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ATTENDANCE
Attendance is vital to the success of students and students
are expected to attend school on a daily basis. Please help
the school instill this important value by arranging doctor
appointments, vacations, and lessons outside of school hours
so that interruptions to valuable instruction time can be
kept to a minimum. Students who are absent during the day
may not participate in after-school or evening programs.
The policy regarding school attendance is clearly defined
by the Illinois School Code. The responsibility for regular
school attendance belongs to the parents. County regulations
require the school to report students with excessive absences
(approximately 18 days or more).
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ARRIVAL
PROCEDURES
Your child should not arrive at school before 8:30
A.M., because there is no adult supervision until
that time. This guideline is strictly enforced for
the protection of all children. In case of inclement
weather, children will be allowed to wait inside their
entry door. See attached map for specific locations
of class line up.
CALLING IN PROCEDURES
If it is necessary for your child to be absent FOR
ANY REASON, please phone the school by 9:00 A.M. (433-4946).
At that time, we encourage you to request your child’s
school work which can be picked up on the homework
cart (in the front lobby) after 3:30 P.M. (See the
Homework section for further details.) If parents
do not call us, we are required by state law to contact
you.
LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY
No child may leave school grounds during school hours
without written permission from a parent. If a child
must leave early, please send a note to inform the
teacher and the office. Students are not permitted
to leave the building unless accompanied by an adult.
All students leaving the school early must be signed
out in the school office. Your child will meet you
in the office. |
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
| 1.
I will behave so that everyone can learn.
2. I will keep my hands and feet to myself.
3. I will respect others with my words and actions.
4. I will walk in the school building.
5. I will be quiet in the hallways.
CONSEQUENCES
We teach students how to make good choices and help them learn from their mistakes. We also expect that students will exemplify the pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!cm. Logical and realistic consequences are used when a student does not follow one of the expectations. For example, if a student runs in the hallway, he/she is asked to go back and walk.
Inappropriate behaviors will be handled on the spot in the classroom, hallways, lunchroom, playground and other general areas of the school. The adult in charge will give the student a verbal warning, and the student may be given a "time out" to think about what happened. The student and the adult will discuss the expectation that was not met, as well as appropriate alternative behaviors. Depending on the situation, the student may fill out a "Think About It" sheet and may be sent to the Quiet Room. The completed "Think About It" sheet will be sent home for a parent signature and is to be returned to the classroom teacher. |
BICYCLE/SKATEBOARD SAFETY
A child’s bicycle is great fun and a fine mode of transportation
but accidents can spoil your child’s ride. It is up
to your child to stay safe while enjoying biking. Make sure
your child’s bike is safe. That means that it should
be in good mechanical shape. Make sure the brakes stop evenly,
the gears don’t slip and that the reflectors on the
rear fender and pedals are visible from 300 feet. A safety
flag mounted on the rear frame is a good idea. Remind students
to ride right by keeping eyes on the sidewalk and two hands
on the handle bars. Make sure that there is no loose clothing
or untied shoelaces that may get caught in the wheels. Encourage
students to use common sense, courtesy and caution. Students
should obey traffic signals, use hand signals, and if riding
in the street, ride with the traffic. Dismount bikes to
cross busy streets or while on school premises. Turn carefully,
watch for pedestrians, and be careful when coming out of
driveways - yours or our school’s!
In April, 1998, it was decided that students will be permitted
to ride bicycles to school with parents’ permission,
regardless of grade level. Our concern is for your child’s
safety. Therefore, it is suggested that your children follow
a safe route to school and that you practice the route with
them before they attempt it alone. Make sure your children
are following the recommended rules of the road for bicycle
riders.
When at school, your child should park his/her bike in the
bike racks and lock the bike with a good lock. The school
and district cannot assume any responsibility for lost or
stolen property.
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WALK THEIR BIKES ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.
BICYCLE HELMETS MUST BE WORN.
SKATEBOARDS AND ROLLER BLADES ARE PROHIBITED.
STUDENTS CAN RIDE SCOOTERS. THE SCOOTER NEEDS TO BE FOLDED UP ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.
BULLYING
Bullying is the violation of a person’s right to feel
physically and emotionally safe. Incidents of physical assault
or verbal abuse (threats, unusually cruel name-calling)
are not acceptable at school and are prohibited.
