Chamberlain Elementary School K-6
Parent Handbook
“Blending two sites into one K-6 Elementary School”
This year the Chamberlain School District is transitioning into a K-6, 7-12 building organization pattern. The K-6 Elementary School will be housed in two buildings – the K-4 building and the 5-6 building (formerly Chamberlain Middle School). Although my office is housed in the K-4 building, I am back and forth many times every day. This handbook should answer many of your questions. You can contact school personnel at the following numbers. I welcome you to the Chamberlain K-6 Elementary School.
Rebecca Hale K-6 Principal
School Telephone Numbers
Elementary Office Office Number 734-4460
Principal Rebecca Hale 734-4460
Counselor Bruce Blankley 734-4463
Family/School
Coordinator Derek Long 734-4460
Secretary K-4 Jean Burfeindt 734-4460
Secretary 5-6 Lynette Yeaton 734-4463
Media Center Peggy Hanzlik 734-4460
Title I Director Donna Neeman 734-4463
Special Education
Director Keith Grunert 734-4467
After School Program
Director Rochelle Harris 730-0841
Or 680-9017
Public Health Nurse Linda Johnson 734-0180
Lunchtime Solutions Sandy Mundlien 734-4460
Superintendent Tim Mitchell 734-4477
Business Manager Terry Brooks 734-4478
Activities Director Rick Hargens 734-4462
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mission Statement
Philosophy
NCA School
FERPA Statement
AHERA Regulation
Non-Discrimination Policy
Sexual Harassment
Due Process
Grievance Procedure
School Staff
Chamberlain School District Line of Authority
School Day
School Security/Visitors
Breakfast and Lunch Programs
Lunch Times
Lunchroom Expectations
Playground
Playground Behavior Expectations
Roof
Grading Philosophy
Grading System
Honor Roll
Student Council
Attendance
Request for Homework
Absences
Medication
Drug Policy
Bus Transportation
Exemplary Programs
Bicycles, Skate Boards, Roller Skating, Scooters
School Clothing
Immunizations, Birth Certificates
Lockers (5/6 Elementary Building)
Textbooks
Toys, Games, Radios
Telephone
Bullying
Expectations for Students
Reasons for Disciplinary Actions
Procedure for Student Discipline
Detentions/Suspensions/Expulsions
School Supply List
OST Program (Before & After School)
Mission Statement
Chamberlain Elementary School is committed
to helping all students learn, care, think,
and achieve now and in the future.
Philosophy
The Chamberlain Board of Education has adopted a statement of philosophy for the Elementary School, as recommended by the administration and faculty of the Chamberlain School District 7-1.
The education program of the Chamberlain Elementary School is designed to help provide a framework within which each student may attain his or her highest fulfillment as an individual and as a responsible member of society. Students must be prepared to meet the daily challenges of the present environment and the constantly changing problems of the future. Education is a continuous process that involves the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. Since students vary in ability, attitude, cultural background, and motivation, the school must provide varied adaptable educational programs. The school becomes partners with the home and other community forces in the educational development of the students.
In order that the child may find the situation in life best suited to his or her individual needs, and those of society, the school will provide a program of individual analysis, and counseling.
The staff of the Elementary School subscribes to the premise, that education is the shared responsibility of the student, school, home, and community.
NCA (North Central Association) School
The Chamberlain Elementary School is a member of the North Central Association and has been accredited since 2000.
FERPA Statement
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy ACT (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age certain rights with respect to the student’s educational records. A copy of these policies and regulations may be obtained in the building principal’s office or superintendent’s office of the Chamberlain School District 7-1. Complaints regarding a violation of rights accorded parents and students should be submitted to the Superintendent of Schools of Chamberlain School District 7-1, 301 East Kellam, Chamberlain, SD, 57325 or the Family Policy Compliance Office, U. S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S. W. Washington, DC, 20202-4605.
AHERA Regulation
The facilities of the Chamberlain School District have been inspected during the last three year period, the last being May 1, 2002. All areas of concern regarding friable asbestos in the buildings have been corrected by removal or encapsulation for the protection of our students and others who work in, or have access to, the district buildings. Non-friable asbestos containing materials have been properly sealed to prevent alteration or destruction. A complete report of inspection information, testing results for the presence of asbestos and corrective actions taken in each building is available to any interested district citizen through either the office or building of the school involved, or in the administrative office for the entire school district facility arrangement. If you wish further information, or have questions about the district compliance with the AHERA regulations as directed by the Environmental Protections Agency of the federal government, please contact Chamberlain School District Administrative Offices, 301 E. Kellam or phone 734-4477.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Chamberlain School District 7-1 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its educational programs and activities.
