ASPEN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

ATTENDANCE
Utah Compulsory Attendance Law requires parents to have their children between the ages of six and eighteen years of age in attendance in school unless they have been excused by the Board of Education. Consistent attendance at school helps children learn and achieve success. Frequent absences or tardies of the students from the day-to-day classroom experiences disrupts the instructional and learning process. The benefits of instruction, once lost are often difficult to regain. The school will be using Parent Link to contact you whenever your child is absent. Please notify the school when your child is absent or will be absent before 9:30 am. 227-8700.

1. TARDY – Arriving to class fifteen minutes after the tardy bell to start class. Parents should notify the teacher through a note if their child was tardy due to circumstances beyond their control. We need your help in teaching students to be responsible. Continual tardiness will be referred to the principal.

2. TRUANCY – Deliberately being absent from school with or without parent’s knowledge. Excused absences include: Verifiable illness and family emergencies such as hospitalization or death of a family member.

EARNEST AND PERSISTENT EFFORT – Teachers and school personnel will make every effort to work with the student and parent to encourage attendance. Unexcused absences (sluffing) are serious offences. Students who are truant with parent’s knowledge may be referred to the district attendance officer for educational neglect.

1. Student Attendance affects Aspen Elementary’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). We desire all students to be in an environment of academic learning.

2. In cases of illness, please keep your child home. We have students attending Aspen who have severe health issues. We want well children at school each day; ill children home recuperating.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

1. Breakfast will be served from 7:40 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and from 8:55 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. in the lunchroom. The cost is $.85 per meal and $.30 per meal for those who qualify for the reduced price.

2. Lunch prices are $1.50 per meal or $.40 per meal for those who qualify for reduced price.

3. Payments are welcomed before school. If possible pay at the Food Service Office located at 490 N. State Street, Lindon, Utah.

4. Make all lunch checks out to ASDL (Alpine School District Lunch).

5. Parents may eat breakfast for $1.50 or lunch for $2.50. Parents must pay with cash, as the child’s account cannot be billed for an adult meal.

6. Those wishing to set up a direct payment plan for school lunches may contact District Food Services at 796-3104.

7. If a student is without food or money, they may charge in case of an emergency. The charge must be paid the following day. Remember, parents are responsible for meals, not the school.

8. Those wishing to apply for free or reduced price meals may obtain an application form at the office or at District Food Services in Lindon.

FREE OR REDUCED LUNCHES

To apply for free or reduced meals, households should complete an application and return it to the school or District Food Services, 490 N. State Lindon, Utah, 84062. Information will be sent to all homes in Alpine School Districts Summer mailer. Instructions will be in the mailer to ensure that students who qualify to receive benefits will receive them the first day of classes. Those who were on free or reduced lunches at the end of last year will remain on the program for 30 days. Reapplication must be made for families to remain qualified. Even if you do not plan on using free or reduced lunches, if you qualify, it is important that you apply.

LUNCH SCHEDULE

5th – 6th between 11:15 – 11:28 back in class at 12:00

3rd – 4th between 11:30 – 11:38 back in class at 12:10

1st – 2nd between 11:40 – 11:50 back in class at 12:20

CHECK OUT PROCEDURES
For safety and legal concerns, parents MUST come into the school to pick up their children if they need to check them out during school hours.

1. SICK OR INJURED CHILIDREN – A parent or authorized designee must come, personally, to the school office to pick up students during school hours. Students will be called from class only after a parent or designated adult has signed the checkout log.

2. Parents may not call and ask that their student be called out of class prior to their arrival, meet them outside, or be allowed to walk home. Please plan to allow time to check your children out of school in the main office.

3. Unless the school has a copy of a court order designating custody, the student cannot be prevented from leaving school with either parent or guardian. Only those persons you have designated on the student’s Emergency Health and Information form may check out your child.

4. Your understanding and cooperation with this policy is appreciated.

CHECK IN PROCEDURES
For safety and legal concerns, parents MUST come into the school when children are returning to school.

1. Parents are to check child in at the office.

2. Walk child to their classroom.

3. Wave at the teacher so that the teacher knows child has been returned to school by parent. Please do not interrupt teacher instruction.

4. Please do not expect office staff to walk your child back to class. Students must be accompanied by a parent back to class.

CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE PLAN
It is the intent of the faculty to establish and maintain a non-disruptive learning atmosphere in:

1. A safe environment in which students may experience success both academically and socially.

2. An environment that fosters respect for self, others, school, and the community.

3. A positive environment in which good citizenship and self-discipline is practiced.

Teachers have the primary responsibility to deal with discipline in their classrooms. Each teacher will review school and classroom discipline policies with students. If infractions cannot be resolved within the classroom, the situation will be referred to a cooperating teacher or the principal. Student misbehavior may warrant one or more of the following:

1. Teacher conference with child.

2. Loss of student privileges (i.e. lost recess privileges).

3. Parent/student conferences contact.

4. Sent to the principal.

5. In-school suspension or out-of-school suspension.

CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS

Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom. Please contact your child’s teacher to arrange a schedule. In the library, there is a volunteer record book. We would appreciate having you record the time spent helping in the classroom. Please do not bring any Preschool children to school. They become a distraction to the learning process in the classroom.

CLOSED CAMPUS
For the safety and welfare of children, and in compliance with school board policies, we maintain a closed campus. Students should not leave the school ground from the time school begins in the morning, until it ends in the afternoon. During lunch recess, some students sneak through our back walkway. Please help instruct your child about the safety and risk issues involved. Parents entrust the school to protect their child. The school entrusts the students to follow school rules. Parental support in following school rules is imperative. Please make arrangements with the school if you want your child to go home for lunch. Students should not accompany friends’ home for lunch.

CUSTODY & GUARDIANSHIP

Copies of legal paperwork MUST be submitted to the office YEARLY in cases regarding legal guardianship and custody issues. The school should not be placed in situations where disputes and custody issues are generated. Please arrange to have updated copies of legal mandates from the courts on file in the office before school starts in August. This will avoid any disruption to the school process. If we do not have anything in writing in the office, we do not know how to comply with guardianship or custody issues. “If it isn’t in writing, it didn’t happen.” Please check with the office YEARLY to determine if your documents are current and on file.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION

Out intent is to train students in safe emergency evacuation procedures, as well as earthquake and fire safety. An EMERGENCY RELEASE FORM must be filled out yearly to ensure correct information. The form is conveniently written in English and Spanish. This form is separate from the Health Form (BOTH FORMS MUST BE FILLED OUT AND RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL). In the event of an emergency, which necessitates evacuation from the building, the following procedures will be followed:

SCHOOLWIDE EMERGENCIES

1. In case of evacuation where we are unable to return to the building, students will be taken to the south field of the school to await pick up.

2. If the south neighborhood needs to be evacuated, we will transport our students to the LDS Stake Center, north of the school, to await parent pick-up.

INJURED OR SICK CHILDREN

1. If a child is sick or injured while at school, we will notify parents or individuals designated on the “Emergency and Health Information Form”. This form must be filled out each year. Please keep the principal and secretary informed of all information subject to change.

2. Since we do not have the provisions to take care of sick children for long periods, please provide us with accurate information and names of people who could pick up your children and take care of them if needed.

3. The sick room is a temporary accommodation for students. We are unable to keep students in the sick room for more than 10 – 15 minutes, while waiting for parents to come and pick up their child.

DAILY SCHEDULE
Breakfast Track A                         7:45 - 8:00
Breakfast Track B                         8:55 - 9:10
School Schedule Monday Track A   8:00-1:15
Tuesday-Friday Track A                 8:00-2:15
School Schedule Monday Track B   9:15-2:30
Tuesday-Friday Track A                 9:15-3:30
Kindergarten Monday Track C – K-AM 9:15-11:35
Tuesday-Friday Track C – K-AM     9:15-12:05
Kindergarten Monday Track D – K-PM 12:10-2:30
Tuesday-Friday Track D – K-PM     12:35-3:30

DRESS STANDARDS

School is the student’s place of business and students who are dressed in appropriate school clothing seem to do better. Please help students observe the following dress standards as adopted by Alpine School District and Aspen Elementary. When shopping for clothes to return to school, we encourage families to keep in mind the dress code.

1. Students are expected to dress modestly and appropriately for the weather to neither endanger their health nor detract from the learning environment. We advise coats or jackets for cold weather.

2. Acceptable shorts and skirt lengths are (2) two inches above the knee and no shorter. No bike shorts.

3. Shirts, blouses and other tops must have a sleeve and must cover the body to the waist. Bare midriffs, tank tops, halter-tops, mesh shirts or tops are NOT permitted. The belly should not show in normal body movement. No large neck or arm openings.

4. Grubby” clothing, or clothing containing vulgarities, profanity, rock bands, or advertisements for alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are not acceptable. Students will be required to turn their shirt inside out.