BUS TRANSPORTATION
The district provides free transportation for all students
in the district who reside at a distance of 1.5 miles or
more from their assigned schools or those who reside within
1.5 miles from their assigned schools where walking to school
or to a pickup point or bus stop would constitute a serious
hazard as determined by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Students ineligible for free transportation may be assessed
a fee and allowed to ride the bus on a space
available basis.
At one time or another all Wayne Thomas students will ride
a school bus. All parents and students should follow the
following procedures.
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1.
Be at your stop 5 minutes early. Stay back until the
bus comes to a stop. Stay off of people’s lawns
and be considerate of others. When you board the bus
move to a seat and remain there until you are to get
off. Do not kneel or stand in the seat and keep the
aisles clear of arms, legs and backpacks. Do not throw
anything out of the bus window. No food or drinks
are allowed on the bus.
2. When exiting the bus, stay in your seat until the
bus comes to a complete stop and exit single file.
Do not go after anything that falls under or in front
of the bus. Wait for the driver to signal you to cross
the street and cross in front of the bus to the other
side of the street. The driver will keep the safety
arm out until you are across the street.
3. The driver is in charge and is to be shown respect
and courtesy at all times. Be alert for special instructions
and keep hands and arms inside the bus at all times.
Loud or unnecessary noise is not appropriate and will
not be tolerated.
4. Your bus driver will give you specific directions
for boarding and getting off the bus. Follow those
instructions faithfully each day. Our goal is to have
an accident free experience. Also keep in mind that
riding the bus is a privilege you do not want to lose.
5. The school is very concerned with safety and behavior
on school buses. When discipline problems occur, the
safety of all passengers is jeopardized. At the beginning
of each school year, safety rules are reviewed and
bus evacuations drills are held. Should problems occur,
the following procedures will be used:
A.
The bus driver will try to correct student behavior
that is not appropriate. It is the students’
responsibility to accept the driver as the one
in charge.
B. For a second offense, contact will be made
with the principal and a letter will be sent to
the parents.
C. A third offense will bring with it a suspension
of riding privilege for up to five days and telephone
conference with parents.
D. A fourth violation will require a further suspension
of riding privileges and a conference with all
interested parties.
E. The principal reserves the right to suspend
riding privileges immediately, should the student
behavior warrant it. |
6.
It may be necessary in some situations, or on particular
routes, to add rules or change procedure. The bus
driver will have the authority to make such changes
for the safety of the children.
7. Students can ride only their assigned bus. Permission
for non-riders to ride the bus to a friend’s
home cannot be given. Students may get on and off
buses only at their designated bus stop.
8. For precautionary measures, students participate
in bus evacuation drills. |
COMPUTER
NETWORK AND INTERNET ACCESS AND USE
Teacher and student access to the District 112 Network and/or
Internet is consistent with and beneficial to the educational
mission of the district. The services provided by the network/Internet
are intended to support curriculum, instruction, and open
educational inquiry and research. The Board of Education
as well as the Wayne Thomas staff has a duty to ensure that
the manner in which the Network/Internet is used does not
conflict with the basic educational mission of the school.
A copy of the Appropriate Use Plan (AUP) must be on file
before students may use a computer with Internet access.
This is in accordance with School Board policy #6:235. If
you have not signed, and wish to do so, please call the
school office and a AUP authorization form will be sent
to you. You will be required to read it with your children
and every student and parent will need to sign authorizations
agreeing to abide by the rules and regulations of the policy.
Both child and parent must sign these forms before a child
will have access to the Network/Internet.
COMMUNICATION
Wayne Thomas encourages communication between parent and teacher. Every staff member has a district email account. Please refer to the staff listing in this website for email addresses and phone extensions. Please note that to reach a voice mailbox after hours, it is necessary to dial the desired extension + 2. The Wayne Thomas Buzz Book also has extension information.
CURRICULUM NIGHT
Wayne Thomas schedules its Curriculum Night early in the
school year. The purpose is for parents to meet their children’s
teachers, learn about the curriculum and how each classroom
operates. No individual parent/teacher conferences can be
held at this time.
