MARION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK FOR 2017-2018
Order of Organization Page Number
TABLE OF CONTENTS 0-1
MARION ELEMENTARY STAFF 2
SCHOOL ADDRESS AND OFFICE HOURS 3
PRINCIPAL WELCOME 4
MES VISION STATEMENT 5
GENERAL INFORMATION Pages 6-11
Facilities
School Day
Dismissal
Parking
Entrance Age
Attendance Policy
Breakfast, Lunch, & Milk Information
Immunizations & Health Assessments
Medical Appointments
Student Withdrawal
School Visitors
Outside Activities
AlertNow
Severe Weather
Crisis Plan for MES
Evacuation Procedure for Disabled Students
Emergency Safety Interventions (ESI)
Birthday Treats
Errands/Trips
Items from Home (including CELL PHONES)
Lockers
Recess Guidelines
Gifts to Staff Members
Gifts to Students
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Pages 12-14
Grades/Progress Reports
Grading Scales
Promotion & Retention
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Make-up Work/Detention
Homework Assistance
Assemblies
Curriculum/Daily Programs
Special Education
Extended Learning Program
Title I Program
P.E./Health
Art/Band/Vocal Music
Parents As Teachers
Head Start
Enrichment Activities
Grade Levels
GUIDELINES AND RULES Pages 14-20
School-Wide Management System
Possession of Weapons
Student Searches Policy
No Smoking Policy
Hotline Number
Drug Dog
Severe Discipline Problems
Anti-Bullying Policy
Alcohol, Drug, and Tobacco Policy
Sexual Harassment
Gum/Candy
Pets/Wild Animals
Computer Use and Security Policy
Lost or Damaged Property
School Supplies
Telephone
Bicycles
Scooters and Skateboards
Dress Code
TRANSPORTATION Page 20
Transportation to School
School Bus Discipline
STUDENT SERVICES Page 20
Lost & Found
Student Illness/Medication
Head Lice Policy
MISCELLANEOUS Page 20-23
Communication Channels
Planners/Nicky Folders
Newsletter
Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
MESBIT
Social Events
Volunteers
Study Trips
Student Directory Information
Notice of Non-Discrimination
1
MARION ELEMENTARY CERTIFIED STAFF
2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR
Principal: Justin Wasmuth, BS, Bethel College, MS, Fort Hays State University
Kindergarten: Jessica Ensley, BS, Kansas State University
Katie Rahe, BS, Fort Hays State University
Debbie Allen, BS, Bethel College/Tabor College
First Grade: Michelle Flaming, BS, McPherson College, MS, Kansas State University
Emily Overton, BS, Friends University
Rebecca Hofer, BA, Tabor College
Second Grade: Susan Hall, BS, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, MS, Wichita State University
Staci Hansen, BS, Fort Hays State University
Third Grade: Shannon Cooper, BSE, Emporia State University
Sarah Tolessa, MA, MS, Wichita State University
Fourth Grade: Charlotte Waner, BSE, Emporia State University
Sheila Baldwin, BS, Panhandle State University, MS, Wichita State University
Fifth Grade: Tina Hague, BA, Tabor College
Tyler McMichael, BS, Midland University
P. E./Health: Nicki Case, BA, Tabor College
Vocal Music: Tomas Lambotte, B.A., Kansas State University
K-2 Vocal/Band: Dmitry Bucklin, BS, Bethel College
Title I: Lisa Wesner, BS, Sterling College
Interrelated: Denise May, BS, MS, Emporia State University
Tara Allen, BS, Tabor College
Marla Sheppard, BS, Fort Hays State University
Sue Buchholz, BA, Whitworth College
School Psychologist: Jared Browning
Speech/Language: Angie Duerksen,
Counselor: Kris Burkholder, BA, New Mexico State University, MS, Emporia State
University
CLASSIFIED STAFF
Secretary: Deb Shipman Nurse: Jana Nordquist
Media Aide: Lori Kirkpatrick
Food Service: Jeanie Mierowsky Custodians: Julie Crayton
Sarah Steinle Greta Smith
Laura Becker Nancy Edmunds
Laura Becker
Title I Aides: Laurie Secrest Cindy Vinduska
Teacher Aides: Linda Skiles Becky Peterson
Lori Kirkpatrick Pam Jones Janice Waner
Para Educators: Rita Bartel Robin Arocha Lillian Martens
Jessica Reed Nikki Riggs Cheyenne Jeffery
Caprice Doyle Jayme Becker Bri Doyle
Heather Doyle Deb Gillette Cassidy Becker
LaNae Clevenger Kylie Hoffman
2
MARION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ADDRESS AND OFFICE HOURS
The school address is: Marion Elementary School
1400 East Lawrence Street
Marion, Kansas 66861
Telephone: (620) 382-3771
1-800-498-2014
Fax: (620) 382-6012
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
July 31-June 1st
3 GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS @ MES
1. BE RESPECTFUL!
2. BE RESPONSIBLE!
3. DO YOUR BEST!
3
MES….