5. Sagging or oversized clothing distracts from the learning environment and is highly discouraged.

6. Hats or other headgear may not be worn during school hours. Bandanas are prohibited.

7. It is highly recommended that students do not wear flip-flops or sandals without a strap over the heel, due to any safety situation that may occur while participating in physical education and recess.

8. Shoes that mark or damage floors are highly discouraged. Students, who wear shoes with wheels in the heels, will be asked to remove the wheels during school hours. If the wheels cannot be removed, they must be kept inside the shoes at all times.

9. Body piercing other than in the ears is inappropriate for the learning environment.

10. Distracting hair color or hairstyles interfere with the learning environment and are prohibited.

11. Makeup is unacceptable in the elementary school. Nail polish should not be brought to school. Please help your child to keep these items at home.

Parents are asked to dress their children appropriately when attending school, school functions, and activities.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES / PTA ACTIVITIES

The purpose of family/PTA activities is to bring families together with a common purpose. The purpose is defeated when parents drop their children off, leaving them unattended. We strongly encourage families to attend together. Unsupervised children get into mischief and trouble. Students who are unattended, causing problems will be asked to call home for a parent to come and take them home. Please be considerate of PTA and school personnel who volunteer their time for these activities. These people are extremely busy and do not have time to supervise children left unattended. Parents are responsible for their children and their behavior at all times.

FAMILY REPRESENTATIVE

The School Newsletter and other announcements will be sent home with the OLDEST student in each Aspen family. This procedure worked well last year. Please ask your OLDEST student to deliver these notices home. Additional copies are usually available to parents who come to the office.

FEES

The Utah Constitution prohibits the charging of fees in elementary schools. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade may not be charged for textbooks, classroom equipment, supplies, assemblies, field trips, snacks, or for anything else, that takes place during the school day. If your student loses or destroys school property, the cost of repair or replacement is not a fee and will not be waived. Schools may charge for meals served at school. School funds are limited, and your school may need help. There may be donation requests from time to time. Upper grade students learn how to plan and develop study skills by using a planner. If you would like to purchse a planner, the cost is $4.00.

FIELD TRIPS

Often opportunities arise for learning that extends beyond the school and occasionally classes will go on field trips. Your child’s teacher will send home information regarding each field trip. Due to limited funds, the school may request a donation to help finance the trip. It is helpful if students purchase a school lunch if the field trip extends into the lunch period. School dress standards apply for all field trips. There may be some field trips that require special dress, please be understanding. Sometimes parents are invited to help supervise during trips. We appreciate this help, but preschool age children are not invited to attend. Please make other arrangements for your preschool children.

FUNDRAISERS

The school district sponsors one fundraiser each year. We will participate in the Entertainment fundraiser in August/September. As a school, we will have a Fund Raiser month in October. We will participate in the following fundraisers: Lehi Roller Mills and Sally Foster. We will begin Wednesday, October 1, 2008 and end Wednesday, October 22, 2008. Funds generated through fundraisers will be used to enhance academic programs and purchase equipment such as copy machines, audio, and playground equipment.

HOLIDAYS

Holidays are a fun time to celebrate. However, some holidays have limitations to be followed.

1. HALLOWEEN: We will be have a parade and class parties on Halloween. Costumes will not be worn during the school day.

2. CHRISTMAS: There will be no student gift exchange at school (this includes white elephant gifts).

3. VALENTINES: Valograms will be sold from February 3rd through the 13th for 25 cents.

HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION

If your child has had an accident or illness and will have to miss ten or more days of school, he/she may be eligible to be taught at home by a district-hired private teacher. Please contact the school office for additional information.

HOMEWORK

1. Homework extends learning opportunities beyond the confines of the school day. Assignments should be well planned by the teacher and fully understood by the students.

2. Homework helps children develop good study habits, foster positive attitudes toward school, and communicates to students the idea that learning takes work at home as well as at school.

3. Homework should rarely exceed 30 minutes each night in K-3rd and 1 hour in 4th-6th. Parents can help by giving children a quiet place and time to work.

4. Parents have the responsibility to see that students complete and return their homework.

Parents may contact teachers with questions regarding homework

IMMUNIZATIONS

Utah State Law requires all children enrolled in a public school to complete immunizations and have the dates on file before admission to school. The school nurse will contact you if your child does not comply with the immunization requirements. Failure to meet these requirements may result in your child being excluded from school. This is particularly relevant to kindergarten and new students.

1. Beginning 1984, all students enrolled in public school must complete diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, measles, and rubella immunizations.

