Student
Handbook
2008-2009
Developed in cooperation between
Meadowdale Elementary and the Meadowdale Parent Booster Club
Dan Davis, Principal
Michelle Reitan,
MDE Booster Club President
MDE Booster Club: (425) 431-7310, x1695#
Please refer to the Table of Contents to find the information you need
Table of Contents
Welcome to
Meadowdale! Basic information about our
school
From the Principal 1
Parents can help 2
Meadowdale Staff List 4/5
Meadowdale Booster Club
Board and Committees 5
Special Section: EMERGENCY INFORMATION 6/7
•Power Failure Page
•Inclement Weather
•Earthquake
General Information for
Meadowdale Families, A-Z
•Arrivals and Dismissals 8
•Absences, Tardies/Late Arrivals 8/9
• Bike Riding, Scootering, and Rollerblading to and from School 9
• Bus Transportation 10
•Cell Phone Policy 11
• Community
Service—“Jobs” Program 11
• Communication Process—
•Daily Schedule 13
•Discipline Policy 13-15
•Dress Code 16
•Drug and Alcohol
Use—District Policy 17
•Electronic and
Listening Devices 17
•Equal Educational
•Gum Chewing--“No Gum”
Policy 18
•Gun and Weapon Free Zone 18
•Harassment,
Intimidation or Bullying 19
•Hats 19
•Health Information 19
•Internet Use Policy 20
•Medication Given at
School 20
•Notification of Threats of
Violence or Harm 21
•Patrolled Crosswalks at MDE 21
•Personal Belongings at
School 21
•Pesticide Use 22
•Pick Up/Drop Off of
Students 22
•School Lunch
Information 23
•Sexual Harassment
Policy--District Policy 24-25
•Special Education 25
•Student Placement 25
•Transferring or
Withdrawing from School 26
•Visiting Meadowdale 26
•Volunteering at
Meadowdale 26
•Walking to School 27
From the Principal
Dear
Parent,
Welcome
to the 2008-2009 school year at Meadowdale!
We look forward to working with you and your child this year.
Your
active involvement in your child’s education is encouraged. We greatly appreciate your help in support of
learning. Please assist us by reading
through this guide and by going over the relevant parts with your child. It
is recommended that you keep this book in a convenient place for reference
throughout this year.
Feel
free to call or come in at any time if there is anything you wish to
discuss. And, if you have some time,
we’d love to have you volunteer. Just
let us know of your interests. We want
Meadowdale to be your school.
Sincerely,
Dan
Davis
Principal,
Meadowdale Elementary Mission Statement
•The staff of
•We will provide students with
instruction that will allow them to reach their fullest potential.
•Our entire staff is dedicated to
promoting professional growth and working collectively as a staff and community
to provide the best education possible.
1
Parents can help. . .
Meadowdale parents and
school staff are partners in providing the best education for students. Your help is greatly appreciated!
1. Help
your child learn at home.
•Make sure that your
child has his/her own place to study at home, equipped with school
supplies.
•Work with your child on
a regular basis to make sure homework assignments are done to classroom
expectations.
•Help your child
establish a reading habit at home.
2. Help
your child be a successful, responsible school citizen.
•Go
over Meadowdale’s school behavioral expectations with
your child.
•Acknowledge your
child’s successes and positive achievements.
•Help him/her learn from
mistakes.
3. Help
us keep accurate school records.
•Please
call the school when your child is ill, and send a note when he/she
returns.
•It also helps to
promptly return all forms sent home for signature.
4. Help
us keep your child safe to and from school.
•Instruct
children to go directly by the route established at the beginning of the year,
to and from bus stop pick-up/drop-off points.
•If your child is a bus
rider and is to go to an after-school destination other than home, he/she must
have a signed parent note. This includes
if you are picking up instead of having the child ride the bus.
•Prepare your children
for the possibility of emergency school closure by having places for them to go
if you are not able to reach home, and make sure that they are aware of
procedures.
5. Help
prevent lost clothing, lunches, and student materials.
•Plainly mark all
articles of clothing, lunch pails, and school supplies with first and last
names.
•In addition, for
students riding the bus, the letters “MDE” next to names will help bus drivers
return items to the right school.
6. Work
together with the Meadowdale school staff to make your child’s learning
experience a happy and productive one.
•Feel free to ask
questions or raise concerns.
•Make the staff aware of
any problems that you see at home that could affect learning.