Welcome to Marion Elementary School 2017-2018
Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,
Welcome to Marion Elementary! Another school year is here for us to be the best school we can be with the enthusiasm and focus we have to achieve anything. Because of the high standards set every year, we have a faculty and staff that are second to none and are here for the students and the success of the school.
Our goal as a school is to provide a positive learning environment while giving each child the opportunities to succeed in and around the school on a daily basis. With support in the classroom, as well as in the home, each student has the comfort in knowing that all the effort given to that child will be beneficial in the life of the student in a positive way. With all of us together, we will achieve high goals for each student at MES.
With what is sure to be a great school year coming, the handbook will give you an idea as to what is asked of the students, rules and guidelines of the school, and other topics concerning MES and the district. All this information and other information throughout the school year can also be found on our website at http://www.usd408.com.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child or the school. The faculty and staff here at Marion Elementary are excited to start a wonderful year that is sure to be another successful and memorable one!
Sincerely,
Mr. Justin Wasmuth
4
Marion elementary
Vision Statement
At Marion Elementary, we envision our school will:
** Create a lifelong learning atmosphere where every decision and
practice is based on what is best for students to foster individual
student success.
** Provide a physically and emotionally safe learning environment.
** Be a place where diversity is valued. Partnerships with families and
community involvement are encouraged to interact positively to
support each other.
** Facilitate the development of technologically literate and
globally-minded people.
** Assist students in reaching their full learning potential through the
use of creative expression, critical thinking, problem-solving, and
informed choices.
** Be a place where students and staff communicate effectively and
work cooperatively by demonstrating respect toward themselves
and others regardless of differences.
** Enable each of our students to achieve high levels of academic
performance.
5
GENERAL INFORMATION
U.S.D. 408 Marion-Florence School District consists of three centers: Marion Elementary School, serving grades Kindergarten through 5, Marion Middle School for Grades 6-8, and Marion High School, Grades 9-12, all located in Marion. This is a 3A district with an enrollment of about 500 students. Marion Elementary is home to about 225 students. Students come from the towns of Marion and Florence, the Marion County Lake and Reservoir, and from rural areas. Out of district students may apply by letter to be accepted into the district.
FACILITIES
Marion Elementary has three classroom wings, one built in the early 1960's, one in 1992, and a new wing, which was completed in 1998. The school has 13 regular classrooms, 4 special education classrooms, a vocal music room, a band room, a library, a multi-purpose room/cafeteria, a gym built in 1993 and a computer lab. Additional rooms are used for counseling, speech, occupational therapy and Title I. Hot breakfasts and lunches are prepared at this school. Extensive playground equipment is available.
This is a 3A district with an enrollment of about 500 students. Marion Elementary is home to about 260 students. Also, located directly across from MES is the district’s new sports complex including a 2000 seat gymnasium, walking track, indoor aquatics facility, wrestling room, and an F-5 certified FEMA Storm Shelter.
SCHOOL DAY
Children should arrive at school NO EARLIER THAN 7:45 A.M. The school will not be open before that time. Supervision will begin at 7:45, at which the time the doors will be unlocked. Parents should make arrangements for before school care if they cannot keep their children that long. The school breakfast program begins at 7:45 a.m. Serving ends at 8:15 a.m.
Each day will begin with an all school assembly in the gym at 8:15 a.m. Students will be dismissed to their classrooms at 8:25 a.m. Classes will conclude at 3:35 p.m.
DISMISSAL
Bus riders will be dismissed as soon as the buses arrive or at approximately 3:35 p.m. Walkers will also be dismissed at 3:35 p.m. All students riding in vehicles will exit from the north side of the building. All bike riders and walkers will exit from the southwest side of the building. We would appreciate your cooperation with this safety issue.