Inquiries concerning Title VI, Title IX, or Section 504, should be directed to:
Superintendent of Schools
PO Box 119 301 East Kellam
Chamberlain, SD 57325
Phone (605) 734-4478
Sexual Harassment
The Chamberlain School District 7-1 acknowledges and endorses laws against sexual harassment. The District forbids any manner or form of infringement on the rights of others between and among the students and/or adults
connected with the operation of the school district. Any student or employee, who believes that they have been the object of physical or verbal harassment by another student or employee, shall file a grievance with the appropriate administrator. Students or employees accused of sexual harassment of others shall be reported to the appropriate legal authorities, and if found guilty, shall be subject to expulsion from school or termination of employment.
Due Process
All students and district employees are guaranteed due process rights as set forth by SDCL 13-32-4. Chamberlain School District 7-1 is in compliance with the standards established by the State Board of Education. These standards are:
1) Adequate notice of charges made.
2) Reasonable opportunity to prepare for and meet the
charges will be given.
3) An orderly hearing adapted to the nature and circumstances of the situation will be conducted.
4) A fair and impartial decision will be rendered.
5) Article 24-07 of the Administrative Rules of South
Dakota will be used to outline procedures and the definition of due process.
Grievance Procedure
For Parents, Students, and Other Patrons of the District
Step 1 – Informal:
If a person has a grievance, they should first discuss the matter with the person who is directly responsible for the grievance in an effort to resolve the problem informally. Grievances (complaints) directed to the school board, administration, supervisors or other staff should be re-routed to include this informal step.
If the informal meeting fails to solve the situation, the grievance shall be filed with the immediate supervisor on a form supplied by the administration. The immediate supervisor will provide copies to both parties and seal one in an envelope to be delivered to the superintendent.
Step 2 – Formal: Principal/Immediate Supervisor
Once a grievance form has been filed, a meeting shall be scheduled within five school or working days. If more than one school or supervisor is involved they all will be asked to participate. At the meeting both sides will present their side of the story. The principal/supervisor shall render a decision and its rationale in writing to both sides within five days.
Step 3 – Formal: Superintendent
If either side is not in agreement of the decision, Step 2 will be repeated with the superintendent.
Step 4 – Formal: School Board
In the event of this formal appeal, the Superintendent will schedule a Grievance Hearing with the School Board within five school or working days unless there are extenuating circumstances. The resolution offered by the School Board shall be the district’s final decision.
School Staff K-6 2005-2006
K Ms. Amy Baukus
Ms. Denise Sebek
Mrs. Deb Swanson
Mrs. Julie Woodruff
Mrs. Barb Blasius, Aide
Mrs. Jean Carson, Aide
Mrs. Mary Beth Pullen, Aide
1st Mrs. Holly Evans
Mrs. Karen Ristau
Mrs. Judy Swanson
Mrs. Stacey Tveit
Ms. Carrie Van Holland
2nd Mrs. Patricia Lien
Mrs. Kimberly Phillips
Mrs. Deb Rinehart
3rd Mrs. Lynn Peterson
Mrs. Terri Vandersnick
Mr. Jeff Tveit
4th Mrs. Cheryl Carruthers
Mr. John Donovan
Mrs. Deb Ford
5th Mrs. Amy Korzan
Mrs. Sheryl Larson
Mrs. Jill Mitchell
Mrs. Cathy Reuer
6th Mrs. Kari Brooks
Mr. Thomas Carruthers
Ms. Judy Jones
Reading Recovery
Mrs. Stacey Tveit
Ms. Carrie Van Holland
Specialized Staff
Mr. Bruce Blankley, Counselor
Mrs. Muriel Carlson, Music
Mr. Mark Harming, Physical Education
Mr. Rick Hargens, Physical Education
Mrs. Peggy Hanzlik, Media Center Specialist
Dr. Keith Preheim, 5/6 Band
Special Education
Mrs. Laura Gerlach
Ms. Lynette Gerlach
Mrs. Nicole Pulse
Mrs. Cyndie Smidt
Ms. Stacey Yost
Mrs. Julie Bode, Aide
Mrs. Dayle Chilson, Aide
Mrs. Brenda Collins, Aide
Mrs. Stacey Felicia, Aide
Mrs. Mary Fisher, Aide
Mrs. Sandy Heinrich, Aide
Mrs. Mary Beth Pullen, Aide
Mrs. Kim Riggen, Aide
Mrs. Patty Viereck, Aide
Speech
Mrs. Stacey Thomsen
Mrs. Susan Hamilton, Aide
Title I
Mrs. Donna Neeman, Director/Grade 5
Ms. Kari Selland – K
Mrs. Cheryl Toering-Grade 1
Mrs. Pam Fleury-Grade 2
Mrs. Jill Schreiber-Grade 3
Mrs. Tamela Schwartz – Grade 4
Mrs. Desirae Surat – Grade 5
Mrs. Jennifer Kurtz-Grade 6
After School Program
Rochelle Harris
Cara Jones, Aide
Lunch Services-Lunchtime Solutions
Mrs. Sandy Mundlien, Director
Custodial Staff
Mr. Kevin Lynch
Mr. Robert Graves
Office Personnel
Mrs. Jean Burfeindt, Secretary K-4
Mrs. Lynette Yeaton, Secretary 5-6
Mr. Derek Long, Family School Coordinator
