2007 – 2008

Renee Wallace, Principal

Mission: Helping students achieve their dreams

Table of Contents

Academics

Activities & Clubs

Field Trips

Home / School Communication

Homework

Library Policies

Parent Teacher Conferences

Newsletters

Open House

Report Cards

Retention Policy

School Supplies

Specials Rotation

Summer School

Tutoring

Attendance

Absences

Appointments / Leaving Early

School Calendar

School Cancellation

School Hours

Tardies

Cafeteria Procedures

Breakfast

Fees & Exemptions

Lunch Count

Lunch

Lunch with Parents

King Elementary Lunch Schedule 2006-2007

Meal Fees

Health

Accidents / Injuries

Health Policies

Illness

Outreach

Recess

Contact Sports

King Elementary Recess Schedule

Weather

School Procedures

Behavior Expectations

Birthday Treats & Invitations

Cell Phones / Electronic Devices

Classroom Assignment

Classroom Visits

Detentions

Extra-curricular Event Attendance

Gift Delivery

Gum & Candy

Grievances

Moving

Parties

PTO

Rules

Star Student Program

Suspensions
Toys

Visitors (entering building)

Volunteers

Staff Directory

Transportation / Arrival & Departure

Buses

Afternoon / Departure

Before & After Care (P.A.L.S)

Entering the building

Morning Arrival

Transportation Note

Parent Handbook Form

Dear Parent or Guardian,

We welcome you to King and hope you and your child will have an outstanding year. This handbook has been created to answer some of your basic questions about school procedures. It is not comprehensive, does not address all issues or policy exceptions, and is not intended to provide specific details in all areas. Many issues are addressed in “The Elementary Handbook and Code of Student Conduct”. Please refer to BOTH handbooks for your questions or concerns. Feel free to contact the office or your child’s teacher if you have any questions.

Renee Wallace, Principal

Academics

Activities & Clubs

Students may participate in the following school-sponsored activities and clubs. Watch for information and flyers about other activities sponsored by outside agencies (Scouts, Spanish Club, Good News Club, YMCA basketball, etc.).

· D.A.R.E Club Grades 4-5

· Scrabble Club Grades 4-5

· Field Trips All grades

· Field Day All Grades

· Geography Bowl Grades 4-5

· Spelling Bee Grades 4-5

· Tutoring All Grades by teacher recommendation

· Boys / Girls Choir 4-5 Grades

· Garden Club Grades 4-5

· Young Authors All Grades

· Readermania Grades 4-5

· Richardson Readers Grade 1

Field Trips

You will be asked to sign a permission slip at registration indicating the school may transport your child within Galesburg. Special permission slips will be sent for other field trips. When a student receives their tenth office referral or first suspension, they will receive a social suspension from any remaining field trips. Referrals will be counted monthly for those students who move in throughout the year. (Ex: Fred moves to King in January / 5 referrals = social suspension.)

Home / School Communication

We communicate with parents by using WEDNESDAY FOLDERS. Each child is given one folder on the first day of school. It will be used weekly throughout the school year. Please take some time to read the materials to help you become better informed about the school and our activities. We hope that you will find the material useful in getting your child ready for the new school year. Read and remove the contents of the folder, share it with your child, sign and date the first line on the back of the folder and return it to school. Your child's teacher will send the folder home each Wednesday throughout the school year. You are encouraged to use the folder as your link to school. Notes and comments from home to us are always appreciated. Please take care of the folder so that it will last the 36 trips. If it is not returned, you will be sent a notice on the following Wednesday. Lost folders will be the responsibility of the family. They will be replaced at a cost of 75 cents each.

Homework

Active interest in your child's education, involvement with your child in learning activities, and positive reinforcement of schoolwork and assignments are the best means to insure success. Talk to your child about what s/he is learning. Provide a set time and place for homework. With your help, we can make a difference together.

Homework for excused absences may be made up within the same number of school days the child is absent. Please request work at least two days prior to prearranged absences. Work for pre-arranged absences, such as vacations, is due upon return to school.