DRESS REQUIREMENTS
Students are expected to dress in a manner that does not
disrupt the educational environment of North Shore School
District No. 112 or interfere with the maintenance of a
positive teaching/learning environment, or compromise reasonable
standards of health, safety and decency. Please refer to
the School Board Policy located in the front office
for specific dress requirements.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS
Emergency School Closings, such as snow days, are communicated
to each Wayne Thomas family by P.T.A. telephone trees. If
it should become necessary to close school, radio stations
WGN-720 AM, WMAQ-670 AM, WLS-890 AM, WBBM-780 AM, FOX NEWS-TV,
WGN-TV, and Cable Channel 4 will broadcast this information
from 6:00 A.M. on the day school will be closed. PLEASE
DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL, POLICE DEPARTMENT OR 911 FOR INFORMATION.
To see if the school is closed, you may dial 1-900-407-SNOW;
there is a charge for this call.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Wayne Thomas School offers a variety of extra-curricular
activities. These activities vary from year to year based
upon adult advisors, which are required for each activity.
Advisors will notify students of available activities throughout
the school year. Additionally, Wayne Thomas School hosts
several Brownie, Girl Scout, Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops.
Adult advisors furnish the organizational and general information
to the Wayne Thomas families throughout the year.
EXTREME
HEAT CONDITIONS
The faculty of Wayne Thomas School is encouraged to be flexible
in their daily schedules should extraordinarily high temperatures
interfere with the daily education of our students. It is
recommended that teachers use any or all of the following
ideas:
¯
Increased use of fans in the classroom.
¯ Increased use of the library and computer lab
(the only air-conditioned area) whenever possible.
¯ Movement of certain classes to rooms where temperatures
may be slightly lower.
¯ Increase use of the outdoors, provided the open-air
environment is preferable to the inside of the classroom.
¯ Increased use of water bottles. |
The
principal, in consultation with the nurse, will monitor
the weather conditions appropriately notifying teachers
if any extraordinary measures need to be taken.
FEES
District 112 charges parents a general school fee. The fee is sent out
with registration material. These fees cover the cost of
textbooks and educational materials.
FIELD TRIPS
Teachers schedule field trips to extend the curriculum beyond
the walls of the classroom. Written permission is required
for each trip and a small fee may be required to cover the
cost of the trip.
FIRE/DISASTER DRILLS
Regularly scheduled fire and disaster drills at suitable
intervals are required by law. The teacher in each classroom
will give students instructions and a practice before each
drill. Wayne Thomas School has a site specific disaster
plan that is part of the District 112 Disaster Plan.
HARASSMENT
Verbal, visual, or physical conduct that degrades, intimidates,
shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because
of his/her race, religion, gender, disability, national
origin, or age is prohibited. Any conduct that affects tangible
benefits of education or that unreasonably interferes with
a student’s educational environment will not be tolerated.
Threats of violence are taken seriously and will result
in consequences for the student making the threat. Sexual
harassment of any kind is prohibited. Please see School
Board Policy #7:20 R.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
You should keep your child home from school when these symptoms
are present:
1.
Fever of 100.0 degrees or higher
2. Nausea or vomiting
3. Skin rash or sores
4. Reddened, swollen or watery eyes, and/or conjunctivitis
5. Red or swollen joints
6. Diarrhea
7. Excessive coughing or sneezing
8. Sore throat
9. Headache or earache. |
Wayne Thomas employs a registered nurse whose
responsibility it is to provide emergency assistance for
sick or injured students. If your child has a fever, s/he
should be kept home until the temperature has been normal
for 24 hours without Tylenol or Motrin. Children on antibiotic
therapy for any infection must have completed a 24 hour
course of medication before returning to school. A child
sent home at noon with a fever should not return to school
the following day. Children should remain home if they have
vomited or experienced nausea during the night.
Students
are sent home from school if they have symptoms of a cold
or any other contagious disease, have a temperature of 100.0
degrees and above, have vomited, or have had an accident
requiring a doctor’s attention. It is the parents’
responsibility for picking up their ill child or arranging
transportation as quickly as possible. Please make sure
that the nurse has emergency contact numbers on file.
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ACCIDENTS
AND INJURIES
Every effort is made to prevent accidents. If an accident
occurs, first aid is given and the family is contacted.
Parents are required to complete emergency information
forms at the time of registration. It is the parents’
responsibility to make sure that up-to-date emergency
information is always on file in the school office.
This includes telephone numbers of two relatives,
friends, or neighbors in the event that a parent cannot
be contacted.
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
District 112 will insure each student for injuries
sustained during school hours or during school sponsored
activities. It is the District’s policy that
all student incidents/accidents must be reported to
the school nurse. Some of the incidents may be of
a more serious nature that would require additional
medical services beyond those provided by the school
nurse. Parents who incur additional medical costs
associated with their child’s injury that occurred
during school hours or during a school sponsored activity
should contact the school nurse in order to complete
the appropriate claim form.
