Grades K-6: 9:00 AM – 4:05 PM All Day Preschool (4 years old by August 31st): 9:00 AM - 4:05 PM
Early Childhood Special Education Preschool (ECSE): 8:45-11:45 AM (Mon-Friday) Early Childhood Special Education Preschool (ECSE): 1:00-4:05 PM (Mon-Friday) Children should NOT arrive to the building until 8:45 AM or stay after 4:15 PM. BERRYTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2921 SE 69TH ST Berryton, KS 66409 PH: (785) 861-1300 FAX: (785) 861-1315 Kyrstin Bervert, Principal – E-mail: bervertk@usd450.net Laura Hurla, Assistant Principal - E-mail: hurlal@usd450.net Tanya Howbert, Administrative Assistant – E-mail: howbertt@usd450.net Website: https://bes.usd450.net/
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ATTENDANCE Regular school attendance is important for each child’s success at school. Any child with unexcused absences for three consecutive school days, five school days in a semester, or seven days in any year (whichever occurs first) shall be considered in violation of this law. For the absence to be excused, it is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school prior to 9:15 a .m. each day of absence. In the event the school is not notified, each parent will receive an automated phone call and/or email stating the child is not present at school. If no parent call is received by the end of the school day, the absence will be considered unexcused. You may also e-mail absences/notes to: howbertt@usd450. net In the event your student has excessive absences, the school will send a courtesy letter when a child reaches 7 absences. The school will send a letter which requires documentation for subsequent absences to be considered excused when a child reaches 10 absences. A team review meeting may be established at any time to determine further services and supports for your student. ARRIVING LATE OR LEAVING SCHOOL DURING SCHOOL HOURS If it is necessary for your child to leave during school hours for health or urgent personal reasons, please inform the teacher and the office in advance. Please come to the office and sign your child out so that we know your child is being accompanied by a responsible adult known by the school personnel. Students may sign themselves in when they arrive if they have a note or the school office has been notified. For the continued safety of our students, we have monitored entry to the building with electronic access. During school hours, access to the building will be controlled by office personnel. When visiting, please be sure to sign in at the office and obtain a visitor’s sticker before proceeding to your destination. We ask that you stop by the office to sign out upon your departure.
ALCOHOL/DRUG POLICY
AUTHORIZED USER AGREEMENT BULLYING
Zero Tolerance Component-use, possession or possession of a quantity which would suggest an intent to sell or distribute a controlled substance, drug or alcohol may result in the recommendation for a five (5) day suspension and a recommendation for a long-term suspension or expulsion. The counseling provision may not be available in such cases.
Shawnee Heights School District has an authorized user agreement policy to cover student and staff use of computer networks, including the internet, at school. A copy of this agreement is included in the hand- book. If a parent/guardian does not agree to the terms and conditions of this agreement and DO NOT wish your student to have independent access as defined in this authorized user agreement (AUA) or have questions about the AUA, please contact your building principal. There is an opt-out form available to parents/guardians, which must be on file by September 1st.
The board of education prohibits bullying in any form on school property, in a school vehicle or at a school-sponsored activity or event. Students who have bullied others in violation of this policy will be subject to a graduated system of interventions leading to disciplinary action, which may include suspension and expulsion. If appropriate, students who violate the bullying prohibition shall be reported to local law enforcement. Please see your school principal for specific details regarding your school’s bullying plan.
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SCHOOL BUS PROCEDURE PHILOSOPHY: Shawnee Heights USD 450, is committed to excellence in its transportation program and considers appropriate bus conduct essential to the safe transportation of students to and from school. Parents can assist a great deal in maintaining proper discipline on the school bus. Please review the following with your child. SCHOOL BUS SAFETY REGULATIONS: • N o balloons or flower arrangements. • Book bags need to be no larger than your student can carry up and down the bus steps and hold while on the bus. PRIOR TO LOADING: • Students must be on time! If a regular rider is not at the stop the driver will honk, then proceed on the route according to schedule. • Drivers will discontinue stopping for secondary students who do not ride or call after 3 consecutive days.
