IROQUOIS ELEMENTARY
2016-2017
STUDENT-PARENT HANDBOOK
Principal: Mike Ruth
Lead Teacher: Mary Wienbar
Iroquois School District
111 E Washita Street
Iroquois, SD 57353
605-546-2210
www.iroquois.k12.sd.us
IROQUOIS SCHOOLS
IMAGINE SUCCESS
Table of Contents
PAGE
Welcome from Principal 3
Mission Statement 3
Staff Directory 4
Student Code 5
REGISTATION OF NEW STUDENTS 5
SCHOOL DAY 5
ATTENDANCE 5
WALKING AND RIDING TO AND FROM SCHOOL 6
SCHOOL CLOSINGS 6
LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE DAY 6
VISITORS 6
LOST AND FOUND 6
DRESS CODE 6
CHANGE OF ADDRESS 7
CHILD CUSTODY 7
STUDENT RECORDS 7
LUNCH PROGRAM 7
REGULAR CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION 7
TITLE 1 8
SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM 8
NORTHEAST ED SERVICES COOP 8
CHILD FIND 8
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE TRIPS 8
VOLUNTEERS 9
HOMEWORK 9
COMMUNICATION METHODS 9
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES 9
PTO 9
REPORT CARDS 9
FUNDRAISERS 9
GENERAL SCHOOL RULES 9
CONDUCT IN HALLS 10
LUNCHROOM EXPECTATIONS 10
RECESS 10
BEHAVIOR AT SCHOOL EVENTS 10
TELEPHONES 10
PETS IN SCHOOL 10
INTERVIEWS 11
MEDICAL GUIDELINES 11
FIRE AND TORNADO INFORMATION 11
BUS EVACUATIONS 11
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR BUS RIDING 11
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION REPORT 12
BULLYING 13
HARASSMENT 14
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION 15
ACCESSIBILITY CONTINGENCY PLAN 15
FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT 15
IROQUOIS SCHOOL DISTRICT COMPLAINT FOR
FEDERAL PROGRAMS 16
Welcome to Iroquois School District!!
On behalf of all the staff of the Iroquois School District, I would like to welcome you to our school. The foundations for your child’s education begin here. The keys to a great education occur when all the people involved in your child’s life work together. We cannot maximize your child’s learning without your help and involvement. The staff of the Iroquois School District are dedicated to development of a well rounded education centered on social, physical and mental aspect of your student learning. Communication is the foundation for good relationships. We want you to know that we want to hear your questions, concerns, and any problems related to your child’s education or with the school in general. The Iroquois Elementary Handbook is a tool used to help keep everyone working toward a safe, positive, caring learning environment for all. If you have any questions or need assistance please contact me. The number for the Iroquois School District is (605) 546-2210 and my extension is 102. Let’s have a GREAT 2016-2017 school year. GO CHIEFS!!
Mike Ruth – PK-5 Principal
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Iroquois School System is to provide a positive growth and learning experience for the children of this community in a safe, caring and consistent atmosphere, with due consideration being made to the rural culture and history in both the construction of the curriculum and our teaching practices. Our human material resources are totally dedicated in preparing our students for meaningful adult experiences by stressing physical, emotional, academic and social development.
IROQUOIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STAFF
ADMINISTRATION
Superintendent - Mike Ruth Ext. 102
Lead Teacher - Mary Wienbar Ext. 147
Technology Coord. - Bob Ninas Ext. 124
Business Manager - Jill Cundy Ext. 101
Office Assistant - Marlys Peskey Ext. 104
6-12 Principal - Rick Soma Ext. 103
SUPPORT STAFF
Special Education - Mary Wienbar Ext. 140
Title Coordinator - Carol Eckmann Ext. 140
Vicki Dant - Reading Recovery Ext. 113
Speech/Language - Angel Dubro Ext. 139
Counselor - Dan Kennedy Ext. 109
Paras - Heidi Stroud Janet Ninas
Jan Bowes Jodi Burma
TEACHING STAFF
PreK - Becky Albrecht Ext. 141
K - Jessica Eckmann Ext. 133
1st - Michele Bornitz Ext. 135
2nd - Bobbi Verhey Ext. 134
3rd - Jeannie Miller Ext. 127
4th - Sara Heffner Ext. 137
5th - Tom McPhail Ext. 136
K-5 PE - Jesse Rounds Ext. 130
K-5 Vocal Teresa Decker Ext. 117
5th Grade Band - Darold Rounds Ext. 117
Student Code
Iroquois elementary has adopted the six pillars of Character Counts to govern student behavior. We urge the Iroquois Public School Student Body to continue to give this code careful consideration. It is then quite likely that criticism and corrective disciplinary measures can be kept to a minimum.