2
3
Meadowdale Staff List, 2006-2007
Classroom Staff Grade Room
Becky Hulbert Full Time Kindergarten Room 126
Kathy Batson PM Kindergarten Room 122
Jennifer Martin Primary Intensive Support Room 125
Janelle Vail Intermediate Intensive
Support Room 226
Jennifer Ekstrom Grade
1 Room 123
Shannon Morehouse Grade 1 Room 123
Carole Saysanith Grade 1 Room 124
Ellen Barber Grade 1 Room
101
Alice Anderson Grade 2 Room
105
Connie Capelle Grade 2 Room
106
Gina Knuth Grade 2/3 Room
103
Rachel Cook Grade 3 Room
102
Melanie Tait Grade
3/4 Room 104
Lori Bell Grade 4 Room 203
Krista Rios Grade 4 Room
204
Janet Dickson Grade 5 Room
221
Shaun Kerins Grade 5 Room
222
Brian Monroe-Jones Grade 5/6 Room 225
Tiffany Hall Grade 6 Room
224
Certificated Specialists Subject Room
Susan Davison PE Gym
Marianne Costello Library/Technology Library
Teresa Catford General Music Music Rm
Ian Alvarez Band Commons
Ed Dominguez Band Commons
Myrnie Van Kempen Orchestra MDM
Certificated Support Services Staff
Nicole Hill Pri. Learning Support Room 206
Tara Slinn Int.
Learning Support Room 205
Donna Gregoire Gr. 2-3 Enhancement Room
107
Molly Bright Counselor/Psychologist Office
Mary Webb SLP Office
Jocelyn Bentz SLP (Mondays) Office
Jeanne Johnson School Nurse (Tuesdays) Office
Nancy Edwards OT/PT Room 121
Marla Timm OT/PT Room 121
Kathy Vernon OT/PT Room 121
4
Classified Staff
Educational Assistants Subject Room
Jan Gunn Primary IS Room 125
Debbie Lundberg Primary IS Room 125
Julie Wynar Primary IS Room 125
Jean Effertz Intermediate IS Room 125
Debbie Walton Intermediate IS Room 226
Terry Smith Learning Support (ELL)
Room 201
Nancy Barker Learning
Support Room 201
Kim Larson Learning Support Room 202
Louise Fish Learning Support Room 206
Cindy Roesler Learning
Support Room 202
Jola Stephenson Learning Support Room 202
Maureen Russell Intervention Room Stage
Kim Blanchard Lunchroom/Lib/Kind Room 126
Office Staff
Amy Holmes—Office
Manager
Wendy McKerney—Office
Assistant
Custodial Staff
Linda Marshall—Day
Custodian
Adrian McCulloch—Night
Custodian
Food Services Staff
Debbie Curl
Gaylynn Horton
Meadowdale Booster Club Leadership Team
2008-2009 Officers
Michelle Reitan
- President
Michelle Parker - Vice President
Susan Tameishi
– Vice President
Sabrina Connaughton
– Vice President
Erin Cullen - Secretary
Kathy Holzschuh, - Treasurer
Laurel Callan
- Historian
•To learn more, call
Michelle Reitan c/o Meadowdale at (425) 431-7310,
x1695#, or mdeparentclub@yahoo.com
Meadowdale Booster Club Committees
•
•Emergency Preparedness •Fundraising •Family Nights
•”Monster Mash” Sock Hop •Book Fair •Families in Need
5
Special Section: EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Emergencies at School Inclement Weather,
Earthquake, Power Failure
The
We are asking for the
help of all parents. Please take the
time to review these important items aimed at keeping our children safe in the
event of an emergency or disaster, such as ice/snow,
windstorm or earthquake.
In case of snow or other inclement weather,
listen/watch radio or TV stations. Announcements will be made from 6-8 am.
School Closures Due to Snow or Inclement Weather
Parents should
immediately tune in to local radio or TV station if they suspect that school
closures may result from snow or other inclement weather.
Radio and TV
announcements will be as follows:
"
All schools will be
closed for the day. All meetings, field
trips, after-school activities, etc., will be canceled for the day.
If there is no mention of “
Limited Bus Transportation
If radio/TV announces:
“
Buses operate on
emergency routes under snow and ice conditions.
Drivers will inform families about emergency route changes after the
school year begins.
6
Late Start of School Due to Snow or Inclement
Weather
News about delayed
starts will also be on the radio, internet and TV. Listen carefully for the exact times. A
delayed-start day at Meadowdale will begin at 10:40 am. Dismissal time will remain at 3:10 pm.
When school and bus
transportation are delayed because of weather, our schools will be open at the
regular time. If you can drive your
child to school safely, he/she will find welcoming faces and warmth there:
--Report to main office to check in.
--Office staff will take student to their classroom
or waiting area where there will be supervised activities.
--Regular attendance will be taken at 10:40 am start
time for the regular educational program.
Emergency Information Forms
At the beginning of each
school year, your child will bring home an Emergency Information Form for you
to complete. Please fill out and return
the form promptly, updating the health information and giving addresses and
telephone numbers where you can be reached in the event of your child’s illness
or injury at school.
Reliable alternate phone
numbers (i.e., neighbor or relative who could transport or keep your child in
case of illness or injury) are also needed in case you cannot be reached.
Please notify the school
if you have a change of address or phone number at work or at home.
Communication with Parents during an Emergency
In the event of an
emergency or disaster, information on school schedules and student release
times will be transmitted by radio/TV. Parent phone trees will not be used. This is due to the unreliability of
phones during an emergency and the inability to contact working parents.
Calling the school is not advised. Please keep in mind that the school building has
only three phone lines. We will need to
keep our telephone lines clear for communication with the school district and
emergency services.