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If musical instruments or sports equipment are too large for your student to hold, they need to be transported by the parent. Flags, golf bags, and skateboards are not allowed on the bus. Parents, please check your students’ clothes and book bags and remove drawstrings and straps that could get tangled around legs or get caught on items on the bus. All loaded buses leaving the High School and Middle Schools have the right of way. While on site, all vehicles must obey bus stop arms. Students should cross the road at least ten feet in front of the bus. Observe directions of the driver, and then look to be sure no traffic is approaching from either direction. The driver will not discharge riders at places other than the regular bus stop unless by proper authorization from school officials. Students are not allowed to go to the mailbox until the bus has left the area. The above list is not all-inclusive, nor is it intended to be. It is impossible to list every infraction that may occur, however, miscon- duct on the part of a student may result in suspension or expulsion.
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Bus riders should conduct themselves in a safe manner while waiting for the bus. Riders should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to enter the school bus. If crossing the street, riders should observe the direction of the driver. Authorization must be obtained from the building principal before students can change buses or ride home with another student. Students will be allowed one designated morning and one designated afternoon stop address. These can be different locations, but must be the same every day. Changes can be made to those locations twice per semester.
The district believes that all students can behave on the bus and have a responsibility to behave in a manner which allows the driver to concentrate on operating the bus in the safest possible manner. The district believes student conduct should be maintained with procedures which will advance the purposes of safety while remaining consistent with applicable state law and established Board of Education school policy.
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The driver is in charge of the pupils and the bus. Students must obey the driver promptly. Classroom conduct is to be observed by the students while on the bus. In the interest of safety, only low conversation is acceptable. Unnecessary conversation with the driver is prohibited. When boarding the bus, go quickly and quietly to assigned seats. Keep arms and head inside the bus at all times. Keep the bus clean and free from trash. Damage to the bus must be paid by the offender. Students should never tamper with the controls or the equipment on the bus. Do not throw anything out of the bus windows. Keep books, packages, coats, feet and all other objects out of the aisle. Riders are to remain seated and face the front of the bus while the bus is in motion. Quiet is necessary when approaching a railroad crossing stop. Food and beverages shall not be consumed on route buses. No glass containers, animals (except for service animals) or pets are allowed on the bus. Student conduct endangering the safety of others, committing acts of vandalism, swearing or using obscene language, unacceptable signs or gestures or committing moral offenses, may result in suspension from transportation. Smoking, possession of liquor or illegal drugs, firearms, any type of explosive, or any type of weapon is prohibited and shall be reason for immediate suspension.
BUS DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES: The driver will deliver to the building principal or designee the bus Contact Notice. The principal will deal with the bus notice and record what action, consequences or contacts are made. Generally the building principal will follow the steps outlined at the bottom of the Elementary Bus Conduct Notice. (See BELOW) A copy of the completed slip will be returned to the driver; a copy will be sent to the Director of Transportation; a copy will be mailed to the parent or guardian. The purpose of the Bus Conduct Notice is to insure a safe bus through remediation of the student’s behavior by involving all concerned parties. When necessary or when it becomes evident that to insure student safety the student may be denied bus transportation. Depending on the offense or severity of the student’s actions, transportation privileges may be suspended immediately. For less severe but chronic misbehavior the principal will generally follow the procedure at the bottom of the Elementary School Bus Conduct Notice. BUS DISCIPLINE POLICY FROM BUS CONDUCT NOTICE: Misconduct by students on any bus is unacceptable because the safety of all bus riders is involved. Continual abuse of rules and regulations by bus riders will result in the following sequence of disciplinary actions. Depending on the offense or severity of the student’s actions, transportation privileges may be suspended immediately. When transportation privileges are denied it becomes the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation to and from school.
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EXTRA-CURRICULAR TRIPS: All rules and regulations apply on any trip under school sponsorship.
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TRANSPORTING ASSIGNED SCHOOL PROJECTS: •
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Students shall make prior arrangements with the principal before bringing projects to school. Every project or article shall be transported in an approved container or package and small enough the student can hold on his/ her lap. Anything larger should be trans- ported by the parent.
