FLYNN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELEMENTARY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Family

Handbook

2011-2012

Welcome to Flynn Elementary School

 

Greetings Flynn Families,

We are excited to begin another school year at Flynn Elementary! Our motto at Flynn is: “we are on a quest for excellence!” This means that everyone at Flynn is doing their best to make sure that every day is filled with learning, laughter and hard work. As a Responsive Classroom school, our days are brimming with activities in which we work together as we learn academic and social skills.

We are now in our tenth year in this wonderful building on Lee Street. Our school was named after Dr. John Flynn, who was a long-time resident and avid supporter of education in Eau Claire. The East Hill neighborhood has a long, proud history of excellent education, first at Boyd School and now at Flynn Elementary. We are proud to continue this tradition of excellence and welcome you on our journey.

CARES is the acronym that summarizes the values we hold high at Flynn. Daily life operates around the principles of:              

Cooperation

Assertion

Responsibility

Empathy

Self-Control

This handbook says it all (or almost all.) There’s a lot of information in it, and we know it’s a lot of words, but if you read it thoroughly you will become familiar with the goals and procedures of Flynn Elementary. We hope you will continue to use this handbook as a reference throughout the school year. To make your referencing easier we have divided the Table of Contents into 6 main categories: General Information, Health, Policies &Procedures, Student Life, Family Involvement and Transportation. For ease in finding a particular topic we have placed a detailed index at the end of the handbook.

 

We have also included what we think is a handy resource for you on the back cover of this handbook! “Who’s Who and What Do They Do” will explain the duties of many of our non-classroom staff, and “Whom to Contact” will tell you the staff person to contact for various questions or concerns that you might have.

 

As always, we anticipate an inspired year - full of shared learning, meaningful challenges and communal enjoyment! Time to begin the fun!

 

Sincerely,

 

Kimberly Hill Phelps                                                     Sherri Klingensmith

Principal                                                                        Partnership Coordinator 

Table of Contents

 

General Information

          Flynn Mission Statement……………………………………....4

            Flynn Flyer Promise……………………………………………..4

Flynn School Goals…………………………………………….…4

Flynn Office Hours…………………………………………….…5

Who’s Who in the Office…………………………………….…5

Calling School……………………………………………………...5

Visiting School……………………………………………………..6

2011-2012 District Calendar…………………………………..7

2011-2012 Flynn Staff…………………………………………….8

Daily Schedule………………………………………………………9

Before and After-School Daycare……………………………..9

Emergency School Closing…………………………………….10

Moving? …………………………………………………………….10

 

Health

          Allergies……………………………………………………………..11

            E.C. School District Wellness Policy………………………..11

Head Lice……………………………………………………………12

Health Records…………………………………………………….12

            Immunization Requirements………………………………….13

Medication Policy…………………………………………………13

            Vision and Hearing Screenings………………………………..13

 

Policies and Procedures

          Accommodating Religious Beliefs……………………………14

            Attendance Policy…………………………………………………14

Cell Phone Use Policy……………………………………………15

Community Flier Distribution Policy………………..……..15

Dress Policy…………………………………………………..……..16

Eau Claire School District Wellness Policy……………..…17

Field Trip Policy…………………………………………………...18

Fundraising Policy………………………………………………...18

Internet Use Policy………………………………………………..18

Leaving School Early………………………………………………19

Medication Policy………………………………………………….19

Nondiscrimination Policy……………………………………….19

PBIS……………………………………………………………………20

Peak Control Rate Program…………………………………….20

Pet/Animal Visitation Policy……………………………….…..20

Separated/Divorced Parent Policies………………………….21

Title l and Sage Program…………………………………………21

Tobacco Use Policy………………………………………………..22

Toys From Home…………………………………………………..22

Vandalism…………………………………………………………….23

 

Student Life

Absences………………………………………………………………24

Behavior Program (Responsive Classroom). …………..….24

Birthdays at School…………………………………………..……26

Class Pictures………………………………………………………..26

Homework……………………………………………………………26

Internet Use………………………………………………………….27

            Lockers…………………………………………………………………27

Meals……………………………………………………………………27

PBIS…………………………………………………………………….29

Phone Calls to/from Students…………………………………..29

Playground Guidelines…………………………………………….30

Responsive Classroom Philosophy of Education……….…31

Safety at School……………………………………………………...32

Safety Patrol…………………………………………………………..32

            School Folders………………………………………………………..32

Textbook Checkout…………………………………………………33

Toys From Home…………………………………………………...33

Weapons Policy………………………………………………………33

 

Family Involvement

          Communication………………………………………………………34

            Family Directory……………………………………………………..34

Family Information Changes………………………………….....35

Family Involvement………………………………………………….35

Lost and Found……………………………………………………….35

PTA – Parent/Teacher Association……………………………..35

Parent/Teacher Conferences………………………………………36

Phone Calls To/From Students…………………………………..36

Separated/Divorced Parent Policies……………………….……36

Title l and Sage Program……………………………………………37

 

Transportation

          Bikes, Skateboards and Inline Skates……………………………38

            Parking and Safety……………………………………………………38

Safe Routes to School………………………………………………..41

Student Transportation……………………………………………..41

 

 

General Information

 

 

Mission Statement

Our mission statement was written the summer before Flynn Elementary opened its doors and is a philosophy that guides all activities that take place in the building.

“All who enter John Flynn Elementary School

will find unlimited learning opportunities

and a peaceful community of acceptance,

where self-reliance and curiosity

lead the quest for excellence.”

 

Flynn Flyer Promise

The Flynn Flyer Promise is a pledge that was written for our students, by our students. They say the promise each day with their classmates.

 

I promise to learn and play peacefully,

To be responsible and do my part,

To treat others with kindness and respect,

And to use self-control.

I’m proud to be a Flynn Flyer.

 

School Goals

Our School Goal for 2011-2012:

We will work to increase student achievement through the efficient use of student data analysis. This will be evidenced by

·        A 10% increase in students meeting end of the year reading benchmarks on AIMS WEB assessments

·        A 91% level of proficiency in math for grades 3-5 on the WKCE

·        A 50% decrease in classroom disruptions by targeted students

 

 

 

 

Office Hours

The school office is open from 7:45am-4:15pm. The telephone number for the office is 715-852-3300. There may be other staff in the building that are available to take emergency calls outside of those hours.

 

 

 

 

Who’s Who in the Office?

Our goal in the office is to serve our school community in a kind, caring, and friendly way. When you call or stop in, you can expect to be greeted by one of the following:

                   Danni Trullinger----------------Secretary

                   Kimberly Hill Phelps----------Principal

                   Michelle Olson---------------------Counselor

                   Esta Mattice----------------------------School Assistant

                   Ginnie Ryder-------------------------School Assistant

                   Sherri Klingensmith-----------Partnership Coordinator

 

 

 

 

 

Calling School

Please feel free to call school with any questions or concerns you have. Our phone number is 715-852-3300. If you need to speak to someone in particular, you can either call his or her extension (if you know it) or ask the secretary to connect you. You can usually reach teachers before school between 8:00am and 8:40am, and then after 3:40pm.  All of our staff has voice mail, so you should feel free to leave a message.

 

 

 

Visiting School

Guests and family members are welcome at Flynn! We have numerous volunteer opportunities for parents, guardians and family members at Flynn Elementary and we have an ongoing invitation for you to join your children for lunch! We hope you find yourselves inside our building frequently throughout the year. If you want to visit a specific classroom, make sure you make arrangements with the classroom teacher or the partnership coordinator so that someone is expecting you.

 

We have a few parking spots available in the guest lot in front of school, but if that is full, feel free to park in the larger lot on the south side of the building. Please do not park in the cut-away area on Lee Street, as this is for drop-off and pick-up only. Please observe all posted parking restrictions!

 

The main doors (Door #1) on Lee Street are always open during school hours. For security reasons all other outside doors will be locked during the school day. For most evening events the doors on the west side of the big parking lot and closest to the gym (Door #3) will be open.

