District of Columbia Public Schools
Madeline Victoria Leckie Elementary School
Home of the Lions
4201 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20032
Office (202) 645-3330 · Fax (202) 645-3331
PARENTHANDBOOK
2013-2014
M.V. Leckie Elementary School
Atasha M. James, Principal
4201 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue SW
Washington, D.C 20032
202-645-3300
Welcome to MadelineV. Leckie Elementary School. I am Atasha M. James, your Principal. We have a lot of work to do in the days and months to come in order to see the academic growth that our children deserve. I promise you that I am going to work tirelessly to improve the quality of instruction your child receives, to ensure we have the best educational resources available and to advocate for our building to be modernized and renovated to reflect a learning facility of the 21st century.
I cannot do this alone. I need you. I need your voice. I need you to support our instructional program in the following ways:
- Check your child’s agenda nightly.
- Make sure your child has a book in his or her possession and mandate it be read daily; have them read it to you aloud if necessary.
- Make sure your child get on to take the quiz that will verify that the book was read.
- Complete the DCPS Volunteer application so that we can use your talent, strategically to support our school.
With our hard work, perseverance and team work we will see our children develop into strong academicians, positioned to benefit from scholarships and capable enough to graduate from college.
Warm Regards,
Atasha M. James
Principal
TABLE OF CONTENTS –
Section ILeckie’s Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles
Section IIStaff Directory
Section IIIPolicies and Procedures
Section IVPBIS & Discipline Procedures/Policies
Section VCentral Office Directory
1
SECTION I:
Leckie’s Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles
VISION
Madeline Victoria Leckie Elementary School, a child centered and diverse learning community, provides each student with the opportunity, resources and foundation to reach his or her full potential, achieve well-rounded citizenship, and enjoy multi-cultural enrichment in a safe, supportive, and challenging environment. We strive to increase students’ awareness of personal responsibility and to instill a love of lifelong learning. We actively involve parents and the community in supporting student learning and development.
MISSION
Madeline Victoria Leckie Elementary School is committed to the academic success of every student and will ensure each student has access to quality learning opportunities within a rigorous and relevant curriculum. We strive to create and maintain a safe and culturally enriched community where students leave motivated to reach their goals and inspired to fulfill their dreams.
Guiding Principles for DCPS and Leckie Elementary School
We believe that all children, regardless of background or circumstance, can achieve at the highest levels.
We believe that achievement is a function of effort, not innate ability.
We believe that we have the power and the responsibility to close the achievement gap.
We believe that our schools must be caring and supportive environments.
We believe that it is critical to engage our students’ families and communities as valued partners.
We believe that our decisions, at all levels, must be guided by robust data.
SECTION II:
STAFF DIRECTORY
Madeline V. Leckie Elementary
4201 Martin Luther King Ave SW
(202) 645-3330
Faculty and Staff Alpha Roster
Name / Title/Grade / Room #OFFICE STAFF
Ms. Atasha James / Principal / Main Office
Ms. Cynthia McFarlin / Business Manager / Main Office
Ms. Barbara Lucas / Clerk / Main Office
Mr. Demetrius Simpson / PT Office Assistant / Main Office
Mr. Adrian Williams / Parent Coordinator / Main Office
TEACHERS/PARA-PROFESSIONAL
Ms. Paula Kephart / Pre-School Teacher / 012
Ms. Frann Robertson / Pre-School Teacher / 016
Ms. Stephanie Hampton / Pre-School Teacher / 014
Ms. Denise Thiel / Pre-Kindergarten Teacher / 120
Ms. Litonya Hawkins / Pre-Kindergarten Teacher / 122
Ms. Keva Knight / Pre-Kindergarten Teacher / 018