Three Ways Parents Can Prepare Students for
Emergency Situations
1. Please keep an up-to-date list of those
adults designated to pick up your children during an emergency. School staff will not release children to people not on the list. This information is kept in the school
office.
2. Develop a "Family Action Plan" so
that your child knows who will pick her/him up in the event of an emergency
early dismissal. Parents should arrange
for an alternate place for their child to go (neighbor or relative) in case of
an early dismissal.
3. Develop clear safety instructions for your child if they reach home before you do. Instructions might include avoiding possible household hazards, what to do in case of power failure, and proper ways to deal with strangers.
7
General Information for Meadowdale
Families
Arrival and Dismissal
Students should arrive at school no earlier than 8:20
AM. Students should enter the school
property via sidewalks and crosswalks monitored by student patrols. No students should cross the parking lot driveways
outside marked crosswalks or jaywalk on any street surrounding the school.
Upon arrival, students should immediately proceed to
their designated gathering area and line up quietly. Students should not loiter anywhere else on
school grounds or outside the property.
Designated classes enter the commons, and sit down at a lunch table and
talk quietly until picked up by the teacher.
While waiting, students should stand in line, and may talk quietly. No playing in the courtyard or playground is
allowed during this time.
Dismissal
Students should leave for home promptly at 3:10 PM
dismissal, and not loiter on the property.
Dismissal routes should include sidewalks and crosswalks monitored by
student patrols. No students should
cross parking lot driveways outside marked crosswalks or jaywalk on any street
surrounding the school. Students and
parents should be aware that school
conduct rules apply until children reach their homes.
Absences, Tardies/Late
Arrivals
According to
•Illness •Medical or dental
appointment •Family emergency
•School-related activity •Prearranged absence/late arrival/early
dismissal
•Religious observance with principal’s permission
Verification of student
absences/tardies with a note helps us check on
truancy and communicable disease trends.
Upon a student’s return to school, parents/guardians are required to
send a note for each separate absence.
The note should include the date or dates of absence, reason, and
parent/guardian signature.
Consistent with WAC
180-40-010, all students will attend and be punctual at regularly scheduled
classes unless officially excused. The school/district is required to:
1.
Schedule a
conference with parents after the second unexcused absence/truancy or tenth
tardy in a school year.
2.
File a petition
with the county court after the 7th unexcused absence in a month or
10th unexcused absence in a year. (May file earlier.)
3.
Report to the
court additional absences that occur after the first referral.
Please call the
8
Tardies
Recommended arrival time for students is 8:20 am. Students arriving at school after 8:40 am must check at the Office before going to class. Students who are tardy without parental
excuse will be required to compensate time at their recesses. All tardies are
considered unexcused (even with parental note) unless they are for
reasons allowed for by
Under our attendance
policy, three tardies will be the equivalent
of one unexcused absence and will be reported to the district as such.
Early Dismissal Procedure
If a student needs to be
dismissed early for the above reasons, the request should be made in writing or
a call to the school office, preferably the day before the scheduled early
dismissal.
For safety reasons, a parent/guardian, or an adult that the
parent/guardian has designated on school records must sign out all students
leaving before regular dismissal time.
No student will be allowed to leave without an adult before dismissal
time.
Bike
Riding, Scootering and Rollerblading to and from
School
1. Grades 4-6
students are allowed to ride bicycles or scooters to school. All bike and scooter riders must have a
signed permission slip on file with the office.
2. All bike and
scooter riders must possess and wear a bike helmet in order to have the
privilege to ride to and from school. As
well, they must have a bike lock.
3. Bike and
scooter riders must dismount when they reach the sidewalk in front of the
school building, and walk their bikes at all times. Riders should walk their bikes on the sidewalk
surrounding the building and proceed to the bus entrance on
4. At dismissal,
bike and scooter riders must walk until they leave the sidewalk in front of the
school. They are to exit out of the
5. Rollerblading
to school is permitted. All rollerbladers must possess and wear a helmet in order to
have the privilege to ride to and from school.
6. Rollerbladers
should find the nearest appropriate place to change to regular shoes as soon as
they enter the school grounds. Upon
dismissal, rollerbladers will put on skates in an appropriate
covered location. Other than entering or
leaving the school grounds, there is no rollerblading allowed at school.
9
Bus Transportation
School bus
transportation is available for students attending Meadowdale living within a
certain distance from the school. Please
make sure that your child is at the bus stop no more than five minutes before
scheduled pick-up times. This helps to
eliminate problems that sometimes occur when students are unsupervised for long
periods of time.
Encourage your child to
maintain safe and appropriate behavior at all times on the bus.
Students must ride the
bus every day unless the parent makes prior arrangements. In addition, the bus driver will only
allow students to board and depart at their assigned stops. This is for safety reasons. If different arrangements are made for a
particular day, please call Meadowdale at (425) 431-7754 or Edmonds School
District Transportation at 431-7230 and provide a note for the bus
driver and the Meadowdale office.
Important guidelines:
Students are to
conduct themselves in a manner that will not distract the driver and not
disturb other riders on the bus.