Mrs. Rebecca Hale, Principal
Chamberlain School District 7-1
Line of Authority
As established in school board policy, the line of authority for the operation of district programs and facilities shall begin with the Board of Education. The daily operation of the district shall be delegated by the board to the Superintendent. In the event that a designated officer is not present or otherwise unable to provide management, the following lines of authority are:
General District Operation
Board of Education
Superintendent of Schools – Tim Mitchell
Middle School Principal – Debbie Johnson
Elementary Principal – Rebecca Hale
Counselor, Grades 7-12 – Marc Krogstad
Counselor, Grades K-6 – Bruce Blankley
7-12 Middle School/High School Operation
Principal – Debbie Johnson
Superintendent-Tim Mitchell
Counselor – Marc Krogstad
Detention Supervisor – William Klein
K-6 Elementary School Operation
Principal – Rebecca Hale
Counselor – Bruce Blankley
Activities Director – Rick Hargens
Persons assuming the authority for the operation of the district or any division of its operation shall coordinate and communicate all decisions with:
David Hrdlicka – Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds
Ron Pickner – Director of Student Transportation
Sandy Mundlien– Lunchtime Solutions Director
School Day
Office Hours 8:00 - 4:00
Teachers’ Day 8:00 - 4:00
Students’ Day 8:30 - 3:25
School Security / Visitors
The main school building entrance doors will be open during the day. The side doors will be locked. This will assist us in monitoring people entering the building. All visitors need to check in at the office and get a visitor badge.
Breakfast and Lunch Programs
Our school offers a breakfast and lunch program. Breakfast is served from 8:00 to 8:30 am in the elementary gym. The cost for these programs is:
Breakfast
Elementary Students $1.05
Adults $1.85
Lunch
Elementary Students $1.80
Adults $2.45
Lunch Times
Kindergarten 11:10-Rest Time
Fourth Grade 11:20-11:55
Third Grade 11:25-12:00
Second Grade 11:30-12:05
First Grade 11:35-12:10
Fifth Grade 12:11-12:41
Sixth Grade 12:11-12:41
Our school participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. We have a policy for free and reduced-price meals. The forms for participation are sent out during the summer. There are also applications available in the school office or food service office.
Lunchroom Expectations
Students will be escorted to lunch by teachers. A student may not leave the lunchroom without the approval of the supervisor. Pop is not allowed in the lunchroom. The school board has adopted a policy which does not allow borrowing meals or running any negative balance on a meal ticket. Students must have a sufficient credit balance on their card or use cash to purchase a meal.
In the lunchroom:
*Respect yourself and others
*Balls or other play equipment are set in the assigned area until
students are finished eating.
*Stay seated. Supervisors will dismiss students.
Playground
Students should bring hats, coats, mittens or gloves, and boots on days of bitterly cold winter weather. Students are not allowed to go out when the temperature is below 0 with the chill factor for any extended period of time. If it is this cold in the morning, the students may come in at 8:15 am. We will expect students to go out unless we have a note from the parent. Extended staying in the building at recess times may require a doctor’s note. The upper playground requires boots when it is rainy and muddy. We ask that students bring a pair of shoes to wear inside on days they are wearing boots.
Playground Behavior Expectations
Disclaimer: Each grade level may adjust rules if they are the only grade on the playground.
1. Use playground equipment appropriately
· Swing back and forth; no jumping off the swing
· One person per swing
· Sit on your bottom
· Don’t throw swing over the bar
· No underdogs or running between the swings
· Go down slide feet first on your bottom
· Only one student at a time on a slide
2. Leave electronic toys and trading cards at home.
3. Games are not to be played on playground equipment.
4. Leave rocks, snow, and sticks on the ground.
· No writing on the asphalt.
5. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
6. Follow the Character Counts Pillars
· Be respectful
· Play fair
· Be trustworthy
· Be a good citizen
· Be caring
· Be responsible
Roof
Students are not to go on the roof to get basketballs, kickballs, etc. If a ball goes on the roof, students are to come to the office and write a note to the custodian. Detention will be given to anyone on the roof.
Grading Philosophy
It is the obligation of each teacher to develop a fair and consistent grading process. It is to have the flexibility to customize to a particular area and teaching strategy. The grading policy for classes should be available upon request.