Each teacher determines his own homework polices. Become familiar with what is expected, so you can help your child succeed.

Library Policies

All children in grades 1-5 will be scheduled to come to the LEARNING CENTER once every four days. Kindergarten uses the library with their classroom teacher. 1-5 students will have the opportunity to check out up to two books at a time. These books will be due back four days later. If a child returns one book but leaves the other book at home, he or she will be allowed to check out one book the first time a book is overdue. If the child fails to return that overdue book the second time, he or she will not be allowed to check out any books. When the overdue book is returned, he or she will again be able to check out two books. Damaged books must be paid for before the child may checkout another book. Prices for lost and damaged books will be full replacement cost and are the responsibility of the parent. If for some reason you do not want your child to check out books, please send a note.

Newsletters

Newsletters are sent out to all parents every two weeks in Wednesday folders. Important information is included. Please keep them handy for easy reference.

Open House

Open house is held in the beginning of the school year so parents can meet their child’s teacher. This is not a time to conduct student conferences.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Teachers, principals, nurses, social workers and the superintendent always welcome conferences with parents. They are best served if scheduled in advance. The school will take the initiative in scheduling conferences when the child's welfare is at stake. We expect to have on-going conferences and communication with parents and guardians throughout the year. We want you to share problems and concerns with us. Formal conferences are held twice a year. Fall Dates: 11/01/07 & 11/02/07

Spring Dates: 3/19/08 & 03/20/08

Report Cards

Report cards are sent out at the end of each quarter for second through fifth grade students. First grade students receive report cards at the end of the second, third and fourth quarter. Kindergarten students receive report cards at the end of second and fourth quarters. All report cards should be signed and returned after review.

Retention Policy

In accordance with School Code 105 5/10-90.9a, school districts shall not promote students to the next higher grade level based upon age or any other social reason not related to the performance of the student. We administer the following policy regarding grade promotion.

Retention of a student will be considered when a significant number of the following factors are present:

· The student, not due to cognitive ability, is reading one (1) or more grade levels below current grade placement.

· The student, not due to cognitive ability, is performing one (1) or more grade levels below in mathematics.

· The student’s classroom assessments/grades indicate poor classroom achievement.

· A high number of absences (10%) have occurred.

· Developmental skills are significantly below current grade level placement.

· The student’s scores are in the lower range on state achievement tests.

School Supplies

School supply lists will be available at registration. Local stores have them available, too. School supplies are available from a vending machine located across from the office. Supplies available include pencils ($0.25), erasers ($0.25), and notebooks ($0.50). Students who register after the start of school still need to purchase school supplies.

Specials Rotation

Grades 1-5 have a special daily on a four-day cycle. Specials include: art; music; PE and library. Kindergarten teachers provide specials for students within their own schedule. The computer lab is open for sign up. Classroom teachers may take their students to the lab. Each student in grades 1-5 will receive lab time once every eight school days during library.

Summer School

Summer school is often required but sometimes recommended for students who have fallen behind. Summer school decisions will be made at spring conferences.

Tutoring

A tutoring program runs from November into March. It is need-based. Students are placed by teacher recommendation. Permission slips will be provided during the first parent teacher conferences in November.

Attendance

Absences

State law requires you report your child’s absence. Our OFFICE HOURS are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM each school day. You may call 343-0409, or there is an ATTENDANCE LINE 342-7788. We need to hear from you by telephone before 8:45 AM if your child will be absent. If we do not hear from you, we will call to check on your child.

Absences and tardies are a strong indicator of student failure. We ask your help in preventing tardiness and unnecessary absence from school. Illness, death in the family or doctor appointments should be considered by parents as the only reasons for absence from school. Casual absences are unexcused. After three consecutive days of illness, a doctor’s note is required for the student to be excused. After three unexcused absences, you will receive a home visit from the outreach worker. If absences or tardies become an issue, the truant officer will be notified. Habitual truancy will be handed over to the state’s attorney. We are cracking down on this issue.