- Items not allowed on the bus include all forms of animal life
(except seeing eye dogs), firearms, weapons (including, but not limited
to, knives), breakable containers (glass bottles, aquariums, etc.),
flammables, and all other articles which could adversely affect the safety
of the bus and passengers.
- Standards for student conduct on buses shall be
the same as standards for student conduct in all other school-sponsored
activities.
A Review of Bus Rules for Meadowdale Students
On the bus, I will:
1. Sit down during the entire bus ride. Sit
facing forward with feet out of the aisle.
2. Always keep hands and feet to myself
and off other riders.
3. Talk in a normal voice and never yell,
scream or use bad language.
4. Open windows only if the bus driver gives
permission. All objects and parts of
the body must be kept inside the window.
5. Follow the directions of the bus driver
quickly and without arguing.
Getting on the bus, I
will:
1. Go straight to a seat and follow the
directions of the bus driver on where to sit quickly and without arguing. Refusing to let someone sit next to me is not
allowed.
Waiting for the bus, I
will:
1. Stay off the road
2. Follow the same rules as I would in school in
avoiding physical conflict and respecting parent supervisors.
10
Cell Phone Policy
The last several years have
seen a rapid increase of cell phone use.
Many parents provide phones for sons or daughters for safety as well as
convenience.
However, cell phone use
during school is potentially disruptive.
Therefore, the following policy is:
- All cell phones carried by students must be
turned completely off and may not be used between the hours of 8:20
am-3:10 pm (Meadowdale school hours) on school grounds. This policy applies during field trips
and specified after school and evening school functions as well. Use outside of these times is
permissible.
- Use includes calling, text messaging, photography
and other functions.
- Phones should remain in backpacks.
Parent-student phone contact
during school hours can take place through the use of school telephones as has
been the past procedure. The policy may
be altered during a time of extreme all-school emergency.
The first time
violation of the policy will generate typical in-school consequences, and may
include confiscation of the phone until the end of the school day. Continual violation of this rule will result
in the confiscation of the phone and a parent/guardian will be required to pick
it up in the office.
Community Service
“Jobs” Program
Meadowdale has a program to
give students jobs in and around the school.
The purpose is mainly to give students positive experiences as leaders
and contributors to our school. We
believe that when children have the opportunity to assist in making our school
the best place it can be, they feel ownership and pride about our collective
goals and successes. It also helps
create responsible, caring, and dependable young people.
Therefore, we have identified a multitude of helping
positions. We have a large contingent of fifth and sixth grade PE helpers
(older students helping younger ones).
As well, many intermediate students are helping the instrumental music
program set up or dismantle practice facilities. Other jobs include flag raiser, Environmental
Patrol (school beautification), office helper, and many more. Students who fulfill these jobs will be
members of the Meadowdale Community Service Association. These students will make real contributions
to many important elements of our learning environment!
11
Communication is essential for successful
relationships and organization success.
To that end, we will use the following guidelines for
communication. Questions and feedback are
important in the continuous improvement process. It is important that we have this
conversation in a respectful, civil manner.
Even when we disagree, it is important that we work hard to be role
models for our students about how conflicts are resolved in a positive manner.
1. Contact the staff member directly
responsible for the issue you have a concern about. Share your concern, the facts or views you
have. Be as clear as possible about what
information you need or what you would like to have happen.
2. The school principal or supervisor of
the program (such as Transportation) is also a valuable source of
information. If you do not know whom to
contact, the supervisor or principal can help.
This step is also necessary if your concerns were not answered in Step
1.
3. If you are not satisfied with the
answer or proposed solution to your concern at the principal/supervisor level,
contact the
4. If your concern is about a
district-wide matter or about a superintendent-level decision, please contact
the Superintendent's Office (425/431-7003).
5. If you have a question about Board
policy or are not satisfied that the above process has produced a result you
can accept, the Board of Directors will review your concern. In some matters, like student discipline, the
Board may make a decision about the issue. In some cases, the Board of
Directors is the final decision making body, while some matters may be appealed
to other authorities. Personnel and
individual student matters are handled in closed sessions with the board. Other matters may be presented to the Board
in writing or at their regular meetings (usually the first and third Tuesday of
each month).
This process is not to
be used in a retaliatory manner.
12
Daily Schedule
8:20
am…………………………Breakfast program opens
8:35
am…………………………Classrooms open to students
8:40
am…………………………Late bell rings
10:10-10:30
am…………………Primary (K-3) recess
11:40-12:00
am…………………First (5th-6th gr.) lunch
12:00
am-12:20 pm……………..First (5th-6th gr.) recess
12:00
am-12:20 pm……………..Second (3rd-4th gr.) lunch
12:20
pm-12:40 pm……………..Second (3rd-4th gr.) recess
12:20
pm-12:40 pm……………..Third (K-2nd gr.) lunch
12:40
pm-1:00 pm………………Third (K-2nd gr.) recess
1:40-2:00
pm…………………….Intermediate (4-6) recess
3:10
pm………………………….All students dismissed
Early
Dismissal Time……………11:40 am.