VISION SCREENING
Vision screening will be completed during the month of
September, as mandated, for children in the following
grades/circumstances:
- Preschool, Kindergarten, Second Grade, Eighth Grade,
Special Education, Teacher Referrals, Transfer Students
Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete
eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child
is not required to undergo this vision screening IF
an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and
signed a report form indicating that an examination
has been administered within the previous 12 months
and that evaluation is on file at the school. This
notice is not a permission to test and is not required
to be returned. Vision screening is NOT an option.
If a vision examination report is not on file at the
school for your child, your child in the mandated
age/grade/group will be screened.
If your child wears glasses and is in one of the grades/groups
to be tested, please made sure your child wears his/her
glasses to school on the day of testing. Vision screening
is not performed on students wearing glasses.
HEALTH EXAMINATIONS AND IMMUNIZATIONS
All children entering kindergarten or fifth grade
and students newly enrolled in District 112 are required
by law to have a complete health examination by a
licensed physician before they begin school. Immunizations
for communicable diseases are required by the state
and are strictly enforced.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
All contagious diseases must be reported to the nurse
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. We are required to report to
Lake County Health Department
certain communicable diseases. To remain in compliance
with this mandate, we ask that you call the school
if your child has any of the following:
Strep infections
Chicken Pox
Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”)
Encephalitis
Fifths Disease
Head Lice
Scabies
Tuberculosis
Measles or German Measles
Mumps
Food-borne illnesses (salmonella, camphylobacter)
Pin Worms
Any type of Hepatitis
MEDICATION POLICY
Medication should ordinarily be administered in the
home. However, at certain times, medication must be
given during the school day so a child can attend
class on a regular basis. We are not allowed to dispense
any medication, either
prescription or over the counter to students other
than through procedures which are outlined below.
(Sections 10.22 and 10.23 of the Illinois School Code
and the School Board policy #7:270 and 7:270R.)
1) Written permission from the parent or guardian
must be on file at school to permit the child to receive
medication during school hours. Over-the-counter
medication, i.e. Tylenol, cough medicine, cough drops,
must be in the original container with the child’s
name and directions, and must be accompanied by written
doctor’s or dentist’s orders. Please do
not give your child any medicines (including cough
drops, nose drops, aspirin, antibiotics, etc.) to
keep in school. This is for the safety of your child
as well as other students.
2)
A written order from the physician must also be on
file at school detailing medication dosage, method
and reason for administration, and date to discontinue.
All appropriate forms are available in the school
office and have been distributed to area physicians.
Phoned and faxed permission (both required) from the
physician are acceptable.
3) All prescription medication must be furnished by
the parent in a container properly LABELED BY A PHARMACY
OR A PHYSICIAN. Such medication should be brought
to school by the parent or guardian. Students should
not have medication in their possession.
PLEASE
LABEL ALL MEDICATION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Child’s name
Prescription Number
Medication Name/Dose
Administration Route
Date/Refill
Physician’s Name
Pharmacy Address/Phone Number |
4)
Students are responsible for reporting to the office
at the proper time to receive their medication.
5) The consumption of medication is supervised by
the school nurse. When it is not possible for the
school nurse to dispense medications, medications
will be administered by authorized personnel only
after receiving careful instructions from the school
nurse. The school nurse will alert school personnel
and parents, if necessary, about a need for observation
of the child, the potential benefits and possible
reaction to the medication.
6) The School District reserves the right to reject
any request for administration of medicine in the
schools. |
HOMEWORK
Homework is a necessary part of each student’s educational
program and varies according to teacher and grade level.
Homework is assigned to serve the following purposes:
*
To develop and strengthen academic skills and promote
mastery
* To help students develop good study habits
* To promote growth in responsibility |
We
strongly encourage you to spend time with your child on
a daily basis in some sort of learning activity: reading,
learning games, story writing, or math facts. This time
will reinforce good study skills and habits to your child.
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REQUEST
FOR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
When a student will be out of school two (2) days
or more for reason of personal illness or other excused
reasons, parents may request homework assignments
by calling 433-4946. Requests made
by 12:00 noon will be available for parent pick-up
after 3:30 P.M. Homework assignments will be placed
on the homework cart located just inside the front
doors of school.