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BUS DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES: The driver may, and is encouraged to visit with students who violate bus procedures. The driver may handle many infractions on an informal basis; this may include informal contacts with the student’s parents. When in the driver’s judgment or policy dictates the need for administrative intervention the driver will initiate a Bus Conduct Notice.
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TO ASSIST BUS DRIVERS, PLEASE HAVE YOUR ADDRESS POSTED IN A VISIBLE LOCATION
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CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT/MANDATED REPORT LAW
Kansas law requires that a report of suspected child abuse or neglect be made by persons in certain pro - fessions (K.S.A. 38-1522). Kansas law further declares that it is public policy to “provide for the protection of children who have been subject to physical, mental or emotional abuse or neglect, or sexual abuse by en- couraging the reporting of suspected child abuse.” Any employee of the district who has reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect MUST immediately report to Children and Family Services (DCF).
CRISIS PLAN
Crisis plan procedures are designed to minimize the danger to anyone occupying our schools should an emergency occur. Our main objective is to attend to the health and welfare of our students in the event of a crisis and to see that they get home safely. The staff will conduct crisis drills during the school year in accordance with KS state law. Crisis plan responsibilities are shared by us as your school staff and you as parents. In most emergencies your child will remain and be cared for at school. In the rare event of an emergency affecting the school which would prohibit re-entry into the building (such as broken glass, water main, fire, loss of utilities) students and staff may be moved immediately to an alternate site. We ask that you follow these procedures during a school emergency: 1. Monitor radio, television and School Messenger communication. We will keep the media accurately informed of any emergency. 2. Please do not telephone the school or students on personal devices. We have limited phone lines and wireless data that is needed to respond to the emergency. 3. Please do not come to the school unless requested to pick up your child. Any emergency involving your child’s school may mean emergency vehicles and disaster workers must be able to get to the building. 4. If the emergency necessitates relocation of staff and students, School Messenger, radio and television stations will be provided information about where and when to pick up your child. 5. Students can only be released to their legal guardian or emergency contacts listed on student information record. You will be asked to provide identification, sign your name, time, and destination when a crisis procedure is in progress.
If you have any questions about our crisis procedure plans, please call the school office.
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DIRECTORY INFORMATION “RIGHTS & PRIVACY” The Shawnee Heights Board of Education and administration have determined the following data will be designated as “directory information:”
1. Student name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth 2. Picture
3. Parent or guardian’s name 4. School and grade placement 5. Honors and awards received
DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS AT SCHOOL This information is considered public information, which may be released by the school district without parent’s prior consent. Parents have until September 1st of each school year to inform the school district if any or all of the directory information about their child should not be released. This request must be made in writing to the building principal. Special interest materials must have prior approval by the Superintendent of Schools. Approved materials will be distributed as follows: 1. Materials will be placed in an established area for students to pick up at appropriate times during the school day. 2. Materials will be distributed to applicable classrooms where they will be placed in an established area for the students to pick up when appropriate during the school day. 3. Certain materials, at the discretion of the principal, may be handed out to each student following Board of Education Policy KI, Free Materials Distribution in School, and Board of Education Regulation KI-R, Free Materials Distribution in School by the staff. The length of time materials will remain available will be determined by the principal. DRESS CODE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, PLAY EQUIPMENT & TOYS Since student dress and appearance at school is the responsibility of parents, students, and the school, we are asking parents to help us present the best educational atmosphere possible for our students. The general atmosphere of the school must be conducive to learning. Apparel that is sexually suggestive; promotes violence, illegal activities, drugs, alcohol, and/or tobacco; or is determined to be gang related is prohibited. Additionally, we ask that students do not wear halter-tops, crop-tops, see through jerseys, short-shorts to school. No undergarments are allowed to be seen. No hats will be allowed in the building unless specified. Toys, sporting equipment, and personal electronic equipment (ipods, DS, kindles, cell phones, etc.) should not be brought to school unless special arrangements with school personnel are made. Items that interfere with learning, cause a disruption, or create a hazard will be confiscated by school personnel. The school cannot be responsible for personal property brought to school. Any valuables brought to school are the sole responsibility of the student and parent.
