Arata Creek, Burlingame Creek & Knott Creek School

1 | Page

Student Parent Handbook

2017-2018

Arata Creek School – 5th-12th

2470 SW Halsey Street ●Troutdale, OR 97060●Phone: 503-262-4850●Fax: 503-465-8135●

Burlingame Creek School – 6th-12th

1 | Page

876 NE 8TH Street ● Gresham, OR 97030●Phone: 503-262-4050 ●Fax: 503-262-4065 ●

Knott Creek School – K-4th

11456 NE Knott Street ● Portland, OR 97220 ● Phone: 971-229-6470 ● Fax: 971-229-6494 ●

1 | Page

Arata Creek, Burlingame Creek & Knott Creek School Mission Statement

Arata Creek, Burlingame Creek and Knott Creek School staff are committed to helping all students acquire the social, behavioral, and academic skills necessary to become productive citizens now and in the future.

We believe all students have the right to learn these skills in a safe, caring, and respectful environment.

1 | Page

Dear Students,

I am excited to welcome each of you back this year to Arata Creek and Burlingame Creek School. We are proud to share that Knott Creek School has opened this year as well to support our younger students in Kindergarten through Fourth grades. I have missed each of you and am looking forward to seeing you again!

I have exciting news to share in that we were able to hire a new principal, Kari Sanders who will be supporting ‘The Creeks’ this year. While I will still be available and at many of the meetings, I believe everyone can recognize we are needing additional support when running three schools! Ms. Sanders comes to us from the Newberg area where she has been a vice-principal and a principal for a school similar to ‘The Creeks’. She has a background in both education and in counseling and we all look forward to having her on our team. Many of you may remember we were also able to have Mr. Stephan Price, our Vice-principal with us at the end of last year. Mr. Price will be with us part of the time again and also supporting a sister program, Wheatley School this year. We are glad to have him back with us for part of his week.

I hope your summer is going well and you have had a great time relaxing and enjoying the great sunshine we have had! We have been busy getting our campuses ready for your arrival. The rooms at both schools have been freshly painted and a few minor repairs have been completed. The gardens were attended to by volunteers supporting our schools and they are looking beautiful. The new Knott Creek School has been freshly painted and a lovely playground is attached to the school. Open House at all campuses will be on Monday, August 28th from 1:00 to 3:30 pm We invite you to come and meet your student’s teacher and visit for a little before the start of school on Tuesday, August 29th. All schools sites look amazing!

Due to the significant number of students enrolled last year, we have added additional staff to Arata Creek, Burlingame Creek and now Knott Creek. The administrative assistant joining us at Knott Creek is Melissa Phong and the safety monitor for Knott Creek is Michael Barella. Ms. Phong and Mr. Barella come to us from another school site, Wynne Watts School and we are very happy to have them begin at Knott Creek this year. We have also added new classrooms between the Knott Creek site and the Arata Creek site: There will be an additional 5th-6th grade classroom at Arata Creek and an additional 3rd - 4th grade classroom at Knott Creek. The two younger elementary classrooms formerly at Arata Creek (as discussed with student guardians in the spring), have moved already to the Knott Creek campus. We are happy with these additional classrooms to support students!

Joining us this year to support our additional classrooms is Kari McCraw, elementary teacher who will be teaching 3rd - 4th grade at Knott Creek. In addition, Mr. Nathanael Gepford who was a substitute teacher last year for us, will be teaching one of the 6th, 7th, 8th grade middle school classrooms for Arata Creek. A third teacher will also be hired this summer to support an additional Behavioral Health Functional Living Skills classroom.

As mentioned earlier, there will be an Open House for those students who would like to visit their classroom and meet their staff. This Open House will be on Monday, August 28th from 1:30-3:30 pm. If you would like to visit any of the three campuses and have not had an opportunity, you are welcome!

Last year we had an excellent year at Arata Creek School and Burlingame Creek School. We are looking forward to another great year! I have high expectations for Arata, Burlingame and Knott Creek campuses and am excited about the positive part you will play in our school year.

See you Tuesday, August 29th to begin our year!

