Student Handbook
Mission Statement
Grant Elementary School is a family-friendly school where children acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to work, interact, learn, problem-solve, and care for themselves and each other.
Breakfast and Lunch Program
Grant School offers a breakfast and lunch program. Breakfast is served at 7:50 a.m.
Students eating breakfast must enter through the N. 5th Street doors only and may line up at 7:45 a.m. If students finish breakfast before 8:05 a.m., they are dismissed to the playground and they will line up and enter with their class at the bell.
Regular Prices
Breakfast:$1.40 a day
Lunch:$2.60 a day
Milk:$0.40 a day
Reduced Prices (Application must be completed and approved.)
Breakfast$0.30 a day
Lunch$0.40 a day
Free and reduced meal application blanks are available in the school office throughout the school year. A new application must be completed each school year.
On-Line Services for the School Meal Program
The Simple Way to Pay for School Meals
You may view account balances, schedule automatic payments, or make payments anytime from mobile app.
The School Nutrition Department has implemented an online service for the meals program. Parents will use their child’s ID number to set up their account on com. If you are in need of your child’s ID number, please call the school office.
The Grant School Office does not accept meal payments. All cash or checks must be included in a labeled envelope and put in the locked DROP BOX located inside the Fifth Street entrance of our building.
For more information about the online meals program, please see:
Soda and beverages in glass containers are not allowed at school.
Grant School Staff 2018-2019
TeacherGrade/SubjectRoomNumber
Patrick NeilsPrincipal
Tara RotheKindergarten1
Chris ConwayKindergarten22
Mindy Galbraith-WittingKindergarten21
Karin BulkowKindergarten20
Julie Dentz/Ann MeseckGrade 12
Mara ColellaGrade 13
Kathryn MeyerGrade 14
Nancy LeMahieuGrade 1D
Casey ScheurenGrade 25
Lynn GlavanGrade 26
Nicole Herrmann Grade 27
Amy LuedtkeGrade 28
Nicole Hornickel/Tanya WesenerGrade 39
Julie Brandt-CasperGrade 313
Angela ParksGrade 310
Kelly SchmitzGrade 311
Edward MobergGrade 414
Nancy EbertzGrade 415
Amy SchulzeGrade 416
Mandy MetropolisGrade 512
Shelley SorensonGrade 517
Steven TimmGrade 518
Michele KonradArt19
Ryan RabeInstrumental MusicC
Heidi Hansen-GrotbeckInterventionist-Reading/MathB
Ann HeringOTG
Janet SchmitzPTG
Kathy KobelskyPsychologist
Rebecca SewackiTitle IF
Amie VeldmanCWDG
Christine ThielCWDG
Tracy StegerCWDK
Jennifer PriesgenVocal MusicH
Nan MinsterLibrarianJ
John VanVeghelPhysical Education
Jean KolbELLE
Angela ShinnersELLL/M
Susan TessnerELLL/M
Kimberly MuellerSpeech/LanguageN
Lisa BiemannSchool CounselorO
Danielle HolmanReading InterventionistB
Alexnis CinealisELL Educational Assistant
KaBao ThaoELL Educational Assistant
Pa Ker XiongELL Educational Assistant
Paul GollnerCWD Educational Assistant
Carol VanHaverenCWD Educational Assistant
Emily LeitheiserCWD Educational Assistant
Kathy RammerCWD Educational Assistant
Jessica SpenderCWD Educational Assistant
Andrea HaefkeCWD Educational Assistant
Erin MerryIMC-Technology Educational Assistant
Christine GrunwaldSchool Nurse
Mary RiemersmaSecretary
Judy ZastrowSecretary
Robert RossCustodian
Lauri ReifCustodian
Ann BuboltzFood Server
Senior in School Mary Progar
Senior in SchoolStew Georgia
School Hours
The school day will begin at 8:10 a.m. A call bell will ring at 8:05 a.m. each morning. The playground is not supervised until 7:50 a.m. Students are not to arrive at school prior to 7:50 a.m. and are to leave the playground at 3:10 p.m. at the end of the day. The playground is not supervised after school.