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E-MAIL PRIVACY
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ENTERING SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME Students shall have no expectation of privacy when using district e-mail or devices. E-mail messages shall be used only for approved educational purposes. Students must use appropriate language in all messages. The school retains the right to monitor and duplicate any information created by students on any district device. Students who violate these rules, or any other classroom rules relating to technology use are subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension from school. State law requires that children entering school for the first time must have a birth certificate; show evidence of Kansas required immunizations unless there are special medical or religious reasons; and children 8 years of age or younger must have a Health Assessment completed by a physician within 90 days of enrollment. The Board of Education is required by law to prohibit entrance to school to any student who does not comply with the immunization act. Kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or before August 31. All classroom assignments are tentative and changes may be made to best meet the needs of the student. EXPECTATIONS FOR SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITIES All school-sponsored functions, including those held at sites other than the school, shall be drug and alcohol free. Possession, distribution or sale of drugs, drug paraphernalia, inhalants, alcohol, tobacco or any materials (facsimiles) that give the appearance of alcohol, tobacco, or other controlled substance or other illegal substances is not permitted. Students and their guests, regardless of age, are to arrive free of these substances. Those who disregard these expectations will be excluded from the event and will be subject to the disciplinary action that may include one or more of the following:
• Parent Notification, • Police involvement, • Suspension or expulsion: and or, exclusion from future extracurricular activities.
FACILITY USAGE
School facilities belong to the district and ultimately the taxpayers of our community. We strive daily to keep our school and grounds clean, attractive, and safe. We encourage parents, students, and the community to help in this endeavor. Building rentals are scheduled at http://www.usd450.net/community/facility-rentals With parent supervision, students are welcome to use the playground after school and on weekends. Unauthorized activities will be reported to law enforcement. FIREARMS/WEAPONS Possession of firearms, weapons, and destructive devices, as defined in the Federal Gun Free School Act, and School Policy will result in suspension, expulsion, and prosecution. The Shawnee Heights Board of Education has adopted a policy (reference JCDC, JCDCA, JCDCA-R) which states that a student shall NOT possess, handle, or transmit any object that can reasonably be considered a weapon on the school grounds or off the school grounds at a school activity, function, or event. This policy shall include any weapons, any item being used as a weapon or destructive device, or facsimile of a weapon. Please discuss with your child that pocket knives, water guns, play guns, fireworks, laser pointers, mace, as well as “real” weapons are NOT to be brought to school. Infractions of this policy will result in a parent/student consultation with the principal to determine the consequences.
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GIFTS TO STUDENTS AT SCHOOL
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Do not send balloon-a-grams, flowers, gifts, etc. to school. These items cause a disturbance in the classroom and cannot be sent home on bus due to safety. If such an item were sent, the student would be advised it was here, however it would be kept in the office until picked up by a parent.
HEALTH INFORMATION
Health Services for USD 450 are provided by a Registered Nurse and a Health Technician in each of the schools. The services provided include, but are not limited to, yearly screenings, communicable disease control, health education and temporary treatment of minor illness and injury. The health services provided at USD 450 should not be viewed as a substitute for the family’s health care provider. Care is taken to see that your student does not remain in school when he/she vomits for an unexplained reason, has diarrhea, shows signs of an unexplained rash, temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater or an injury that needs a parent’s attention. The school nurse or school health technician will phone you when it is felt that your child needs to go home, so it is very important that the home, work and emergency numbers are current and accurate. If your student is diagnosed with a communicable or contagious disease, such as chickenpox, strep throat, head lice, scabies, hepatitis, etc., it is important to notify the school health room with this information as soon as possible. To prevent illnesses from being transmitted at school, here are some guidelines to help you decide when to keep your student home. 1. Fever: often a child’s temperature will be lower in the morning and rises as the day progresses. Children should stay home until the temperature has been normal for 24 hours. (Normal temperature is 98.6) 2. Sore throat with fever. 3. Student should remain at home until 24 hours of being vomit and diarrhea free before returning to school unless medical documentation is provides stating the student may return. 4. A physician needs to check skin eruptions or rashes before the student comes to school. 5. Head lice.