Ms Sanders, Principal for ‘The Creeks’

Ms. Tolon, Student Services Coordinator

August 2017
8/28 Open House at all campuses: 1-3:30 pm / April 2018
8/29 First Day of School!!! / 4/27 Inservice Day - No Students
September 2017 / May 2018
9/1 Inservice Day - No School / 5/24 Science Fair 10:00 am - 11:30 am
5/25 Building Closed - No School
9/4 Labor Day - Building Closed - No School / 5/28 Memorial Day - No School
October 2017 / June 2018
10/13 State Inservice Day - Building Closed - No School / 6/5 Awards Ceremony @ Knott Creek 10 am
6/5 Awards Ceremony @ Arata Creek 1 pm
6/6 Awards Ceremony @ Burlingame Creek 10 am
10/24 Picture Day / 6/7 Last day of School - Arata Creek 12:00 pm Release
6/7 Last day of School - Knott Creek 12:00 pm Release
6/7 Last day of School - Burlingame Creek 12:10 pm Release
10/27 Inservice Day - No Students /
November 2017
11/10 Veterans Day - No School
11/17 End of 1st Trimester
11/20-11/24 Grading/Thanksgiving Break - No School
11/27 Start of 2nd Trimester
December 2017
12/1 Picture Retake Day
12/5 1st Trimester Awards Ceremony @ Knott Creek 10 am
12/5 1st Trimester Awards Ceremony @ Burlingame Creek 1 pm
12/6 1st Trimester Awards Ceremony @ Arata Creek 1 pm
12/18 - 1/2 Winter Break - No School
January 2018
1/3 First Day Back After Winter Break
1/15 Martin Luther King Day - No School
February 2018
2/2 Inservice - No School
2/19 Presidents Day - No School
March 2018
3/2 End of 2nd Trimester
3/5 Start of 3rd Trimester
3/8 Family Fun Night
3/9 Inservice Day - No School
3/13 2nd Trimester Awards Ceremony @ Knott Creek 10 am
3/13 2nd Trimester Awards Ceremony @ Burlingame Creek 1 pm
3/20 2nd Trimester Awards Ceremony @ Arata Creek 1 pm
3/26 - 3/30 Spring Break - No School
LEA and Transportation Contact Numbers
District / LEA Representatives / Transportation Contacts
Beaverton / Shannon Copple
Lori Krumm / 503-356-3922
503-356-3916 / Tammy Johnson / 503-356-4248
Centennial / Patrick O’Brien / 503-762-3700 / Cathy Rosenthal / 503-762-7521
David Douglas / Erin Garvin / 503-256-6500 ext. 4589 / April Hansen / 503-256-6526
Estacada / Tina Rhue / 503-630-6871 ext. 2890 / Jackie Fausto / 503-630-6871
Gresham-Barlow / Elementary: Donna Ravenberg
Middle School: Stephanie McMillan
High School: James Charles / 503-261-4605 / Cheryl Peterson
(First Student) / 503-665-8193
Oregon Trail / Katie Schweitzer / 503-668-4949 x4005 / Amy Morrison / 503-826-0293
Parkrose / Kathy Keim-Robinson / 503-408-2118 / Teresa Hooper / 503-408-2129
Portland / Chris Burns
Peggy Van Duyne / 503-916-6504
503-916-3075 / Tammy Teuscher
Aryn Bradford / 503-916-6901
Reynolds / Deb Miller / 503-661-7200 x3216 / Rehana Nelson / 503-492-4921 ext. 3399
ALC / 1-844-304-5150
Assist Service Transportation / April / 503-277-9007
Broadway / Sassy Cab / 503-227-1234
Radio Cab / 503-205-3311
Safe Transportation / 503-256-8552
Specialized Transportation / Steve or Angel / 503-650-3671
Town Car Transportation / 503-234-2400
Union Cab / 503-222-2222

1 | Page

Table of Contents

1 | Page

Letter from the Principal3-4

Parent Calendar5

School Schedule, Awards Assembly Schedule5

LEA and Transportation Contact Numbers6

GENERAL SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Supervision, Staffing Patterns, Curriculum8