Ms. Rose Blanks / Kindergarten Teacher / 115
Ms. LaShana Shubert / Kindergarten Teacher / 113
Ms. Virginia Campbell / Kindergarten Teacher / 111
Ms. Jessica Zlockie / Grade 1 Teacher / 218
Ms. Karen Buckley / Grade 1 Teacher / 217
Ms. Kristee Jones / Grade 1 Teacher / 216
Ms. Tonia Padgett / Grade 2 Teacher / 215
Ms. Andrea Mercer / Grade 2 Teacher / 214
Mr. Kevin Wilkinson / Grade 2 Teacher / 213
Ms. Caroline Goodman / Grade 3 Teacher / 315
Mr. Jerriel Hall / Grade 3 Teacher / 314
Ms. Rachel Williams / Grade 4 Teacher / 313
Ms. Emily Olobatuyi / Grade 4 Teacher / 312
Ms. Sheryl Robinson / Grade 5 Teacher / 310
Ms. JoAnn Rhodes / Resource Teacher / 210
Mr. Phillip White / Resource Teacher / 118
Ms. Valerie Young / Resource Teacher / 211
Ms. Vernell Kilpatrick / PS Paraprofessional / 012
Ms. Keith Kirkland / PS Paraprofessional / 016
Ms. Lynette Hicks-Washington / PS Paraprofessional / 014
Mr. Jelani Dallas / PK Paraprofessional / 120
Mr. Dajon Walker / PK Paraprofessional / 018
Ms. Janice Mason / PK Paraprofessional / 122
Mr. Kevin Bembridge / K Paraprofessional / 115
Ms. Cara Borrelli / K Paraprofessional / 111
Ms. Mary Mack / K Paraprofessional / 126
SUPPORT STAFF
Mr. Edilberto Galvan / Spanish Teacher / 209
Ms. Iris Tate / Music Teacher / 212
Mr. Josh Senior / PE Teacher / 308
Ms. Erika Caputo / Media Specialist / 306
Ms. Catharina Baldwin / ESL Teacher / 210
Ms. Karen Tabron / Speech Pathologist / 211
Ms. Anita Middleton / Instructional Coach / 301
Ms. Nikia Kelly-Higgs / Social Worker / 116
Ms. Tara Been / Psychologist / 116
Mr. Curtis Jordan / ISS Coordinator / 201
Ms. Tracey Payton / Dean of Students / 201
Mr. Roland Tyler / Behavior Tech / 201
Mr. Patrick Cox / After School Cluster / 135
Ms. Linda Robinson / Custodial Foreman
Mr. Leonard Blackwell / Custodian
Mr. Corey Culler / Custodian
City Year Staff / 308
SECTION III:
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
DRESS FOR STUDENTS (UNIFORMS)
Leckie Elementary School has adopted a uniform policy for all students. This policy is in effect every day, unless the principal authorizes a change in writing. All students are expected to adhere to the uniform policy.
The official school uniform for Leckie is Green and Khaki bottoms and White and Yellow tops.
School Schedule
Unless your child has enrolled and been accepted into the fee for service before care, they should not arrive to school before 8:10 am.
Scheduling varies according to grade or academic level. In pre-kindergarten through Grade 5, your child will generally stay with the same teacher in the same classroom for the entire day. As they get older, students likely transition to another teacher for electives (i.e., physical education) and interventions (i.e., reading).
Breakfast
If your child is in Preschool or Pre-Kindergarten she will eat breakfast in her classroom.
If your child is in K-5th grade she will eat breakfast in the school cafeteria.
Breakfast is free for all students and will be available every morning starting at 8:15 am.
Instructional Day
Each student will have a full day of learning that goes from 8:45 to 3:15 with a 30 minute break for lunch and 15 minutes for recess.
Dismissal
All students will be dismissed at 3:15pm at the ringing of the school dismissal bell.
Preschool, PreK and Kindergarten Parents
For safety and security reasons, parents, relatives or older siblings must pick up preschool, preK and kindergarten students directly from their classrooms after the dismissal bell rings.
K-5 students will be dismissed from the playground
Students in our Extended Day Programs will transition to a designated classroom at 3:15
When faced with inclement weather, students will be dismissed from the cafeteria.
After-School Programs
Your child can participate in after-school programs that often provide a combination of academic, enrichment and wellness activities. The research is clear that participation in high-quality after-school programs helps improve school attendance, academic achievement, graduation rates, and attitudes toward learning. Students attending three hours of after-school programming each day gain the equivalent of nearly four months of traditional learning time.
