Madeira Elementary School (Mes)

MADEIRA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (MES)

(Preschool, Kindergarten – 4th Grades)

Madeira City Schools

7840 Thomas Drive, Cincinnati OH 45243

Phone: (513) 985-6080 Fax: (513) 985-6082

Website:

Student & Parent Handbook

2012 - 2013

The Madeira City Schools Mission Statement

In partnership with parents and community, Madeira City Schoolsprovides and promotes a
positive learning environment that challenges each learner to achieve full academic potential forexcellence

and be a responsible, educated, and caring individual now and in the future.

“Madeira City Schools ~ where learning is personalized and success is ensured.”

Philosophy

We believe that all students at Madeira Elementary School are learners whose needs are best met when home and school work in close cooperation and strive to provide an atmosphere which nurtures, challengesand develops the total child. It is our goal that all students will achieve to their maximum potential, enabling them to become contributing members of society and lifelong learners.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page / Page
Principal’s Letter / 3
PTA President’s Letter / 3 / Madeira Elementary & Madeira City
Madeira City Schools / 4 / Schools Policies and Procedures, / 7 - 34
Board of Education Members / Discipline & Code of Conduct
Central Office Staff
Special Programs / Student Network & / 35
Schools and Principals / Internet Acceptable Use
Transportation
Madeira Elementary Staff / 5 / Receipt of Handbook Acknowledgement / 37
MES PTA / 6

This handbook was written to comply with and conform to the policies of the Madeira City Schools Board of Education. If any provisions in this handbook contradict those policies,

then the policies of the Board of Education shall supersede the provisions in the handbook.

Dear MES Parents,

Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year at Madeira Elementary School! The MES Staff has been working throughout the summer to prepare for an exciting school year for your child.

As your new principal, I’m thrilled to become part of the Madeira Team and am excited to meet all of our students and families! My goal is to work with students, staff, and families to provide a safe and exciting learning environment for all students. Madeira Elementary School has a tradition of excellence and we are all looking forward to continuing on that path this year! Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can assist you in any way.

We are truly excited about what this year will bring for our students! We will be focusing on providing students with the essential skills and knowledge needed for their future as we implement new curricular standards and continue to teach critical thinking/problem solving, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills. We are also excited about the work that we have planned that will engage families and the community through technology and various learning opportunities.

This electronic handbook contains information about our school’s policies and procedures. I appreciate you taking some time to read and discuss this handbook with your child(ren). Another great way to keep up to date with our activities and schedules is to join the listserv. You can do this by going to: for more information.

At MES, we look forward to each opportunity to work with you and encourage you to be involved at school this year in any way possible. The Madeira Elementary School Staff and the PTO will continue to work together to enrich your child’s academic and social experience in the school. The 2012-2013 school year looks to be an exciting one for all students!

Sincerely,

Tim Weber

Principal

985-6080

Dear MES Parents,

Welcome to Madeira Elementary School and the 2012-2013 school year!

You’re invited to come and be part of our very active PTO chapter. Involvement in the MES PTO will give you countless opportunities to be an integral part of not only your student’s educational experience, but the Madeira community as well.

Meetings, events and other information can be found on the PTO link on the Madeira Elementary School website.

Susan Busch

PTA President

Madeira City Schools

BOARD OF EDUCATION OFFICE 985-6070

7465 Loannes Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45243

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS

Mr. David Templeton, PresidentMr. Kam Misleh, Member
Mr. Pat Shea, Vice PresidentMr. Tarek Kamil, Member
Dr. Cathy Swami, Member

CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF

Mr. Steve Kramer, SuperintendentMr. Kenji Matsudo, Assistant Superintendent
Mrs. Susan Crabill, TreasurerMrs. Melody Gregory, Asst. Treasurer
Mrs. Lora Riblet, Superintendent’s Admin AsstMrs. Diane Nichols, Public Relations
Mrs. Trish Niehaus, Accts. Payable/ReceivableMr. Kevin Wright, Director, Special Education

