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Policies and Procedures
ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESS Any accident occurring on the way to school or in school is reported immediately to security, teacher or school office. First Aid, when needed, may be provided at school. If the accident appears to be serious, school personnel will follow Chicago Public School protocol by calling 911 and the parent(s). Each year, parents/guardians are asked to complete and sign an emergency information form. The information will include the student's name, address, phone number, parents' work phones, the name and address of a relative or neighbor who may be contacted in an emergency, and a physician's name and phone number. We need to know where we can reach a parent should it be necessary to communicate with himlher during the school day. Parents' cooperation in keeping information up to date is appreciated. In case of where immediate medical attention is necessary and the parentlguardian cannot be reached, paramedics will be called. Administration Tony L. Fisher, Principal Bivian L. Ramey, Assistant Principal Brenda Rogers, School Counselor Arneice Moore, Lead Literacy Teacher Belinda Moore, Lead Literacy Teacher Delores McKinney, Lead Science Teacher ATTENDANCE Absences and Missed Schoolwork - Everyday missed weakens the individual student's academic experience and is seriously detrimental to ding his/her best work. Therefore we urge parentslguardians not to keep a child home unless an emergency exists. There are six acceptable causes of absences:
Procedure Following Absence On the day the student returns to school, the student should bring a note from a parent or legal guardian containing the following information:
Early Dismissal - During the school day, a student may need to leave school prior to dismissal because of illness or an appointment. This departure constitutes an early dismissal. It is necessary for a legal parent or guardian to come into the office to sign the student out. If proper identification is requested, remember it is in the best interest, as well as the safety of the child. A legal parent or guardian must escort students home. Truancy - According to the School Code of the State of Illinois, the only excused reasons for absence are illness, attendance at religious retreats or activities, and school authorized activities. Any other absence is unexcused and students will be considered truant from school. J. N. Thorp Elementary School is committed to aggressive enforcement of the School Attendance Laws. AU cases of Truancy, Unexcused Absences, or Excessive Tardiness will be dealt with quickly and to the fullest extent of the law. BUS SERVICE Free bus transportation is available to students who live 1.5 miles or more from school. The Department of Transportation sets bus routes and pick-up times and students are required to be present and on time to insure bus service. Complete cooperation with the bus driver is expected in order to maintain bus safety. The bus driver at the beginning of the school year explains the expectation of the students' behavior on the bus. Students may be suspended from school and/or lose bus privileges for misconduct such as vandalism, fighting or violation of safety procedures. Students receive a card outlining rules when they receive their - bus assignment. CHANGE OF ADDRESS, TELEPHONE, OR NAME Please notify the school immediately in writing of any change in address, home telephone, work telephone, emergency numbers, name, a change in the emergency number of contact person, or any information that might be pertinent to school records. CLOSED CAMPUS James N. Thorp Elementary School operates on a closed campus schedule. Once students have arrived, they may not leave the school grounds without permission of a school official. CONCERNS/COMPLAINTS
Behavior - It is impossible for good teaching and learning to take place in a classroom unless order is maintained. Students are reminded that they must adhere to a code of good behavior, not only for their own benefit, but for the benefit of others as well. The Chicago Public Schools Uniform Discipline Code is. designed to ensure equitable discipline throughout the school system. TheT Chicago School Reform Board of Trustees, governing body of the Chicago Public Schools, is responsible for establishing policies under which schools operate. To promote desirable student conduct and behavior, a Uniform Discipline Code has been adopted. The Chicago Board of Education expects and requires that students act in an appropriate manner and with respect for the rights of others. In addition, Thorp has a uniform school policy. Each student and parent is furnished with a copy of the Uniform Discipline Code and School Policy. Hall Passes - Any student who is in. the hall while school is in session must have a written hall pass. The pass must have the student's name, the date, destination, and room of departure, time, and teacher's signature completed before leaving the classroom. Theft, Damage, Destruction of School or Private Property - A student may not intentionally cause or attempt to cause damage to school or private property, not steal school or private property. Any act of misconduct or theft is considered serious, and a police report may be filed. Disrespect or Abuse of School Personel - Students are required to aboy the directions of their teachers and other school personnel. Students may not be disrespectful or abusive to teachers or school personnel and are absolutely prohibited from using obscene or abusive language or any form of physical violence or threat toward teachers or other school personnel. CONFERENCE Parents are urged to consult with their student's teacherson a regular basis. Report Card Pick-up provides one avenue to discuss the student's aducational progress. Additional conferences may be arranged by contacting the teacher. DRESS James N. Throp students are required to come to school dressed in uniforms daily. The uniform dress code is necessary to promote the health and safety of students. In addition, it decreased serious disruption to classroom instruction. Boys are not allowed to wear earings! Clothing Items Polo Shirt (Boys) - White Polo Shirt (Girls) - White Pants - Navy blue/black Skirt/Jumper/Pants (Girls) Socks - blue, black, white Sweaters/Vests/Pullover/Cardigan - blue/black Belts Shoes/Gym Shoes - blue/black *No sandals Students should report to school in uniform everyday. Students will not be allowed to retrieve uniforms from lockers. Students not in a uniform will be subjected to disciplinary consequences. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Fire and disaster drills are held at regular intervals during the school year to familiarize students with safety procedures. Schools are kept informed of potential hazards through a national weather bureau system. FIRE/DISASTER DRILL PROCEDURES The Fire Drill Procedures is designed to allow evacuation of the Thorp Buildings as quickly as possible. In order to do this, order and silence must prevail thoughout the drill. FIELD TRIPS In addition to the educational benefits, field trips offer the students an opportunity for improvement in self discipline, self-control, consideration of others, and the experience of learning to behave in a variety of new situations. Parents are notified of all field trips as to location, time, and method of transportation, etc. and encouraged to participate. A permission slip, signed by the parent, is necessary for participation in field trips. The administration may place a restriction upon a student's participation in an out of school activity when, in the staff judgment, it is not in the best interest of the student to participate in the activity. GRADES AND THEIR MEANING Grades are given each marking period. Progress reports are given on the fifth, fifteenth, twenty-fifth, and thirty-fifth week of school, however, they are distributed on the following Wednesday of the next week. GRADE WEIGHTS The following weights are used to determine REPORT CARD GRADES: Homework: 10% Class work/Class Participation: 30% Tests: 35% (This includes 5th week, quarterly and special assessments) Projects and/or Teacher Made Assignments 25%
GRADING The school year is divided into four quarters, each approximately ten weeks in length. Students are graded and receive report cards four times a year. The report cards will list the grades and teacher comments for each subject. The grades will reflect the student's classroom achievement. The comments and effort grade will pertain to the student's overall attitude, behavior, effort and performance. During the first and third quarters, parents are required to pick the report cards. PRINCIPAL'S Scholar (Highest Honor) Students must receive no grade lower than B. HONOR ROLL Students must receive no grade lower than C. Reports to Parents - students will receive a five-week report of academic progress during each quarter (see school calendar). A notice unsatisfactory performance is an attempt to communicate with parents concerning any problems that may exist prior to sending home the official report on student progress (Report Card). If a student receives an unsatisfactory progress report you are encouraged to discuss intervention strategies with the teacher(s). GRADUATION COSTS Costs are determined yearly. Parents are informed of cost during the month of Febuary. HOMEWORK Research on teaching and learning indicates that, on average, students who spend more time on regularly assigned, meaningful homework do better in school, and that the academic benefits of homework increase as students move into the upper grades. Meaningful homework assignments, completed successfully, can help students develop good study habits and attitudes. The parent's role in homework is to be supportive by giving indirect help, such as right physical set-up, including proper lighting and a quiet place, without undue interruptions, criticism, or pressures. The parent can help the child set aside a time for doing assignments. FREE BREAKEAST/FREE LUNCH PROGRAM Federal Free Lunch forms are given to each child in September or when they enter Thorp. Parents will complete forms and return them to the classroom teacher, who will then forward them to the clerk. Upon approval by the Principal, according to Federal guidelines, teachers are notified as to whether students receive free, reduced or full paid lunch. Students without forms on file have to pay full price for breakfast and lunch, which is $1.25 for breakfast and $1.60 for lunch. MEDICATION AND DRUG POLICY Many students are able to attend school regularly only through effective use of medication in the treatment of chronic disabilities or illnesses that will not hinder the health and welfare of others. The Board of Education strongly recommends that medication be administrated in the home. Parents should ask their doctor to arrange the time medication be given to "avoid school hours if possible. If this is not possible, parents may come to school to administer medication to their children. Under no circumstances will teachers or other staff members administer medication to students. NEW STUDENTS Illinois State law requires that all children entering school in Illinois for the first time provide evidence of physical and dental examinations and necessary immunizations for communicable diseases. PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES Legal parentslguardians may request a conference with a staff during the morning at 8:30 A.M. or on a scheduled teacher's preparation period. Unless