 

When you visit school during the day, please sign in at the office window in the front lobby. There is a notebook there for you to sign your name and write down where you will be in the building. At the same time you can pick up a Volunteer Nametag. This procedure allows us to know who is in the building at all times (in case of phone calls or messages) and it also aids us in providing for the safety and security of your children. SEE YOU AT SCHOOL!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011-12 School District Calendar

 

August 30 & 31	All Teachers Report – Workshop
September 1	First Day of School for Students
September 5	Labor Day (all schools closed)
October 13	Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm
October 17	Parent-Teacher Conference Day (all schools closed) (Conferences held district-wide from 3:30 pm to 8 pm)
October 20	Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences from 4:15 pm to 7:45 pm
October 25	High School Parent-Teacher Conferences from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm
November 4	End of Secondary Marking Period
November 23 – 25	Thanksgiving Break (all schools closed) (classes resume 11/28/11)
December 1	End of Elementary Marking Period
December 2	Elementary Teacher Work Day (all schools closed) Secondary Professional Development Day (all schools closed)
December 23 – January 1	Winter Break (all schools closed) (classes resume 1/02/12)
2012
January 20	End of Secondary Marking Period
January 23	Elementary Professional Development Day (all schools closed) Secondary Teacher Work Day (all schools closed)
February 16	Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm
February 20	Professional Development All Staff PreK-12 (all schools closed)
February 21	Parent-Teacher Conference Day (all schools closed) (Conferences held district-wide from 3:30 pm to 8 pm)
February 23	Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences from 4:15 pm to 7:45 pm.
February 27	High School Parent-Teacher Conferences from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm
March 9	End of Elementary Marking Period
March 19 – 23	Spring Break (all schools closed) (classes resume 3/26/12)
April 5	End of Secondary Marking Period
April 6	Break (all schools closed)
May 28	Memorial Day (all schools closed)
June 6	End of Marking Period—Last Day for Students
June 7	Teacher Work Day—Last Day for Teachers

 

Graduation Dates

 

 North High: June 5, 2012 @ 7 pm at North

Memorial High: June 6, 2012 @ 7 pm in Zorn Arena

STAFF

2011 - 2012

 

          Kimberly Hill                                                    Principal

            Danni Trullinger                                               Secretary

            Julie Maciocek                                                Kindergarten

            Deb Schretenthaler                                         Kindergarten

            Avery Weber                                                   Kindergarten

            Cori Hutchins                                                  First Grade

Joann Statz                                                     First Grade

            Cheryl Strei                                                     First Grade

            Khoua Vang                                                    Second Grade

            Valerie Erickson                                              Second Grade

            Diane Heck                                                     Second Grade                       

Amy Detrick                                                    Third Grade

JoAnn Waldhart-Adams                                 Third Grade

Beth Schott                                                     Third Grade                                        

            Chad Frase                                                     Fourth Grade

            Kelly McCaughey                                           Fourth Grade

            Cheryl Lawrence                                            Fifth Grade

Matthew Wigdahl                                            Fifth Grade

Heidi Wendtland

            Heidi Hebert                                                    Title I

            Tiffany Hall                                                     Special Education Teacher

            Amanda Marquardt                                         Special Education Teacher

            Sherri Klingensmith                                         Partnership Coordinator

            Gloria Fant                                                      Music

            Carla Rubeck                                                  Physical Education

            Danie Johnson                                                Art

Dana Reck                                                      Art

            Gwenn Nyhagen                                             Media Specialist

            Michelle Olson                                                Counselor

            Kao Moua Her                                                            Literacy Coach

            Margie Buchholz/Leanna Wiggins                  School Nurse

            Vacant                                                             Social Worker

            Dan Walsh                                                      Psychologist

            Pam Iesalnieks                                               Speech Clinician

            Stacie Wilson                                                  Occupational Therapist

            Melissa Greer                                                 Gifted & Talented

            Katie Myers                                                     ELL Teacher

            Vacant                                                             Bilingual Aide

            Jayne Freij                                                      Gen. School Assistant  

Esta Mattice                                                    Gen. School Assistant

            Ginnie Ryder                                                   Gen. School Assistant

            Sherry McMenamin                                        Special Education Assistant

            Jenni Schoof                                                   General School Assistant

            Ellen Yule                                                        Cook

            Renee Jackson                                               Cook

            Mark Kramer                                                 Custodian

            Mark Rud                                                        Custodian

            Gene Keppers                                                 Adult Safety Patrol

            Bob Bauer                                                       Adult Safety Patrol

 

 

Daily Schedule at Flynn

8:00            Teacher Day Begins

8:30            Playground is supervised

                   Breakfast begins

8:40            Bell rings – Homeroom

 

11:15          Grades 1 & 3 – Recess

11:35          Grades 1 & 3 – Recess Ends/Lunch begins

11:55          Grades 1 & 3 – Lunch ends – Instruction begins

 

11:40          Grades 2 & 5 – Recess

12:00          Grades 2 & 5 – Recess Ends/Lunch begins

12:20          Grades 2 & 5 – Lunch ends – instruction begins

 

12:05          Grades K & 4 – Recess

12:25          Grades K & 4 – Recess ends/Lunch Begins

12:45          Grades K & 4 – Lunch ends – instruction begins

 

3:40            School day ends

3:05            School day ends on Wednesday

 

 

 

 

 

Before and After-School Childcare

The Eau Claire YMCA offers before and after school childcare in the cafeteria at Flynn Elementary on all school days. This service is available to Flynn students from 6:30am to 8:30am, and from the end of the school day until 6:00pm.

 

For more information, contact Jen Brost at the YMCA: 715-836-8460 ext. 108, or call the school office, 852-3300.

 

 

 

Emergency School Closing

SNOW DAY! Local radio stations will make announcements regarding school schedule changes or inclement weather days.

§  If school will be closed for the day, or there is a delayed starting time, the announcement will be made by 6:30am. School will be dismissed at the regular time on days in which school starts one or two hours late.

§  If school will be dismissed early, the announcement will be made by 11:00am, and all elementary schools will close at 1:30pm.

§  If special classes are cancelled, the announcement will be made by 6:30am.

§  If bus routes are cancelled in the morning, the same routes will automatically be cancelled in the afternoon.

§  In the event of school closing or early dismissal, ALL extra and co-curricular activities scheduled for that day, will be cancelled. This includes scouting events.

It is very important for you to make arrangements for your child getting to and from school on inclement weather days. Because it is not possible to allow every child to phone and make arrangements on days when school closes early, it is imperative that you have a plan established in advance. Discussing the plan with your child will help to alleviate fear and anxiety. On “Welcome Back to School Day” all parents will be asked to sign a form indicating where your child will go in case of an emergency closing. We will follow the directions on that form unless otherwise directed.

 

Moving?

If your family is moving please inform the office and your child’s teacher as soon as possible. When a child is transferring out of the Flynn attendance area, adequate notice allows for completion of appropriate records and assistance in easing your child’s transition to a new school. If you move during the school year and want your child to continue attending Flynn, there is a simple one-page form for you to complete. (See Danni in the office.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health

 

Allergies

If your child has any special dietary needs due to food allergies please contact the school office. There is a menu modification form that needs to be completed!

 

E.C. School District Wellness Policy

The Eau Claire Area School District promotes healthy schools by supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as a part of the total learning environment.  The District supports a healthy environment where children learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices.  By facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, schools improve academic achievement and positive life-long practices. The school community will recognize the important role they play regarding good health and wellness practices.

 

Physical Education Curriculum - The physical education curriculum teaches children the importance of fitness and exercise by exposing students to a wide range of physical activities.  These include movement based activities, recreation, team, and individual sports.  The curriculum promotes physical activity and provides students with the opportunity to develop life-long fitness practices.  Physical education teachers are encouraged to include nutrition as part of the curriculum to combine the importance of healthy eating and physical activity for overall wellness.

 

Physical activity outside of physical education - The school district promotes daily activities outside of physical education. Students at all levels are provided with opportunities to participate in physical activity through extra-curricular, community, and school based events.  The District promotes collaboration with community agencies that provide physical activity opportunities.