Registration of new students
All new students must register at the principal’s office.
Birth Certificate – South Dakota Law requires that every parent/guardian provides a State certified copy of the child’s birth certificate at the time of enrollment.
Immunization – South Dakota Law requires that any student entered in school for the first time be immunized, or be in the process prior to admission.
School day
Students are directed upon entering the school to go directly to the designated area. School begins at 8:30 A.M. and all students are expected to be in their classroom at that time or they will be counted tardy. Bus students may enter the building when buses arrive. Dismissal time for grades PreK-5 is 3:50 P.M. All students will wait in an orderly and quiet manner in the designated area, depending upon the weather. Students will leave on the bus by 4:00 P.M. If you are picking up your child after school, please park where it will not interfere with the buses. No vehicle is to cross the road closed signs. Designated parking is in front of the north gym, Methodist Church, and in the south parking lot.
Attendance
If your child is going to be absent from school, please contact the school by 8:30 A.M. If we do not hear from you, we will attempt to call you at home or work to make sure your child is safe. Students are expected to be in school, except in cases of emergency, illness or school approved absences.
1. If a student arrives after 8:30 am and prior to 9:00 am, the student will be marked as tardy,
2. Absences will be marked as follows:
a. 8:30-10:00 am = ¼ day
b. 10:00 – 12:00 noon = ¼ day
c. 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm = ¼ day
d. 2:00 pm – 3:50 pm = ¼ day
Steps to follow when absent:
1. Parents should call the school by 8:30 A.M. on the day the student misses or send a note to the school prior to the
day the student will be absent, stating the reason for the upcoming absence. For all appointments (dr. dentist, ortho., etc), a written notice from the doctor is needed.
2. If your child has a contagious condition, please inform the office. The Iroquois school district will follow the
regulations of the SD Dept of Health for admission to school. Please reference the following for additional information: http://doh.sd.gov/diseases/assets/SchoolExclusion.pdf.
3. Prior notice of an absence should be given to the teacher to allow for assignments to be arranged
Walking and riding to and from school
Students may ride bicycles to school, and should park them on the north side of the building in the bike rack for the day. No riding is permitted during the school day. Please discuss with your child the safest route home to avoid after school traffic.
School closing
If it is necessary to close the school due to inclement weather or a calendar change, an announcement will be made over local news stations (TV and Radio), Iroquois 411 app, and School Messenger. Regular school dismissal procedures will be followed unless otherwise directed by parents. Please use your own judgment in keeping your children home if you feel weather conditions are too severe to send them to school and notify the school that your child will be home.
Leaving school during the day
For reasons of student safety, no child will be permitted to leave school at any time during school hours with the exception of those students going home for lunch. Parents need to send a note to the school, giving their child permission to go home for lunch. It will be kept in the students file for the school year. Parents who desire to have their child dismissed during school hours should send a note of explanation before the dismissal. Students should be picked up in the secretary’s office. They will be released only to parents, guardians, or other authorized persons.
Check Out Procedure
1. If a student leaves during the school day, parents or guardians must check him/her out in the office.
2. Parents or guardians must notify the office of who will be checking your child out.
3. This person(s) will be responsible for checking into the office and the child will then be summoned to the office.
4. Please do not go directly to the classroom.
Visitors
All visitors will need to check in at the office.