Staff/Student Relations8

Continuum System and Student Checklist9-10

Assemblies10

Attendance10

Absences Due to Illness11

Breakfast and Lunch Program11

Bus Transportation, Reward System, Rules12

Bus Discipline, Referrals, or Serious Behavior13

Completed Assignments14

Emergency School Closure14

Field Trips14

Student Fraternization14

Safety Drills: Earthquake, Fire, other Emergency14

Outdoor School14

Illness at School15

Immunizations15

Medication15Progress Reports (Daily and Trimester)16

School Supplies17

Telephone Calls17

Visiting the School17

Volunteers17

Student Records18

SAFE SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES18-19

Student Rights and Responsibilities 19

School Discipline19-20

ISTO Rules, Rules for Non-Compliance20

Harassment/Bullying20

Searches and “Nothing Comes to School” Policy21

Metal Detector21

Limited Clothing/Personal Possession Searches21-22

Drugs and Alcohol22

Tobacco22

Seizure of Illegal Weapons22

Gang Activity22-23

Dress Code23

Classroom and School Behavior23

Hallway Behavior23

Restroom Behavior23

Leaving School Without Permission24

Care of School Property24

Signed Agreement Form26

1 | Page

High School Grading, Graduation Requirements16

Parent Conferences and IEP Meetings17

GENERAL SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

1 | Page

SUPERVISION•STAFFING PATTERNS•CURRICULUM

Students are always under adult supervision when they are at Arata Creek, BurlingameCreek and Knott CreekSchool or on school-sponsored field trips. In addition, as part of Safe School practices all areas of the school campus are under video surveillance, this includes classrooms, time-out rooms, hallways, and all entrances and exits. Notices regarding audio and video recording are posted throughout the building.

Arata Creek and Knott Creek School hours for students are

8:45 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesdays will start at 8:45 a.m. and have early releaseat 1:20 p.m. Burlingame Creek School hours for students are

8:35 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Wednesdays will start at 8:35 a.m. and have early release at 1:30 p.m. Before and after school care is not available. During school hours students will be released only into the custody of parents, guardians, persons in a parental relationship or other persons designated by the parents or guardians in writing. In extreme cases of law-violating behavior, students may be released into the custody of local law enforcement agencies.

Each classroom has one licensed teacher with special education endorsements and two educational assistants. Students are usually engaged in small group instructional activities throughout the day. Approximately 10-12 students are assigned to a class. Students may also engage in speech therapy, occupational therapy, nursing services, or counseling activities according to his/her Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Throughout the week, students engage in social skills instruction, reading, literature, written language, mathematics, language arts, physical education, health, science, social science, and computer literacy. School computers are linked to the Internet. The computers also have software to assist with learning in many curricular areas.

Friday afternoons, Arata Creek, Burlingame Creekand Knott Creek offer Friday Activities for those students who have completed their work and demonstrated positive safe behavior during the week. These activities may include Games, Computers, Cooking, Arts & Crafts, etc.

STAFF/STUDENT RELATIONS

The relationship between the school staff and students is one of mutual cooperation, understanding and respect. Each staff member has the responsibility to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning and to encourage each student to perform to his/her capacity. The staff strives to provide group and individual instruction and supervision throughout the day. Students should treat all staff with respect. Staff will extend to students the same respect and courtesy which they have a right to demand. The teaching-learning environment is typically 10-12 students per classroom with one adult for every sixstudents. School rules, class rules, and expected behavior in the hall, gym and activity room are posted, taught, and reviewed frequently with students.

1 | Page

CONTINUUM SYSTEM AND STUDENT CHECKLIST

Arata Creek, Burlingame Creek and Knott Creek School use a four-part phase system (Orientation, Practice, Independence, and Maintenance) to guide students through the program and to determine when students are ready to move to a less restrictive school setting. The current scale system provides a continuum of decreasing adult control and structure and encouraging the student’s use of self-monitoring and self-regulating behaviors. Students are provided structure and reinforcement for positive behavior. Students move up the scale by demonstrating over time, the use of more rigorous, appropriate social and academic behaviors. The Student Behavior Checklist is the main tool for recording and monitoring student behavior.

5 Day Freeze

Students are “frozen” on their phase for at least five days while re-earning trust for:

Intimidation/bullying
Repeated arguing
Throwing/breaking property
Repeated rule violation

10 Day Freeze

Students are “frozen” on their phase for at least ten days while re-earning trust for:

Any illegal activity
Physical violence (with body or object)
Threatening to harm someone
Harassment
Vandalism
Drugs or weapons
Theft
Weapons

At set intervals a student may petition to change to the next phase. When a student reaches Independence and Maintenance, planning may begin for the transition back to the local district.