Directory
Information
Directory information consists of a
student's name, photograph, address, telephone number, date and place of birth,
dates of attendance, participation in officially recognized activities and
sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, diplomas and awards
received and the most recent previous school attended. Directory information
may be released without consent for the purpose of providing educational,
scholarship, vocational/occupational and/or military information, or to the
news media and law enforcement. This
information shall not be released for commercial reasons.
You have a right to withhold any or all
of this information. If you do not wish
to have such information about your child released, please let us know in
writing by October 1.
Discipline Policy
The
1. We work to
make Meadowdale a good place to learn.
2. We respect
the health and safety of others and ourselves.
3. We respect
the rights and property of others.
Meadowdale Elementary is a place where individuals will
demonstrate zero tolerance for harassment and bullying of all types
including verbal and physical aggression.
13
A School/Parent
Partnership
Parents, teachers, and principal are partners
in teaching children to act responsibly in school. This behavior management plan serves several
functions: 1) It preserves a safe and
orderly learning environment, 2) It helps students acquire behavior that
enhances successful learning, and 3) It teaches successful cooperation with
other learners and adults.
The Classroom Plan
Each individual
classroom has its own plan to develop student responsibility. Your child’s teacher will communicate to you
his/her expectations in the classroom.
The teacher will also involve parents early in the development of a
serious or chronic problem in order to help develop solutions.
The consequences for
classroom problems may include, but are not limited to, any of the following in any
order:
*warnings
*loss of privileges (recess, etc.)
*short time out
*parent contact or conference
*time in Intervention Room (see below)
*student, parent, teacher behavior
contract/plan
Major Offenses
Meadowdale has a ZERO
TOLERANCE for behaviors endangering others and for interfering with learning.
The following are examples of MAJOR OFFENSES:
*Fighting, physical aggression
*Verbal threats or verbal bullying of any
kind
*Harassment or physical bullying of any
kind
*Possession of weapons or facsimiles
(including toy weapons)
*Defiance/disrespect (back talk, refusal to
comply, abusive language or gestures)
*Vandalism, property destruction
*Persistent and repeated patterns of minor
offenses
*Unlawful acts (stealing, possessing
weapons, etc.)
Consequences may
include, but are not limited to:
*Conduct Report
*Time out in Intervention Room
*Restitution
*Parent/teacher/principal conference
*In-school suspension
*Out-of-school suspension or expulsion
*Student, parent, teacher behavior
contract/plan
Depending on the
severity of the behavior, a more serious consequence may be warranted
regardless of the number of previous offenses. 14
Weapons at School
Possession of any weapon or dangerous object
(example: gun, knife, martial arts
weapon, explosive, fireworks) or facsimile (toy weapon) is a violation of state
law and district policy. Other dangerous objects, such as laser pointers or
fireworks, are included. Students are
subject to suspension or expulsion if they violate this rule, and may be
subject to arrest.
School-Wide Systems to
Help Meadowdale Students Develop Responsibility:
Intervention Room
If a child has misbehaved
in one of the common areas of the school (playground, library, gym, etc.), OR
had frequent or persistent misbehaviors in the classroom, he/she may be sent to
the Intervention Room. The Intervention
Room is where a staff member will work with the student to help recognize what
the problem is, develop an alternate plan to prevent future misbehavior, and
talk about the possible consequences for that behavior.
Conduct Report
Repeated or serious
misbehavior may warrant the completion of a Conduct Report. The Conduct Report form requires that a
student develop better alternatives to the choice of action that caused a
problem. This form is sent home to be
reviewed and discussed with the student.
If a student receives a
frequent number of Conduct Reports in a short time, a conference with the
principal will be scheduled.
Plan for Restitution
A restitution plan is a
way to make up in some way for damage or loss caused by misbehavior. Example:
Written apology, community service, doing something helpful for
others. A written apology may include a
way to resolve a problem between two people.
A student may make up for time wasted in class by doing classroom jobs
on his/her own time (recess or other free time). Damage to school property could result in a clean-up
job somewhere in the school. The idea
underlying restitution is that we all contribute to the building of a learning
community. If the communities, or its
members, are harmed, the individual student has a responsibility to make up for
the harm done.
School/Parent Teamwork
TEAMWORK between parents
and school staff ensures STUDENT SUCCESS in learning to act responsibly. These are some ways that parents and school
staff can work together:
15
Parent-Teacher Conference
A parent/teacher conference
on behavior has several purposes.
1) Sharing knowledge of the problem. Parents and teacher see the child in different
settings. They can work together to get
a “big picture” of the child--strengths as well as problems, interests,
likes/dislikes.
2) Working together to develop solutions.
Parents and teacher can
develop a plan to help teach and reinforce responsible behavior.
3) Sharing the work of carrying out the plan.
Parents and teacher can
work out how they will involve the child, and how things will be done at school
and at home to teach and encourage the child.
Conference participants
may also include the principal, school psychologist or other school staff
members.
Problem-Solving Discussions at Home
If a child brings home a
Conduct Report or other communication, parents play a crucial role.
The parent can talk with
the student about how misbehavior hurts learning, or hurts others. The parent can stress the need to be
responsible for better choices next time and discuss what the student will do
to “make things right” this time.
