Public Schools of Petoskey

“A Special Place for Everyone”

 

 

Elementary School Handbook

For Central, Lincoln, Ottawa, and Sheridan Schools

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September, 2008

 

Dear Parents,

 

Welcome to the Public Schools of Petoskey!  Elementary school is an exciting time for parents and children.  During the elementary school years, children are introduced to the world of reading and learn many new things, while parents are oriented to school life. Through communication with you, we hope to develop a partnership that enhances positive growth for your child and helps to ensure success in school.

 

We hope that this handbook will serve as a helpful reference for you as you learn more about our schools.  If you ever have questions or concerns, please contact your school office.

 

There is nothing more precious than your child, and all of us at Central, Lincoln, Ottawa, and Sheridan Schools are honored by the fact that you have entrusted your child to us.  We appreciate the important opportunity and rewarding pleasure of helping your child learn and grow.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

The Elementary Principals

 

Mr. Joel Donaldson                Sheridan School

Mrs. Ruth Goldsmith             Ottawa School

Mr. Dale Lewis                       Central School

Mr. Tom VanDeventer          Lincoln School

 

 

 

 

 

Petoskey School District Staff

Board of Education

Mr. Jack VanTreese                 Mr. Bill Kanine

Mrs. Mary Ling                         Mr. Jack Waldvogel

Mr. Tom Rellinger

 

District Administrators

Dr. John Scholten, Superintendent

Mr. Kent Cartwright, Business Manager

Mrs. Lynn Slanec, Director of Teaching and Learning

Mr. Steve Neal, Director of Technology

Mrs. Kathi Clancy, Special Education Director

 

Elementary Principals

Joel Donaldson              Sheridan School 348-2140

Tom VanDeventer        Lincoln School               348-2120

Ruth Goldsmith              Ottawa School              348-2130

Dale Lewis                   Central School               348-2110

 

 

 

General Information

 

School Day Schedule

8:00 am             Secretaries on duty, breakfast students may enter

                                   

8:05 am             Doors are open, teachers are on duty, and students are admitted into the building.  Students who walk or are driven to school by parents are encouraged not to arrive before 8:05 am.

 

8:15 am             The bell rings to start the school day.  Students need to be in the classroom and ready for instruction at this time.

 

11:15 – 12:40     Lunch periods. Each grade has a 40-minute period for lunch and recess.

 

11:20 am           A.M. and DK  kindergarten dismissal

 

12:00 pm           P.M. kindergarten begins

 

3:05 pm             All elementary students dismissed

 

Because there is no student supervision before 8:10 am, the following rules are in effect:

 

  1. Students who walk or are driven to school should not arrive before 8:10 am.
  2. Students are not allowed to use the playground facilities unsupervised before school.

 

 

Communication With the School

Communication between school staff and you as a parent is very important.  In the Public Schools of Petoskey, we welcome and encourage your questions, comments, and concerns.  And, we will do everything we can to help meet your needs as promptly as possible.  You are welcome to contact any staff member by calling, emailing, or by stopping by the school (please check in at the office first.)   You can also access email addresses, phone numbers, and web pages by going to www.petoskeyschools.org.

 

All teachers have phones in their classrooms.  During the school day, you may leave a message at the teacher’s phone number.  Staff members check their messages each day. Email addresses and phone numbers for each staff member are available in your school office. For any urgent message, however, please call the office directly.

 

 

District Goals

The Public Schools of Petoskey, parents, and community members work hard to achieve the following district goals for students:

  1. All students will read, write, and do mathematics at or above grade level.
  2. All students and staff will show respect for self and others.

 

All of our elementary schools work to achieve these goals by carefully evaluating student achievement, continually training teachers and other staff in the most effective methods, and by involving parents in the educational process.

 

District Core Values

We in the Public Schools of Petoskey believe that, in addition to academic preparation, the educational program should help to develop important citizenship traits and core values that benefit the individual and society as a whole.  Each elementary school teaches and encourages the following ten core values in each child.  We will:

  1. Respect others and self.  
  2. Be responsible for our actions.
  3. Help others.
  4. Be trustworthy.
  5. Listen, study, and learn.
  6. Finish the work we start.
  7. Strive for excellence.
  8. Make healthy choices.
  9. Be fair toward others.
  10. Work to improve our community and ourselves.

 

Elementary School Curriculum

The elementary school curriculum consists of the following areas:

 

            Reading                        Technology

            Writing                         Art

            Speaking and Listening Health

Math                            Music

            Science                         Physical Education

            Social Studies               

 

All of our elementary schools use the same textbooks and provide the same instruction and curriculum materials.  Teachers and tutors from all schools receive ongoing training so that all are using the most effective teaching techniques and materials.

