Helpful - Lynden High School...Isom Elementary School 8461 Benson Road Lynden, Washington 98264 360.354.1992 (phone) 360.354.5494 (fax) Lynden School District Be a HeRO… Helpful2

Isom Elementary School 8461 Benson Road

Lynden, Washington 98264 360.354.1992 (phone)

360.354.5494 (fax)

Lynden School District

Be a HeRO…

Helpful

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Respectful

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Welcome… Welcome to Isom Elementary School and the 2017-18 school year!

The purpose of this handbook is to provide both students and parents with general information regarding our school. Our caring, dedicated staff encourages parents and guardians to be active participants in the education of their children. We place great value upon communication among parents, students and the school staff, and feel it is an essential component in achieving our objective to provide a well-rounded educational experience for all students. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or celebrations that may arise regarding the social and academic development of your child. We look forward to working with you and your child. Sincerely,

Patrick McClure, Principal

Isom Family Handbook

Inside:

Calendar at a Glance 4

Daily Schedule 5

General Information 6-11

School/Parent Compact 12

The Lynden School District will provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and

activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military

status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the

use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district will provide equal access to school facilities to the

Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District

programs will be free from sexual harassment

The Districts Title IX Officer and Section 504 Coordinator is Tim Metz, 1203 Bradley Road, Lynden, WA 98264, telephone (360) 354-

4443 ext. 7101, and Compliance Coordinator for State Civil Rights Laws, Jim Frey, 1203 Bradley Rd., Lynden, WA 98264, telephone

(360) 354-4443 ext. 6110.

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LYNDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT #504

Board of Directors Kevin Burke

Steve Jilk Brian Johnson

Kelli Kettels Dominic Shiu

Administration Jim Frey, Superintendent

David VanderYacht, Assistant Superintendent Tim Metz, Director of Special Programs

Isom Elementary School Staff

Principal Mr. Patrick McClure

Dean of Students / Intervention Specialist

Mrs. Jennifer Vachon

Kindergarten Mrs. Lynn Anker Mrs. Nadine Hoekstra Mrs. Amanda Lohrer Mrs. Megan Mitchell

First Grade Miss Savanna Balfour Mrs. Jodel Gillig Mrs. Sally Heppner Mrs. Nikki Hermanutz Mrs. Alecia Zang

Second Grade Miss Janelle Allison Mrs. Cindy Boyd Mrs. Karrie Hope Mrs. Joan Reynolds Miss Melissa Warner

Third Grade Mr. Scott Donner Mrs. Marcy Kok Mrs. Sarah Van Dyken Mrs. Chifundo Vis

Fourth Grade Mr. Ryan Mitchell Mrs. Teresa Stacey Mrs. Abigail Turgeon

Fifth Grade Mrs. Melissa Crabtree Mr. Tim Doering Mr. Nate Hoch Miss Alina Velasquez Music Mr. Josh Jorgensen Computer Specialist Mrs. Tami Anderson Physical Education Mr. Mitch Kornelis Extended Learning Resource Center Mr. Eric Hanenburg Learning Resource Center Mrs. Michelle Erickson Mrs. Kimm Gumley Librarian Mrs. Lori Hortegas Nurse Mrs. Kathy Vanderveen Counselor Mrs. Elizabeth Grant

Noon Supervisors Mrs. Delores Holleman Mrs. June Macy Mrs. Jewel VanderHaak Cafeteria Mrs. Janis Flue Mrs. Peggy Dykstra Custodians Mr. Derrick Jones Mrs. Ludah Lefremova Office Secretaries Mrs. Carol Miner Mrs. Kerin Clark Instructional Assistants Mrs. Barb Iaconetti Mrs. Karen Jilk Mrs. Shelly Lovik Mrs. Erica Oostra Mrs. Hilda Pash Mrs. Tiffany Rothwell Mrs. Michelle Sandland Mrs. Janice Strid Mrs. Stephanie Winter Speech Therapists Mrs. Karen Hurlbut Mrs. Erin Northrop Mrs. Louise Webb