HOMEWORK POLICY/PROCEDURES FOR VACATIONS
The only excused absences are those caused by illness
or family emergencies. The school cannot endorse a
child be taken on a vacation when school is in session.
It is critical for students to take part in the classroom
activities. No amount of paperwork can substitute
for a child’s presence during class discussions
or meaningful, hands-on experiences. We recognize
that some vacations are unavoidable. We ask parents
to recognize that the classroom is a dynamic situation
and to predict how much new information will be covered
is impossible. Classroom teachers will not be providing
specific class work prior to a vacation, nor will
tests be administered early. Instead your child will
be given a list of appropriate academically related
activities to complete, if you so desire. Once your
child returns to school, he/she will be given all
make-up work. |
LOST
AND FOUND
All lost articles will be hung on the Lost & Found clothes
line which is in front of the office. Personal items will
be kept in the office. If items are not claimed within 2
months, they will be donated to charity. Please have your
child check the clothes line often. We encourage parents
to label clothing, lunch and book bags for quick return.
Please do not allow your children to bring large amounts
of money, valuable trading cards, electronic games, or other
valuable items to school. The school or district cannot
assume responsibility for loss, damage, or theft of personal
property.
LUNCH PROGRAM
Students must bring a lunch from home. Milk must be purchased
through the district’s business office. Included in
your registration information is information and forms that
have to be completed and returned to the district’s
business office. The Wayne Thomas office cannot provide
students with free milk and drinks cannot be purchased on
a daily basis. You are welcome to send a drink with your
child but please be sure that the container is non breakable.
Pop is not an appropriate lunch time drink
at school. However, parents may take their children home
for lunch, provided children are signed out in the office.
Free or reduced price lunches are available to those who
qualify under Federal guidelines. A form must be filed for
each student who qualifies. Please call the school office
for more information
.
Wayne Thomas has been recognized as a model school for our
environmental awareness. Reusable lunch bags, sandwich and
snack containers are encouraged. Glass bottles may not be
used in lunches.
The following conduct
is expected in the lunchroom:
1.
Students will enter in an orderly fashion. Students need to walk in the lunchroom.
2. Students are to use polite language and must follow the directions of
the lunch supervisors.
3. Students will remain seated at all times.
4. Students will not leave tables without permission
from a supervisor.
5. Students will talk in a normal voice while in the
lunchroom.
6. Students are expected to leave their eating area
clean. This includes the table, seat and floor.
7. Students are expected to keep hands, feet and negative
comments to themselves.
8. Students are expected to eat their own lunches. Lunch
trading/sharing is not allowed.
9. If your child has a food allergy, please alert the
nurse before the first full day of school.
10. No lunch food is to be eaten outside of the lunchroom. |
Education and planning are key essentials to establishing and maintaining a safe school environment for all students. With this in mind, we would like to make you aware of the fact that we have eight students at Wayne Thomas who have a life-threatening peanut or tree nut allergy.
In an effort to allow these students to fully participate in all class activities, we ask that you help us assure their safety at Wayne Thomas School. We have designated classrooms and certain areas in the building as a "nut-free" environment. There is also a table in the lunchroom that is designated "nut-free". It is located in the front of the seating area, and is clearly marked. We will be strictly enforcing our no-sharing policy for food during both snack and lunchtime.
PESTICIDE
MANAGEMENT PLAN
The district has adopted an Integrated Pest Management Program
for structural pest control practice at school buildings.
The district will provide written notification of pesticide
application at least two business days before application
of the pesticide. For more detailed information, please
contact the Director of Building and Grounds.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
All students receive physical education instruction two
to three times a week all year. Additionally, students have
daily recreational time supervised by lunchroom/recess staff.
If your child must forego physical education or outside
recess due to an injury or condition for more than 1 day,
please provide a note from your doctor. The doctor’s
office may provide an excused absence via facsimile (433-7875).
PLAYGROUND
Our goal is to ensure that the playground is an enjoyable
and safe experience for all. No one will be denied use of
equipment. The following guidelines have been established:
1.
Use equipment safely.
2. Be courteous and polite.
3. Stay in designated areas.
4. Share equipment.
5. Line up quietly when the whistle is blown.
6. Do not leave the playground without permission from
a supervisor.
7. Listen to the supervisors and allow them to help
you.
8. The throwing of any snow, stone, or other object
is not permitted.