Together, we can make a
difference in the future of our children!
Dress Code
Some helpful guidelines:
•Hats must be removed
inside the building and in the central courtyard area during school.
•Please, no “short” shorts
during warm weather. Around mid-thigh is
a handy guideline. They should be
hemmed, and not have slits up the side.
•Sleeveless tops are
acceptable, but tank tops are not.
Exposed midriffs are definitely inappropriate.
•T-shirts should be free
from any advertisement or promotion of such items such as beer, cigarettes,
violence or illegal/immoral acts.
•Any and all clothing
and grooming practices distinctly associated with gang culture are
prohibited. This includes “sagging”
pants, bandannas, symbols, chains and flashy or elaborate jewelry. Students will be requested to make the
appropriate corrections. If the student
does not comply, he/she may be subject to disciplinary action.
Students who make
inappropriate choices will be reminded or parents maybe notified. Helping your child use common sense and
discretion will go a long way in appropriate choices. By doing so, parents can help us prevent
distraction or embarrassment to students.
16
Drug and Alcohol Use
Policy
A part of our responsibility is to inform you as
parents each year of the
The
The District also recognized the effects to the
school, home, and community resulting from drug and alcohol use/abuse. While the primary obligation to seek
assistance rests with the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s), school
staff shall work with the home and community to develop and implement a
comprehensive prevention and intervention program.
Any student who is under the influence of/or possesses,
sells, offers for sale, or distributes alcohol or controlled substances or drug
paraphernalia will be considered under the discipline category of exceptional
misconduct, which warrants an immediate resort to a short-term or long term
suspension or expulsion.
Electronic and Listening Devices
In the last several
years there has been a rapid increase in the use of electronic and listening
devices. The use of such devices is
potentially disruptive to the educational process. Therefore the following policy applies:
Electronic and listening
devices carried by students must be turned off and placed in backpacks before
they arrive on school grounds.
Electronic and listening devices are not to be used during school hours.
The first time
violation of the policy will generate typical in-school consequences, and may
include confiscation of the device until the end of the school day. Continual violation of this rule will result
in the confiscation of the device and a parent/guardian will be required to
pick it up in the office.
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Equal Educational
The
Concerns, questions, or complaints regarding any type
of racial, religious, ethnic or gender based harassment or discrimination may
be directed to the district Equity Officer, Marcia Migdal,
(425) 431-7128.
Gum Chewing--“No Gum” Policy
Gum chewing is not
allowed at Meadowdale, either in the building or on the fields.
Gun
and Weapon Free Zone
State law and district policy have
mandated all school grounds as weapon-free zones. Dangerous weapons include items such as
firearms, knives with a spring-loaded blade, martial arts weaponry, fireworks
and other incendiary devices. The law
also prohibits items such as pocketknives and “facsimile”, or toy weapons as
well. Toy guns and knives come under
this prohibited category. Other
dangerous objects, such as laser pointers, are included.
All
students who possess any of these items on a school campus are subject to
serious disciplinary action, ranging from suspension or expulsion from school
and may be subject to arrest.
Unfortunately, there can be no distinction as to the age of the
student. Kindergarten students as well
as high school students are subject to the weapons law.
Parents are urged to tell their children about these
important rules, and instruct them to never bring these objects to school for
any reason.
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Harassment,
Intimidation or Bullying
By
Harassment, intimidation or
bullying is defined as an intentional written, verbal, or physical act which:
- Physically or emotionally harms a student or
damages the student’s property; or
- Has the effect of substantially interfering with
a student’s education; or
- Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it
creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment.
- Has the effect of substantially disrupting the
orderly operation of the school.
Harassment, intimidation or
bullying can take many forms including slurs, rumors, and jokes, innuendos,
demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks,
threats or other written, verbal or physical actions.
School employees, students,
parents and/or volunteers who have witnessed, or have reliable information that
a student has been subjected to such acts, is encouraged to report incidents to
an appropriate school official.
Please see “Discipline
Policy” for more information on anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies.
Hats
Hats are to be worn
outside on the only. They should be
removed inside the building and in the courtyard.
Health Information
Communicable diseases
Please contact the
school for readmission directions if your child has the following communicable
diseases:
Chicken pox Mumps Head lice Measles
Whooping cough Hepatitis,
all forms
German measles Scarlet
fever
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Internet Use Policy
The Internet is a valuable
resource for our students and staff, providing current information,
instructional materials, and ways to acquire research skills. This resource is available to all of our
students. If you would prefer that your
child does not use the internet at school you must sign a form stating that you
do not want them to have Internet Access. After signing this form, please return it to
the school office and it will be added to their records. Once this form has been signed, it is
considered to be valid unless the parent revokes it.
Although no filter can block
all of the sites on the Internet that might be offensive, having a filter can help. That’s why all student-used district
computers with Internet access are filtered.
There will be three distinct filters for elementary, middle and high
school, to address the differences in student curriculum and maturity
levels.
Abuse of internet
privileges may result in the loss of internet access for the remainder of the
school year.
