student/parent handbook

RIVERVIEW ELEMENTARY

Dear Parents and Families of Riverview Elementary Students;

Each August as we work on preparations, I know the first days of school are right around the corner! That means soon the halls and classrooms will soon be filled with the sound that energizes us… Kid sounds! A school just isn’t a school until the halls are filled with kids and you can feel the buzz of learning in the classrooms. I can’t tell you the excitement I feel each year, anticipating the day that kids and families start through the front door!

The Snohomish School District and Riverview Elementary offer incredible opportunities for students to learn and grow. Through teamwork, it is our mission to ensure that the Riverview community supports each person, as they become respectful, responsible and high achieving individuals. It is evident that this mission has ensured that Riverview Elementary is the best place for students to learn and teachers to teach! Anyone entering Riverview can experience the warm and inviting atmosphere that has been built here. Pride and a positive school spirit are evident! Riverview staff members are focused on “Student-Centered—–Kids First!” learning environments, where all students’ needs are met in supportive, collaborative and caring environments. Strong parent support and involvement are the norm. Riverview is fortunate to have a strong core of parent volunteers and an active PTO. There are so many ways to be involved and I encourage you to explore the many opportunities! As we start the year, mark your calendars for upcoming events. Our back to school “Curriculum Night” will be held on September 27th^t and our “Parent-Teacher Conferences” will be held in the Fall, October 29-November 2 and in the Spring, March 31-April 4.

We look forward to another great year here at Riverview. We sincerely hope that this student handbook answers any questions that you may have regarding our programs and services. Again, welcome to the 2007-2008 school year! I look forward to partnering with you to ensure your child’s success!

Sincerely,

Tammy Jones

Principal

Riverview Staff

Tammy Jones Principal

Vicki Adams Connections Class

Shaelynn Bates Library/Media

Kristin Beverford Half Day Kindergarten

Melissa Bollerud Music

Jody Bostock Full day Kindergarten

Ewa Buechner Title LAP

Twani Capelli 5^th/6^th grade

Jennifer Carness Paraeducator

Laura Cross 6^th Grade

Catherine Curran 2^nd Grade

Debbie Edgbert 4^th Grade

Mary Edwards paraeducator

Robert Eyler Custodian

John Glover Custodian

Ed Greenalch 3^rd/4^thh Grade

Anjeanette Hammer 4/5/6 Grade

Carol Helt Resource

Karen Hickenbottom Library

Cheri Hill Paraprofessional

Teresa Hurley Principal Secretary

Theresa Holman Kitchen

Peggy Kendall Secretary

Kristy Kelly School Nurse

Erica Landis 2^nd Grade

Pam Lane Paraeducator

Judy Lawless 5^th Grade

Kim Leblanc Paraeducator

Penny Livingston Paraprofessional

Kim Longmore 2^nd Grade

Ann McNeil P.E.

Lorie Megenity Paraeducator

Mary Nielsen Speech Pathologist

Shannon Otteson P.E.

Peggy Panko 4^th Grade

Dena Ramm 6^th Grade

Julie Raney 3^rd Grade

Amy Reese 1^st Grade

Karen Ren Paraprofessional

Rosie Roetcisoender Kitchen

Lauralinn Sents 3^rd Grade

Kelly Smiley 5^th Grade

Ted Teather Counselor

Jeff Thoreson 1^st/2^nd Grade

Diana Uplinger Paraeducator

Sher Varney Psychologist

Riverview PTO

Riverview is proud of its active PTO. Parents are encouraged to become active PTO members. Meetings are held on the 1^st Monday of each month from 7:00-8:00 p.m. For more information and how to join, PTO newsletters will be coming home with students after school begins.

Visitors

For the safety of the students at Riverview, all visitors are requested to sign in at the office and pick up a visitor’s badge before continuing through the school campus.

Closed Campus

Once a child arrives at school in the morning, he/she will not be permitted to leave the school grounds without a parent or guardian-authorized person coming to the school office and signing the child out. At that time the child will be called from class.

Bicycles/Walk

Riverview is surrounded by narrow, heavily trafficked roads. Because of this potential traffic hazard, students are not permitted to ride bicycles or walk to school. Individual exceptions may be requested from the principal.

Attendance

Regular school attendance is vital to student success. Students are expected to attend classes all day every day. Washington State Law recognizes illness as the only valid reason for absence. However, family emergencies and participation in school sponsored or parent-approved activities may be appropriate reasons for absence. When your child is absent, parents are requested to contact the office by telephone to notify us of the absence. If we do not receive a phone call, the office will call home to confirm the absence. When a student returns to school following an absence, Washington State Law requires that parent/guardian send a note with the child explaining the nature of the absence.