9. Should problems occur; the following procedures will be used:
A. Whenever possible, the supervisors will give the student an opportunity to follow the directions given.
B. A variety of responses will be used by the adults in charge,
i.e. time out, talking over a situation to find a solution,
separating the students in question, loss of recess.
C. If the problem cannot be resolved by the supervisors,
it will be brought to the attention of the principal.
Each situation will be handled on an individual basis
with the emphasis on student centered problem solving.
D. If an effective solution cannot be found, parents
will be notified. |
APPROPRIATE
BEHAVIOR
AND GOOD DECISIONS ON THE PART OF THE STUDENT WILL
MAKE DISCIPLINARY ACTION UNLIKELY.
PROGRESS
REPORTS/PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Wayne Thomas supports communication with parents. If you
have something you would like to discuss with a teacher
or the principal, please feel free to come in and do so.
The meetings with teachers are generally held before or
after school. We suggest an appointment be made ahead of
time.
Progress reports will be issued 3 times a year - November,
March and June. New progress reports were piloted in the
1998-99 school year and revised versions of the same forms
will be used in the 2005-2006 school year.
Parent /Teacher conferences are held in the fall and the
spring. The Parent/Teacher Conference provides parents,
students and teachers an opportunity to share information
related to the academic, social, and emotional growth of
each student. Additional conferences may be requested as
needed.
For some parents, Parent/Teacher Conference Days appear
to be a tempting opportunity for family vacations. However,
the staff and the principal prefer and strongly encourage
personal, in-depth conferences among parents, teachers and
students on the days set aside in the academic calendar.
We recognize that some family trips to attend life cycle
events are unavoidable. Nevertheless, if alternate conference
times cannot be arranged, we reserve the right to have parent/teacher
conferences via the telephone.
RECESS
We believe that outdoor recess provides our students with
some much needed exercise so we plan for outdoor recess
every day. Students should have a sweatshirt or extra sweater
stored in their lockers for those days when there are sudden
weather changes. An extra layer of clothing can make recess
more enjoyable. We go out for recess as long as the temperature
is above 10º F, including the wind chill. We usually will
remain inside when temperatures drop below 10º. We do not
go outside if it is raining but may go out when it is snowing.
Please have your children dress warmly. Send your child
with hat, gloves or mittens, snow pants, and boots whenever
appropriate. The lunch room supervisors are diligent about
having students dress appropriately for the weather. Students
must be wearing snow pants and boots to play in the snow.
SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Students cannot make verbal and/or implied threats to teachers
and/or other students which could alarm, disturb, or interfere
with the orderly operation of the school. Statements such
as “I’ll kill you,” “I’m going
to bomb this place,” or other comments that may be
construed as threats to the safety of our students and staff
members will not be allowed. Similar to airport check-in-points,
implied threats will be taken seriously. “Kidding around”
about shooting someone is not appropriate in our society
and must not be allowed in our school. Students cannot bring
toy guns and/or look-a-like guns to school. Particularly
at the K-5 levels, students should be reminded that their
toy (look-a-like) guns cannot be brought to school under
any circumstances. Obviously, the District’s policy
on real weapons will continue to be strictly enforced. Please
see School Policy #7-190.
STANDARDIZED TESTING
Students in grades three, four and five will participate
in MAP testing. This is an online test that will assess
academic skills in the area of reading, language arts and
math. MAP testing will be completed two - three times a
year. Additionally, the state of Illinois requires that
these same students participate in the Illinois State Assessment
Program (ISATs) each spring. Students in grades three, four
and five take tests in reading and mathematics. Students
in grade four will also take tests in science. Individual
test results are reported to parents for both MAP testing
and the ISAT. Schedules for both sets of tests are announced
well in advance of testing dates.
For information concerning special education testing and
placement procedures, please contact the principal.
STUDENT LANGUAGE/STUDENT EXPRESSION
The administration reserves the right to prohibit expression
which may cause substantial disruption to school activities
or violate the rights of others. Prohibited is the use of
vulgar and offensive terms, as judged by the school administrator.
TARDY POLICY
All students will be considered tardy at 8:40 A.M., if they
are not in their classrooms. Students who arrive late must
report to the nurse’s office before being admitted
to class. Excessive tardiness will not be tolerated. Tardies
will be recorded on the child’s progress report as
well as their permanent record. County regulations require
the school to report students who are chronically tardy.