Arrival
In the case of inclement weather, an announcement will be made that students may enter and stand by their lockers until the bell rings. Unless announced, all students should remain on the playground until the bell rings, and should line up and enter with their class at that time. The guideline for cold is windchill below 0 degrees in the morning.
Lunch Schedule
Each grade will have a 40-minute lunch period. Students will have 20 minutes to eat followed by a 20-minute recess.
School Day Schedule
8:05First Bell – Come in building
8:10Final Bell – Tardy if not in classroom at 8:10 a.m.
2:00Dismissal Bell on Wednesdays only
3:00 Dismissal Bell on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
Recess
The recess schedule will be determined prior to the start of the school year and will be published in the school newsletter in September.
We expect all children to go out for recess unless a doctor’s excuse is provided. If the wind chill factor or temperature is zero degrees or below, all children will be kept indoors. Children who are to stay inside due to illness must present a doctor’s excuse if longer than one day. At 3:10 p.m. all students should be out of the building and off of the playground unless attending an after school activity or directly supervised by a teacher.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Early Release Days
School Year Calendar
Parent Teacher Conference Dates:
Thursday, November 15, 20183:00-8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 16, 20188:00-4:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 14, 20193:00-8:00 p.m.
Friday, February 15, 20198:00-4:00 p.m.
Conferences by appointment
Early Release Dates:
Wednesday, November 21, 20181:00 p.m.
Friday, December 21, 20181:00 p.m.
Friday, March 22, 20191:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 12, 20191:00 p.m.
School Year Calendar:
September 4, 2018First day of School
September 14, 2018School Picture Day
October 12, 2018Fall Harvest Party and Book Fair 6-8 pm
October 19, 2018School Picture Retake Day 8:30-10:00 am
October 26, 2018Fall Recess – no school
November 10, 2018Annual Clothing Drive 9:00-11:00 pm
November 16, 2018Parent Conference Day – no school
November 22-23, 2018Thanksgiving Recess – no school
December 22-January 1, 2019Winter Recess
January 18, 2019Teacher Record Day – no school
January 21, 2019Martin Luther King Day- no school
February 15, 2019Parent Conference Day – no school
February 18, 2019Presidents’ Day – no school
March 23-March 31, 2019Spring Break
April 19, 2019Good Friday – No School
April 22, 2019Emergency Make-Up Day – no school if not needed
May 24, 2019Emergency Make-Up Day – no school if not needed
May 27, 2019Memorial Day – No School
June 12, 2019Last Day of School
Attendance and Absence Procedures
All students are expected to attend school and to arrive to school on time unless there are important reasons to be late or absent.
Parents must notify the school before 8:30 a.m. when their child is absent. Please call 459-3626, which can be used even when school is not in session (voicemail 24/7). A schoolsecretary will call home regarding an uncommunicated absence.
A written excuse is necessary if school has not been notified previous to the absences.
If absences or tardies become a problem, parents/guardians will be contacted to develop a plan that will correct the situation. If a student’s absences become excessive, a doctor’s excuse may be required to verify medical necessity of the absences.
Tardiness Policy
Students may arrive on school grounds at 7:50a.m. and should go directly to the playground. There is no supervision until 7:50 a.m.
Students arriving to school after the 8:10 final bell has sounded are required to check in at the office and receive a tardy pass before going to the classroom.
If your child will be arriving late to school, please call the office. A school lunch can be ordered for a student arriving late to school if the office is notified prior to 8:30 a.m.
We do, however, need to stress the importance of your child being on time for school. We want to make sure your child doesn’t miss important learning time. If your child is tardy often, you will receive a letter from the principal requesting a conference to develop a plan to get your child to school on time.
Make-Up Work
Please remember that much of the learning children do in school is through activities that cannot be duplicated through written assignments.
Teachers will make every effort to prepare “make up” work for children who are ill and whose parents give the teacher at least one half day’s notice of this request. This request can be left on the voicemail (459-3626) at the time you call in your child’s absence.