HEALTH HISTORY FORMS
A health history form is required to be filled out annually by parents/guardians. This form is to keep the health staff current on the health status of each child and allow them to care for your child in the health room. The form is electronic and will be completed with your online enrollment. The form includes a “parental consent for emergency treatment”. This must be signed and is effective until parents can be reached.
HEAD LICE
At times the Topeka area is faced with the problem of head lice. These pests are not particular and any child is susceptible. If you suspect that your child has them, please call the school nurse as soon as possible. Appropriate individual action is the key to control, and we will advise you as to the proper control methods and Kansas’ Regulations regarding head lice.
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IMMUNIZATIONS The state law requires that all students be fully immunized prior to school entry. KANSAS IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
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All parents/guardians are required to present certification from a physician or a local health department that their student has received the required immunizations that are deemed necessary by the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. • DTap/DT (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) – 5 doses required • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) – 1 dose required for 7th grade. • IPV (polio) – 4 doses required • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) – 2 doses required • Varicella (chickenpox) – 2 doses required if no proof of having the disease has been documented by a physician’s signature. • Hepatitis B – 3 doses required • Hepatitis A – 2 doses required for Kindergarten and Grade 1. • Meningococcal (serogroup A,C,W, Y) – 1 dose required for 7th grade and 11th grade. Proof of immunizations must be provided to the health staff. (Proof would include a copy of immunization booklet, document signed by a physician, or a copy of health department records.) It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide this information. The superintendent may exclude any student who fails to provide the documentation required by law from school until statutory requirements are satisfied. Notice of exclusion shall be given to the parents/guardians as prescribed by law. INTRAMURALS Intramurals are offered to students in grades 5 and 6. Parents will be responsible for providing transportation for their child to these activities. The school does not provide supervision for children not participating in intramurals. Watch for more information regarding specific dates and times. LUNCH INFORMATION AND POLICIES Students have a choice of a hot lunch, school sack or home sack each day. The student meal prices can be found on the meal menu page of our website. Breakfast and lunch include a half pint of milk. Students may purchase extra milk or students who bring a sack lunch may purchase milk at .50 cents. (Prices are subject to change). Please send your student’s money in an envelope with his/her name, account number and teacher’s name. If you choose to write one check for several students, please include all student names and teachers. Electronic payments can also be made via RevTrak (https://usd450.revtrak.net/). Notes are sent home weekly if your student’s account balance is low. Please contact the lunch clerk if you do not agree with the balance notice. If your child’s account reaches the maximum charge limit of 5 meals, you will need to plan on feeding your child breakfast at home and sending a sack lunch to school. We are always happy to have parents/grandparents for lunch. Please call the office prior to 9:15 a.m. to make reservations.
Unpaid Meal Policy for Shawnee Heights USD 450.
Households of Elementary school children will receive low balance slips weekly and/or phone calls regarding low balances on their student’s food service account. Secondary students will receive verbal notification by cashier.
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LUNCH INFORMATION AND POLICIES CONT. Once a student’s meal account goes into the negative, and the limit is reached, the household will be notified, (through email or phone) that payment is required to keep receiving the full reimbursable meal. Students with food service accounts at the maximum charge limit will be offered a smaller alternate meal and the account will not be charged for this meal as it is not reimbursable. Delinquent debt will remain on the Food Service account until the end of the year and collection attempts will be made during this time. Delinquent debt will become bad debt at the end of the school year on any student(s) that has/have withdrawn from the school district or has/have graduated. At this time, the School District will reimburse the Food Service account for the amount of the bad debt. Any collections beyond that point belongs to the district. This policy will be provided to households through (the district calendar, with renewal paperwork, in the student handbook etc.) All Staff of the District will be informed of this policy at (in-service etc.). Documentation (calendar, handbook, flyer, in-service roster/agenda etc.) of the household and staff All medications must be kept in the health room and are administered by the health or delegated school staff during school hours. All medications MUST come to school in the original containers accompanied by a permission note from the parent. (Foil wrapped over-the-counter medications need to come in the box with the directions.) WE WILL NOT GIVE MEDICATIONS WITHOUT THIS CONTAINER. If the doctor gives a professional sample medication to use, we MUST have a doctor note or copy of a prescription for the drug. Parents/guardians should be responsible for transporting prescription medications to and from school for their students. If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent this from occurring, the school’s registered nurse needs to be notified. 1. Dosage changes from the medication pharmacy label: We need to be notified by a note from the doctor with the new dosage listed and new parent permission form needs to be signed. 2. Medications to be taken 3 times a day can usually be done before school, after school and bedtime, thus avoiding the need to take it at school. 