TELEPHONE
Students are permitted to use the office telephone in case
of an emergency only. In general, we do not encourage students
to call home to request that parents deliver homework or
a forgotten lunch. After school plans should be made prior
to arrival at school. Unless it is an emergency, please
do not call school to have messages delivered to your child.
TRAFFIC ALERT
Vehicle and pedestrian traffic is a major safety concern
for any school and a good site design lessens the risk of
serious problems. During the summer of 1999, the school
site was remodeled to facilitate the traffic flow during
drop-off and pick-up times. Wayne Thomas students, parents
and staff are committed to a safe traffic flow around our
school campus. This requires that all people using the school
and grounds follow safe practices as drivers and pedestrians.
The PTA has pledged its full support for this important
plan. The procedures outline below have been established
for the safety of our children. Please choose safety over
convenience.
The following safety plan is in effect:
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¯ 5 M.P.H. Speed Limit in the parking lot.
¯ No cell phone use in the parking lot during
drop off/pick up times.
¯ Pull as far forward as possible in the drop off/pick up lane.
¯ There should be a single lane of traffic only until you reach the loading zone.
¯ As cars exit to the driving lane, continue to pull forward.
¯ Pick students up in the loading zone only (the circle).
¯ Load students only from the passenger side in the drop off/pick up lane.
¯ Do not walk through the parking lot; use the sidewalk to get to cars or the sidewalk on Summit Avenue.
¯ When volunteering or coming into the building, cars must be parked in an available parking space.
¯ Students should not be picked up at Northwood. This is a bus only area.
¯ Consider delaying picking up your child until 3:25/3:30, as the drop off/pick up lane is virtually empty at that time.
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To
further assist with the safety of the students, please be
patient and respectful of each other as well as the adult
supervisors.
PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON SUMMIT AND EXPECT YOUR CHILDREN
TO MEET YOU. THE CROSSING GUARD REPORTS CHILDREN RUNNING
ACROSS SUMMIT WITHOUT STOPPING OR LOOKING FOR CARS. IF EVERYONE
FOLLOWS THE DIRECTIONS, THE TRAFFIC SHOULD MOVE QUICKLY
AND EASILY.
VISITORS
The administration and faculty encourage parent participation
and involvement. You are always welcome at school. After
students have entered the building in the morning, all doors
around the school are locked. Visitors must use the front
entrance doors. Please ring the bell and a secretary will
release the magnetic lock. For safety and security reasons,
all visitors to the school are required to stop at the office
and sign in. Please pick up a visitor’s sticker upon
arrival. Conferences and classroom visits with teachers
must be prearranged. We also respectfully ask that you turn
off or silence cell phones when visiting classrooms or volunteering.
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DISMISSAL
Parents who are meeting their children at school should
remain outside the main doors. Congregating in the
lobby is a distraction for the office staff and a
disturbance to classes that are in session.
DROPPING OFF LUNCHES, ASSIGNMENTS, MESSAGES
If you need to drop off lunches, forgotten assignments
or messages, please bring them to the school office.
They will be delivered in order to avoid unnecessary
interruptions. Please label all drop off items. |
WELLNESS POLICY
The following are recommended guidelines that have been developed by representative parents and staff:
| 1.
Birthday celebrations will focus on opportunities for a child to feel special throughout the day in his or her classroom with or without the inclusion of a snack, provided the food follows suggested snack guidelines.*
2. All school snacks and rewards, provided by staff or brought from home, served during and after school should be healthy.*
3. Classroom activities that are tied to specific curriculum projects or units may include food items. Every attempt will be made to choose healthy options when appropriate.*
4. Students will receive one sweet treat and a beverage at holiday parties.
5. All food providers are expected to provide nutritionally balanced food and beverage options for student lunches.*
6. Candy will not be served at school during school hours.
7. All fundraisers during the school day will adhere to these guidelines.
8. On all occasions, staff, parents and food vendors are expected to show sensitivity to food allergies.*
*Reference Section:
-Balanced options include protein, carbohydrates and fat
-Suggested school snacks include fresh fruit, veggies, dairy, water, 100% fruit juice, crackers and low fat, low sugar carbohydrates
-Suggested beverages include water, milk, 100% fruit juice (no sugar drinks)
-Limit portion-size desserts
In addition:
-Encourage hand washing/sanitation
-Encourage vendors to limit packaging waste
-Practice sensitivity to peanut and food allergies
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