Before & After School Program by Champions @ MES

Erica Daniels 984-4878, ext 15

SCHOOLS AND PRINCIPALS

MADEIRA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Grades K-4) 985-6080

Mr. Tim Weber, Principal

MADEIRA MIDDLE SCHOOL (Grades 5-8) 561-5555

Mr. Rob Kramer, Principal

MADEIRA JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL (Grades 9-12) 891-8222

Mr. Tom Olsen, Principal

Mr. Joseph Kimling, Athletic Director/Dean of Students

TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (Ms. Kathy Moses) 561-1366

Madeira Elementary School Staff

7840 Thomas Drive ~ Cincinnati, OH 45243

Phone 985-6080 Fax 985-6082 Voicemail 985-6085

*To encourage and facilitate communications between school personnel and parents, the Madeira Board of Education has installed voice mail capabilities.

You may access a teacher’s voicemail (VM): 985-6085. After dialing, you will hear a greeting welcoming you to the system. At any time you may input either the 4-digit code to leave a voicemail message for your child’s teacher.

There is an automated email system called Listserv. If you would like to havemore information on this system or to subscribe go to

Each Staff member can be contacted through email by typing the first letter of their first name followed by the entire last name and “@madeiracityschools.org.” e.g.

Office Staff / RM # / VM#
Mr. Tim Weber, Principal / 100A / 4000
Mrs. Kathy Harper, Admin. Asst. / 100 / 4050
Mrs. Sally McDaniel, Admin.Asst. / 100 / 4051
Kindergarten / RM # / VM # / Grade Three / RM # / VM #
Mrs. Bonnie Blanck / 128 / 4128 / Mrs. Julie Chancey / 222 / 4222
Mrs. Emily Swallen / 129 / 4129 / Mrs. Doree Hyde / 223 / 4223
Mrs. Amy Rider / 130 / 4130 / Mrs. Tricia Wilson / 224 / 4224
Mrs. Jonelle Bell / 131 / 4131 / Mrs. Melissa Unger / 226 / 4226
Grade One / MES Extra Room / 225 / 4225
Mrs. Stacy Radu / 120 / 4120 / Grade Four
Mrs. Mary DeWitt / 121 / 4121 / Mrs. Angela Young / 212 / 4212
Mrs. Karen Johnson / 122 / 4122 / Mrs. Michelle Marketos / 213 / 4213
Miss Darlene Mason / 123 / 4123 / Mrs. Katie Naegeli / 214 / 4214
Mrs. Megan McKee / 124 / 4124 / Mrs. Brigid Williamson / 215 / 4215
Mrs. Jackie Jansen / 216 / 4216
Grade Two / Educational Assistants
Mrs. Kristina Wanstrath / 202 / 4202 / Mrs. Deanna Benton
Mrs. Tammy Saunders / 203 / 4203 / Mrs. Synda Bernicke
Mrs. Fran Wilson / 204 / 4204 / Mrs. Anya Bird
Mrs. Nicole Prater
Mrs. Jen Walker / 205
206 / 4205
4206 / Mrs. Kathy Dryer
Mrs. Christine Hill
Specials / Mrs. Karen King
Art / Mrs. Beth Ferdinand / 117 / 4117 / Mrs. Susan Kucewicz
Mrs. Jill Lefebvre
Computer/Tech / Mrs. Melissa Fleming / 104 / 4104 / Mrs. Sue Raymore
Gifted / E2 / Dr. Tracy Alley / 106 / 4106 / Mrs. Lina McFarland
Media Center / Mrs. Stephanie Welt / 4500 / Mrs. Melissa Stringer
Media Center Aide / Mrs. Jennie Cunningham / 4500 / Mrs. Suzanne Waters
Medical Aide / Ms. Shari Boys / 101 / 4101
Music / Mrs. Lori Adams / 116 / 4116
Physical Educ / Mrs. Jeanne Gulick / 109 / 4109 / Before & After School Programs
Physical Educ / Mr. Jim Reynolds / 2002 / Champions / 4307 / 4107
Cafeteria Staff
Mrs. Paula Valente / 4111
Remedial Math / Mrs. Ann Kappes / 103D / 4503 / Mrs. Olive James
Remedial Reading / Mrs. Beth Pohlman / 211 / 4211 / School Custodian
Counselor / Miss Chandley Schilderink / 103C / 4303 / Mr. Jack Johnson / 4003
Psychologist / Mrs. Libby Hagen / 103B / 4103 / Pre-School Staff
Director / Mrs. Mary Ann McPherson / 135 / 4135
SLP/Special Ed / Mrs. Barb Pearson / 132 / 4132
Special Educ / Ms. Amy Sprong / 210 / 4210 / Teacher / Mrs. Ann Elis / 134 / 4134
Special Educ / Mrs. Christina Fast / 126 / 4126 / Teacher / Mrs. Amy Hortsman / 136 / 4136
Special Educ / Mrs. Jill Johnston / 208 / 4208 / Teacher / Mrs. Annie Cortez / 137 / 4137
Special Educ / Mrs. Mary Ann McPherson / 135 / 4135 / Teacher’s Aide / Mrs. Cathy Gerard / 134 / 4134
Special Educ / Mrs. Karla Templeton / 209 / 4209 / Teacher’s Aide / Ms. Renu Signh / 134 / 4134
Special Educ / Mrs. Janet McGuire / 220 / 4220 / Teacher’s Aide / Mrs. Amanda Seaman / 136 / 4136
Educ Asst / Bridget Glover / 137 / 4137
Educ Asst / Miss Erica Riblet / 136 / 4136
5 / PTA