3. We do NOT give aspirin or medications containing aspirin at school to children without a doctor’s order. This is due to the connection with Reye’s Syndrome. Herbal, natural and homeopathic remedies will not be administered at school without written authorization from the primary care physician. In most cases we do not give narcotics at school. The registered nurse (R.N.) in each school will make this decision. It is recommended that students recover from injuries or surgery at home and be able to switch to non-narcotic pain medications before returning to school. Parents or legal guardians may come to the school to administer the medications if they choose. Students are expected to bring prescription or non-prescription medication to the nurse’s office immediately upon arriving to school. SELF ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS Medication (Epi-Pens/Inhalers) prescribed by a health care provider for the treatment of anaphylaxis or asthma may be carried by the student with the proper authorization from their physician, parent and school nurse. This will need to be renewed annually. notification will be kept on file in the Nutritional Services Department. MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL PAGE 9
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NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY USD 450 does not discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, color, national origin or ancestry, physical handicap or age in admission or access to, treatment or employment in its programs or activities. Any persons having ques-tions regarding the district’s compliance with Title IV, Title IX, or Section 504, should contact the Assistant to the Superintendent, 4401 S.E. Shawnee Heights Rd., Tecumseh, Kansas 66542. EOE PARENT COMMUNICATION PowerSchool: by Pearson School Systems, Inc. is a web-based student information system providing real- time information to parents, students, faculty, staff and administrators—over the Internet. PowerSchool Parent Portal is available for your use. ALL parents/guardians must create a user account with username and password received at enrollment. Call the IT Department 379-5970 if you have trouble accessing Account. Please maintain current demographic information. Thrillshare: This service allows Parents, Students & Faculty/Staff to receive e-mails, texts and/or phone calls on school related information. Thrillshare makes it easier than ever for you to stay in touch with important news and events in your school. USD 450 App: This app allows parents to recieve push notifications and access to timely school events, lunch menus, staff email, and links to bully reporting, PowerSchool and RevTrak. Remind: This service allows Teachers to communicate directly with Guardians of thier students via text, email and/or push notifications. Guardians have the cability of setting up how they would like to recieve messages. PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES Two days are set-aside in the fall and spring for all families to meet with school staff. Communication on how to sign-up for conference times will go out via email to all parents. PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION PAGE 10
PTO meetings will be held monthly. Please refer to your school calendar for date and times. These meetings are open to all parents.
PARTY INVITATIONS DISTRIBUTED AT SCHOOL
No one likes to be left out. We ask that party invitations for an individual student’s private party be distributed at school ONLY if the entire class is invited.
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PHYSICAL EXAM
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Children entering a Kansas school for the first time who are 8 years old or younger are required by state law to have a physical exam and/or health assessment form completed and on file in the health room at school. RECESS Weather permitting, recess will be outside each day. During the winter months many days are too cold to hold the complete recess period out-doors, but classes may still take a short break in the fresh air. SCHOOL CLOSING The procedure for closing school due to inclement weather conditions is as follows: The Superintendent will be in charge of making the decision to close school. Parents will be notified via School Messenger, radio and television stations in the area by 6:30 A.M. It is the parent’s decision to determine whether or not their child attends school on any given day due to weather conditions. If a parent chooses to keep their child home due to hazardous weather conditions, it is an excused absence. Parents may pick up their child during the school day, when they feel it is necessary due to weather conditions. SCHOOL PARENT DROP OFF/ PICK UP If you bring your student to school in the morning, please drop him/her off at the North side door front doors from 8:45-9:00 a.m. Student supervision is not provided until 8:45 a.m. Please keep your child safe by having students wait in your vehicle until 8:45 a.m., unload curbside, then proceed around circle drive in a single-file line . If you arrive after 9:00 am, please use the front entrance and come in and sign your child in. Buses park in the West parking lot at dismissal. Please avoid this area from 8:45-9:00 a.m. and 3:50-4:30 p.m. daily to ensure safety and avoid people and cars crossing bus traffic. If you need to pick up children after school, please remain in your vehicle and pull into the pick-up lane by the main entrance. Cars must stay in one lane for safety purposes. At 4:05 p.m. Berryon staff will be present to assist students in walking to vehicles. Please place the school-provided sign in your front window. SCHOOL HOLIDAY PARTIES Periodically during the year, there will be school parties. These parties will be limited to the first 30 minutes or the last 30 minutes of the school day. Room parents in charge of the party will be allowed into the classrooms ten minutes prior in order to set-up. No adults will be allowed in costumes. We encourage our parents to provide healthy snacks such as cheese slices, fruit, veggies and other nutritious snacks. Please do not send items that require refrigeration. If a child is absent from school on a classroom party day due to illness, the child will not be permitted to return to school to attend the party.