 

Testing and Evaluation

Your child will be evaluated in many ways in order to determine his or her academic progress. The following are the tests and assessments normally given to all students at each grade level:

 

Kindergarten:    Reading and writing assessment, Michigan Literacy Progress Profile, district math test, writing portfolio assessment

 

First Grade:       NWEA reading and math assessments, Michigan Literacy Progress Profile, writing portfolio assessment

 

Second Grade:   NWEA reading, and math, assessments, writing portfolio assessment

 

Third Grade:      NWEA reading, math, and science assessments, writing portfolio assessment, MEAP math and language arts tests

 

Fourth Grade:    NWEA reading, math, and science assessments, writing portfolio assessment, MEAP math and language arts tests

 

Fifth Grade:       NWEA reading, math, and science assessments, writing portfolio assessment, MEAP math, language arts, and science tests

 

 

Special Services Offered

      Title I Program to help selected students with literacy and math

      Enrichment Program for highly able students

      Special Education services for children with disabilities

      Speech Therapist

    School Psychologist

 

Homework and Helping at Home

Some time spent on homework is needed to meet the goals for a successful school year.  While the wrong type of homework or too much homework can be counterproductive, research shows that some home study is beneficial to children.  We believe that home study should:

 

  1. Have a clear purpose which helps the child achieve classroom learning goals.
  2. Be at the same time challenging, and manageable.
  3. Contribute to the child’s feelings of success with learning.  

 

While the time spent on homework will differ for various ages, the type of work will also vary at different grades.  Your child will not have homework from the teacher every day.  When your child does not have a specific assignment for home study time, he or she can spend this time on any of the following activities:

 

ü      Reading or being read to – library books, Accelerated Reader books, magazines, etc.       

ü      Writing letters or a diary entry

ü      Practicing math facts for their grade, using flash cards or games

ü      Writing stories or poems

ü      Playing games which help with math, reading, social studies, spelling, or science

ü      Doing art projects or playing music or the recorder

ü      Practicing handwriting

 

Parents play an important part in making home study time beneficial.  Research in this area says that parents can help by doing the following:

§         Ask your child, “What are you going to do for study time tonight?” rather than, “Do you have any homework?”                                                                                                         

§         Create a place at home that is conducive to studying.  Good study environments are well-lit, quiet, and comfortable. Although every child's learning style is different, most educators agree that students do best when the television is off and the student is free from distractions.

§         Set aside a specific time for study time each day.  This might involve limiting television-watching or phone calls until homework is finished.

§         Make sure students have all the supplies they need.  Parents should check in with students ahead of time about the kinds of projects they will be doing. It might be tough to find a calculator or a report cover at 9:00 the night before an assignment is due.

§         Be available if students have questions. Parents can support their children by looking over homework and giving suggestions, but should not do the homework for them.

§         Make an effort to communicate regularly with teachers. If necessary, parents should ask teachers to clarify their expectations.

§        Avoid linking rewards or punishment to school performance. While it is important for parents to recognize students' achievements, they should avoid external motivators for performance. Instead, parents should emphasize the value of learning and show they appreciate their child's hard work.

Parent Teacher Conferences

The parent – teacher conference is an opportunity for you to meet your child’s teacher, exchange information, and help develop the best educational program for your child. Conferences are held twice a year – after the first marking period, and again in the winter. It is very important that each child’s parents attend these conferences. Here are some suggestions to help make your conference a success:

 

  1. Make a list of things you want to tell the teacher about your child so the teacher can better understand your child (health, attitude toward school, any emotional difficulties, family changes, interests, strengths and weaknesses, etc.)
  2. Make a list of questions you would like to ask about your child. Ask your child what he or she would like you to discuss with the teacher.
  3. If only one parent is able to attend, ask your spouse for ideas and suggestions before you meet the teacher.
  4. If possible, please make babysitting arrangements for your children so that you can be free to talk openly with your child’s teacher.
  5. Please be on time for your conference.
  6. Toward the end of the conference, you may want to review any action steps that will help your child.

 

Parent Involvement

Your child’s success in school depends on many things, including your own participation in school events and in their learning.   By reading to your child, asking about school activities, creating the right setting for homework, providing lots of encouragement, and volunteering at school, you show your child that learning and school are important.

 

Every parent (and child!) has talents.  If you are able to volunteer at school, please contact your child’s teacher or principal.   Here are some ways that you may be able help. 