Grant School Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Grant is a PBIS school. This means that we start from the belief that children can be, and need to be, taught to behave just as they are taught to read or do math.
Our PBIS system has several components:
- A Behavior Matrix – clear behavior expectations identified for each school area and setting. This goes beyond “rules” and really describes what expected behavior “looks like”.
- Cool Tools – lesson plans used to teach students the behavioral expectations.
- “Above the Line” slips – an acknowledgment/reinforcement system used to celebrate students’ success in meeting the expectations.
- Weekly Assemblies
- Office Discipline Referrals – a form used to document and communicates with parents when students choose not to follow the expected behaviors.
Here’s a little more information of what each of these components mean:
Behavior Matrix:
The behavior matrix is built on the core traits of our Character Education Program:
Kindness Self-Control Honesty Respect Responsibility
What you will find in the Behavior Matrix is what each of these expectations actually looks like in various places in the school and on school grounds. In a positive manner, the matrix tells children what to do and how to behave in order to abide by these expectations, or be “above the line”. Posters of the expectations are displayed in each of the areas around the school. It is our goal to make the understanding of the expectations as clear and easy for children as possible.
Cool Tools:
One of the most important parts of the PBIS system is that the behavioral expectations are directly taught to students. This way, children know exactly what is expected of them and how they are to behave. On the first day of school, students are taught what it means to be “Above the Line” in each identified setting on the behavior matrix. Additional Cool Tools are provided on a regular basis to review the expectations and will also be used if problems arise in a certain setting.
“Above the Line” slips:
Another component of the PBIS system is the use of consistent positive reinforcement to celebrate student’s success with meeting the behavior expectations. The intention is to give clear, specific praise for above-the-line behavior to reinforce that student’s behavior and shape the actions of other students.
All staff members who observe children following the behavior expectations can issue an Above the Line slip. Children can earn ATL slips in all areas of the school and from all staff members. Our goal is for each staff member to hand out numerous ATL slips each day. Children will have various opportunities to redeem their ATL slips for special awards, privileges, prizes, etc. In addition, there will be quarterly school-wide reward activities for students who earn this privilege.
Weekly Assemblies:
One of the key aspects of PBIS is building a school-wide community. One way we accomplish this is through weekly assemblies. These assemblies serve the purpose of celebrating our successes and focusing on areas that need our attention. We also often have classrooms or students groups share something they’ve been working on and we always sing “Happy Birthday” to students celebrating a birthday that week. These assemblies build connections between students from all grades and classrooms. Parents are always welcome to join us for these quick, fun gatherings.
Office Discipline Referrals (ODR’s):
Even with teaching children the expectations, offering pre-correction or reminders for the expected behaviors, and our positive reinforcement system, at times children will still misbehave. These situations may be dealt with through an Office Discipline Referral. ODR’s are used as a communication tool with students and parents. In addition, the information collected from the form will also help staff keep track of behavioral data in order to be proactive in addressing problem behaviors.
When a student makes a choice that is “Below the Line” we will first work with the students to be sure that they know and understand the expected behavior. If the behavior continues or is repeated even after re-teaching, a Minor Discipline Referral will be written. The teacher writing this referral will decide the consequences for the problem.
“Bottom Line” behavior problems (those that are Dangerous, Destructive or Disturbing) will be handled by a Major Discipline Referral and will result in disciplinary action determined by the principal or lead teacher. Possible consequences may include recess detention, other corrective consequences, or, in severe situations, in-school or out-of-school suspensions.
Examples of “Below the Line” Problem Behavior that may result in a Minor ODR:
Defiance/Disrespect/Non-compliance
Disruption
Inappropriate Language
Physical Contact/Rough Play
Property Misuse
Examples of “Bottom Line” Problem Behavior that may result in a Major ODR:
Abusive/Profane Language
Fighting/Physical Aggression
Overt Defiance/Non-compliance/Disrespect
Harassment/Bullying
Technology Violation
Lying/Cheating
Forgery/Theft
Property Damage/Vandalism
Major Disruption/ removal from class
ODR’s are sent home so that parents are aware of behavioral issues and so that they can reinforce the expectations and support their student in making “Above the Line” choices. ODR’s should be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to school the next day.