 

Nutrition Education - The school district will provide a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing life-long wellness behaviors. The school environment, not just the classroom, shall be aligned to positively influence a student’s understanding, beliefs and habits as they relate to good nutrition and regular physical activity. The school district shall enable all students, through a comprehensive curriculum, to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to make healthy food choices for a lifetime. 

 

 

Nutrition Guidelines for All Foods on Campus - All ECASD Child Nutrition Programs will comply with federal, state and local requirements and will be accessible to all children. It is recommended that the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans be considered when selecting all foods made available on campus including: vending machines, ala carte, beverage contracts, fund raisers, concession stands, student stores, classroom activities, and school parties/celebrations. The school district will work to reduce student access to foods of minimal nutritional value.

 

The ECASD will provide a pleasant eating environment for students and staff, allow ample amount of time and space for students to eat lunch, and will ensure that all students have access to healthy food choices during school and at school functions. When considering fundraisers or incentives, staff and students are encouraged to utilize healthy, nutritious food choices or non-food items.

 

Family members and the community will be included in supporting and reinforcing nutrition education, physical activity education, and the promotion of healthy eating and lifestyles.

 

Head Lice Procedures

Unfortunately, it happens. If a student is found to have head lice (either nits or live lice) parents will be called and the student will be sent home. After the student has been treated and the nits have been removed, he/she will be allowed back into class. We also ask you to notify the school if you find head lice at home.

 

Health Records

State Law requires that the school nurse keep a health record on file for every child in school. You will be asked to indicate health concerns and give updated immunization information on the Student Information Form you will receive at the beginning of each school year. If health information changes during the school year, we ask that you contact the office so that we can update the Student Information Form.

 

Immunization Requirements

State Law requires that all children be immunized prior to enrolling in school unless parents file an exemption waiver. The requirements are as follows:

Age/Grade	Number of Doses
Pre K (2 yrs through 4 yrs)		4 DTP/DTaP/DT2		3 Polio		3 Hep B		1 MMR5		1 Var6
Grades K through 3		4 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td1		4 Polio4		3 Hep B		2 MMR5		2 Var 6
Grades 4 through 5		4 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td2		4 Polio4		3 Hep B		2 MMR5		1 Var 6
Grades 6 through 9	4 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td2		1 Tdap3		4 Polio4		3 Hep B		2 MMR5		2 Var6
Grades 10 through 11	4 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td2		1 Tdap3		4 Polio4		3 Hep B		2 MMR5		1 Var6
Grade 12	4 DTP/DTaP/DT/Td2		1 Tdap3		4 Polio 4		3 Hep B		2 MMR5		2 Var6

 

 

Medication Policy

The State Medical Examining Board has issued guidelines for schools concerning the administration of medication by school personnel. Appropriate forms are in the office. The following requirements must be met before school personnel can legally administer medication:

§  A parent or legal guardian must sign proper forms.

§  The child’s physician must sign proper forms.

§  Medication must be delivered to school by the parent or guardian.

§  The medication must be properly labeled from the pharmacy and the label must match medication administration form filled out by physician.

Responsible students may be allowed to administer medication without supervision when given permission by their physicians and parents/guardians. The classroom teacher should always be informed when mediation is taken at school.

 

Vision and Hearing Screenings

Hearing and Vision screenings will be performed in school as indicated below:

§  Hearing Screening. Grades K & 1      September 23, 2011      

§  Vision Screening.   Grades K & 3       October 12, 2011

 

 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

                    

Accommodating Religious Beliefs

The Eau Claire Areas School District will provide reasonable accommodations for a student’s sincerely held religious beliefs with regard to academic requirements, including examinations. The Board of Education recognizes that parents/guardians may desire or request that their children be excluded from receiving instruction in specific phases of certain curricular offerings on the basis of their religious beliefs. Accommodation requests shall be handled in accordance with established procedures.

 

Students, parents and teachers will annually receive written notification from the school district concerning this policy and its implementation procedures.

 

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is not only required by the state of WI, it is also very important to success in school. (Please see the following article.) Because of this, we ask that you schedule trips and vacations around the school calendar whenever possible.

 

Please be honest with us when your child isn’t able to be in school.  As the parent/guardian, you have the right to keep your child out of school for many reasons.  It feels like sometimes adults feel like they need to “call a child in sick” to explain an absence when illness isn’t really the issue.  You can be honest.  We will appreciate that.  And it will feel less confusing to the children when we welcome them back the next day… and probably ask if they are feeling better.

 

Please try to support your child’s daily attendance. If you can schedule appointments, vacations and other interruptions outside the school day, please do so.  We understand that this isn’t always possible.  We also know that when children are in school regularly they learn more and often like school better!

 

Oops! Overslept? Students are considered tardy anytime they are not at school when the bell rings. (Many families actually find that getting a tardy slip helps get a “slow-mover” motivated in the morning!) A tardy is excused when an appointment occurs within the first hour of school. All other reasons will be considered unexcused, and families will be notified.

 

 

 

IS IT REALLY THAT IMPORTANT TO BE IN SCHOOL EVERYDAY?

Sometimes it seems so hard to find time for all the other things in life that are also important – is it really that bad if children are pulled out of school occasionally? What about:            family vacations? Spending time with out-of-town guests? Keeping a child home to help you with something? Avoiding high traffic times when visiting?

 

There is a compulsory education law for children that requires them to attend school. But attending school regularly is also about developing good work habits and values. In addition, missing school means missing important learning opportunities that cannot be replicated.

 

At the elementary level, one of the most important things we can do to make sure our children develop a habit of attending school each day and a value for education is to make sure that they know that school is their job and that it is very important for them to be there every day.

 

School has changed; there was a time when students could make up the work that was missed when they were gone because much of the learning came from reading textbooks and doing worksheets. That is no longer true. Now our students learn through discussions with other students and through hands-on group activities that can’t be replicated another day or at home.

 

So, the bottom line is that it is important for children to be in school every day. Yes, children learn in other places and in other ways. Yes, it’s hard to be a parent/guardian today. Yes, we respect and value family time and family relationships. But the fact still remains that the learning that takes place in school is important, often can’t be made up, and plays a tremendous role in developing life-long habits of persistence, dedication and cooperation.

 

Cell Phone Use Policy

As of July 2004, the ECASD adopted policy on the use of cell phones and beepers. “Students are prohibited from using cell phones and or electronic paging devices while in school buildings or at any school-sponsored activity or field trip. Students must turn cell phones in to the office if they are brought to school. Violations can lead to phone confiscation.”

 

If you send your student to school with a cell phone, please have them stop at the school office when they arrive in the morning to turn it in. Mrs. Trullinger will keep track of the phone during the day and return it to the student at dismissal time.

 

Community Flier Distribution Policy

Each Eau Claire elementary school will distribute community fliers directly to students four times each year.  The schedule for the 2010-2011 school year is as follows: 

 

          Fliers Drop off Date                           Flier Distribution Window

          Wed. 31 August 2011                        1 - 9 September 2011

          Wed. 2 November 2011                    11 - 18 November 2011

          Wed. 25 January 2012                       27 Jan. – 3 Feb. 2012

          Wed. 4 April 2012                                      6 – 13 April 2012

Community groups interested in distributing fliers will contact schools according to the above dates. The community agency is responsible for copying the fliers.  District equipment and supplies may not be used to make copies of non-district fliers.  The school will not hold fliers from one distribution period to the next, nor will the school distribute non-district material to students on dates other than noted above.  Schools will not hold fliers for families, nor will the school provide extra fliers to parents who lose the material.   

 

Dress Policy

At Flynn, we require student attire that is conducive to a positive learning environment. The Eau Claire School District has established regulations to help guide you in matters of appropriate attire:

          “Responsibility for the personal appearance of students enrolled in the Eau Claire Area School District shall normally rest with the students themselves and their parents/guardians. Student dress or grooming shall not, however, negatively affect the health or safety of students, disrupt the learning process within the classroom or school, or be destructive to school property. In order to assure a healthy and safe school environment for students, the following student dress code guidelines will be enforced:

§  During the school day, headwear of any type is not to be worn (unless prescribed by a physician due to medical reasons or for documented religious beliefs.) Outdoor jackets and coats will not be allowed in the classroom.