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SCHOOL VISITATION All visitors are required to register in the office and must wear a visitor’s badge or name tag while in the building. Parents may call or visit the school for a limited amount of time after receiving permission. The classroom teacher and/or principal will determine the amount and length of visits. We request that friends of students not visit school. SELLING ITEMS AT SCHOOL Selling items at school by students to students is prohibited, due to the large number of students with items to sell, disruption of the school day, problems of transporting goods and money to school, and the potential for loss by theft. SEXTING Sexting is harmful to minors and is against the law. The school cooperates with local law enforcement on sexting cases and may notify the USD 450 school resource officer (SRO) at the onset of every investigation involving sexting. A variety of Kansas statutes prohibit the transmission of sexual content of minors. Transmitting nude or semi-nude images to another student will result in the eventual embarrassment, humiliation, and regret of the sender and the potential criminalization of both the sender and the receiver. Parents are encouraged to Google and review with their children the Kansas statutes related to sexting and harassment by an electronic device: K.S.A. 21-5610, K.S.A. 21-5611 and K.S.A 21-6206. Families are encouraged to take precautions and use strategies to monitor the electronic communication habits of their students. It is against school rules to commit a sexting crime at school, on school property, or school sponsored event, or if it substantially disrupts the school learning environment. School consequences may apply. • School administration may make a report to the USD 450 school resource officer at the onset of each investigation involving the electronic transmission of sexual content. • Students are encouraged to preserve evidence and report sexting to their parents, school officials or the SRO. • In plain language, students should not: 1. Create and send sexual content to another student. 2. Receive, keep and fail to report that one has received sexual content from another student. 3. Retransmit sexual content that one has received to others via any electronic means. 4. Use another’s sexual content to bully, intimidate, harass or defame another student. 5. Request, pressure, or coerce any other student to provide sexual content. SEXUAL HARASSMENT Any form of sexual harassment will not be tolerated and should be reported immediately. Students who have volated this policy, will be subject to a graduated system of interventions leading to disciplinary action which may include suspension and expulstion. If appropriate, students who violate the prohibiton shall be reported to local law enforcement. EARLY CHILDHOOD SCREENING PROGRAM PAGE 12
All children birth to five are eligible for screening in all developmental and sensory areas including vision and hearing. For further information, please call the Special Education Services Office at 357-5440.