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MEAL PRICES Breakfast $1.50 (daily) Lunch $2.75 (daily) Milk/Juice $ .50 (daily) REDUCED MEAL PRICES Breakfast $ .00 (daily) Lunch K-3 $ .00 (daily) Lunch 4-5 $ .40 (daily) Breakfasts and lunches, both hot and cold, are eaten in our cafeteria. Students may bring money for their account to the cafeteria before school or during their recess time in the morning. If you are interested in paying online with a credit/debit card please call Margie Bakker at 360.354.7579 for instructions and a password to access your student’s accounts online. Free and reduced meal applications are available in our office and online on our school website at www.lynden.wednet.edu—on the Department tab select Food Service/Application

Daily Schedule

2017-18

Teacher Arrival Time 7:50 a.m.

Students May Arrive at School: 8:35 a.m.

Students Released to Class 8:45 a.m.

School Begins: 8:55 a.m.

Student Dismissal Time: 3:05 p.m.

Teacher Dismissal Time: 3:20 p.m.

Kindergarten 1st Grade 5th Grade 3rd Grade 2nd Grade 4th Grade

Morning

Recess

10:50-

11:05am

10:50-

11:05am

10:30-

10:45am

Lunch/

Recess

12:05-

12:45pm

12:05-

12:45pm

11:15-

11:55am

11:40am-

12:20pm

11:40am-

12:20pm

11:15-

11:55am

Afternoon

Recess

1:15-

1:30pm

12:50-

1:05pm

12:55-

1:10pm

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VISITING THE SCHOOL You are encouraged to visit your child’s classroom. It is always advisable to make an appointment so you will be assured of seeing the person you want to contact. ALL VISITORS ARE ASKED TO STOP AT THE OFFICE FIRST. We ask that you contact the teacher whenever there is a concern or question. If you have a disability that will limit your opportunities to visit the school and/or to communicate with the school, please contact us prior to your visit as we can make arrangements to assure your full access and participation. Visits to our school by other children are discouraged. Our program is set up to accommodate your child. Children not enrolled as part of our program take extra time from our staff, thus taking away from the education of our students. RELEASE OF A STUDENT DURING THE SCHOOL DAY A. Request for Removal No child shall be removed from any school classroom, building, grounds or building function except by a parent having legal custody or a legal guardian or a person designated by the parent/legal guardian. This person must present to the satisfaction of the principal, evidence of proper authority to remove the student from the school. All students should be picked up at the office and signed out. Please do not pick up students at the outside classroom doors. In order to keep classroom interruptions to a minimum, please send a note letting the office know when your child will be picked up for appointments. B. Release Initiated by the School Prior to sending a student home for illness, discipline, suspension or expulsion (except in emergency expulsion), the school shall attempt to inform a student’s parent about the action taken and request the parent come to the school for the child. If the school cannot reach a parent or designated emergency contacts the student shall remain at school until the close of the school day.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION The school is responsible for your children between six and seven hours a day. It is important that we have up-to-date addresses, telephone numbers and emergency information. Please send a note to school if any information needs to be updated on your child’s records. Inform the school as soon as possible if you are moving.

Student

Information

SCHOOL REGULATIONS

School regulations and student rights and responsibilities (Board Policy 3200, Student Rights and Responsibilities)

packets will be provided to all students at each school building. It is important for parents to become familiar

with these rules and procedures in order for consistency and support to take place. Lynden School District has a

gun free policy (Board Policy 4210, Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on School Premises) that includes one-

year mandatory expulsion for firearms, mandatory notification for student violations to parents/guardians and

law enforcement, and allows the expulsion to be modified by the chief school district officer or designee on a case

by case basis.