We are not asking that you send your child to school sick. If children have a fever or are vomiting, they should remain out of school for their own health and the safety and health of others.

Prearranged absence forms are available in the office. They must be filled out a minimum of 10 days prior to the absence for it to be excused.

Absences do matter. Each day a student is absent costs the district $80 in state aid. Being tardy or leaving early costs the district $40 a day. Please plan doctor visits and vacations accordingly.

King School

Attendance Guidelines for 2007-08

Unexcused Tardies…

þ 1 = verbal warning (office)

þ 2 = conference with outreach worker

þ 3 = conference with principal

þ 4 = outreach call / letter to parent

þ 5 = outreach home visit & lunch detention

þ 6+ = parent contact & detention

Absences…

þ gone 3 days in a row / dr. note to be excused

þ gone over 18 days total / dr. note to be excused

þ 3 unexcused absences = home visit from outreach

þ 5 unexcused absences = alert truant officer

þ pre-arranged absence form needed 10 days prior to absence to be excused

Appointments / Leaving Early

Please notify the office if your student will be late or will be leaving early because of a scheduled appointment. Parents must come into the building to sign the student in or out. Please bring in a doctor’s notice or receipt to confirm any appointment.

2007 - 2008 School Calendar

Wednesday, Aug. 22^nd	Institute Day – No School, Grades K-12
Thursday, Aug. 23^rd	First ½ Day of Student Attendance
Friday, Aug. 24^th	First Full Day of Student Attendance, 55-Minute Early Dismissal, Grades K-12
Monday, Sep. 3^rd	Labor Day Holiday – No School, Grades K-12
Thursday, Sep. 13^th	55-Minute Early Dismissal (Dept/Grade Level Meetings) Grades K-12
Thursday, Oct. 4^th	GHS Parent/Teacher Conferences, Grades 9-12 (3:30 PM to 7:45 PM)
Friday, Oct. 5^th	Knox County Institute – No School Grades K-12
Monday, Oct. 8^th	Columbus Day Holiday – No School Grades K-12
Friday, Oct. 26^th	GHS, End of 1^st Term, Grades 9-12 (44 days)
Friday, Oct. 26^th	End 1^st Quarter, Grades K-8 (44 Days), 55-Minute Early Dismissal, Grades K-12
Friday, Nov. 2^nd	Parent/Teacher Conferences, Grades K-8; No School, Grades K-12
Wednesday, Nov. 21^ST	55-Minute Early Dismissal, Grades K-12
Thursday, Nov. 22^ND	Thanksgiving Day Holiday - No School, Grades K-12
Friday, Nov. 23^RD	Thanksgiving Holiday - No School, Grades K-12
Thursday, Dec. 6^th	GHS Parent/Teacher Conferences, Grades 9-12 (3:30 PM to 7:30 PM)
Friday, Dec. 21^st	55-Minute Early Dismissal, Grades K-12
Monday, Dec. 24^th	First Day of Winter Break, No School, Grades K-12
Wednesday, Jan. 2^nd	Last Day of Winter Break, No School, Grades K-12
Thursday, Jan. 3^rd	School Resumes from Winter Break
Wed./Thur. Jan. 9-10^th	Exam Days
Thursday, Jan. 10^th	GHS, End 2^nd Term, Grades 9-12 (43 Days)
Thursday, Jan 10^th	End of 2^nd Quarter, Grades K-8 (43 Days)
Friday, Jan. 11^th	Institute Day – No School, Grades K-12
Monday, Jan. 21^st	Martin Luther King Holiday – No School, Grades K-12
Thursday, February 14^th	55-Minute Early Dismissal (Dept/Grade Level Meetings) Grades K-12
Monday, February 18^th	President’s Day Holiday – No School, Grades K-12
Thursday, February 21^st	GHS Parent/Teacher Conferences, Grades 9-12 (3:15 PM to 7:00 PM)
March 3-14^th, 2008	ISAT Assessment, Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Friday, March 14^th	End 3^rd Quarter, Grades K-8 (43 Days), 55-Minute Early Dismissal, Grades K-12
Friday, March 14^th	GHS, End 3^rd Term, Grades 9-12 (43 days)
Thursday, March 20^th	Parent/Teacher Conferences, Grades K-8; No School, Grades K-12
Friday, March 21^st	First Day of Spring Break – No School, Grades K-12
Friday, March 28^th	Last Day Spring Break – No School, Grades K-12
Wed./Thur., Apr. 23-24^th	PSAE Assessment for 11^th Grade Students
Thursday, May 1^st	GHS Parent/Teacher Conference, Grades 9-12 (3:30 PM to 7:30 PM)
Sunday, May 25^th	GHS Graduation, 4:00 PM
Monday, May 26^th	Memorial Day Holiday – No School, Grades K-12
Tuesday, May 27^h	Institute Day – No School, Grades K-12
Wednesday, May 28^th	Report Card Day, Buildings Open Until 12:00 Noon, End 4^th Quarter (44 Days)
Wednesday, May 28^th	GHS, End 4^th Term, Grades 9-12 (44 Days)
Wednesday, May 28^th	End of 2007-08 School Year Pending Use of Emergency Days.