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SPECIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE Shawnee Heights USD 450 makes available free and appropriate special education services to children with disabilities. Special education services are provided for students ages 3-21. If you have knowledge of a child with a disability that may need special education services or have any questions, please call the Special Education Services Office at 357-5440, or the Director of Special Education at 379-5800. STUDENT DISCIPLINE Instances of student misbehavior including, yet not limited to fighting, theft, drug possession/use, weapons, classroom disruptions, and unsafe behavior will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension, expulsion, and prosecution. PAGE 13 CONFIDENTIALITY OF DISCIPLINE AND CONSEQUENCES The Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits the disclosure of a student’s private educational records to a non-parent or non-guardian. Most details related to behavior referrals, investigations into bullying, harassments or altercations and associated consequences are confidential. When a counselor provides a parent with a verbal or written report of a child’s involvement in a conflict, for example, the report will tend to feel like a one-side summary. School counselors and principals acknowledge the natural desire to know what happened to the other student. However, we must all respect the confidentiality of student records. Any discussion related to the behavior, investigatory details or consequences of other students is prohibited. STUDENTS WITHDRAWING FROM SCHOOL If you plan to move from our attendance center, please call the office several days before you plan to leave. This will give the teacher time to prepare student performance information and the office time to arrange for transfer of records. Please check at the office the day you leave, as there may be possible prorated fee refunds. Be sure that all library books and textbooks have been returned to the school. TOBACCO USE POLICY The USD 450 Board of Education has committed itself to the existence of a tobacco-free environment in all buildings and facilities at Shawnee Heights. This policy is dedicated to the modeling of desirable habits for our students. Therefore, it is the policy of USD 450 that no Board member, staff member, or students shall possess or use tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and vapes while on school property or at school functions. Any teacher or staff member at Shawnee Heights has the right and obligation to confiscate tobacco products from students found to be possessing or using them and report the student to the office. Students found to be in violation of this policy are subject to disciplinary action as described in Board of Education Policy JCDAA. UNPAID ACCOUNTS At the end of the school year, any unpaid accounts (fees, library, lunch, milk, band, and orchestra) will be turned over to a collection agency by the USD 450 School District Central Office. Please contact the principal if you need to make special arrangements.
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PARENT/STUDENT CALENDAR HANDBOOK ADDENDUM
PROOF OF IDENTITY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
Whenever a student enrolls in a public or non-public school for the first time, the school is required to secure proof of identity of the student. Proof of identity is either (a) a birth certificate for a student enrolling in kindergarten or the first grade, a copy of the court order placing the student in the custody of Department of Children and Family Services (DCF), or a certified transcript or other similar pupil record of a student enrolling in kindergarten through grade twelve, or (b) any other documentary evidence that the school determines to be satisfactory proof of identity. If proof of identity is not provided to the school within thirty (30) days of enrollment, the school must notify the local law enforcement agency.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
RESIDENT STUDENTS
A resident student is any child who has attained the age of eligibility for school attendance and lives with a parent or a person acting as a parent who is a resident of the district. Children who are homeless as defined by Kansas law and who are located in the district will be admitted as resident students. For purposes of this policy parent means the natural parents, adoptive parents, step-parents and foster parents. For purposes of this policy, person acting as a parent means a guardian or conservator, a person liable by law to care for or support the child, a person who has actual care and control of the child and provides a major portion of support or a person who has actual care and control of the child with written consent of a person who has legal custody of the child.
NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS
Any non-resident student who desires to be admitted to one of the Shawnee Heights attendance centers must make application to the superintendent or his/her designee after March 1 of the current school year to be considered for admission the following school year. Students whose academic achievement (passing all classes or meeting all objectives of the IEP), attendance (no absences beyond district/building policies, no unexcused absences and no truancy referrals) and conduct (no suspensions of any kind) warrant acceptance, as determined by the building principal, and who are able to arrange their own transportation, may be permitted by the superintendent to attend a USD 450 school if they meet one of the following criteria: 1. If the parents can present evidence, such as a contract, that proves the parent will be buying, building, leasing or renting a dwelling in the school attendance area during the first semester, the student will be permitted to start the school year in the appropriate school. 2. When a student, who has been a resident of the Shawnee Heights School district, moves out of the school district anytime during the school year, the student may complete the current school year in the building he/she is attending as long as the student is in good standing (academic achievement, attendance, and conduct as defined under JBC-R-2) as determined by the building principal. Parents must provide transportation to and from school or transport the student/(s) to an established bus stop. Students under this provision will be allowed to ride the bus unless it becomes overcrowded. 3. When a student, who has been a resident of the Shawnee Heights School District, moves out of the school district, he/she may be allowed to continue attending school in the Shawnee Heights School District if all the following provisions are met: • Academic achievement, attendance, and conduct as defined under JBC-R-2 are at an acceptable level as determined by the building principal, • Parents must provide transportation to and from school or transport the student(s) to an established bus stop.
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