§  No student will be permitted to wear any clothing or jewelry that contains pictures and/or writing referring to alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, sexual references, profanity, promotion of gambling, illegal drugs and/or gangs. Clothing items that cause intimidation or disrupt the learning of others are prohibited. Students will not wear clothing that defames, insults, threatens, harasses, or injures any racial or cultural group or individuals.

§  Students are expected to wear hairstyles and clothing that will not present a health or safety hazard. Special requirements may be necessary in certain areas such as physical education, art, band, science labs, kitchens and technology work areas; i.e. safety glasses, aprons, hair nets, etc. Appropriate footwear must be worn unless exceptions are granted.

§  Students will dress in a way that does not endanger themselves or others and will wear clothing that covers their stomachs, chests, backs, buttocks, and undergarments. Tops are not to be worn that are open backed, off the shoulder, overly sheer, or low cut. Tops and bottoms are to touch or overlap. There should be no exposed midriff.”

We are confident that Flynn families understand the importance of sending their children to school in clothing that is appropriate for their “work” environment. You may need to help your children make selections that are comfortable and that best protect their modesty as they learn and play at school.

 

This code is not intended to limit the right of school administration to establish rules or restrictions regarding other paraphernalia or dress that disrupts or threatens to disrupt the learning environment of the school. If there is a disagreement between students and/or parents/guardians and the staff regarding the appropriateness of clothing or other paraphernalia, the principal will use her discretion to make the final decision.

 

E. C. School District

Wellness Policy

The Eau Claire Area School District promotes healthy schools by supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as a part of the total learning environment.  The District supports a healthy environment where children learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices.  By facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, schools improve academic achievement and positive life-long practices. The school community will recognize the important role they play regarding good health and wellness practices.

 

Physical Education Curriculum - The physical education curriculum teaches children the importance of fitness and exercise by exposing students to a wide range of physical activities.  These include movement based activities, recreation, team, and individual sports.  The curriculum promotes physical activity and provides students with the opportunity to develop life-long fitness practices.  Physical education teachers are encouraged to include nutrition as part of the curriculum to combine the importance of healthy eating and physical activity for overall wellness.

 

Physical activity outside of physical education - The school district promotes daily activities outside of physical education. Students at all levels are provided with opportunities to participate in physical activity through extra-curricular, community, and school based events.  The District promotes collaboration with community agencies that provide physical activity opportunities.

 

Nutrition Education - The school district will provide a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing life-long wellness behaviors. The school environment, not just the classroom, shall be aligned to positively influence a student’s understanding, beliefs and habits as they relate to good nutrition and regular physical activity. The school district shall enable all students, through a comprehensive curriculum, to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to make healthy food choices for a lifetime. 

 

Nutrition Guidelines for All Foods on Campus - All ECASD Child Nutrition Programs will comply with federal, state and local requirements and will be accessible to all children. It is recommended that the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans be considered when selecting all foods made available on campus including: vending machines, ala carte, beverage contracts, fund raisers, concession stands, student stores, classroom activities, and school parties/celebrations. The school district will work to reduce student access to foods of minimal nutritional value.

 

The ECASD will provide a pleasant eating environment for students and staff, allow ample amount of time and space for students to eat lunch, and will ensure that all students have access to healthy food choices during school and at school functions. When considering fundraisers or incentives, staff and students are encouraged to utilize healthy, nutritious food choices or non-food items.

 

Family members and the community will be included in supporting and reinforcing nutrition education, physical activity education, and the promotion of healthy eating and lifestyles.

 

Field Trip Policy

Occasionally our teachers and students leave school property to take an educational field trip. All parents/guardians will be asked to sign a general permission slip that allows us to leave school grounds.  You will also be notified in writing before each off school property trip.

 

Fundraising Policy

It is the philosophy of the Eau Claire Area School District that the general school budget should supply materials and supplies necessary for educating all students. Often, however, parents are interested in providing some “extras” by participating in PTA sponsored fundraisers.

 

All families have the option of participating in the annual PTA fundraiser at Flynn, if they are interested. The safety and integrity of our children are always kept in mind when planning fund-raising activities

 

Internet Use Policy

Internet use is an important learning tool that students will use from time to time. For these instructional purposes students may use the Internet with an adult or under direct supervision of an adult. No unsupervised use of the Internet is allowed. All student use will be on district approved, or staff previewed and bookmarked, sites. Students will not be allowed to use the Internet without a signed permission form on file, which you will complete at the beginning of each school year. Inappropriate use of the Internet may result in suspension of Internet Access.

 

Policy for Leaving School Early

For safety reasons, students are not permitted to leave school grounds after they report to school. In this way you can always feel secure about your child’s whereabouts. Exceptions will only be made when permission is given by parents, via a note or phone call to school. Parents will then assume responsibility for their child’s safety, transportation, etc.

 

If your child is leaving school early, we ask that you send a note to school including the time your child is to leave. At that time, we ask that you come to the office where you will sign him/her out. The classroom teacher will then be called and asked to send your child to meet you in the lobby.

 

Medication Policy

The State Medical Examining Board has issued guidelines for schools concerning the administration of medication by school personnel. Appropriate forms are in the office. The following requirements must be met before school personnel can legally administer medication:

• A parent or legal guardian must sign proper forms.
• The child’s physician must sign proper forms.
• Medication must be delivered to school by the parent or guardian.
• The medication must be properly labeled from the pharmacy and the label must match medication administration form filled out by physician.

Responsible students may be allowed to administer medication without supervision when given permission by their physicians and parents/guardians. The classroom teacher should always be informed when mediation is taken at school.

 

Nondiscrimination Policy

The Eau Claire Area School District does not discriminate against pupils on the basis of sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disabilities, in its educational programs or activities. Federal law prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or handicap.

 

The district encourages informal resolution of complaints under this policy. A formal complaint resolution procedure is available. Address questions to Robyn Criego, Administrative Assistant – Pupil Services, at the Administration office at 500 Main Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

 

PBIS

What is that? There is a nationwide effort right now called Position Behavioral Interventions and Supports or PBIS.

 

PBIS provides a structure for collecting data on student social skills, for planning lessons to teach the social skills needed for learning and for assisting students for whom that is most difficult. PBIS is a perfect compliment for Responsive Classroom because the first thing schools need to do to use the PBIS structure is to identify a school-wide program for teaching social skills. Responsive Classroom schools already have that, like we do at Flynn. PBIS also requires keeping data on social learning, like we do on academic learning. Responsive Classroom calls for the same thing so that we can clearly see the areas that we need to address. The really exciting thing is that the structures introduced through PBIS, like Office Referral Reports and Check-In/Check-Out are a perfect next step for Responsive Classroom Schools.

 

Peak Control Rate Program

In an effort to save money, the Eau Claire Area School District will be participating in the Peak Control Rate Program through Excel Energy. The Peak Control Rate (PCR) is an alternative electric rate for customers that are able to shed load during Excel Energy peaks. What this means for our district is that if we are asked to shed load we may need to close school early.  It is projected that the district will save $104,000 by enrolling in this program.  Statistics reviewed by Excel Energy indicate that in the last 11 years there were only two occasions when service would have been interrupted during the school year. We should receive at least a one-hour notice before the interruptions and possible school closing. The district would handle an energy shutdown similar to closing school early for inclement weather. The news media would be contacted immediately so it could report the early closing. As with snow days, parents should have alternate arrangements made for students on days when the district closes early.

 

Pet/Animal Visitation Policy

The Eau Claire Area School District has approved a policy regarding animals and pets brought into classrooms. This policy includes the following requirements that must be met before a pet or animal may visit.

§  A form provided by the classroom teacher must be signed.

§  Animals must be clean and healthy so that the risk of transmitting disease is minimal.

§  A current rabies vaccination is required for all cats, dogs and ferrets.

§  Animals must be capable of staying restricted to an area designated by the teacher.

§  Kittens and puppies should be kept to a short visit.

§  All animals must be kept in proper restraints.