Early Student Pick-up

Early pick-ups are discouraged. Please schedule doctor, dentist and other routine appointments outside school hours. If this is not possible and it is necessary to remove your child from school, please notify the school office.

Withdrawals

Written notice to the school office is appreciated when moving from the Riverview service area. One day prior to leaving is sufficient notification.

Change of Family Information

Parents are asked to inform the school of any change in address, telephone number, guardianship, etc. This information is very important in the event of illness, injury or emergency.

Class Parties

Classroom celebrations may be held with the permission of the teacher. Sometimes parents ask to send or bring birthday treats to school. Arrangements for this should be made with the teacher several days in advance of the child’s birthday. All treats must be store-bought and packaged to comply with Snohomish School District and Health Department regulations.

Emergency Closure/Late Start

When winter arrives, the possibility of school closure or delay in starting time due to weather or road conditions must be considered. In the event that closure or a change in starting time becomes necessary, radio stations KRKO (1380), KWTZ (1230), KING (1090), KOMO (1000), KIRO (710), and KJR (950) will make announcements. Please do not call the school. Unless you hear an announcement to the contrary, you should assume that the Snohomish schools will be operating on schedule.

Accidents or Illness

If a child is injured or becomes ill at school, first aid will be provided by a trained staff member. Parent will be called to come and get the child if the injury or illness merits such action. If the parent cannot be reached, the person(s) listed under emergency number of the Student Emergency Information form will be contacted. If no one can be reached, the office staff or principal will use judgment as to whether or not to call an aid car. If there are any changes in emergency names or telephone numbers, please contact the school office immediately.

Personal Property

The school provides playground equipment for recess. Parents are requested to not allow their child to bring toys, computer games, radios, balls, jump ropes, etc. to school. Occasionally, your child’s teacher may allow games or toys to be brought to school for a specific purpose. Under this circumstance, toys are acceptable at school, at the parents’ risk. However, this does not include trading cards. Trading cards are not allowed at school, as we have had considerable problems with students trading during the school day.

Cell Phones and Pagers: These items do not enhance the learning environment and are a major distraction and disruption. However, we realize that cell phones and pagers have become a way in which parents communicate with their children after school hours. If cell phones or pagers are brought to school they must be kept in the student’s backpacks at all times. They are not to be kept in pockets, jackets, or desks. They must be turned completely off at all times during the school day. Under no circumstance are any of these items to be used during school hours. Any infraction of these rules will result in the item being taken from the student and held in the office until an adult can pick it up.

Electronic Handheld Games:

Electronic games are not permitted at school except for the following situations:

· Some of our bus drivers allow the use of Game Boys and other hand held electronic games to be used on the school busses.

· Occasionally, a teacher may allow the use of these toys for special classroom parties.

Other than these 2 exceptions, the toys are not permitted at school or used during school hours. Infraction of these rules will result in the item being taken and held in the office until an adult can pick it up.

The school will not be responsible for these items if they are lost, stolen, or broken. If they are brought to school it is at the family’s risk.

Weapons

Weapons (guns, knives, or other dangerous objects) are not allowed at school. Bringing a weapon to school results in expulsion. Toy weapons or any items resembling weapons or ammunition are not allowed and possession of such items may result in suspension.

Homework Policy

Students are expected to keep their assignments up-to-date and prompt. You can help your child by being sure he/she has a time and place to work. Any daily class assignment that is not finished in the time provided is considered homework. Homework should include unfinished classroom assignments, spelling, reading requirements, and memorization of math facts. Special projects and reports are frequently assigned. Additional time may be required to take your child to the library, proofread writing or obtain necessary materials, etc.

Assignments When Absent

When a student is absent parents may request the teacher to provide a list of assignments the student has missed. We require that the request be made at least one school day prior to the time the parent wishes to pick up the assignments. Requests at the last minute do not provide the teacher necessary time to get the work together for the student.

Student Dress Code

Students are expected to come to school looking clean and neat and dressed in a manner which is appropriate in a learning environment. The administration shall have the discretion to interpret whether or not a student has violated the dress code.

The ultimate guidelines for dress at Riverview are the safety of each student and attention to academics. With these guidelines in mind, we have formed the following list of expectations. These are comparable to other schools in the district and are intended to help maintain a safe, enjoyable, distraction-free academic setting for all students.

1. Students are expected to come to school dressed in neat, clean clothing.

2. Students should dress in accordance with their activities and the weather. Since the students’ primary focus at school is the learning process in the classroom, they should be dressed for business. If there is a special activity in the classroom or a field trip, it may be appropriate to dress differently.