Lost and found
Lost and found articles are kept at the elementary school library/office and are available for inspection. Most lost articles could be eliminated if all items worn or brought to school were plainly and indelibly marked with the child’s name. Articles left in school at the end of the school year and not re-claimed will be donated or disposed.
Dress Code
Dress your student(s) in a fashion suited to the classroom and playground, keeping in mind the weather at the time. Students will be required to groom themselves and dress in such a manner as not to interfere with the rights of others. Every student is encouraged to take pride in his/her appearance. Clothing that in any way is offensive is not permitted in school.
Change of address
If you change your address or telephone number during the school year, the change should be reported to the office immediately. If you are moving out of the school district, the school should be notified in advance in order for the school to prepare the proper transfer records and your student’s supplies can be collected.
Child custody
If you have a court order that limits the right of one parent in matters such as custody or visitation, please bring a copy to the office. Upon request, items such as newsletters and report cards can be mailed to both parents.
Student records
A cumulative record file is kept for each student showing his/her educational progress. Parents may view the file upon request. A release form must be filled out before records can be sent on to a new school when students move.
Lunch program
Our school provides excellent, well-balanced meals for our students. Appropriate behavior in the lunchroom is expected. They may bring their own healthy lunch if they so prefer but they will eat in the lunchroom with the rest of the students. Pop is not permitted due to federal regulations. In addition to the school lunch program the Iroquois School has again received funding for the Fresh Fruits and Vegetable program which supplies fruits and vegetables to students PreK-5. Lunches should be purchased on a monthly basis.
Price for Meals
Adult $3.70
MS/HS $3.10
Elem $2.60
Reduced .40
The Iroquois School District participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) which is designed to help parents and guardians who are struggling financially, homeless, or have recently become unemployed. Determinations for free or reduced meals are determined by guidelines set forth within the program. To see if qualify please pick up a form at the school office. All information is kept confidential.
The following policy was adopted by the Iroquois School Board:
A student may charge the meals he/she eats for a period of one month. At the end of each month all students must pay for their meals in full. If they do not, they will be required to pay for meals in advance. Meals not used in a given month are always forwarded to the following month.
Regular classroom instruction
The Iroquois Elementary School consists of PreK-5th grade. The classrooms are self-contained to the extent that each grade has an instructor that teaches core subjects in that room. Instruction is based on South Dakota State Standards.
Science, Health, Social Studies, Language Arts and Math:
All are taught for varying lengths of time, depending on grade level. The curriculum is reviewed and selected on a regular basis. Every effort is made to assure that material is current and relevant.
Reading:
Students are placed at their instructional level established by district assessments.
Music:
All students have vocal music on a regularly scheduled basis. Instrumental lessons begin in the 5th Grade for students who may be interested in learning to play an instrument. Elementary Band is open to 5th Grade students who have reached a proficiency level as determined by the band instructor.
Physical Education (P.E.):
Students have a physical education class on a regularly scheduled basis. If the student must miss class for an extended period of days, a doctor’s excuse will need to be obtained. At all other times, the child’s classroom teacher, P.E. teacher, and principal will determine whether or not a student is to be excused from class on a given day.
Art:
All students will receive art instruction from their classroom teacher. The purpose of the art class is to expose children to a variety of artistic experiences and to develop creative expression.
Technology
The elementary mobile labs contain chromebooks designed to help students PreK – 5 learn the basics operations of computers. Students familiarize themselves with the computer through educational games and the other instructional programs found on the computer. Each classroom is equipped with smartboard technology to enhance the curriculum.
Title 1 Program
Title 1 is a federally-funded program for children who need help in the area of math and reading. It is a supplementary program and therefore does not take the place of any subject. Title 1 is directed by a certified teacher. It is designed to reinforce the skills being taught in the classroom. All parents of Title 1 eligible students will be notified. A teacher or a parent may refer their child to Title if they believe that they may benefit from the program. The Title I program staff also includes a certified Reading Recovery teacher.