Medications given at school
Occasionally, a student
needs to take medicines at school. State
law and district policy requires that:
1) the medication be sent to school in the original prescription bottle,
and 2) be accompanied by a Medication Authorization Form (available from
the school office) signed by a doctor and the parent. This includes all medications,
including over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, cold medicine, etc.
The medicine is to be
kept in the office and dispensed by school personnel. No medication can be dispensed at school
unless steps 1 and 2 are followed.
Excusing Students from
Recess or Other Activities for Health Reasons
Students are required to
go outside to recesses. Please ensure
your child has the appropriate clothing for weather conditions. Students will only be allowed to stay inside
at recesses or be excused from activities (such as physical education) with a
signed doctor’s note.
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Notification of
Threats of Violence or Harm
By
Individual-directed threats
of violence or harm are communications that create fear of physical harm to a
specific individual or individuals, communicated directly or indirectly by any
means.
Building-directed threats of
violence or harm are direct or indirect communications by any means of the
intent to cause damage to a school building or school property or to harm
students, employees, volunteers, patrons or visitors.
Staff, students, volunteers,
and others involved in school activities have the responsibility to report any
threats of violence or harm to designated school officials. Persons found to have made threats of
violence or harm will be subject to relevant district discipline policies and
will be referred to appropriate community agencies, including law enforcement
and mental health services
Patrolled Crosswalks at MDE
Crossing patrol will be
present before and after school at the following locations:
Crosswalk A: Front
Parking Lot Crosswalk
Crosswalk B: 168th
across from
Crosswalk C: 168th
and 66th, near school
Crosswalk D: 66th
(across from athletic field)
Crosswalk E: Curbside
drop-off loop in front of school
Adults will cross students at 170th and Olympic View Drive
As well, entrances to
the parking lots and the crosswalk in the parent pick-up lot are patrolled.
Patrol members will be
on duty in the morning from 8:15 am. Students should not arrive at
school before 8:20. There is no adult
supervision before this time.
Personal
Belongings at School
MDE now has a no toy or electronic devices
policy. Students bring any items to
school at their own risk. These items
might include but are not limited to jewelry, cell phones, iPods, mp3 players,
electronic games, trading card games, etc.
Meadowdale Elementary assumes no liability for damaged, lost or stolen
items (including money). Individual
teachers may prohibit particular items from their classroom or their use during
school time.
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Pesticide Use
The
A notice will be posted in
the main office 48-hours prior to the application of any biologic or chemical
pesticide. It will provide the reason
for application and the name of the product to be used. For individual notification, please contact
your school's main office. No notices
will be sent when students do not occupy the school for at least two
consecutive days after application.
These procedures do not apply to emergency applications to control pests
that pose an immediate health threat (e.g. stinging insects). If application is postponed due to weather,
the notification process will be repeated.
For more information program,
please contact Jerry Saulter, Maintenance Director,
at (425) 431-7244.
Pick Up/Drop Off of Students
The following policy is for
dropping off and picking up your children.
For your child’s safety and to prevent congestion and traffic jams, we
are asking you to do the following:
Morning drop off procedures: Students
drop-off area is restricted to the south parking lot loop or the Meadowdale
Playfields parking lot. (across from
Afternoon pick up procedures: Please
use the Meadowdale Playfield parking lot for student pick up. You may park and walk across to the school to
wait for your child in front of the main gates or have your child meet you at
the playfields. Crossing guards will be
available to cross them safely. This
procedure will eliminate congestion and provide a safe environment for your
student.
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Traffic tips:
- Do not allow students to cross anywhere but
marked crosswalks.
- Please do not drop-off or pick-up children in the
street, either on 66th or 168th.
- Do not use the north bus loop area to pick
up/drop off your child as it is reserved for staff and buses only.
- Please observe the 20mph speed limit on
surrounding streets during morning and afternoon drop-off and pick-up
times.
Please remain outside the front gated area until 3:10
pm. For safety reasons and matters of
disruption to classrooms we cannot allow parents/visitors to wait by the
classrooms or in the courtyard before dismissal time.
School Lunch Information
Free and reduced meals
Free and reduced price
lunches are available for children whose family income is listed on the
approved Family Size/Annual Income scale.
A copy of this scale and an application form or is available at the
school office. If qualified, reduce lunches are free to student’s in grades K-3
and .40 to students in grades 4-6.
Lunch ticket prices
Lunch may be purchased
daily for $3.25 with milk included. Milk
purchased separately is .50. You may purchase any number of lunches for your
child’s account through the school office by cash, check or money order made
payable to
Sexual Harassment--District Policy
Regarding Equal Educational
The
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If any student, parent,
or community member experiences or witnesses discrimination or harassment, they
are encouraged to report it immediately to any school administrator with whom
they feel comfortable. Reports of such
incidents may also be reported to the district Equity Officer, Marica Migdal, (425) 431-7128.
All such complaints will
be promptly investigated and, where appropriate, immediate corrective action
will be taken. To the highest degree
possible, allowing for a fair investigation, all such complaints will be
treated in a confidential manner.