PARKING
Pull in parking is available on the north side of the school building on Denver Street. Parents are asked to pick up children there. Cars should not pull into the employee parking lot to pick up or drop off children at any time between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. This creates a hazard because children start walking all over the parking lot, instead of staying on the sidewalks. The only exception is for parents of handicapped children who need to use the accessible parking spot. Parking on the south (front) side of the building at dismissal is limited and creates hazardous conditions for our students. Please use the Denver Street parking.
Parking in the center drive is prohibited between 7:45-8:25 a.m. and 3:15-3:45 p.m. due to bus loading and unloading.
ENTRANCE AGE
The entrance age for students is as follows:
Kindergarten - must be 5 years old on or before August 31st of the
new school year;
First Grade - must be 6 years old on or before August 31st of the
new school year, or have completed Kindergarten.
6
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Our goal is to have every child in attendance every day. Homework can be made up, but lost instruction time with a certified teacher cannot. If your child is ill, please call the MES Office at 620-382-3771 before 9:00 a.m. the day of the absence. Absences for other reasons will be excused at the discretion of the Principal. It is your responsibility to contact the school when your child is not in attendance every day. If the school is not notified of an absence by noon of that day, the absence will be recorded as unexcused. Any child who is absent for an accumulated time of one hour during a school day will receive a ½ day absence.
Any student who is not at school by noon will not be able to attend/participate in any activities in the district that are occurring that day.
According to Kansas Statute 72-1113 a child is considered truant if that child is “inexcusably absent from school either three consecutive days, or five days in any semester, or seven days in any school year.” The school is legally bound to report any student truancy to either juvenile services or the county attorney.
Seven excused absences will be accepted per semester. After seven excused absences during a semester, subsequent absences may only be excused by either providing a written doctor’s note excusing a student or by the Principal’s approval.
Children will be tardy after 8:25 a.m. Continuous and/or excessive tardies will be addressed by the Principal. Missed school time may need to be made up either before or after regular school hours.
The removal of Marion Elementary Students from school must be done by a parent or by arrangements approved by the Principal. Please do not go to the classroom to pick up or drop off your child without first checking in at the MES Office to officially sign your child in or out of school. Thank you so much for your cooperation! We want school to be safe and well attended. Good school attendance leads to successful learning.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Breakfast and lunch are served daily. Breakfast is served from 7:45 to 8:15 a.m. Bus children are served as soon as they arrive. There are three lunch shifts beginning at or after 11:00 a.m. Lunch is closed. Students will not be permitted to leave the school grounds for lunch unless accompanied by a parent. The school office should be notified before 9:00 a.m. if an adult wishes to eat at school that day. For a holiday meal, the office needs to know by the preceding Friday.
BREAKFAST, LUNCH & MILK ACCOUNTING
USD 408 uses a computerized meal accounting system. Families have a “family account” that will hold all the money for their children, no matter what building they attend. Parents can send one check to deposit in their account and all their children will draw from that one account. Parents will be notified when their child’s account is running low. Extra milk is available once a day to students. Milk money is handled separately from the family meal account. When your child needs to bring milk money he/she will be given a note by his/her teacher. NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN ON EITHER MILK OR MEALS.
IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTH ASSESSMENTS
According to Kansas House Bill #2695, all Kindergarten Students, students enrolling for the first time, and students transferring to Kansas Schools from another state, must have a health assessment before school starts. These health assessments are given at the Marion County Health Department and physicians’ offices. Forms are available at these offices as well as the Marion Elementary School Office. Students attending the schools of this district are required to be immunized according to Kansas Guidelines.
In lieu of the requirement above, a parent may present certification from a licensed physician that the physical condition of the child is such that the immunizations would seriously endanger the life or health of the child, or a written statement signed by a parent that such child is an adherent of a religious denomination whose religious teachings are opposed to such immunizations.
Students not complying with these provisions shall be refused admittance to classes and this policy shall then be enforced through the Secretary of Health and Environment for the state of Kansas.
7
MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS
Medical and dental appointments should be made after school hours or on Saturdays if possible.
STUDENT WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL
Please notify the school office several days ahead of your scheduled move so that we can prepare any refunds. Library books and textbooks should be returned before withdrawal. Records will be sent to the new school upon their request.
SCHOOL VISITORS
We welcome and encourage visits by parents or patrons at Marion Elementary School. As a consideration to school personnel, we would appreciate it if those who are interested in visiting would please contact the school office or the classroom teacher beforehand. Also, please refrain from bringing preschoolers or toddlers in order to avoid distractions in the classroom.