The DCPS Office of Out-of-School Time Programs, in concert with community-based organizations, and
DCPS teachers and aides, provide a variety of after-school opportunities. Programs generally operate between 3:30-6p.m., Monday -Friday except on half-days, holidays and school breaks. However, hours vary at some schools and not all schools have after-school programs. Transportation is not provided for students who participate in these programs. This includes students with disabilities who usually ride the bus to and from school.
Leckie ES offers:
Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Chess Club, College Tribe and Chess Club, Girls on the Run and DC Scores
Girl Scouts will have 2 days per week. Serves girls grades K-5
College Tribe will have 2 days of programming per week. Serve Grades K-5
Boy Scouts will have 2 day per week of programming. Serve boys grades K-5
Chess Challenge DC--Serve grades1-5
Girls on the Run serve grades 3-5.
For more information please contact:
Patrick Cox
Cluster Manager, Afterschool Programs
Office of Out of School Time Programs
C 202-308-3361
E
Athletics
Athletics are an important part of the school experience. As such, students in Grades 4-12 are able to participate in a host of interscholastic athletics and club sports.
Your child is able to choose from soccer and basketball at this time. Some athletics programs are considered club sports. Club sports differ from interscholastic athletics and do not offer the same benefits in medical or insurance coverage. Club sports teams are not eligible for league championships. Prior to participating in any athletic program, the following forms are required:
• Consent to Participate in Athletics Form
• Physical Exam Form
• Signed Emergency Information Sheet
Your child must have a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) or better, using advisory grades, to participate in
Interscholastic athletics. Progress reports may not be used to determine eligibility.
The Department of Athletics is responsible for verifying eligibility and scheduling events. Transportation
is provided for league games only. For more information, visit
ATTENDANCE
Attendance
Regular school attendance is required by DC law for children from age 5 to 18. Although not required bylaw, it’s just as important for children in pre-kindergarten to have regular attendance as well. Attending school every day and on-time is critically important and has a huge impact on learning through high school. Even as children grow older and become more independent, families play a key role in making sure regular attendance is a priority.
Some absences are unavoidable, but, when children miss too much school – excused or unexcused – they can fall behind. Students are much less likely to succeed when they are chronically absent.If your child received a seat through the out-of-boundary lottery and has 10 unexcused absences or 20 unexcused tardies, they may be asked to return to their neighborhood school at the end of the school year.
DID YOU KNOW…
• Children who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of third grade.
• By sixth grade, chronic absence is a warning sign for students at-risk of dropping out of school.
• By ninth grade, good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than eighth grade test scores.
Excused absences are when school-aged students are absent from school with a valid excuse and parental approval.
Examples of excused absences include, but are not limited to the following:
• Student illness (a doctor’s note is required if a student is absent for more than five days);
• Death in the student’s immediate family;
• Observance of a religious holiday;
• Temporary school closings due to weather, unsafe conditions or other emergencies;
• Necessity for a student to attend a judicial proceeding as a plaintiff, defendant, witness or juror;
• Medical reasons such as a doctor’s appointment (a doctor’s note is required); and
• Failure of DC to provide transportation where legally responsible.
When your child returns to school after an absence, you should submit a note to the front office ordesignated attendance staff. The note should include the student’s name, date(s) of the absence, reason for absence and a parent/guardian’s signature. A doctor’s note is required after the fifth consecutive day due to illness. Absences without notes or those deemed not valid will be marked “unexcused.”If absences are due to chronic health issues, such as asthma, families should contact the school nurse to ensure the appropriate health plan is developed.
If you have additional questions about attendance, visit the DCPS website at
Tardiness
Students arriving after 8:45 A.M. will be marked tardy. Tardy students are to check in at the front office in order to sign to receive a tardy pass before reporting to class.
Early Dismissals
Early student dismissals are not permitted after 2:40 p.m. except for medical appointments or emergencies as approved by the administration as it causes major disruption to the classroom and main office.