3. Dress is important to the safety and comfort of students. Long, loose, or cumbersome clothing can cause unnecessary injury to students in the classroom and on the playground. Bare feet and untied shoelaces are not safe or acceptable at school. We strongly discourage students wearing flip flops as we have had serious injuries resulting when they attempt to run or play wearing them.

4. Extremes in clothing, which detract from the teaching/learning process are to be avoided by students. There should be NO short shorts, mini-skirts, halters, bare midriff shirts, muscle shirts, baggy pants, chains, spiked jewelry and/or T-shirts advertising violence, drugs, beer, or tobacco, or having suggestive words or pictures. Tank tops should have straps no thinner than 3 fingers. Ball caps are not allowed at school and hats are to be worn outside only. NO makeup or extreme hair colors are allowed. Under no circumstances should the waistband of underwear be visible. No skin should be visible in the midriff area of the body.

5. Walking shorts may be worn during warm weather. When standing erect with arms at sides, fingers should not be able to touch skin.

6. Students not dressed appropriately for school will either be asked to change into extra clothes kept in the school clinic or call their parents for a change of clothes.

Student Progress/Conferences

Student progress is reported to parents through parent/teacher conferences and report cards. The fall conference is scheduled for the week of October 23-27, and the spring conference is scheduled for the week of March 26-30. Parents wishing to confer with a teacher other than during a scheduled conference time may call the school office and make an appointment.

School Telephone

The school telephone number is 360 563-4375. This is a business telephone and students will be allowed to use it only in case of an emergency. Students will not be allowed to use the telephone to make arrangements for after-school activities. These arrangements must be made prior to coming to school.

Lunch Program

Sohexho Food Services operates the hot lunch program in the Snohomish School District. Students may purchase single lunches daily or purchase tickets in multiples of five days. The price of a single lunch is $2.25*. Multiple ticket prices are:

5 Days $ 11.25*

10 Days $ 25.00*

15 Days $ 33.75*

20 Days $ 45.00*

Breakfast is also available for a cost of $1.00.

Checks should be made payable to Snohomish School District. Students wishing to purchase multiple tickets should take the check to the kitchen personnel upon arrival to school. The purchase of multiple tickets is strongly encouraged. Multiple tickets help in case of forgotten or lost lunch money. Free/reduced lunch application forms are available in the office. All applications will be kept confidential. Parents are encouraged to keep a positive balance on lunch tickets. Should a student run out of money, he/she will be allowed to charge up to 2 lunches. No student will go hungry; however, they will receive only a sandwich and milk after 2 lunches have been charged.

Sending Money to School

Money for lunches or other needs is to be sent in an envelope clearly marked with the child’s name, teacher’s name and the purpose of the money.

Medications

If your child needs medication during the school day, the medication must be brought to the office by a parent or another adult with a signed, official ‘Snohomish School District Parent and Doctor Form’ stating the name of the medication, amount to be given, when to be given and the reason for taking the medication. Forms are available in the school clinic. The medication will be kept in the clinic and the child must come to the clinic to take the medicine. Prescription medication must be brought in the original container and no more than a 20 day supply. Parents wishing to have their student carry their own over-the-counter medication (like Tylenol) may do so with parents and the school nurse’s written permission. This is at the discretion of the school nurse. These medications must be in the original container and only one dose.

Immunization

All students are required by law to be adequately protected from many of the communicable diseases by proper immunization. Students must show proof of full immunization, initiation of a schedule of immunization, or a certificate of exemption to be allowed to enter school. If this requirement is not met, the child will not be allowed to attend school. Philosophical, religious or medical exemption may be signed on the back of the form if so desired.

Immunization Requirements

DTaP/DTP/DT: 5 doses pertussis-containing vaccine recommended, last dose must have been received on or after the 4^th birthday

TdAp: If the student is 11 years old and it has been at least 5 years since the last DTaP, DT, or Td

POLIO: 4 doses recommended, 3 doses acceptable if the last dose was given on or after the child’s 4^th birthday.

MMR: 2 doses measles; 1 dose mumps; 1 dose rubella given after 1^st birthday and at least 28 days apart.

HEPATITIS B: a three-shot series of hepatitis B vaccine is required for all children.

CHICKEN POX (Varicella): The Washington State Board of Health has adopted a change to add immunity to varicella as a requirement for students who attend school and licensed child care beginning July 1, 2006:

Children affected by this requirement are:

1) Children 19 months of age up to Kindergarten entry attending licensed child care or preschools beginning July 1, 2006,

2) Children attending Kindergarten in school year 2006-2007, and;

3) Children attending 6^th grade in school year 2006-2007.

Your child can meet this requirement by documenting one of the following on the Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form:

1) The date (month, day and year) your child received one dose of varicella vaccine. The vaccine needs to have been given on or after the child’s first birthday.