2. Beginning 1999, students entering kindergarten must have the Hepatitis B series.

Students entering after 2001 must have the Hepatitis A series as well as the Varicella (chickenpox) immunization if the child has not had the chickenpox previously.

LOADING AND UNLOADING OF STUDENTS

Buses will come to Aspen each day. They will load and unload on the north side of the school. Please, do not park or drive in the RED bus zone. Parents should pick up/drop off students in the designated drop off area. DO NOT park in the pick up/drop off area. Please pull forward in the pick up/drop off area to facilitate safety for all children. We encourage your respect and patience before and after school during these times. PLEASE SLOW DOWN. The speed limit is 5 miles per hour.

LOST AND FOUND

1. We ask that all caps, jackets, mittens, boots, etc. be labeled with your child’s name.

2. The lost and found is located in the west hallway near the outside doors. Valuable or tiny articles are to be turned in to the office.

3. We encourage students to be responsible for their own personal items.

4. All unclaimed items will be donated to Goodwill or Deseret Industries on January 1st and June 15th.

5. MONEY AND VALUABLES -SHOULD BE KEPT AT HOME. Student desks are not secure places for keeping valuables. School personnel are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

TOYS AT SCHOOL - Please do not allow children to bring toys of any kind to school. They reduce a child’s ability to learn and cause distractions. School personnel are not responsible for lost or broken toys.

MEDICATION

No school personnel may administer oral medication to students unless a Medication Administration Release Form has been completed by the physician and is on file in the office.

1. The medication must be in the original prescription bottle with the doctor’s name (if necessary, the pharmacist will give you a second bottle so the prescription can be split between home and school.)

2. PARENTS MUST BRING MEDICATION INTO THE SCHOOL, not a student.

3. The pills must be counted, documented and stored in the school safe.

4. If Tylenol is needed, permission from the parent must be obtained and may be given via the telephone to the principal, secretary, or school nurse.

5. It is against State and District policies for students to carry their own Tylenol, cough drops, or any other medication.

MONEY
When sending money to school with a student, please send it in a sealed envelope with the following information on the outside:

1. Student’s name

2. Teacher’s name

3. Amount of money

4. Purpose for the money

All checks sent to school for items other than lunch tickets should be made out to Aspen Elementary. The only exceptions are for student book orders.

BOOK ORDERS
Many teachers distribute order forms to students allowing them to buy books through book companies at reduced prices. If you choose to participate, please write the checks to the specific book company for the exact amount. Do NOT send any cash to school. If you have questions, you may call your child’s teacher.

LUNCH MONEY

1. Make all lunch checks out to ASDL (Alpine School District Lunch).

2. Lunch money should be taken to the lunchroom in the morning.

NUISANCE AND/OR DANGEROUS ITEMS

1. DANGEROUS WEAPONS: Any item capable of causing death or serious bodily injury, or a facsimile or representation of the item. Dangerous weapons, as deemed by these rules, shall include but not be limited to firearms, knives, metal knuckles, straight razors, explosives, and poisonous gases.

2. DISRUPTIVE ACTS: Acts that disrupt the daily operation of the school include but are not limited to physical or sexual assault, intimidation, aggression, possessing, or displaying a dangerous weapon.

3. GUM is NOT allowed at school.

4. HAZING/HARASSMENT: Intimidation of a student or staff member or any act that injures, degrades, or disgraces a student or staff member.

5. ROLLERBLADES: are not permitted on school grounds. Students who choose to roller blade to school should remove them and put on shoes prior to entering school grounds.

6. SEXUAL HARRASSMENT: Alpine School District is committed to the maintenance of a learning environment which is free of any form of sexual harassment; an environment where students may attend school free of unwanted conduct or communication of a sexual nature; one which is in compliance with the state and federal laws dealing with this form of discrimination.

7. SKATEBOARDS & SCOOTERS: are not allowed at school. They will be taken away. The school is NOT responsible for lost or stolen items.
   

8. ELECTRONIC GAMES, ETC.: Electronic devices of any kind are NOT to be brought to school. These items will be confiscated and sent to the office. A parent MUST come into the office to reclaim these items.

NURSE

1. If you have immunization questions please contact, Aspen’s School Nurse Celeste Galbraith.

2. The school nurse is the most appropriate health care provider in the school setting. The purpose of the health program through an assigned registered nurse is to enhance the educational process by the modification or removal of health-related barriers to learning. It can also promote an optimal level of wellness.

3. Please refer and POST in your home the Communicable disease page sent home at the beginning of the school year. Please keep your child home if they are ill. This is a protection to others.