the staff member is available, walk-ups may or may not be honored. There are no parent/teacher conferences on Wednesdays due to teacher meetings or staff development. PEOPLE TO KNOW Classroom Teacher(s) - provides teaching and learning of students Counselor - pupil support services of students (academic/behavioral/social) School Nurse - a member of the school health team heIps with the cooperation of parents, to secure and maintain the health conditions of the students. Social Worker - helps students resolve or cope with personal problems by reducing school-related intrapersonal and family/community stresses that interfere with their progress in school. School Psychologist - assist school stafS in assessing and advising regarding students who are having dificulties. PERSONAL PROPERTY Lockers - Each student is assigned a locker. It is the student's responsibility to keep his/her locker locked at all time and to keep the locker's combination confidential. All articles left in the lockers are done so at the student's own risk, but an effort will be made to help to recover missing or lost property. Lockers should be kept clean. There will be periodic locker clean-ups and inspections. There should be no writing on the interior walls or any part of the door surface stickers on lockers prohibited. A student locker property of the school and must be used for the purposes intended; I. e. a storage area for books, school supplies, and outdoor garments. If the school officials have a reasonable suspicion that a student has placed illegal or dangerous materials or substances in the locker, school officials may search the locker, with or without the student's knowledge or consent. In brief, students should not keep (contraband) anything in their lockers that they would not want anyone to find. PHYSICAL EXAMS AND IMMUNIZATIONS Illinois state law requires that all children entering first, fifth or entering Illinois public schools for the first time regardless of grade level, provide evidence of physical and dental examination including required immunizations for communicable disease. These examinations must be given within a six-month period prior to entrance into the respective grade level. The required forms may be obtained from the school office or the school nurse. Legislation also requires that all students K-8 have on file evidence of adequate immunization levels for communicable diseases. Exceptions to the above regulations will be made only for students whose parents have submitted signed statements objecting to physical examinations or immunizations on constitutional grounds. PROMOTION - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL & GRADUATION Promotion in the Chicago Public Schools is based on the following requirements: Decisions to promote or retain elementary school students should be based on successful completion of curriculum, on attendance, and on performance on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS). Students in benchmark 3, 6 and 8 are subject to the following considerations:
PUBLIC LAW TEST House Bill 195 (School Code of Illinois) requires that all students successfully pass a Constitution test. The test is administrated during the Eighth Grade year of school. James N. Thorp Elementary School
SCHEDULE (Regular & Restructured Day)
SCHOOL CLOSING OR STARTING DELAYS Occasionally, during the winter months, weather conditions may cause schools to have a delayed opening or a complete close down. In either of these events the school Chief Executive Officer will notify all of the major radio stations in the Chicago area to inform you of the situation. Please do not call the school, but rather listen to your radio on days in question. STUDENT RECORDS The confidentiality of student records is maintained. The release of information of student records is consistent with guidelines set down by the Chicago Board of Education, State and Federal Law. Student records are available to parents upon written request. SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS When a substitute teacher is conducting a class, students must make every effort to be very courteous and helpful. Such efforts reflect good citizenship standards and a regard for the regular teacher as well. All of our substitutes are qualified teachers and are licensed by the State. TARDINESS After g:o5 A.M., students must obtain a tardy slip from the security desk or main office. TEXTBOOKS Textbooks are a very important and expensive part of our instructional program. The average textbook costs $55.00 and should be used at least five years. When textbooks are issued, students must be sure to write their name on the slip in the front of each book and record the number in a special place. Students are expected to cover their books and care for the books issued. Books issued must be turned in at the end of the year or upon withdrawal from school. It is important for students to understand that fines are levied when textbooks are lost or damaged beyond ordinary wear, such as torn bindings, damaged covers, ink spots, etc. The replacement cost of a lost book will be charged. VISITORS All visitors must report to the security desk or main office to sign in and obtain a pass before going elsewhere in the building. This is to insure student safety, reduce interruption to the instructional program and expedite visitations. Student visitations from other schools are prohibited because of disruptions that usually occur. They are only granted under extraordinary circumstances and with the advance approval of the principal.
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Copyright © James N. Thorp Elementary School 8914 South Buffalo Avenue Chicago, IL 60617 Tel: (773) 535-6250 Fax: (773) 535-6582 |
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