Animals that are unacceptable for school visits:

Wild Animals

Poisonous Animals

Wolf/Wolf Hybrids

Stray Animals

Baby Chicks or Ducks

Reptiles

Aggressive Animals

Psittacine Birds (Parrots, Parakeets, Cockatiels)

 

Separated/Divorced Parent Policies

All schools in the Eau Claire Area School District maintain strict neutrality between parents who are involved in an action affecting the family, unless otherwise directed by Court Order.

 

Prior to the beginning of each school year, each parent enrolling a student will be requested to provide the principal with current information regarding any Court Order that provides specific rights to the child’s parents. In the absence of a Court Order, neither parent will have rights over the other parent.

 

Unless directed by a Court Order both parents, custodial and non-custodial, are entitled to all grade reports, newsletters, disciplinary action and teacher/principal conference appointments. Delivery of all such information will be made in the same manner to both parents, which means that it will be sent with the child.

 

Title I and Sage Program

You may hear the words SAGE School or Title I program used at Flynn.  Do you wonder what that means?

 

SAGE is a state grant to help schools lower class sizes in kindergarten through third grade.  Additional funds are given to schools based on the number of students who qualify for free and reduced lunches.  That money is used for teaching staff so that students can be in classes with 18 or fewer students or be in a class with two teachers that keeps the student-teacher ratio low.

 

Title I is a Federal program to assist schools with meeting the needs of students who live in households with incomes levels that qualify for free and reduced lunch, also.  Last year, 52% of Flynn families qualified for free or reduced meals at school so we are considered a “school wide” Title I school.  The Federal government provides additional resources for teaching staff, resources, training for teachers, and other things to help ensure that all students at Flynn get the highest quality programming possible to meet their needs.  Title I requirements are also very specific about the schools responsibility in communicating and partnering with parents/guardians.  The Partnership Compact that you are asked to sign at conferences each year is part of that Title I communication and partnership requirement.

 

We are fortunate to get the additional funding from both grants and we are also fortunate to have outstanding educators at Flynn to meet the needs of students.  If you have additional questions about SAGE or Title I there are resources available through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction or the Federal Department of Education.  You are also welcome to contact staff at Flynn for more info.

 

Tobacco Use Policy

State law prohibits using tobacco products on all school sites. Adults violating this policy will be subject to the following consequences:

§  First Offense – Violator will receive written warning indicating that a municipal citation will be issued upon further violation of the policy.

§  Second Offense (and every offense thereafter) - Municipal citation will be issued for violation of the School District Tobacco Use Policy.

 

Policy on Toys from Home

Please do not send any toys from home to school. We try to provide all indoor and outdoor recess equipment that students need. In addition, toys can be very distracting to learning.

 

If students have toys and non-school gadgets at school, the toys will be taken away from the students. In some cases, the toys will be returned to students at the end of the school day. In other situations a parent or guardian will have to come to school to pick up what has been taken from the child.

Bottom line: Keep toys at home!

 

Vandalism

This school, and almost everything in it, is nearly new and in great condition. Our goal is to keep our building, furnishings and supplies like new for a long, long time.

 

Students will be taught how to care for materials and supplies. Teachers will also inspect materials before they are checked out to students. If students break, damage or vandalize (write on, carve into, etc.) anything at school, fines and/or replacement fees will be charged.

 

Please discuss this policy with your child to help us keep our building beautiful. We are proud of our school!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDENT LIFE

 

Absences

Students should, of course, remain at home when they are ill. Please contact school at 852-3300 by 9:00am on days when your child is unable to attend. Your call to us is very important because, unless we hear from you, we will expect your child at school. If your child goes home for lunch and is unable to return to school in the afternoon, please call and inform us of that also. When you call, please indicate the reason for your child’s absence, as it is important for us to know when we have contagious diseases in school.

 

If, in general, attendance is not a problem (a child has few absences throughout the year) we will try to be understanding and accommodating of special needs to take a child out of school. If attendance is a concern (many tardies or absences) we may not be able to excuse absences that are not of a serious nature.

 

Absences that occur because of the following reasons will be considered excused:

§  Illnesses that prevent a child from learning, or are contagious to other children.

§  Medical appointments that cannot be scheduled after the school day.

§  A death in the family.

§  Religious holidays.

§  Family emergencies, such as, a significant illness of another family member.

§  “Special” family trips that cannot be taken at other times.

§  Attendance at unique learning experiences outside of school

 

If you have any questions about excused or unexcused absences, please call our principal, Kimberly Hill.

 

Behavior Program

Our goal is to make sure that Flynn Elementary is a safe, caring place, where learning is possible for everyone.

 

We believe that in order to reach this goal we must all agree to the following:

§  We will not let children, behaviors, or any controllable interruption disrupt learning.

§  We will organize our shared spaces so they are welcoming, purposeful and peaceful.

§  We will practice the behaviors that exemplify CARES (Cooperation, Appropriate Assertiveness, Responsibility, Empathy and Self-Control.)

We believe that most students can learn to work independently and safely with the self-control necessary to participate in classroom activities. We also know that social skills and work habits are learned and developed throughout our lives. We will teach and practice these skills all year long.

 

Occasionally teachers feel that it is necessary to have conversations with their classes regarding inappropriate behaviors or language at school that have sexual overtones. Our students are asked to deal with such behavior in the following ways:

§  Appropriately asset themselves with anyone that uses language or gestures that are offensive. (Look the child in the eye, use their name, tell them that what they are doing is offensive, that you want them to stop, and that if they don’t you will tell an adult.)

§  Tell an adult in charge about the incident.

§  Tell your classroom teacher about the incident.

There is not a standard consequence for misbehavior at Flynn; the consequence will be generated for each situation after discussion with the teacher. We will be consistent in our use of consequences based on three main principles: the consequence must be reasonable, related to the behavior, and delivered respectfully.

Consequences might look like:

§  “You break it, you fix it.” The child might be asked to fix his/her behavior (i.e. apology of action.)

§  Loss of Privilege. If a privilege either in the classroom or outside of the classroom is misused, the child will lose that privilege for a period of time.

§  Take a Break. This is used when a child is not able to cooperate and/or is being disruptive to the group. The teacher or student will temporarily separate him/herself, until he/she is ready to participate in a positive manner. 

We will also follow the response plan below when children interrupt the learning environment.

§  Step 1: Time Away in the Classroom. This is a 1-3 minute ‘break’~ sitting in a thinking chair. All children will spend time in the thinking chair as all children are learning appropriate work and social skills.

§  Step 2: Time-Out in a Buddy Classroom. For this time out, the child will be removed from the classroom to sit in a “Buddy” classroom until the teacher has time to discuss the interruption. This enables the teacher to continue teaching until there is time to talk to the child who has interrupted the lesson.

§  Step 3: Time in the Office: Whenever a child is sent to the office, a parent or guardian will be called to pick the child up after school. A conference between the teacher and parent will be held if desired by either party.

After Steps 1, 2 or 3 are taken, the problem will be considered resolved, and the child will be welcomed back to class.

§  Step 4: Time in the Office with a Special Plan. This step is the same as step 3, except that an individual plan will be written for the child. This plan may include in-school suspension.

We believe that our behavior plan helps all students to maintain a level of cooperative behavior necessary for classroom learning. Our goal is: SUCCESS FOR EVERY STUDENT!!

 

Birthdays

We are happy to recognize student birthdays at Flynn and do so in our All-School Meetings and in individual classrooms. Spending the lunch hour with your student is a perfect way to celebrate special days. However, we discourage having deliveries of balloons, flowers, etc. made to school as it can cause other students to feel left out. Any deliveries of this type will be kept in the office until the end of the school day when students may pick them up to take home.

 

Parties are very exciting and although a child might want to hand out party invitations at school, we ask that no party invitations be distributed at school. We do this to prevent distractions from learning and to prevent hurt feelings in those students who are not invited.

 

Class pictures

Individual student pictures will be taken in the fall and group/class pictures in the spring. At no cost, a memory book will be made for all students and distributed at the end of the year. Specific information and order forms will be sent home before these picture days.