 

Ø      Tutor a child in reading, writing, or math skills

Ø      Serve as a trained ELF (Environmental Learning for the Future) instructor

Ø      Chaperone a Field Trip

Ø      Help to supervise Winter Fun Day or Field Day

Ø      Serve as a Jr. Great Books Leader

Ø      If you work during the day, provide needed art supplies (coat hangers, newspapers, etc.)

Ø      Help bind books which students have written

Ø      Serve as a PTO Officer

Ø      Make copies for the teachers

Ø      Read to students

Ø      Help in the Media Center

Ø      Type student writing for publication

Ø      Be a guest speaker, telling about your talent, interest, or career

Ø      Help on the playground as a volunteer assistant

Ø      Serve as a Jr. Achievement instructor for a class

Ø      Help to mat and display student art work

Ø      Other?  Let us know your ideas!

 

To help ensure the safety of our students, all adult volunteers who may work with students away from the supervision of staff are required to have a criminal background check completed.  These volunteers will receive a form to complete and return to the principal.

 

Attendance

Regular school attendance is very important to your child’s success in life, and has a direct effect on his or her educational growth and development.  While it is possible for children to make up work due to an absence, it is impossible to make up the classroom instruction and learning activities that occur each day.  Good student performance and achievement go hand-in-hand with good attendance.  Please make sure that your child attends school each day that he/she is not ill.  When planning family trips or vacations, please try to schedule these during school breaks.

 

The attendance policy for the elementary schools is as follows:

  1. Parents have the responsibility to call the school if their child is to be absent for the day or for any part of the day.  Please call the school office to report absences.  Calls may be made to your school office 24 hours a day.  Office hours are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and an answering machine will take your message at all other times.
  2. The school will contact parents of each student who is absent during the day if a call from the parent has not been received.  These phone calls will be made between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.
  3. Parents are asked to please notify the school when a child will be absent for more than one day.

 

Hot Lunch, Breakfast, and Milk

Children may either bring a lunch from home, or buy lunch or breakfast at school. Nutritious hot lunches and breakfasts are available to students at a low cost.   Milk is included with meals, but may also be purchased separately.    Students will have a 40-minute period for lunch and recess, following a schedule set by each school.  Children may purchase breakfast any day from 8:00 am to 8:20 am. School menus are sent home at the beginning of each month. 

 

Each student is given an account number and a meal debit card which is kept in the kitchen or cafeteria.  Students use this debit card to purchase lunch, breakfast, or milk at school.  Parents are asked to pay for meals ahead of time by sending cash or a check payable to Petoskey Schools (checks are preferred.) The money must be sealed in an envelope labeled with the child’s name, account number, teacher, and amount enclosed. Parents will receive a monthly statement showing the balance remaining in the child’s account.  Also, many families qualify for free or reduced school lunches – information and an application will be sent home at the beginning of the school year.

 

If a child’s account shows more than $10 owed, he or she will be given an alternate lunch including peanut butter and jelly sandwich, milk, and fruit.  Please try to keep a positive balance in your child’s meal account.

 

School Entrance and Registration

Kindergarten – Each child entering kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before December 1st of each year.  All kindergarten registrant’s ages must be certified by a legal birth certificate at the time of registration.

1st through 5th grade – Registration of new students requires completion of enrollment forms by the parent at any of the elementary school offices.  All entering students must have a birth certificate, current immunization record, and proof of residency in the Petoskey School District.   The child’s social security number is optional.   Students who reside outside of the district may apply for out of district enrollment in the Petoskey Schools by contacting our district office at 348-2100.

 

 

Change of Address, Phone, or Emergency Contact

If your phone number changes, or you move within the school district, please let us know your new phone number and/or address as soon as possible.  Also, if there is a change in the alternative emergency contact person for your child, or their phone number changes, please let us know, and we will update this information.

 

Withdrawal from School

Parents of children who plan to leave the school to enroll in another district should follow this procedure:

  1. Notify the classroom teacher and office in advance.  We need to know the new address, date of the move, and name of the child’s new school.
  2. Return all classroom books, library books and equipment.
  3. Take home all personal items.
  4. When enrolling in the new school, you will complete a “Request for Records” form which the new school will then send to us. We will then forward your child’s records to the new school.

 

Emergency School Closings

Occasionally, severe winter weather conditions may make it inadvisable to conduct classes for students.   When this happens, the public will be notified as soon as the decision is made.   Ordinarily, this will be done before 6:30 am and the announcement will be made over local radio and T.V. stations.  Please tune in to your local radio or T.V. station if you are unsure whether school has been cancelled.