PTO Executive Board 2012-2013

(Executive Committee in Bold)

President

Susan Busch

President-Elect(Programs) /

Renee Mattson

Katie Maney / 272-8431
237-3107 /

Art Appreciation /

Peggy Nachtrab

/ 792-9939 /
Beginning Buddies /

Mary Megois

/ 793-3355/793-0157 /
Chess Club
Field Day (lunch) /

Mary Megois

/ 252-3980 /
Foreign Language / Cathy Born /
Mad Science / Ann Ramos / 561-8979 /
Publishing Center / Erika Slusher / 272-1622 /
Roller Skating / Katie Schmitz / 561-4789 /
Science Exploration Day / Jennifer Jung / 259-7860 /
Young Authors / Emily Torborg / 272-1622 /
1st Vice President(Services) /

Heidi Powis

/ 272-1972 /
Buildings and Grounds / Rene Reiber/Jim Cunningham / 791-2034 /
Cafeteria / Ella Schweppe / 791-3459 /
Child Care / Mary Megois / 252-3980 /
Class Pictures / Mechelle Hyatt / 271-7326 /
Caught Eating Healthy / Synda Bernicke / 271-8527 /
Health Screening Coordinator / Jennifer Eberly / 527-4191 /
Hospitality / Lindsay Heitzman / 561-9788 /
Sunshine / Mary Megois / 252-3980 /
Membership / Sheryl Erion / 354-3585 /
Recess Coordinator / Kim Welty / 791-2034 /
Room Parents / Sheryl Erion / 354-3585 /

Teacher Appreciation

/ Christine Finke / 561-4674 /
2nd Vice Pres. (Ways & Means) / Mechelle Hyatt / 271-7326 /
Harvest Festival / Mary Megois/Heidi Powis/
Mechelle Hyatt / 252-3980 /