 

Homework

We believe that when parents, students and teachers work together students learn more. Teachers at Flynn assign homework according to the following guidelines:

          1^st Grade: 10 minutes/night               3^rd Grade: 30 minutes/night

          2^nd Grade: 20 minutes/night              4^th Grade: 40 minutes/night

                                                                   5^th Grade: 50 minutes/night

Some homework assignments will require family assistance and others will be able to be completed independently. Sometimes, homework will be reading for enjoyment. We hope you see homework as a way to follow your child’s learning and as an opportunity to partner in your child’s education.

 

If homework is incomplete, late slips will be used to notify parents. Students are responsible for completing the slips and getting a parent signature on them.

 

Internet Use

Internet use is an important learning tool that students will use from time to time. For these instructional purposes students may use the Internet with an adult or under direct supervision of an adult. No unsupervised use of the Internet is allowed. All student use will be on district approved, or staff previewed and bookmarked, sites. Students will not be allowed to use the Internet without a signed permission form on file, which you will complete at the beginning of each school year. Inappropriate use of the Internet may result in suspension of Internet access.

 

Lockers

Every child at Flynn will be assigned their own hallway locker to keep outdoor clothing, back packs and physical education shoes. Because lockers must remain accessible at all times, we do not allow students to lock them. The staff will assist students with keeping their lockers clean, organized and safe through lessons and locker cleaning time. Now and then you may want to encourage your child to bring home any outdoor wear that has accumulated over time. We will also do random, unannounced locker checks to ensure that no toys or inappropriate, unsafe objects are in lockers.

 

Meals

Lunch menus will be sent home regularly from school, are available on the school district web site and are also printed each week in the Leader Telegram. The cost for breakfast is $.95/day, hot lunch is $2.20/day, and a carton of milk is $.45.

 

An account will be set up at school for each student, into which families deposit lunch money on a weekly, monthly or yearly schedule (whichever works best for you.) Deposits are collected daily and should be sent to school in a clearly marked envelope, with the child’s name, classroom and PIN (Personal Identification Number). Students’ envelopes will be collected in the classroom at the beginning of the school day, then sent to the cook and deposited into the student’s account.

 

An alternative payment option is paying with a debit or credit card via mylunchmoney.com. You may enroll for this online program by filling out a form (available at school) to fax or mail in, call 1-800-479-3531 for over-the-phone processing or enroll online at the above website.

 

 

Breakfast

Breakfast will be served daily from 8:30am to 8:45am and is available to all students for $.95day. Children who qualify for free lunch also qualify for free breakfast. When students arrive at school they should go directly to the cafeteria serving area.

Lunch

          Students have three options at lunch:

1.     Eat hot lunch. Food is provided by our Food Services Department for $2.30/day.

2.     Bring a sack lunch (cold lunch). Students may bring their own beverage or buy milk for $.45. Because we believe a nutritious lunch is important for health and learning, pop and Kool Aid are not allowed.

3.     Go home for lunch. A child may go home for lunch every day, or once in a while. If he/she will regularly be going home for lunch, please send a note indicating permission has been granted for the entire year. Otherwise, you can send a note on the days your child will go home. Please make sure that he/she is back when afternoon class begins.

4.     Lunch with Students – Parents and other immediate family members are welcome to come to school and eat lunch with their children. When you join us for lunch, please follow the procedures below:

·        Sign in and get a Visitor’s Badge at the office

·        Wait in the lobby until your child comes in from recess

·        You are welcome to bring a “special” lunch for your child, but

PLEASE remember…

◊No soft drinks are allowed in the cafeteria! We encourage healthy beverages like milk or water.

◊No food can be shared! This is an important Health and Safety Rule. Also, please do not bring meals for other children!

◊Although it is a special lunch for you and your child, we ask that you help us by following all established school rules. Please listen to and follow the directions of the adult lunchroom teachers. Respecting our “Moment of Silence” is a good example of how you can help follow our school rules. (We have found that a moment of quiet is a great way for students to begin to relax and calm themselves after recess.) If you’re not sure of something ask the kids, they know! Or please feel free to ask a staff member.

◊We have many children using the cafeteria for lunch and we ask that all visitors respect the personal space of each of our students. The lunchroom and hallways should always be treated as the learning spaces that they are and not as play areas.

Snacks

All students will have a snack break each day. Each class will send home information on how ‘snack’ is handled in that grade. We are happy and excited to have received a federal grant to provide fruit and vegetable snacks some days this year. You’ll receive notes from the office with more information on this.

 

PBIS

What is that? There is a nationwide effort right now called Position Behavioral Interventions and Supports or PBIS. PBIS provides a structure for collecting data on student social skills, for planning lessons to teach the social skills needed for learning and for assisting students for whom that is most difficult. PBIS is a perfect compliment for Responsive Classroom because the first thing schools need to do to use the PBIS structure is to identify a school-wide program for teaching social skills. Responsive Classroom schools already have that, like we do at Flynn. PBIS also requires keeping data on social learning, like we do on academic learning. Responsive Classroom calls for the same thing so that we can clearly see the areas that we need to address. The really exciting thing is that the structures introduced through PBIS, like Office Referral Reports and Check-In/Check-Out are a perfect next step for Responsive Classroom Schools.

 

Phone Calls to/from Students

We ask that you try to make all arrangements with your children before the start of the school day. Sometimes things come up during the day, so if you need to get a message to your child, call the office and we will see that it gets to them. Messages for students that we receive near the end of the school day are the most difficult for us to deliver. Please plan ahead so we can avoid problems that can arise from last minute changes in plans.

 

Students are allowed to make emergency calls from the office, but we cannot allow them to use the phone for arranging rides, getting assignments, or making social plans.

 

The office is a busy place and we appreciate your help in keeping calls with messages for students to a minimum!

 

Playground Guidelines

The purpose of our playground is to provide a safe, fun, outdoor area for students to release energy, exercise, socialize and enjoy fresh air. Before school, our playground supervisors arrive at 8:30 am. Before that time, we want to emphasize that there is no supervision and children should not arrive until 8:30 or later. Students eating breakfast will be brought in at 8:30. All other students will be allowed indoors at 8:40 when the bell rings.

 

We also make sure that all students leave the playground at the end of the day unless they are with their own parent or guardian. We believe it is very important for the students to check in with an adult at home or where ever they are told to go before returning to school to play on the playground after school hours, again without supervision.

 

Thanks for helping us make sure all kids are safe and supervised when they are on the playground!

 

Outdoor Weather Policy: The decision to have recess inside or outside will be made by the school office staff in cooperation with the playground supervisor(s). The outdoor weather policy for cold weather is as follows:

§  All children will be expected to go outside when the actual temperature is 0 degrees and above.

§  All children will stay indoors for recess when the actual temperature is below 0 degrees and below.

§  All children will stay indoors for recess when the wind chill is –10 degrees or colder.

 

Although recess is usually an unstructured time for our students, we have found that we still need a few guiding rules and regulations.

§  Playground Attire: Children should dress appropriately for the weather and for the type of play they want to engage in. Warm coats, snow pants, hats, mittens and boots will be needed for winter recesses. Children should wear clothes that they feel free to play in! If you have a daughter who wants to climb, hang or tumble, you will want to send her in clothes that are appropriate for those activities.

§  Playground Behavior: The same behaviors that are expected in school will be expected on the playground. All students and staff will be treated with respect. If a conflict arises in play, students are taught to try and solve the problem themselves. If that doesn’t work, they are encouraged to talk with the playground supervisor. When students are involved in hurtful or unsafe activities they may be temporarily “timed-out.” Our time-out area on the playground is near the fence or the wall. Depending on the miss-behavior, playground supervisors may discuss it with the student’s classroom teacher or take the student to speak with the principal. If this is the case, parents will be notified and consequences discussed.

§  Playground Safety: Experience has taught us that certain activities are dangerous and need to be curtailed. We have had to come up with a short list of activities that are not allowed:

          Games that involve tackling, tripping or pushing

          Crawling “up” the slides

          Standing on the swings

          Playing “King of the Hill”

          Throwing snowballs

          Sitting on top of the monkey bars or playground equipment

Jumping from a height higher than the child’s head

Playing with guns/weapons – real or imagined.