Students who earn 3 or more ODR’s in a school quarter are not included in the reward activity for that quarter. Instead they participate in behavioral lesson plans specifically focused on the expected behaviors. The goal of these teaching sessions is to have the student correct his/her behavior in order to have fewer problems in the days ahead. At the start of the new quarter, every student “starts over” with zero Office Discipline Referrals and a fresh chance to “live above the line”
Above the Line behavior is:
Kind
Having Self-Control
Honest
Respectful
Responsible
the line______the line
Below the Line behavior is:
Unkind
Lacking Self-Control
Dishonest
Disrespectful
Irresponsible
bottom line______bottom line
Bottom Line behavior is:
Dangerous, Destructive, Disturbing
To learn more about PBIS in the Sheboygan Area School District and at Grant School check out
Quiet Zone
Observed Daily: 8:10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Students and staff are expected to use no voices above a whisper in the halls during the hours of 8:10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Likewise, parents and other visitors to school are asked to observe the Quiet Zone. Students are engaged in learning until the bell rings at 3 p.m. If adults arrive before 3 p.m. to pick up students, they are expected to maintain the Quiet Zone until the dismissal bell rings.
Large groups in the hallway are asked to walk in single or double file on one side of the hallway.
Grant School Family
Character Education Program
In order to be successful, students need to be equipped with the social and emotional tools needed to interact with others to create a safe and orderly environment. By teaching and reinforcing the five characteristics of respect, responsibility, kindness, self-control and honesty, we hope to:
- Create a safe and orderly environment for learning
- Provide social skills training for good citizenship and future career experiences
- Meet the social/emotional needs of children
- Increase student achievement at school
Clearly, the character traits of honesty, respect, responsibility, self-control and kindness are not new expectations at school. But, we feel that by highlighting these five traits and using the same language to describe them, students have a clear understanding of the expectations. This promotes consistent reinforcement and discipline throughout the school, including classrooms, lunchroom, playground and hallways.
We have a Grant School Family Pledge and each grade level has a piece that fits together with the others. The grade level pledges are recited every morning with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Grant School Family Pledge is recited whenever the whole school gathers for events.
We have monthly school-wide “Family Meetings” when we gather to learn and celebrate. These are followed by “Class-Family Meetings” in each classroom where an activity reinforces the lesson. Throughout the month Guidance lessons and teacher-led activities continue to teach and reinforce the importance of honesty, kindness, respect, responsibility and self-control.
Parents are sure to hear from their student(s) about the great happenings at school as we work on building character. As always, families are welcome to join us for any events and family meetings. Watch the newsletter for dates and times.
Intervention Time at Grant School
Grant School is very proud of our tradition of providing high quality education. In 2012, we began the implementation of a new structure in our school day called “Intervention Time.” We will continue to provide this time for all students each day this year.
The purpose of “Intervention Time” is to provide a time to work with smaller groups of students on specific areas of need. This gives us a way to provide extra challenges for students as well as giving help if needed
During “Intervention Time” all available staff will work with your child’s grade level to make smaller groupings possible. Teachers will meet collaboratively to design the instruction to meet student needs based on early assessments we have done in the first few weeks of school.
In order to make the groups work as well as possible, our school’s interventionists will help work with student at each grade level. Your child may or may not be working with his or her regular, classroom teacher during this time each day.
“Intervention Time” starts the second week of school or as soon as the teachers have completed the screening and plans for working with the groups.
School Safety
In order to ensure the security of our building, the N. 6th Street doors are locked during the school day. At 8:05 a.m. the 6th Street doors will be unlocked briefly for students entering from the playground.
A door monitoring system has been installed in the N. 5th St. entrance. Visitors may enter through the first set of doors, and will find the inside set of doors locked. Visitors are asked to push the buzzer located on the right wall in the inside entrance. The office staff will acknowledge the visitor and unlatch the door. Visitors will be directed to report to the office, sign in on the visitor log, and receive a visitor badge.