School Emergencies, Delays or Closures
The School Emergency Response Plan and Management Guide prepare schools to respond to emergencies including weather, natural disasters, and threats involving weapons. The guide was developed in partnership with DCPS, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies.
When inclement weather is predicted or occurs, DCPS works hard to ensure students and staff remain safe. The goal is to keep DCPS schools open whenever possible to ensure students have access to all they need, including academic instruction, nutritious meals, and healthy extracurricular activity programming. The decision to delay or close schools is made with careful consideration of road safety, sidewalk safety, and meal availability. You always can determine whether your child should attend school that day or leave early.
There are several options for staying informed about school emergencies, delays or closures:
1. Listen to the local news on the TV and radio
2. Check the DCPS homepage (
3. Sign up to receive email alerts (
4. Follow DCPS on Twitter (
5. Follow DCPS on Facebook (
6. Sign up to receive text messages by texting NEWS to 91990
If an emergency occurs during the school day, know that the staff has been trained to evacuate the school and will allow you to connect with your child as soon as it is safely possible.
School Visitor Policy
Schools are public institutions and they should be open to visits from parents and other interested parties to the extent that visits do not disrupt the education process, a school’s operation nor compromise student or staff safety. As such, DCPS facilities will continue to be open to the public as long as visitors do not disrupt school instruction, operation or activities, or threaten the safety and security of students and staff.Since the principal is responsible for all persons on the campus, visitors are asked to proceed first to the security desk and then to the school office to obtain a visitor’s pass. Visitors may include parents of students, interested citizens, invited speakers, maintenance and repair people, advocates, salesmen, representatives of news media, students not enrolled in school, observers from colleges and universities, and others.
Parent Observations
Parents may not visit the classroom for observation purposes, unless it has been pre-arranged and approved by the teacher and principal. Observations are not conferences and parents should not interrupt the delivery of instruction to engage in conversations with teachers.
Discipline Visits or Parent Pop-Ins
It is ok for parents to visit a classroom for discipline purposes at the request of the teacher or if they simply want to pop in and surprise the student with a visit. I will provide teachers with the flexibility to allow a parent to pull a child out of class for intervention purposes during instructional time. That will be the teacher’s call. However, teachers and parents should be careful not to turn these visits into parent-teacher conferences.
Notification may or may not be granted to the teacher in advance for these types of visits. However, parents will have a pass from the office permitting them to visit.
Volunteers
Parents may volunteer in their children’s classrooms in response to teachers’ requests and permission. Please coordinate your volunteer times and responsibilities directly with your child’s teacher.
For parents who may wish to volunteer in other areas of the school, (office assistance, lunch/recess duty, copies and/or other projects), should see Ms. Parker, our parent/volunteer coordinator.
REPORTING AND GRADING
A. PURPOSE
M.V. Leckie Elementary School is committed to maintaining rigorous performance, college and career readiness, and achievement of core standards for all students and to providing a timely and fair process for evaluating and reporting student progress that is understandable to students and their parents and relevant for instructional purposes.
B. PROCEDURES
1. At the beginning of a grade or a course of study, teachers shall provide to students and make available to parents a written course outline, syllabus, or overview of grade/course expectations detailing:
a. the content, skills and standards students are expected to master;
b. the grading/ processes to be applied consistently, including information regarding the weighting of various types of assignments (for example; tests, quizzes, homework and projects) and the consequences of work submitted after the due date;
c. the frequency and types of assessments;
d. the teacher’s availability for reteaching and reassessment;
e. the types of assessments which do and do not qualify for reassessment;
f. the procedures parents can use to contact the teacher for missed and late assignments and the process for obtaining make-up work; and
g. the assessment criteria and rubrics for writing and other assigned projects
2. The course outline or syllabus shall also contain general information which supports student academic success, including:
a. the means by which parents shall receive student progress and grades;
b. the means by which notification shall be made should students be in danger of failing a marking period or dropping the equivalent of two letter grades;
c. the materials students will need to be prepared for learning;
3. Teachers shall evaluate student progress to determine the degree of mastery of course content, skills, and standards. A grade, code, or percentage shall reflect student achievement and progress toward meeting course expectations.