 

Responsive Classroom Philosophy

At Flynn Elementary, the Responsive Classroom is practiced as an approach to creating a safe, challenging, and joyful educational environment. Our staff uses Responsive Classroom as a method of teaching students appropriate ways of getting along with each other as members of our community. The seven guiding principals of Responsive Classroom are:

·        The social curriculum is as important as the academic curriculum.

·        How children learn is as important as what they learn: process and content go hand-in-hand.

·        The greatest cognitive growth occurs through social interaction.

·        There is a specific set of social skills that children need to learn and practice in order to be successful: cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self-control.

·        Knowing the families of the children we teach – individually, culturally, and developmentally – is as important as knowing the children we teach. Parents are our partners.

·        How we, the adults at school, work together is as important as our individual competence. Effective schools begin with the adult community  

The ten teaching practices of Responsive Classroom are:

Morning Meeting

Rule Creation

Interactive Modeling

Positive Teacher Language

Logical Consequences

Guided discovery

Academic Choice

Classroom Organization

Working with Families

Collaborative Problem Solving

 

Safety at School

It is our responsibility to provide a safe learning environment for everyone in our building. Children come to us with rights that need to be respected. Most children act responsibly, which allows for optimum learning. We will always recognize responsible, respectful behavior.

 

Parental support and follow-up will assist us in providing a safe school environment and in teaching students to be respectful. Remember, we all have the same goal: SUCCESS FOR EVERY CHILD.

 

Our school district has a policy forbidding any weapons (including look-a-like guns, knives, etc.) Suspension and expulsion are possible consequences for violations of this policy.

 

Safety Patrol

Fifth grade students serve on the Safety Patrol, which is under the direction of Mrs. Ginnie Ryder. It is the responsibly of the Safety Patrols, along with the adult crossing guards, to assist students with safe travel to and from school. Patrols will be on duty by the following times:

8:30am, weekdays                              For travel to school

3:00pm, Wednesdays                         For travel home on early dismissal day

3:40pm, other weekdays                     For travel home

School Safety Patrols are stationed on the corners of Lee Street and Hoover Avenue and Lee Street and Fenwick Avenue for travel to school and home. An adult guard is stationed on the corners of Margaret Street and Fenwick Avenue before school and after school.

 

School Folders

Every student in grades K-2 will be given a “Flynn Folder” and a “Weekly Sheet” from their teachers. Students in grades 3-5 will receive a “Flynn Folder” and an Assignment Notebook. The use of these materials provides families and teachers with the opportunity to communicate on a daily basis.

 

Students should bring their folders and Assignment Notebooks or Weekly Sheets with them to school every day and take them home every night so that parents and guardians can review work and receive important announcements.

 

Parents and guardians should review everything that comes home; look over completed work, read informational notes, and sign your name in the appropriate spot to indicate that work has been reviewed.

 

Teachers will check folders daily and read any notes that families have attached.

 

Textbook Checkout

All students will be assigned textbooks in their classrooms. If a student looses a textbook, parents will be notified and will have the opportunity to pay for the lost book before their child will be issued a second handbook.

 

Policy on Toys from Home

Please do not send any toys from home to school. We try to provide all indoor and outdoor recess equipment that students need. In addition, toys can be very distracting to learning.

 

If students have toys and non-school gadgets at school, the toys will be taken away from the students. In some cases, the toys will be returned to students at the end of the school day. In other situations a parent or guardian will have to come to school to pick up what has been taken from the child. Bottom line: Keep toys at home! 

 

Weapons Policy

No weapons are allowed on school property at any time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Involvement

 

Communication

Good communication between Flynn staff and families is one of the most important elements of our success as a learning center. In order to ensure that you receive all vital information from school, we will use various vehicles of communication:

§  If you have computer access, we have a web site you can visit at any time: www.flynn.ecasd.k12.wi.us.

§  Because we have many families who do not have computer access, school information will be sent home with your children. Many times we send these communications home with the youngest child in a family.

§  Unless you specify receiving a paper copy, you will receive a Flynn Flyer Newsletter via email from the office at the beginning of each month, with dates and information on upcoming events.

§  Unless you request receiving a paper copy, every Friday you will receive our newsletter, This Week at Flynn via email. This 2-page newsletter offers a quick look at activities that occurred at school during the week and what to watch for the following week.

Successful communication needs to go both ways. We are partners in the education of your children and welcome your ideas, questions, thoughts and concerns.

 

If you have concerns that you would like addressed by a particular staff member (teacher, counselor, partnership coordinator, teaching assistant, etc.) you should feel free to make an appointment to see that person. All staff members have voice mail where you can leave a message if they are unavailable when you call. Of course, our principal is always ready to address any concerns that you have. 

 

Family Directory

State law allows for the release of “directory data” to parties outside the school unless parents or adult students request exemption to its release. Unless we receive a written request for an exemption from you by September 9, 2011, we will assume you want to be included in the student directory that is printed each year by the PTA. If we do not hear from you, the following data will be available to authorized parties: student’s name, date and place of birth, telephone number, dates of attendance, and photographs.

 

 

Family Information Changes

It is very important for the school office to have current student data on every child. Please inform the office whenever you have a change of telephone number, address, place of employment, etc.

 

Family Involvement

Parents, guardians and families are greatly valued as partners in the education of their children. We encourage you to become involved in the many different areas of school life. There are numerous levels of possible involvement, and in our efforts to respect your personal circumstances, we will offer various ideas and opportunities to fit partnering with us into your lifestyle. Your involvement may occur mostly at home with your child, (offering guidance and support, modeling education as a priority, and providing a successful learning environment in your home), or you may opt to volunteer for in-school activities. We will be in contact with you throughout the year, offering various opportunities for involvement. Everything you do to encourage student-learning makes a difference. We highly value your role in the educational process and look forward to our partnership with you.

 

Lost and Found

Each year the number of articles “found” is much larger than the number of articles claimed. Your child will be shown the location of our “Lost and Found” cart in the hall near the gym and should be encouraged to check this area if they have lost something. Small valuables such as watches and jewelry will be kept in the school office. The labeling of clothing and possessions is helpful in returning lost items to the rightful owner. Twice a year all Lost & Found items will be donated to a charity.

 

(PTA)Parent-Teacher Association

All parents, guardians and staff are encouraged to join the PTA; to attend meetings and to participate in the many activities sponsored by the group. The PTA offers numerous opportunities to work with other families, teachers and students in supporting education at Flynn.

2011-12 PTA Officers

                                  President                        Katie Bredehoft

     Vice President       Sally Eddy       

                                  Secretary               Jennifer Berg

                                  Treasurer                        Liz Thibodeau

Meetings and activities will be announced through newsletters and notes home. PTA Executive Board Meetings are held monthly and all PTA members are welcome to attend or to send suggested items for discussion.

 

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Two scheduled Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held each year. It is an expectation that at least one parent or guardian attend each conference. We are proud to say that usually 100% of our families comply with this request. Parents/guardians can request additional conferences at any time. We believe that scheduled time to share information and discuss a student’s progress proves valuable to both the teacher and the family, and also reinforces to our students that schools and families work together.

 

Phone Calls to/from Students

We ask that you try to make all arrangements with your children before the start of the school day. Sometimes things come up during the day, so if you need to get a message to your child, call the office and we will see that it gets to them. Messages for students that we receive near the end of the school day are the most difficult for us to deliver. Please plan ahead so we can avoid problems that can arise from last minute changes in plans.

 

Students are allowed to make emergency calls from the office, but we cannot allow them to use the phone for arranging rides, getting assignments, or making social plans.

 

The office is a busy place and we appreciate your help in keeping calls with messages for students to a minimum!

 

 

Separated/Divorced

Parent Policies

All schools in the Eau Claire Area School District maintain strict neutrality between parents who are involved in an action affecting the family, unless otherwise directed by Court Order.

 

Prior to the beginning of each school year, each parent enrolling a student will be requested to provide the principal with current information regarding any Court Order that provides specific rights to the child’s parents. In the absence of a Court Order, neither parent will have rights over the other parent.