Sexual Harassment
The District prohibits
retaliation against any employee, volunteer, parent, or student because he or
she has made a report of alleged sexual harassment, or against any employee,
volunteer, parent or student who has testified, assisted or participated in the
investigation of a report. Retaliation
includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal, or adverse
pressure. Retaliation is itself a
violation of law and will lead to disciplinary action against the offender.
Persons who knowingly
report false allegations of sexual harassment or corroborate false allegations
of sexual harassment will be subject to appropriate discipline or other
sanctions.
Any District staff
member (regardless of area of responsibility) who knows or has reason to
believe that sexual harassment is or may be occurring must take immediate steps
to see that the matter is addressed or reported. Such action must be taken whether or not the
student(s), volunteer, or parent has reported the incident.
Sexual harassment is
legally defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and
other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature in which:
1) Submission to such
conduct or communication is made either in an explicit or implicit term or
condition of success in school;
2) Submission to or
rejection of such conduct or communication is used as a basis for education
decisions affecting that person; or
3) Such conduct or
communication has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably
interfering with the individual’s school performance, or of creating an
intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.
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An “intimidating, hostile or offensive education environment”
means an environment in which:
1) Unwelcome racially or
sexually-oriented jokes, innuendoes, obscenities, pictures/posters or any
action with sexual connotation makes a student feel uncomfortable; or
2) Any aggressive,
harassing behavior in the school that affects learning, whether or not sexual
in connotation, is directed toward an individual based on his/her sex or sexual
orientation.
Sexual harassment
includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors:
1) Insulting or
degrading sexual remarks, written material, or conduct directed to a student or
staff member;
2) Threats, demands, or
suggestions that a person’s status is contingent upon his/her tolerance or
acquiescence to advances;
3) Cornering or blocking
of normal movements;
4) Displaying sexually
suggestive pictures or objects in an educational/work environment;
5) Unwelcome sexual
advances or requests for sexual favors, leering or staring, sexual flirtation
or propositions, sexual slurs, epithets, threats, verbal abuse, derogatory comments
or sexually degrading descriptions, verbal comments about an individual’s body,
overly personal conversation of a sexual nature, sexual jokes, stories,
drawings, pictures or gestures, spreading of sexual rumors, touching of an
individual’s body or clothes in a sexual way.
Special Education
Special Education services are provided
to all students aged birth to 21 who qualify.
For students currently enrolled in the district, contact the school
psychologist at your local school. For
students not currently enrolled, call the Psychological Services Office at (425)
431-7208.
Student Placement
Parent input is valued and appreciated in
determining which classroom your child will be placed for next years. All placements are tentative until after the 4th
day of school, when adjustments are made.
Input forms are available at the Meadowdale office. We cannot guarantee placement in a particular
classroom due to the complex and unpredictable nature of enrollment patterns at
the beginning of the year.
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Transferring or Withdrawing from School
If you should decide to
move to another school, please notify the Office that you are withdrawing your
child. This will allow us to give you
the information you will need to enroll your child his/her the next school.
Visiting Meadowdale
Parents are welcome and
encouraged to visit Meadowdale.
Classroom visits that are planned in advance will help parents
understand what children are learning.
School board regulations
mandate that all classroom visits require prior arrangement. Please use the following procedure when
arranging a visit to a classroom:
1. Contact the principal. The principal will make arrangements with the
classroom teacher, including time and length of visit.
2. Parents who are visiting must stop in at the
school office to check in and receive a visitors’ button. Strictly adhering to this request helps keep
our campus secure and safe.
Volunteers. . .We Love Them at Meadowdale!!
Every year we enjoy the
help and assistance of volunteers in our schools. There are a variety of volunteer positions
available for interested parents. It is
possible to tailor your commitment to meet both your availability and the needs
of the various school programs.
Parent Booster Club
Meadowdale has an active
parent organization, with many opportunities to participate. Help with the many events, or become a room
parent and help with classroom activities.
To learn more, call
Michelle Reitan c/o Meadowdale at (425) 431-7310,
x1695#.
Classroom volunteers
Teachers and classrooms
vary in the types of activities, and schedule.
To find out the particular volunteer opportunities in your child’s
classroom, just contact the teacher at (425) 431-7754. Volunteers who spend regular time in the
classroom or are chaperoning on a field trip simply need to fill out a
Washington State Patrol Volunteer/Employee Disclosure Form available in the
school office.
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Walking to School
Please review these
safety rules with your child if he/she walks to school.
1. Students are to talk with parents about the
safest route to school. Students should
stay on the shoulder and never walk
in the street or play “tightrope walking” on the concrete dividers separating
road and sidewalk.
2. Fighting, rock and pinecone throwing or other
forms of misbehavior are not permitted and should be reported to teacher or
principal.
3. Students should respect private property and
not damage trees, flowers, fences, etc.
4. Students should follow instructions of the
Meadowdale Safety Patrol
5. Walkers should not arrive at school before
8:20 am. Exceptions: Safety Patrol students. For those students receiving breakfast, the
gym will be open at 8:20 am. We cannot
supervise students before this time.
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