Kroger Cards
Market Day /

Tisha Bruemmer

/ 272-3745 /
Box Tops
3rd Vice Pres.(Communications) /

Beth Demis

/ 871-6798 /
Publicity / Tim Zack / 793-1644 /
MES Directory / Sheryl Erion / 354-3585 /
Messenger / Sheryl Erion / 354-3585 /
Post Office Coordinator / Cathy Born
Volunteer Coordinator / Mary Megois / 252-3980 /
Yearbook / Tim Zack / 561-9788 /
Treasurer / Amy Hyland / 891-4996 /
Recording Secretary / Tina Isgrig / 321-6655 /
Corresponding Secretary /

Mary Megois

/ 252-3980 /

MES & MCS

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

MES DAILY SCHEDULE
8:50 a.m.School open to students
9:00 a.m.School begins
9:02 a.m. Morning announcements
11:20 a.m. Lunch - 3rd grade
11:30 a.m. Preschool and ½ day Kindergarten dismissed
11:35 a.m. Lunch – 2nd grade
11:50 a.m. Lunch – Preschool and Kindergarten
12:00 p.m. Lunch – 1st grade
12:30 p.m. Lunch – 4th grade
3:20 p.m. Afternoon Announcements
3:25 p.m. Walkers, Car Riders,After School students are dismissed
3:30 p.m.Bus riders are dismissed / Afternoon Session
12:45 p.m.Preschool arrival
1:00 p.m.Kindergarten arrival
3:15 p.m. Preschool dismissed
3:30 p.m. Kindergarten dismissed
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The following dates represent the calendar year:
Quarter 1: August 15 – October 12 (K-4)
Quarter 2: October 15 – December 19 (K-4) / Quarter 3 – January 2 – March 8 (K-4)
Quarter 4 – March 11 – May 23 (K-4)

ATTENDANCE

The Madeira City Schools have a high regard for academic excellence and scholarship. School attendance and time spent in study have a significant relationship to achievement. It is important that good attendance patterns and work habits be established early.

1. Ohio School Law states that it is the responsibility of the parents to assure the regular daily school attendance

of their child/children (ages 6-18) unless absences are a result of the following:

• Personal illness

• Illness in the family

• Death of a relative

• Quarantine

• Observance of religious holidays

• Emergency or set of circumstances judged as sufficient cause by school officials

2. Parents are to notify the school at 985-6080 between 8:00-9:00 a.m. each day if a student is to be absent or tardy.

By law, a school official must contact the parent if the school has not been notiﬁed of a student’s absence.

3. Upon the student’s return to school, parents MUST provide written notiﬁcation, stating the reason for

each absence.

4. Parents are to make note of the school calendar and schedule vacations when school is out of session.

Any interruption in a child’s learning pattern often causes setbacks that are difficult to overcome.

Any child arriving after 10:45 a.m. or leaving two hours before the end of the day may not participate in

any school district related extra-curricular activities on that day.

EXCESSIVE ABSENCE

After four days absence in a quarter the principal will contact the parent(s) to discuss this matter. Excessive absences may be reported to the Hamilton County attendance officer.

TARDINESS

Students who arrive after 9:00 a.m. will be marked tardy. After four tardy arrivals in a quarter, the principal will contact the parent(s). Excessive tardiness may be reported to the Hamilton County attendance officer.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Parents requesting early dismissal should send a note to the classroom teacher atthe start of the school day. Please date these notes and indicate the time and reason for the request. Parents must come to the school ofﬁce to pick up the child. Upon returning to school, students must again report to the ofﬁce. Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments with doctors or dentists after school hours. However, if an appointment must occur during school hours, it should be made as early or as late in the school day as possible.

AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE

Only persons listed on the Emergency Card have authorization to pick up your child from school. Other persons not listed must receive prior authorization via written notification from parents.

BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL

The After School Program is a program operating during the after school hours at MES by Champions and is designed primarily for children who have working parents.The program operates from school dismissal to 6:00 p.m. each day school is in session.The students are served a nutritional snack and are able to choose from a variety of activities including crafts, games, drama, sewing and outside play. A time for completing homework assignments is also provided.