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MEDICATION Students requiring prescription or non-prescription medication during the school day must have a Request for Permission to Administer Medication form filled out which bears the doctor’s and parent’s signatures prior to dispensing medication. All medication must be stored in the nurse’s room. Instructions from a physician or pharmacist as to correct dosage and time are required. We do not give aspirin, Tylenol, cough drops or other such remedies to students unless the above procedure is followed. We are required to do this by state law. PARENTS are to deliver all medications to school. The medicine MAY NOT be delivered by the child or school bus driver. Medication must be furnished in an original container from the pharmacy with the student’s name, the name of the medication and the prescribed dosage. A private and secure space will be provided to students for administration of prescription medications at school

If your child has medication that he/she would absolutely have to have in the event of an extended emergency (i.e., insulin, asthma or seizure medication), a three-day supply needs to be provided in a properly labeled prescription bottle, along with a written request and instructions from parents and family physician. Include name of drug, dosage to be given and frequency. This medication will be kept and used only per instructions in the event of a long-term emergency. Please call your child’s school at 360.354.1992 if you have questions regarding this medication.

Please note: This procedure is in addition to forms that you and your doctor may have completed for medication during regular school hours. All medication will need to be picked up from your child’s school the last day of school in June.

Thank you for your attention to and cooperation in this matter. The safety and well being of all our children is extremely important to all of us

Required Immunizations for School Year 2017-18 Parent/Guardian Instructions: To see which vaccines are required for school, find your child’s grade and look only at that row going across

to find the vaccines and number of doses required.

Hepatitis B DTaP/Td/Tdap (Diphtheria,

Tetanus, Pertussis) Vaccine doses required

may be fewer than listed.

Polio Vaccine doses required

may be fewer than listed.

MMR (Measles, Mumps,

Rubella)

Varicella (Chickenpox)

Kindergarten –

5th Grade

3 doses within

the correct

timeframes

5 doses within

the correct

timeframes

4 doses within

the correct

timeframes

2 doses within

the correct

timeframes

2 doses within

the correct

timeframes OR

Healthcare

provider

verified child

had disease.

Students must get vaccine doses at correct timeframes to be in compliance with the requirements. Talk to your healthcare provider

or school staff if you have questions about school immunization requirements.

Find information on other recommended vaccines not required for school: www.immunize.org/cdc/schedules/

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ILLNESS If a student becomes too ill to remain in class, we will reach you by phone and recommend that you come to school and pick up your child. It is very important that we have an UPDATED, WORKING PHONE NUMBER on file to reach you. We have some temporary facilities to help comfort the sick child while he/she is waiting. If your child is ill, please do not send him/her to school. A child that contracts a contagious disease

or condition such as pink eye, chickenpox, ringworm or impetigo will be sent home from school and must remain home until the condition or the disease is corrected. A good reason to keep your child home may be: Fever - No child with a fever should be sent to school! A fever is considered to be temperature 100.4 or above.

A child should be free of fever for 24 hours (without medication) before returning to school. Cold - A child with a heavy cold and a deep or hacking cough or a colored nasal discharge belongs at home in

bed, even without a fever. Headaches - A child with a headache, stiff neck and chills along with a high fever should be seen by a doctor. Vomiting or Diarrhea - Children who are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea should not be at school.

STUDENT USE OF SCHOOL PHONE Urgent messages for students will be delivered as quickly as possible. The telephone in the office is intended primarily for business use. Because of limited telephone lines, parents or other persons attempting to call the school should have first priority. Students will be allowed to use the telephone for calls of an urgent nature only with a phone pass from their teachers. Calls to see if one student can go home with another are not permitted. HOME A DIFFERENT WAY Students are expected to go straight home by the usual means of transportation. If your child is to go home with a friend, on a different bus or to be picked up by someone different, we need written permission from a parent. If we do not have written permission and/or a phone call from the parent, we must send students home the usual way.

Large groups going to a home for parties such as birthdays and slumber parties crowd one bus. We request parents arrange other transportation than the bus for these kinds of occasions. INVITATIONS AND GIFTS In the interest of sensitivity to the feelings and needs of our children, you are asked not to bring gifts or invitations for parties, get-togethers, etc., to school.

HOMEWORK POLICY

The purpose of homework is to enhance student achievement to help students become self-directed, independent learners and to develop good work habits. It is an extension of the learning that takes place in class. Homework

can provide practice and drill that reinforces classroom learning and can provide opportunities for independent study, research and creative thinking. Parents can help their children by arranging a quiet, comfortable place for the students to work and by seeing that assignments are completed.

Parents can expect homework to be planned and organized by the teacher, consistent with the needs and abilities of the students, purposeful to students and reviewed by the teacher in a timely manner. Final projects, reports or other long-term assignments that serve as a demonstration of student learning are not considered routine homework.

Specific homework policies and routines will vary between classrooms and teachers. For additional information on how to help your child succeed with homework, please contact your child’s teacher. *The actual amount of time students spend on homework will vary based upon how productive they are within the school day.

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BUS RIDING To ensure a safe and pleasant ride, bus drivers go over safety rules with children. We would like parents to reinforce this at home. If your child will require special transportation provisions due to a disabling condition, please contact the school principal or transportation supervisor. Glass items, balloons and pets are not allowed on school buses for safety reasons. Children should be extremely careful at bus stops and when crossing streets. Students should understand that bus stops become dangerous when pushing and shoving occur. Concerns about the buses should be directed to your child’s bus driver or Ruth Lunde, our Transportation Supervisor. Mrs. Lunde’s office phone number is 360.354.5469.

SCHOOLMESSENGER The Lynden School District has partnered with SchoolMessenger, a proven technology for reliable communication between schools and student households. Information regarding absences, school closures, emergency situations, early release notices, and meal balances will be communicated through your communication devices. How you will be notified: ¨ Your primary contact information on record at your school will be our first form of communication, via phone #

and/or email. ¨ You have the option to use communication such as a phone call or email, and add more points of contact by

updating your contact information at the district office or your students school. School Messenger has a strict privacy policy and does not sell or distribute your contact information to any third party. BICYCLES/SCOOTERS Students who ride bicycles and scooters to school are to park them in the bike racks provided. If possible, they

should be locked when parked at school. The school is not responsible for personal property. Students are not to be near the bicycle racks except on arrival and departure from school. They are to leave

other students’ bicycles and scooters alone. Students riding bicycles and scooters should observe safety rules and are required to wear bicycle helmets.

Bikes and scooters are to be walked on school sidewalks and through crosswalks at dismissal. PARKING The designated visitor parking stalls adjacent to the raised courtyard have been established as wheelchair accessible parking only. Only vehicles with appropriate parking permits are allowed to use these parking stalls. All other parking lots/areas are available to all vehicles. Please do not park or stop in van or bus lanes. It is important that the buses have access in front of the building. We ask that you do not double-park, park in handicapped spaces without a permit or stop close to the crosswalks for the safety of all children. DRESS CODE Clothing worn at school should be clean, neat and appropriate for the learning environment. Spaghetti straps, tube tops, tank tops or midriff-baring tops are not appropriate. Sleeveless tops must cover the shoulder area and have size appropriate armholes. Shorts need to reach below the fingertips when students’ arms are held at their sides. All pants, shorts and belts need to be “waist-size” appropriate so students can safely participate in recess and physical education classes. Hats, kerchiefs and “do-rags” are not allowed at school. During inclement weather, however, students may bring appropriate headwear for outdoor activities.

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SCHOOL ACCIDENT INSURANCE School accident insurance is available for students at a nominal cost. Application forms are available in the office and are sent home with each student in the fall. SCHOOL SAFETY BULLYING, INTIMIDATION AND HARRASSMENT POLICY (DISTRICT Policy 3207) The District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, volunteers, and patrons, free from harassment, intimidation or bullying “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” (HIB) means any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in RCW 9A.36.080(3), (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or mental or physical disability), or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional written, verbal, or physical act: Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school Nothing in this section requires the affected student to actually possess a characteristic that is a basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bulling “Other distinguishing characteristics” can include but are not limited to physical appearance, clothing of other apparel socioeconomic status, gender identity, and marital status. Harassment, intimidations or bulling can take many forms including slurs, rumors, Jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats or other written, oral or physical actions. “Intentional acts” refers to the individual’s choice to engage in the act rather than ultimate impact of the action(s). This policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that the expression does not substantially disrupts the educational environment. Many behaviors that do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation or bullying ay still be prohibited by other district policies or building, classroom or program rules. This policy is a component of the district’s responsibility to create and maintain a safe, civil, respectful and inclusive learning community and is to be implemented in conjunction with comprehensive training of staff and volunteers, including the education of students in partnership with families and the community. The policy is to be implemented in conjunction with the Comprehensive Safe Schools Plan that includes prevention, intervention, crisis response, recovery and annual review. Employees, in particular, are expected to support the dignity and safety of all members of the school community. Depending upon the frequency and severity of the conduct, intervention, counseling, correction, discipline and/or referral to law enforcement will be used to remediate the impact on the victim and the climate and change the behavior of the perpetrator. This includes appropriate intervention, restoration of a positive climate, and support for victims and others impacted by the violation, False reports or retaliation for harassment, intimidations or bullying also constitute violations of this policy The district’s HIB compliance officer is Mr. Jim Frey, Superintendent. All formal and informal complaints should be directed to him at the District Office, 1203 Bradley Road, Lynden, WA PARENT INVOLVMENT (District Policy 4130) Parents of children receiving Title 1, Part A services must be involved in the development of the district parent involvement policy (as prescribed by ESEA as reauthorized by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and must be used to conduct programs and activities to involve parents in the planning and implementation of the Title 1, Part A program, including promoting family literacy and parenting skills. A copy of the district’s policy can be reviewed at the district office-1203 Bradley Rd., Lynden or on our district website at www.lynden.wednet.edu.

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ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL TIMES Supervision for students is not available until 8:35 a.m. so we ask that students not arrive prior to that time. They are to wait in the cafeteria after 8:35 a.m. and will be released from the cafeteria to go to their classrooms at 8:45 a.m. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS Fire, earthquake, and lock-down drills are necessary for the safety of students and staff. Drills are held throughout the year when an alarm is sounded over the public address system. REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS We send report cards home three times a year. The fall report card is covered in a parent-teacher conference. PESTICIDE NOTIFICATION At least 48 hours before the application of a pesticide to school facilities or school grounds, the district shall notify parents and staff of the planned application in writing, including the heading “Notice: Pesticide Application.” This notice shall be posted in a prominent place in the building in addition to being provided to parents and staff. This pre-notification is not required if the school grounds or facilities will not be occupied by students for two days following the application of the pesticide. If the application is not made within 48 hours of the notification, another notification shall be made prior to the application. The pre-notification is not required in the case of an emergency application of pesticides to a school facility, such as an application to control stinging pests, but full notification shall be made as soon as possible after the application. ATTENDANCE In order for a child to learn adequately, he/she must be at school. We ask that you help your child to acquire good attendance and work habits. Students released for doctor or dental appointments should check in and out through the office. An advance note or phone call from the parents regarding their appointments is sincerely appreciated. We have a Safe Arrival Policy at Isom and ask that a parent/guardian call the school if their child will be late or absent. Students are excused for the following reasons: Participation in school-approved activities Illness Family emergency Medical appointments Students are unexcused for the following reasons: When parent contact has not been made with school Excuses such as, but not limited to, oversleeping,

shopping, missing the bus, baby sitting, etc. LOST AND FOUND We maintain a lost and found department. Students and parents may call the school if articles of clothing, school supplies, etc., have been lost or misplaced. Parents are requested to place suitable identification on clothing, lunch boxes, glasses, watches, etc., in order that we may return such articles to the owners. Each year we have many articles, some very valuable, that are never claimed, and we have no way of knowing to whom they belong. All unclaimed items are given to a charity at the end of the year. CARE OF THE BUILDING Good citizens take pride in keeping the building, grounds and equipment neat and in the best of condition. Students, your parents as taxpayers, provide the school properties for your use. You owe it to them and to yourself to take good care of these properties and to use them wisely.

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