Excused Absences: Students should be allowed to make up missed work. The teacher is allowed to set up guidelines as to how this is to be done. If the students know in advance they will be gone, the work is to be completed in advance.
Unexcused Absences: In most cases, students will receive no credit for work missed. Regardless of the unexcused situation, all students are allowed and should be encouraged to do the work.
Incompletes: An incomplete is given only in those cases of absence or emergencies. An incomplete becomes an “F” after two weeks beyond the grading period.
Cheating: Teachers will address the consequence of being involved in any cheating actions with classes.
Grading System
Students in Kindergarten and Grade One:
S = Satisfactory
P = Progressing
N = Needs Improvement
U = Unsatisfactory
Students in Grades Three, Four, Five, Six:
100 – 99% A+
98% - 96% A
95%-94% A-
93%-92% B+
91%-89% B
88%-87% B-
86%-85% C+
84%-82% C
81%-80% C-
79%-78% D+
77%-75% D
74%-73% D-
72%-Below F
Second Grade will use the above grading scale EXCEPT for Science and Social Studies. These subject areas will use the S, N, U Grading Scale. Music, Physical Education, Art, Character Counts in the K-4 grades will use the S, N, U Scale.
Honor Roll
Students in grades three, four, five, and six will be acknowledged and placed on the Honor Roll if all grades are B’s or better at the time of the quarter report card.
Student Council
Student Council Representatives will be selected from grades 4-5-6 to represent and plan activities for the student body. The student council advisor is Mr. Derek Long, the Family School Coordinator, 734-4460.
Attendance
Attendance: Attendance will be taken twice a day, in the morning and following lunch in the K-4 building. Attendance will be taken every period in the 5-6 building. ALL STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL AND RETURNING FROM AN APPOINTMENT AND/OR OTHER REASONG MUST SIGN OUT/SIGN IN WITH THE OFFICE. (K-4 site, Jean Burfeindt; 5-6 site, Lynette Yeaton).
Tardy: Students are marked tardy if they come to school after the starting time or class bell.
In the 5/6 building, students will be allowed two tardies per class per semester. For every tardy after the second, teachers are to assign a detention. Students who are tardy will not be sent to the office. The teacher will record the reason for the tardy and assign the detention accordingly. If the student is more than five minutes late, it is considered an absence for the class.
Communication Regarding Absences: If a student cannot be in school, the office must be informed by the parent. The parent will call the school between 8:00-9:30 am to report an absence. A note explaining the absence may be sent with the student upon return if a call cannot be made.
Appointments: If a student has an appointment, the office needs to be advised. Students must remain in school until a parent/guardian picks them up. Students must check in at the office before leaving and upon returning. Parents/guardians are required to go through the office when picking up their child for an appointment or in case of illness.
Closed Campus: The students MAY NOT leave the immediate school grounds from the time school begins in the morning until dismissal. All students in K-6, who for some reason must leave, need to sign out in the office and have parental permission.
Admission Slips (5/6): Students who know they will be absent from school ahead of time need to get an Advanced Makeup Slip from the office at least two days before the scheduled day. Students, who are absent due to illness or short notice, must get an Admit Slip from the office when returning to school. All students are required to have an excuse note or phone call from their parent/guardian in order to receive either admission slip. Admission slips notify teachers of the student’s excused absence and therefore are assured to receive credit for completed assignments.
Make-Up of Work: Students are allowed two days to make-up work for each day absent. After this, points will be lost due to lateness. Special circumstances may apply.
Request for Homework
Parents requesting homework need to call the school office by 10:00 am.
Absences
Excessive Absences: After a student has accumulated absences from school during a semester totaling:
SIX Absences: A letter will be sent to the parent or guardian informing the parent that their child has missed six days of school.
EIGHT Absences: A letter will be sent to the parent or guardian informing them that their child has missed eight days of school.
TEN Absences: Truancy charges may be filed with the State’s Attorney.
EXCUSED Absences UNEXCUSED Absences
*Personal illness *Truancy
*Serious injury or death in *Suspensions
immediate family *Trips not approved in
*Professional appointment advance
*School Activity *Absence unaccounted for
(Not counted in 10 days limit) *Leaving school without
*Other unavoidable reasons permission
Medication
It is the policy of the Chamberlain Elementary that the giving of medicine to children during school hours be very closely monitored. When medicine is to be administered by the school, it must be accompanied by a label affixed by a pharmacy or physician showing the name of the child, the dosage and schedule of administration, what the prescription contains, the date purchased and the physician’s name. The parent needs to make a written request asking that the medicine be administered or fill out the available form in the office. Administration of medication will be limited to staff members who have received the me