 

At times, changing weather conditions make it necessary to cancel school after classes have begun for the day.  In this case, parents are notified through the same media as above, and are encouraged to listen to the local stations when poor weather conditions prevail.  Children will be transported home in the same manner they normally use, unless special arrangements are made by the parent or guardian.  An Emergency Dismissal Form will be sent to parents to complete at the start of the school year. Please contact the school secretary if changes occur later in the year.

 

 

 

Because approximately 65% of our students are bussed, it is important for parents to understand that the decision to close school is done to ensure the safety of children on the buses.  Decisions to close school are made by the Transportation Supervisor and Superintendent.

 

Textbooks, Workbooks, Library Books, and Equipment

It is the policy of the Board of Education to furnish free textbooks, workbooks and necessary supplies and equipment to students.  Children need to take very good care of these items.  Each textbook, workbook, library book, and piece of equipment is inventoried, and if lost or damaged, students will have to pay for replacement or repair of these items.  Each student is responsible for his/her own textbook, workbook, and other equipment and must hand them in at the end of the year.

 

Visitors

All parents and other visitors to school are required by Board Policy to stop by the office prior to the visitation, with the exception of parent-teacher conferences.  This helps to ensure the safety of our students and staff.  All visitors must enter through the front door, closest to the office, since all other entrance doors are kept locked during the school day.

 

Guests

At times students ask to have out of town friends or relatives attend school with them.  Even though guests may be cooperative and well behaved, they are not allowed to visit school for an extended time due to liability concerns.

 

Telephone Calls

Students are discouraged from making telephone calls unless it is an emergency.  They must have the teacher’s permission to call from school.  Phone calls will be made for books, homework, or instruments only as a last resort.

 

Winter Clothing

Except when it is raining or too cold, all students are expected to go outside for recess each day.  The following are suggestions to help your child enjoy recess during winter months:

 

1.       Children are asked to wear clothing adequate for outdoor play in winter, including boots, a warm coat, hat, mittens or gloves, and snow pants.

2.       If pants are likely to soak through, we suggest that an extra pair be kept in the locker or classroom so that dry clothing will be available after recess.

3.       We request that parents write the child’s name in every item of clothing that is “lose-able.” 

4.       Parents need to be sure that children start to school in the morning wearing the clothing necessary for outdoor recess.

5.       It is generally believed that students well enough to be in school are well enough to go outside for recess if properly clothed.  During the winter months, students without boots will be limited to playing on a designated area only.

 

Chaperoning School Events

We appreciate parent volunteers who are willing to help chaperone students on field trips and other school events.  Please be aware that it is against school district policy for chaperones to use alcohol during any school event, or to use tobacco in the presence of students on or off school property.

 

Fundraising

Only fundraising for school-related projects will be permitted on school property.

 

Lockers, Desks, and Other School Property

Student lockers and desks are school property and remain under the control of the school district at all times.  This also applies to vehicles used for school purposes.  The school district exercises exclusive control over school property, including student lockers and desks.  Students should not expect privacy regarding items placed in school property because school property is subject to search at any time by school officials.  However, students are expected to assume full responsibility for the security of their lockers and desks.  Students are responsible for whatever is contained in desks and lockers issued to them by the school district.  Periodic, general inspections of lockers, desks and other school property may be conducted by school authorities for any reason, at any time, without notice, without student consent, without parental consent, and without a search warrant.

 

Lost and Found

All articles that are not claimed are taken to the lost and found box near the school office and kept there until the end of the school year.  If you feel your child has lost something, please check our Lost and Found.   Also, you can reduce the likelihood of having to replace lost hats, mittens, coats, sweatshirts, etc. by clearly labeling each with your child’s name.

 

 

Student Health

 

Immunizations

The State of Michigan requires that children be adequately immunized to start school.  Each child must have:

§         4 doses of DPT.  A 5th dose is required if the 4th dose is given before the child’s 4th birthday.

§         3 doses of Polio.  A 4th dose is required if the 3rd dose is given before the child’s 4th birthday.

§         2 doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

§         3 doses of Hepatitis B

§         1 dose of Varicella, or current lab immunity, or reliable history of chicken pox

 

The school administration has the authority to exclude a student due to communicable disease control.

 

Health Information

Please examine your children carefully each morning before sending them to school to see if they show any signs of illness.  Look for:

         Red or watery eyes

         Earache or runny ear

         Running nose

         Coughing or sneezing

         Red or sore throat

         Rashes or spots on the skin