 

Unless directed by a Court Order both parents, custodial and non-custodial, are entitled to all grade reports, newsletters, disciplinary action and teacher/principal conference appointments. Delivery of all such information will be made in the same manner to both parents, which means that it will be sent with the child.

 

Title I and Sage Program

You may hear the words SAGE School or Title I program used at Flynn.  Do you wonder what that means?

 

SAGE is a state grant to help schools lower class sizes in kindergarten through third grade.  Additional funds are given to schools based on the number of students who qualify for free and reduced lunches.  That money is used for teaching staff so that students can be in classes with 18 or fewer students or be in a class with two teachers that keeps the student-teacher ratio low.

 

Title I is a Federal program to assist schools with meeting the needs of students who live in households with incomes levels that qualify for free and reduced lunch, also.  Last year, 52% of Flynn families qualified for free or reduced meals at school so we are considered a “school wide” Title I school.  The Federal government provides additional resources for teaching staff, resources, training for teachers, and other things to help ensure that all students at Flynn get the highest quality programming possible to meet their needs.  Title I requirements are also very specific about the schools responsibility in communicating and partnering with parents/guardians.  The Partnership Compact that you are asked to sign at conferences each year is part of that Title I communication and partnership requirement.

 

We are fortunate to get the additional funding from both grants and we are also fortunate to have outstanding educators at Flynn to meet the needs of students.  If you have additional questions about SAGE or Title I there are resources available through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction or the Federal Department of Education.  You are also welcome to contact staff at Flynn for more info.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

Bikes, Skateboards and

Inline Skates

For safety and insurance reasons, bikes and inline skates are not allowed on the playground during school hours. As fun as they are, skateboards should be left at home. Inline skates and scooters may be ridden to school as long as they are put in a backpack before entering the playground. Bikes must be walked on school property and locked in the bike rack. If your child forgets a lock, one can (and should) be borrowed from the school office.

 

Skateboards are never allowed at school or on school property.

 

Parking and Safety

Did you know that in Madison a school staff member was killed when hit by a car driven by a parent at that school?  That is the kind of tragedy we want to make sure we avoid at Flynn. The front of our school needs to be a safe place, with few moving vehicles.  Please help us by keeping safety first, even on days when you are running late!!

 

We have been striving for safe traffic conditions outside of Flynn before and after school. Your children are so important to all of us. We can never stress enough how crucial it is to work together to keep them safe.

 

To help alleviate congestion, we encourage families to walk, bike, take the bus, or car pool to school.  If it is necessary to drive your child to school, we encourage you to park a couple blocks away and have your child walk the rest of the way.

 

 

 

 

Please respect and follow all signs

with parking restrictions posted by the city at all times!

 

 

 

 

 

Watch for this sign

when determining

which streets have

restricted parking

during school hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This sign states no vehicles should be

in the bus loading zone at any time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The speed limit is

always 15 mph when

you are dropping off

or picking up your child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This sign marks the drop off zone by

the playground. It is not an area to

park your car or leave it unattended.

Please stay in your vehicle

and exit the zone quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

Park “outside the ZONE” when dropping off and picking up your child. Parking “outside the ZONE” means parking at a location beyond the student crossing guards and allowing your child to use the crossing guards to walk the short distance to school. The ZONE is shown by a line of diamonds on the map. Solid lines indicate ‘no parking’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

NO parking on Lee Street across from Flynn. This includes the block the school is on as well as the playground block. The signs marking this area state that parking is restricted from 7:30 to 4:00 on school days. Also marked with this signage are the south sides of Laurel and Fenwick Avenues. Ignoring this signage severely impacts the traffic flow and restricts visibility for drivers, pedestrians and student patrollers. You may be ticketed if you park in any of these marked areas during school hours.

NO parking in the school bus loading zone. This is clearly marked with

signs. Cars should not be in this area at any time.

NO parking within ten feet of a fire hydrant. This is a violation

anywhere in Eau Claire. Parking that close to the intersection also makes

the safety patrollers’ job much more difficult.

 

♦ The drop-off zone in front of the playground is a no parking zone and is for passenger loading/unloading only, so please do not leave your car unattended. If you drop your student off in this area before school, please stay in your vehicle and exit the zone quickly so other drivers may do the same and the flow of cars can keep moving. If you wait in your car in this zone for your children after school, please stay in your vehicle and ask your child to walk to your car so you can quickly exit and make room for other drivers.

 

**A REMINDER**

Our 5^th grade patrollers play an important role in safety before and after school. These children are 10 and 11 years old. Please do all you can to enable them to do their job. Something as simple as parking in a no parking zone blocks the patrollers’ line of sight, creates a hazard and causes them to have to step out into the street to watch for traffic and may put them into a dangerous situation. Please be respectful of them and the decisions they are asked to make as they assist Flynn children across these busy streets. Thank you!

 

Safe Routes To School

What does it mean to be a “Safe Routes” school? At Flynn, the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program began in the school’s inaugural year, 2002. The initiative was started after years of witnessing the many hazards our kids faced traveling to and from school. The common goal of all SRTS activities is to make walking and biking to school safe and valued activities for children. However, the name Safe Routes to School covers a wide variety of programmatic approaches. At Flynn, bicycling and walking are encouraged because along with the obvious health benefits, the skills learned through these activities help kids safely navigate their neighborhood streets at all times of the year. Also, the SRTS program values bussing, carpooling and “outside the zone” parking as viable assets to the SRTS program.

 

Student Transportation

Flynn Elementary has students who arrive to school by bus, by car and by foot. If you meet the district requirements for bussing, you will be sent information about your bus number, and where and when you will be picked up and dropped off. There are new guidelines for appropriate bus behavior and a disciplinary action plan that will be used for misbehavior on the bus. The school district will send you this information

 

 

 

 

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

Absences, 24

Allergies, 11

Animal/Pet Visitation Policy, 20

Attendance, 14

Before and After School Day Care, 9

Behavior Program, 24

Bikes, Skateboards and Inline Skates, 38

Birthdays, 26

Calendar, 7

Calling School, 5

Cell Phones, 15

Children of Separated/Divorced Parents, 21

Class Pictures, 26

Communication, 34

Community Flier Distribution, 15

Daily School Schedule, 9

Daycare, YMCA, 9

Directory, family, 34

District Wellness Policy, 11

Divorced Parent Policy, 21

Dress Policy, 16

Emergency School Closing, 10

Family Directory, 34

Family Information Changes, 35

Family Involvement, 35

Field Trips, 18

Flier Distribution, 15

Flynn Flyer Promise, 4

Folders, 32

Fundraising Policy, 18

Goals, 4

Head Lice Procedures, 12

Health Records, 12

Hearing and Vision Screenings, 13

Homework, 26

Immunizations, 13

Information Changes, 35

Inline Skates, 38

Internet Use, 27

Invitations, 26

Leaving School Early, 19

Lockers, 27

Lost and Found, 35

Lunch, 27

Lunch with your child, 27

Meals at School, 27

 

 

 

Medication Policy, 19

Mission Statement, 4

Moving, 10

Nondiscrimination Policy, 19

Office Hours, 5

Parent Involvement, 35

Parent/Teacher Conferences, 36

Parking and Safety, 38

Party Invitations, 26

Peak Control Rate Program, 20

Pet/Animal Visitation Policy, 20

Phone Calls to/from Students, 29

Pictures, 26

Playground Guidelines, 30

PTA, 35

Religious Beliefs, 14

Responsive Classroom, 31

Safe Routes to School, 41

Safety, 32

Safety Patrol, 32

SAGE Program, 21

Schedule, daily, 9

School Calendar, 7

School Closings, 10

School Folders, 32

School Meals, 27

School Transfers, 10

Separated Parents Policy, 21

Skateboards, 38

Staff, 8

Student Directory, 34

Student Information Changes, 35

Student Pictures, 26

Student Transportation, 41

Textbook Checkout, 33

Title I Program, 21

Tobacco Use Policy, 22

Transfers, 10

Transportation, 41

Vandalism, 23

Vision and Hearing Screenings, 13

Visiting School, 6

Volunteer Sign-In, 6

Wellness Policy, 11

Who’s Who in the Office, 5

YMCA Before and After-School Daycare, 9