The Early Bird Program is a planned program offering quiet group and/or individual activities from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. for

Children attending MES each morning school is in session. This program is designed for children whose parents work and find it necessary to bring their children to school earlier than 9:00 a.m. each morning. Simple games, sewing and arts and craft projects area available. A light breakfast is served just before dismissal to class. All special programs are tuition funded. Payments are divided over nine months. No taxpayer dollars go to support these programs. Please check our website for additional information.

BICYCLES

Bicycles may be ridden to school and are to be parked in the rack on the side of the school. Pupils riding bicycles are to

get off of them as soon as they reach the sidewalk by school and walk them to the rack .At dismissal, bicycles are not to be ridden until pupils leave the school grounds. Students riding bicycles must cross with the school crossing guard in both the morning and afternoon. Parents should review the safety rules with their children and encourage children to lock their bikes at all times.

BIRTHDAYS

Often children want to celebrate their birthdays by bringing in treats for their classmates. Please contact your child’s teacher ahead of time to make arrangements to bring in one small individually wrapped treat that will be eaten at lunch time, ½ day Preschool and kindergarten classes will serve it mid-session.

It is requested that no birthday invitations be distributed at school. Not only dowe lose valuable educational time, but it can also cause hurt feelings. If addresses are needed, please consult the MES Directory.

BLUE FOLDERS

Every Wednesday students will bring home the blue folder which contains all of the important school related announcements for the week, excluding homeworkassignments. Parents should review this each Wednesday night and return the folder on Thursday with responses as appropriate.

CALENDAR

Please refer to the Madeira School District calendar for dates of upcoming important events. This calendar is also available on the website.

CELL PHONES

Cell phones are not permitted at MES. With permission, students may use school phones if they must make a call.

If you must reach your child please call the office at 985-6080 and to leave them a message.

CUSTODY

The school is required by law to honor all custody agreements decided through legal proceedings. It is imperative that the school be provided with any legal documents pertaining to joint or sole custody rights. School personnel have nolegal means of prohibiting an estranged parent from seeing or picking up a child unless custody information has been provided to the school.

DISCIPLINE

Refer to page 15 for the Code of Conduct

DRESS CODE

School attire should be in good taste and conducive to learning. Clothing that depicts smoking, obscene language or alcohol are inappropriate. Parents will be asked to bring a change of clothing so that the child may return to class. Hair-cut/styles must not disrupt learning (no mohawks, unnatural color or spiking).Clothing must be modest, i.e. shorts/skirts to student’s ﬁngertips, no spaghetti straps or tank tops.

Choose the appropriate clothing for the temperature. Children who do not have warm clothing will be kept indoors on cold days. In the interest of safety, no skate shoes, sandals, slip-ons or dress shoes with hard soles. Crocs MUST have a strap across the heel. Shoes with black soles often leave marks on our floors. Light colored rubber soled shoes are preferred.

EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS

There are four (4) early dismissal days throughout the school year. These days are used for Teacher ProfessionalDevelopment. Adjustments to school times are: 9:00-11:00 a.m. (AM Pre-School and Kindergarten) and

12:00-2:00 p.m. (PM Pre-School and Kindergarten). Dismissal is at 2:00 p.m. for all students.

EMERGENCY DRILLS

Fire, tornado and safety lockdown drills are required by law and are an important safety precaution. It is important when the ﬁrst signal is given that everyone obeys orders and goes to his or her assigned location. The teachers will share this information with students on the ﬁrst day of school. Please re-emphasize the importance ofthese drills with your child.

FEES

A schedule of student fees and method of payment will be provided at the beginning of the school year. Fees are used to cover the cost of consumables (i.e.: workbooks, etc.). Please pay these fees by the end of the ﬁrst week of school. If you are unable to pay the fees by this date, notify the school ofﬁce immediately so that other arrangements can be made.

GRADES AND GRADING (Grades 1-4)

It is the purpose of all marking systems to indicate to the parents and children the level of work achieved at school. The following serves to clarify the grading scale now used in Madeira Schools: