A Message from the Principal

 

 

Dear Families,

 

Welcome to the 2009 – 2010 school year!  I hope you’ve had a chance to relax, play and enjoy the summer months!

 

Our entire staff is hard at work preparing meaningful instruction and, with your children’s consistent hard work and parents’ continued partnership this will be a great year of exceptional learning and growth for every student!  There’s much to learn at every grade level.  We’re excited to begin

and I hope you are, too!

 

This fall we welcome several new and returning staff members to Spruce.  Please see the enclosed flier for a brief introduction of each.  Your children benefit daily from the skills, knowledge, care and commitment every member of our staff bring to their jobs. 

 

Again this year our calendar is full of opportunities for parent and family involvement.  Attendance at each activity was extraordinary last year!  Please take a look at our current lineup of events when the PTA flier comes home and get them on your calendar now for the coming year.  Curriculum Night is our first parent activity and will be held soon after the beginning of the school year.  Please make the time to come meet your child’s teacher and receive important information that will help each student be successful.

 

This newsletter serves as our 2009-2010 School Handbook and contains information that all students and parents must know.  Please take time to read it together.  All of the items listed in the handbook are designed to allow uninterrupted learning for our students.

 

This is your school!  I sincerely hope that you will always feel welcome and know that you are a vital part of the Spruce community.  Please don’t ever hesitate to call or come in to volunteer, ask questions, make suggestions or just visit!  Your partnership with us is key to student success.

 

 

 

Margaret Mesaros

 

 

SPRUCE ELEMENTARY HANDBOOK

2009-2010

 

Welcome to Spruce Elementary.  Our goal is to challenge all children to learn all that they possibly can and give the support needed for them to make exceptional progress.  Helping students be successful takes families and staff working together and clear communication is key to our partnership. 

 

We’re here to learn and this handbook serves as a reference to guidelines, policies, procedures and information that allow us to keep our focus on learning!  Parents, please read this carefully with your children and keep it handy as a quick reference throughout the year.

 

 

SCHOOL SCHEDULE

 

School Hours:                9:20 –  3:50                  Morning Kindergarten:              9:20 – 12:00

 

            Early Dismissal Days      9:20 – 12:20                 Afternoon Kindergarten:                       1:10 –  3:50

 

     Students are to arrive no earlier than 9:00 a.m. as staff supervision is not available before that time.

     Classrooms open at 9:10 a.m. and class starts promptly at 9:20. 

 

            Primary Recess:                                    11:00 – 11:15  

            Intermediate Recess:                             11:15 – 11:30

 

            Primary Lunch/Intermediate Recess:      12:15 – 12:45

            Intermediate Lunch/Primary Recess:      12:45 – 1:15

 

            Primary Recess:                                    2:15 – 2:30

            Intermediate Recess                              2:30 – 2:45

 

   The parent pick-up area is staffed from 3:50 – 4:00 p.m.  Please pick students up on time.  Parents

   arriving after 4:00 p.m. will need to park and come to the office where your students will be waiting.

 

 

Absences

Students fall behind when they are frequently absent.  Unless your child is ill or injured, please be sure that he or she is in school on time every day, ready to learn.  Hundreds of students received monthly Perfect Attendance certificates last year and we hope to award even more this year!

 

According to district policy, absences and tardiness are excused only for personal illness or injury, doctor or dental appointments, participation in religious holidays or other absences deemed appropriate by the principal.  Whenever possible, please schedule doctor and dentist appointments before or after school. 

 

If your child has to be absent, please call the 24-hour attendance line at 425/431-7720  before 9:45 a.m..  If we do not receive a call, we will attempt to contact parents to confirm the child’s absence. 

 

Please make every attempt to schedule family trips during school vacations.  If you must take your child out of school for more than 2 or 3 days, we ask that you make arrangements with the principal prior to the absence. 

 

 

EARLY DISMISSAL

Any child leaving school before the end of the day must be checked out through the office.  If someone other than the custodial parent is picking up a child, a note signed by the parent is required.  Please note that learning occurs right until dismissal at 3:50 and avoid early dismissals simply to ‘beat the traffic’.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please let us know right away if you move or change telephone numbers so the office always has current contact information in case of an emergency.  Monthly newsletters include a simple change of address form.

 

 

BULLYING/INTIMIDATION/HARASSMENT/UNACCEPTABLE LANGUAGE

There is no place in a public school for bullying, intimidation, harassment or unacceptable language.  By Washington State law and Edmonds School District policy, acts of bullying, intimidation and harassment are not tolerated.  Serious disciplinary action will take place and may include suspension.  Students who observe or are the target of any of these unacceptable behaviors should report them immediately to recess supervisors, classroom teachers and/or the principal.  Parents, please talk frequently with your children about these issues and call your child’s teacher or the principal anytime you have a concern.  Students are here to learn.  Each has the right to do so free from intimidation.  Parents will be contacted if your child participates in these behaviors.

 

 

CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONICS

Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off and put away in backpacks at all times students are on the school campus.  Office telephones are available to any student needing to call home during the day.  Parents, if you need to get a message to your child, please call the main office at 425/431-7720 and we’ll deliver the message.    

 

Cell phones or any other electronic device used during the day will be taken and held in the office until a parent comes to pick it up.  The school does not take responsibility for loss or damage to electronic equipment.

 

 

BICYCLES, SCOOTERS AND SKATEBOARDS

Safety is our first concern!  Bicycles, scooters and skateboards are allowed only if:

  1. Parents feel their child is mature enough to handle the responsibility and obey all traffic rules.
  2. Students wear a fastened helmet.
  3. Students get off and wheel bikes or carry scooters and skateboards everywhere on campus.
  4. Students ride safely to and from school, obeying all traffic rules.

Students not following those rules will lose bike, scooter or skateboard privileges.  The school accepts no responsibility for the security of wheeled items.  Locks are highly recommended.

 

 

BUS TRANSPORTATION

The transportation department can be reached at 425/431-7230.  Bus riders are to ride their assigned bus to and from school each day.  A signed note from parents is necessary for any change.  Without a written note from parents, students will be required to leave school on the regular bus.  Students who ride the bus will:

  • Be on time and stand on the sidewalk a safe distance back while waiting for the bus.
  • Follow the bus driver’s instructions without arguing.
  • Talk in a quiet voice and use appropriate language at all times.

 

 

DRESS CODE

Clothing is to be appropriate for a learning environment.  Students that arrive at school dressed inappropriately will be asked to change. 

  • Tennis shoes are required each day students have PE.  Flip-flops, heels higher than 2 inches and shoes on wheels aren’t allowed.
  • Hats, hoods and bandanas are removed indoors.
  • Skirts and shorts must extend at least as far as fingertips when hands are held down to the side.
  • Clothes portraying alcohol, drugs, tobacco, gangs, violence, sex or inappropriate language not allowed.
  • Pajama bottoms are not allowed except on occasional school-wide “pajama days”.
  • Revealing clothes including spaghetti straps and low cut tops are not allowed.  Underwear and torsos/tummies may not show. 

 

 

KEEPING TRACK OF BELONGINGS

Please write each student’s first and last name inside coats, sweaters, jackets, hats and mittens and on backpacks and notebooks.  Each year we send an amazing number of coats, sweaters and jackets from our Lost and Found to Clothes for Kids that could be returned to their owners.  Our Lost & Found is just outside the office.  One day each week items are displayed at the lunch line.  They are also by the doorway of the gym at all Family Fun Nights and other evening events.  Please take time to look through the Lost & Found for your items.

 

 

CLOTHES FOR KIDS

Clothes for Kids is an organization that provides clothing for hundreds of Edmonds School District students each year.  Forms for Clothes for Kids are available in the Spruce office.  Clothing donations are accepted during the school year.  Clothes for Kids is located at 16725 52nd Ave W., Suite B, Lynnwood WA  98037.  More information is available at 425/431-7285.  

 

 

COMMUNICATION

School and district communications are sent home with students every Thursday.  Please take just a minute each week to look through that information.   The school newsletter comes out the first Thursday of each month and the Spruce website (www.edmonds.wednet.edu/sp/ ) is updated regularly.

 

 

VISITING SCHOOL

This is your school and parents are welcome and encouraged to visit!  For the safety of our students all visitors must check in at the school office and will be asked to wear a red visitor badge while on campus. 

 

To help maintain a productive learning environment we ask that parents:

  1. Contact the teacher to make visitation arrangements prior to a visit.
  2. Stop by the office to check in and get a visitor’s badge.
  3. Make an appointment for a conference with the teacher to discuss your child’s progress.  Doing so will allow time to talk without interruption.
  4. Bring any items forgotten by your child (lunches, books, permission slips) to the office.  We will get the item to your child at a time that doesn’t interrupt instruction.

 

The principal always welcomes opportunities to visit with parents.  A telephone call in advance will help insure that she is available when you come. 

 

 

VOLUNTEERS

We love volunteers and hope that you will lend a hand whenever possible—daily, weekly, monthly, or once a year if that is what your schedule allows.  Please contact your child’s teacher, the office staff or the principal if you have time to give.  We will help you find just the right opportunity to fit your interests.  Remember that all volunteers must complete a Washington State Patrol Background Check each year prior to volunteering at school.  Forms are available in the office. 

 

 

SCHOOL CLOSURES AND DELAYS

The Edmonds School District sends information about school weather closures (snow, high winds) out in the fall.   Tune to local radio and TV stations for information from 6:00 – 8:00 a.m. if you suspect a school closure or delay due to weather or check the Edmonds School District website at:  http://www.edmonds.wednet.edu

 

  • “Limited Bus Transportation” may be announced.  Families will receive snow route information in the fall.

·          A two hour “late start” may be announced.  Listen carefully for exact times.  School ends at the regular time, 3:50 p.m., on late start days.

            SPRUCE ELEMENTARY BEHAVIOR PLAN

 

It is the responsibility of all students, parents, and staff to provide a quality learning environment at Spruce.

  • We believe Spruce Elementary to be a place where children and learning come first. 
  • All students have the right to an orderly and productive learning environment.  No student has the right to deny another student’s right to learn.
  • The adults are responsible for achieving and maintaining a quality learning environment.  Adults have the right to teach and supervise in an appropriate, respectful atmosphere.
  • Parents are entitled to information regarding both positive and negative behavior.  They are expected to assist in carrying out the school expectations.   We welcome parents’ questions, comments and concerns.

 

Our school behavior plan has three components:

First, we recognize that students must know and understand the behaviors and work habits that we expect them to exhibit.  These behaviors will be taught and practiced throughout the school year in classrooms and through our character education program.  Each year we focus on a variety of character traits that help build strong citizens.  They include but are not limited to a focus on respect, responsibility, compassion, patience, perseverance, kindness, fairness and citizenship.

 

Students are expected to follow these basic rules:

  1. All students will use respectful behavior, follow safety rules, remain in scheduled supervised settings, not hurt other people and use appropriate language.
  2. Students are to respect all school and individual’s property.
  3. Students are to show responsibility by managing their own behavior, completing all assignments well and on time, and relaying messages from school to home and back again.
  4. Students will treat other students and adults in a kind and considerate manner.

 

Second, we know that recognition tends to encourage repetition of desired student behaviors.  Therefore, we will recognize and reward positive behavior in classrooms, student assemblies, through the character education program and all other formal and informal opportunities that arise.

 

Third, students who choose or are not able to follow school procedures and practices at Spruce will receive guidance in making more appropriate choices.  Such consequences may include the following steps as part of the Spruce Progressive Discipline Plan:

  • A verbal warning that the behavior is inappropriate.
  • Time out to redirect inappropriate activities and give the student time to reflect and prepare to appropriately reenter the activity.  In the classroom, that might involve moving away from the group.  At recess, that will include time away from the activity.
  • If the behavior continues, there will be a loss of privilege which may include loss of recess.
  • Referral to the Alternative Recess Center (ARC) room and/or principal. Issuance of a discipline slip and a call home may occur. Note:  the purpose of the ARC room is to give students a quiet place to reflect on behavior and develop a proactive plan for the future.  It may also be a place to celebrate good choices and improved behavior.  In the ARC room, students will have the opportunity to write a proactive plan.  A record will be kept of all discipline slips and number of offenses.
  • If the behavior continues despite guidance and progressive consequences, parents will be involved and suspension may result.

 

Every effort will be made to help students understand the natural consequences of appropriate and inappropriate behavioral decisions.

 

No Tolerance Policy 

Certain behaviors result in immediate consequences per principal discretion.

The following actions can result in immediate suspension:

  • Fighting (as defined by district policy)
  • Harassment, intimidation or bullying according to district policy

The following actions result in immediate suspension:

  • Possession or use of dangerous weapons or firearms
  • Possession or use of drugs/alcohol

District Calendar here