Use of emergency days will alter the final days of school!
EMERGENCY DAYS:	55-MINUTE EARLY DISMISSALS:
#1 Thursday, May 29, 2008	09/13/07 Grade Level/Dept. Meetings
#2 Friday, May 30, 2008	10/26/07 End 1^st Quarter
#3 Monday, June 2, 2008	11/21/07 Prior to Thanksgiving
#4 Tuesday, June 3, 2008	12/21/07 Prior to Winter Break
#5 Wednesday, June 4, 2008	02/14/08 Grade Level/Dept. Meetings
	03/14/08 End 3^rd Quarter

School Cancellation

Listen to local radio stations to hear if school is closed, if buses will be running or the snow route is in effect. Local radio stations include: WGIL (1400 AM) ;WAIK (1590 AM); WLSR (92.7 FM) ; WAAG (94.9 FM); WKAY (105.3 FM)

School Hours

School begins promptly at 8:45 each day.

Regular dismissal is at 3:15 PM.

Early out is at 2:20 PM.

We are on early out schedule through August 31.

Tardies

Students are tardy if they are not in the classroom by the 8:45 bell. When tardy, students must be signed in by a parent in the office and pick up a pass and lunch card if they will be eating hot lunch.

Cafeteria Procedures

Breakfast

Breakfast is served each day in the gym to any student from 8:15 to 8:35 AM. Students should enter the building through the front east doors and should line up on the south playground on good weather days or the gym on bad weather days if finished before the 8:35 bell.

Fees & Exemptions

Students who qualify for free lunch will also have school registration fees waived. Forms are available at registration or in the school office.

Lunch Count

Lunch count is taken each morning in the classroom. Students may choose from lunch A or lunch B. They may also bring a cold lunch. Once a lunch choice is made, it may not be changed. Students who are tardy automatically get lunch A.

Lunch

A hot lunch program is available to all students, grades K-5. The lunch period is 30 minutes in length daily. Students may also bring cold lunch. Students are not allowed to share lunches. Pop, energy drinks and candy will not be allowed in the cafeteria. Please do not pack these items in students’ cold lunches. They will be confiscated and thrown away. Milk is available to all students.

Lunch with Parents

Parents may eat lunch with their child at school but must sign in the office upon arrival. They may take the child out to lunch as long as they sign them out and return by the start of class time. Fast food lunches may NOT be brought into the cafeteria.