2) History of chickenpox disease and approximate date or age at the time of disease

3) Report of a blood test indicating that the child is immune

4) Philosophical, religious or medical exemption.

Lost and Found

“Lost and Found” is outside the school office. Students may claim lost articles by identifying them. Please clearly mark, with permanent marker, your child’s clothing, supplies, and other items. All unclaimed articles are given to charitable organizations in December and June. The school district cannot pay for lost or stolen items.

Bus Transportation

Bus transportation is a privilege. Students who ride the bus to and from school are expected to demonstrate those qualities and behaviors necessary to continue this privilege. The bus driver has a heavy responsibility driving and supervising students at the same time. Rules and regulations for riding the bus will be issued by the transportation department to student riders the first week of school. Any continued inappropriate behavior may result in loss of bus riding privileges. The phone number for Transportation is 360-563-3525.

Bus Passes

Bus passes will be issued with written permission (and when space is available). Students are allowed to ride a different bus to a friend’s house, scouts, sitters, etc. When writing a request giving this permission for a bus pass, please include the following information:

§ your child’s first and last name

§ the first and last name of the child with whom your child will be riding

§ the new bus number on which he/she is to ride

Child Abuse Reporting

Under Washington State Code, all staff, including principals, teachers, and other employees of a school who have reason to suspect that a child has been injured as a result of physical, mental or emotional abuse, are required to report such abuse to Child Protective Service.

Non-Custodial Parents

In the absence of a court order to the contrary, non-custodial parents have the right to see academic records and other school-related information. If there is a court order specifying there is to be no information given, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with an official copy of the court order.

Communication

~Parents and Teachers

When a parent has a concern about a teacher, it should be discussed with the teacher first. If the concern is not resolved, the parent, teacher and principal will meet together. Parents may contact a teacher for an appointment by phone or note or via e-mail.

When a teacher has a concern about a student, the parent will be notified by phone or note. Discussion of school concerns should be done before and after school hours at a pre-arranged meeting so that teachers can give their full attention to teaching and supervision. For this reason, parents are asked not to go to classrooms during school time unless an appointment has been made.

Parents and Principal

Parents may call or drop in to visit the school office and the principal. Due to time limitations it may be necessary to schedule an appointment to meet with the building principal one or more days in advance. Many communications are sent home with students. Normally, these are sent home on Thursdays with the youngest (K-6) child in the family. The principal and office staff will prepare a bi-weekly newsletter informing you of important dates and school news. Please check with your student each day to see if school communications have been sent home.

Field Trips

Classes go on field trips each year. A permission form for each trip is sent home, to be signed and returned to school. Field trips are a privilege. Students may be denied participation if they fail to meet academic or behavioral requirements as set by the teacher. During field trips, students are expected to respond immediately to directions from their teachers and accompanying adults. Polite and respectful behavior is expected. Persons wishing to chaperone field trips must have completed the district Volunteer Background Check form at least 48 hours in advance. Siblings who are not Snohomish School District students may not accompany chaperones on school-sponsored field trips due to liability issues.

Behavior and Discipline Policy

Our goal at Riverview Elementary is that each child will develop to his/her maximum potential. Without adherence to a prescribed set of rules, we believe it is not possible to maintain a school environment that is conducive to learning. We want students at Riverview Elementary to learn together peacefully and function effectively and happily in a group. We hope to achieve a positive school climate where the needs of all individuals are recognized and where kindness, courtesy and respect for one another prevail.

School Goals:

All students at Riverview Elementary are expected to demonstrate:

§ respect for self and others

§ respect for learning

§ respect for school rules

§ respect for property

§ respect for safety

Harrassment/Anti-Bullying Statement:

The Snohomish School District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, volunteers, and patrons free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. Any physical, verbal, or written act of abuse, violence, threat, harassment, intimidation, vulgarity, profanity, derision, or hazing will not be tolerated. Such behavior will result in disciplinary action and may be grounds for immediate suspension or expulsion. Any unwanted behavior should be reported to a counselor, administrator, or other staff member without fear of retaliation. Refer to school district policies on the website at www.sno.wednet.edu for more information.

Third party harassment:

Be advised that bystanders overhearing offensive conversations or actions are entitled to protection under the harassment law. Students and staff who are offended, threatened, or intimidated by the actions of others have the right to file harassment compliant as a third party victim.

Discipline Cycle:

Students are responsible for their behavior. Discipline is the process by which we hold students accountable for their behavior. Discipline is a learning experience for the individual and it protects the rights of the group. Most problems are minor and infrequent. They can be corrected by the teacher, parent and the student working together. By working together it is our hope to have a climate in school that is most conducive to learning.