4. The status of students’ health influences their ability to learn. Health education is an essential part of the school nurse’s role. Activities of the health education include:

   • Vision Screening

   • Immunization follow-ups

   • Home visits

   • Maturation

PETS

1. Pets should not be brought to school without prior approval of the teacher.

2. Parents should bring and take the pet home immediately after showing it to the class.

3. NO animals will be permitted on the bus.

4. The Animal Control Officer will pick up animals lingering around the school grounds.

5. NO pets inside school building without prior consent. Please leave pets at home when checking in or out students or

   when attending school-sponsored activities.

PTA

The PTA adds strength to our school by donating many hours to provide needed programs during the year. We encourage membership in the PTA by all parents. There are many ways you can be involved, big jobs and little jobs. We can find something that you feel comfortable with. Studies have shown that children who see their parents involved at school take school more seriously and perform better. Our school is a reflection of our community. “It takes a community to raise a child.”

PowerSchool

PowerSchool is an on-line gradebook and attendance program. Parents have access to their child’s grades at any time day or night. Access your email browser.

1. Type our address in as south.alpinedistrict.org

Your user ID and the user PASSWORD will be given the first week of school. If you do not receive this information, please come to the school office. This information is included with each report card.

RECESS

1. All students are expected to be outside during recess breaks. In extreme weather conditions (low chill factor, rain or snow) or because of health problems, children will be allowed to remain inside.

2. Please dress your child for weather conditions, i.e. jackets, coats, gloves, hat.

3. If you wish your child to stay in during recess for health reasons, please notify your child’s teacher in writing. Should your request extend over a long time, (over a week), please send a note from a doctor or contact the school nurse.

4. On bad weather day’s, consideration will be given for all children to remain in the school building.

SAFETY TO AND FROM SCHOOL

Please review with your children the importance of being safe on their way to and from school.

1. Reviewing these rules, every few weeks will make this school year much safer.

2. Students should know the route you want them to take to and from school. Cross the street only with a crosswalk and/or the crossing guard. Students should obey crossing guard and traffic laws at all times.

3. Students should never run in front of, or between cars or buses. Students should not be walking unaccompanied in the parking lot.

4. Impress upon the student not to talk to or accept rides from strangers.

5. Encourage students to come directly home after school.

6. Take the safest and most direct route home.

RIDING THE BUS: Safety is the primary concern on the bus. Students should show respect and act in a safe manner while riding the bus. Students are expected to follow all instructions given by the bus driver. A student, who chooses to consistently break the bus rules, will lose the bus privilege.

1. Students should sit with their back to the seat, facing forward, with their feet on the floor.

2. They should not yell, scream, argue, etc. Rough-housing is not permitted for the safety of all who ride the bus.

All personal property and books should be neatly stored in a backpack on the floor or the seat next to them.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

If you or your child has a disability that requires special accommodations, please contact the school principal.

STUDENT EDUCATION PLANS (SEP)

Our Student Education Plan (SEP) conferences will be held October 8th and 9th, 2008 and February 4th and 5th, 2009. The purpose for SEP Conferences is to set student goals which will enhance student learning. We will also focus on the progress that your child has made. Parents will need to enter this website to select the time they would like to attend SEP Conferences.

http://www.canyoncreeksoftware.com/scheduler/ut/alpine/index/cfm

STUDENT INSURANCE

The school does not supply accident insurance for students while they are at school. The Board of Education encourages each elementary student to purchase school insurance unless they are covered by their parents’ insurance plan. If you have your own insurance, you must sign the Insurance waiver on the bottom of the student health sheet and return it to the office. If you have insurance questions please call 1-800-327-5400 or 1-800-328-2739.

STUDENT SUPPLIES

The school will furnish all necessary supplies (pencil, paper, crayons, etc.). We encourage children to have a book bag or a backpack to carry materials to and from school. You are welcome to donate to your child’s classroom or the school. Upper grade students learn how to plan and develop study skills by using a planner. If you would like to purchse a planner, the cost is $4.00.

TELEPHONE USE

School phones are for school business and emergencies only. Students are allowed to call for illness, lunch charges, etc. Please arrange daycare needs, homework and books, and so forth before school. Try to avoid calling your child during the school day unless it is an emergency. We try to avoid interrupting class instruction as much as possible.

WITHDRAWAL / TRANSFER STUDENTS

If you are moving and need to withdraw your child(ren) from school, please come to the office before 12:30 p.m. The secretary will fill out the transfer form while a parent checks out with teachers, library, and lunchroom. (The lunchroom staff leave at 12:30.)