King Elementary Lunch Schedule 2007 - 2008

TIME	GRADES	INSTRUCTIONS
11:25 - 12:00	1ST	TEACHER STAY WITH CLASS UNTIL 11:30 LUNCH RECESS 11:50 - 12:00
11:30- 12:00	2ND	TEACHER LEAVE CLASS AT 11:30 LUNCH RECESS 11:50 - 12:00
11:40 – 12:15	3RD	TEACHER STAY WITH CLASS UNTIL 11:45 LUNCH RECESS 12:05 – 12:15
11:45 - 12:15	4TH	TEACHER LEAVE CLASS AT 11:45 LUNCH RECESS 12:05 - 12:15
12:00 – 12:35	5TH	TEACHER STAY WITH CLASS UNTIL 12:05 LUNCH RECESS 12:25 - 12:35
12:05 - 12:35	K	AIDES STAY WITH CLASS UNTIL 12:25 LUNCH RECESS 12:25 - 12:35

Meal Fees

Money for meals may be sent daily, weekly, or monthly. Your child can ask his/her teacher for a lunch envelope to send the money to school, or payment can be made at the office. We ask that you keep current in your payments or pay ahead. If your child qualifies for free or reduced lunches, and you have not completed the paperwork, please contact the office.

If a student becomes delinquent, parents will be notified, but it is the responsibility of the parent to keep lunch money up-to-date. If charges become extreme, students will be served peanut butter sandwiches until fees are paid.

Costs: Breakfast $ .95, Lunch $1.50, Reduced Breakfast $ .30, Reduced Lunch $ .40, and Extra Milk $ .30.

Health

Accidents / Injuries

The safety of every student is a prime concern. When an accident occurs, staff will respond with limited emergency care. The responsibility of the school is to identify the problem and make the child as comfortable as possible, using basic first aid measures. Parents will be notified, except for very minor scrapes and bruises.

To aid in parent notification, the school has expected parents to have:

· A completed "Emergency Information Form" on file in the office.

· Arrangements made for an adult to assume responsibility in case parents are not available.

Once parents have been notified, it will become their responsibility to decide what should be done and to inform the school of how the situation should be handled. Parents/guardians should not expect school personnel to diagnose or prescribe corrective measures.

Health Policies

A student health history form needs to be on file for each child. Be sure to indicate any major health concerns at registration.

All kindergarten and 5th graders must have a physical by the first day of school.

All students who transfer to King from another state this year must have a physical within 30 days of their entry date. This is a state law. If you are not in compliance, your child will be sent home from school.

All kindergartners and second graders must have proof of a dental exam. ASK ABOUT THE MILES FOR SMILES PROGRAM.

If your child requires medication during school hours, a physician's request for the administration of medicine by school personnel must accompany your child's medication when you send it to school. These forms are available from your doctor. All prescriptions must be in a labeled container displaying the child’s name, dosage, date, physician’s name and pharmacy. If possible, put a copy of your child’s picture on the bottle.

Prescribed inhalers will be stored and utilized in accordance with doctor’s orders.

A parent-signed form must be on file for students to take any over-the-counter medicine.

Illness

If your child has a fever or is vomiting, they should not be sent to school. We will contact you to pick up your child if he or she becomes sick at school. Please have arrangements in place for transportation and care.

Outreach

An outreach worker is available to help students with social and emotional issues. The outreach worker is also responsible to meet with families who have attendance or tardy issues. You will be contacted if your child is referred for services.

Recess

Contact Sports Contact sports such as football are not allowed at any recess.

King Elementary Recess Schedule 07 - 08

TIME	GRADE
10:15 - 10:30	K (McAndrew) (north)
10:30 - 10:45	4^th (south) & 5^th (north)
11:00 – 11:15	K (Williams & Malek) (north)
2:05 - 2:20	1^ST
2:20 - 2:35	3^RD (south) & 2^ND north
2:50 - 3:05

Weather

Students should dress to go outside for recess if the weather is 20 or above with wind chill. Students are expected to keep coats on unless the temperature is above 60. Snow boots must be worn on snowy days if students want to go off of the blacktop area for recess.

School Procedures

Behavior Expectations

Classroom procedures	Hallway procedures	Cafeteria Procedures	Recess procedures	Restroom procedures	Morning procedures	Bus line procedures
Use low voices	Use a single file line	Use low voices	Take turns	Walk to restroom	Arrive no earlier than 8:15 for breakfast & go to cafeteria	Walk in gym
Raise your hand	Voices off