The transition process begins with a district meeting to discuss placement. Usually the student’s classroom teacher will arrange this meeting. The IEP Team will determine the transition plan.

The behavior consultant will be the lead contact during the transition.

Every student is provided with a Student Behavior Checklist daily. The Student Behavior Checklist allows staff to track a student’s performance and permits students to see how well they are meeting classroom and behavioral expectations throughout the day. Behavioral percentages are calculated for the student’s daily performance. The Student Behavior Checklist is marked by a staff member at 15-30 minute intervals. The student receives points for following class rules, exhibiting relationship skills, academic performance behaviors, and a personal “target” behavior goal. Students who consistently demonstrate appropriate behavior for their phase will be able to participate in three Earned Activity Times (EAT) each day. Total percentages are tallied each day. Expectations for petitioning to the next level are as follows: attaining 80% accuracy on Orientation, 85% on Practice, 90% on Independence and 95-100% on Maintenance. 15 days at 80% to 90% determines eligibility to petition to the next phases. Comments about each student’s behavioral performance will be sent home every day. A place for

1 | Page

CONTINUUM SYSTEM AND STUDENT CHECKLIST (cont.)

parent comments is available. Parents are asked to sign and return the sheet daily.

1 | Page

Points are exchanged for school “dollars” on a daily basis. The dollars are used to make purchases at the student store or for special events.

Students who demonstrate appropriate and safe behavior while traveling to and from school on the school bus earn a bus lottery ticket for a weekly drawing for reinforcement activities. Bus referrals are written by bus drivers or bus aides for behavior that is not safe. The school staff will problem-solve and/or assist with mediation for a bus referral and, if necessary a team meeting will be set up between the school, parents and a representative of the local school district. In some instances an alternative mode of transportation will be arranged at the recommendation of the team.

1 | Page

ASSEMBLIES

At the end of each grading period, an award assembly will be scheduled to honor those students who have excelled behaviorally and academically. Arata Creek, Burlingame Creek and Knott Creek School honors students for good attendance, positive behavior changes, academic progress, participation in statewide testing, participation in Outdoor School and community/school service activities. You will be notified of the date, time and location of each assembly. The date and time for each assembly is listed on the parent calendar.

ATTENDANCE

Students are expected to attend school each and every day and remain at school for the specified hours. Absences will be excused only for illness, injury, appointments, or a death in the family. Our purpose for insisting on punctual, regular attendance is to help students develop habits of responsibility. In addition, regular attendance contributes to academic success. Parents are asked to contact Arata Creek at 503-262-4850, Burlingame Creek at 503-262-4050or Knott Creek at 503-262-4850 when their child is absent, otherwise a staff member will call the home to report that your child is not in school. When the students return to school after an absence, they must bring a written note from their parents and report to the classroom teacher for make-up work. Parents will have 3 days after the absence to excuse it, if no contact is made after the third day it will be marked as unexcused and cannot be changed. If a student is absent more than 3 consecutive days, a note from their doctor is expected before returning to school. Unexcused absences and leaving school without permission will result in a loss of EAT (Earned Activity Time) or result in completing missed work after-school.

Irregular attendance is one of the factors associated with student frustration and failure with the school experience. Good attendance positively impacts your child’s grades (all students) and earned credits (high school students only). Arata Creek, Burlingame Creek and Knott CreekSchool will work with local districts, parents and the student in the early detection of truancy. Excessive, unexcused absenteeism will result in notifying the home district and a possible Review of Placement meeting.

1 | Page

ABSENCES DUE TO ILLNESS

Sometimes it is difficult to know when your child is not feeling well and if it is a good idea to send him or her to school. The MESD School Health Services has established guidelines that can help you decide when to keep your child at home:

1.A fever of 100 degrees or more.

1 | Page

2.Rash or rash with fever - new or sudden onset.

1 | Page

3.Brown, gray, tan or yellow drainage from nose, eyes, or any other part of the body.

4.Vomiting.

5.Diarrhea.

6.Cough: Deep, barking, congested, or productive of colored mucous.

7.White, clay colored, or bloody stool.

8.Yellow color of skin and/or eyes.

9.Brown or bloody urine.

10.Stiff neck or headache with fever.

11.Unusually sleepy, lethargic, or grumpy.

12.Strep throat diagnosed by M.D.