Mark Twain Elementary School

 

 

 

 

 


Student-Parent Handbook/Planner

9525-130th Ave NE Kirkland, WA 98033

Office: (425) 828-3210

Office Hours: 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Safe Arrival: (425) 828-3230

Fax: (425) 828-3213

Mascot: Bobcat         Colors: Purple and Gold

http://schools.lwsd.org/twain

 

Lake Washington School District

Resource Center: (425) 702-3200

http://www.lwsd.org

 

 

Our Mission: Commitment to Success

 


This daily planner belongs to:

 

Name                                                           Teacher

 

I have read and discussed the material in this handbook with my son/daughter.

 

Parent Signature

 

Student Signature
Dear Mark Twain Students and Parents,

 

It is indeed a pleasure to welcome you to Twain Elementary for the 2004-2005 school year.  As your principal, I am looking forward to a positive and exciting year as we pursue together that important goal, a quality education.

We extend a special welcome to the new families who have come to Twain this year.  You are an important part of our school community and we look forward to all that you will bring to our school. 

The staff at Twain has strived to create a safe and productive learning environment for all students. To that end we have developed this Student Success Plan.  We encourage you to carefully read this Student Success Plan as a family.  You will find all kinds of information that is important to the day-to-day operation of the school.  Further information regarding the school year will be sent home with your child from time to time.  Our goal is to provide an outstanding educational program for each student.  As a school community, we are committed to the safety of our students and providing academic excellence.

This planner is a gift to all students and their families from the Mark Twain PTSA.  Students must keep this planner in their binders and follow teachers' directions for its use everyday.  We hope that this organizational tool will help our students be even more successful at school.

We want your student to be happy and successful at school, and believe that as parents, you play a key role.  The child's knowledge that parents are actively interested in and supportive of the school program almost always results in fewer problems and greater success.  I encourage each of you to follow our Student Success Plan and to share in the exciting process of learning, growing, and having fun at Mark Twain Elementary.

 

Sincerely,

 

Darryl Pernat

Principal

 

Student Success Plan

 

·        Attend school regularly and on time.

 

·        Come to school prepared for the school day.

 

·        Have homework finished.

·        Have pencils, papers, and materials ready.

·        Have notes signed and returned.

 

·        Be considerate of the rights of others, both students and staff, including substitute teachers.

 

·        Do your best!

PeaceBuilders

 

Mark Twain Elementary is a PeaceBuilder school.  PeaceBuilders is a program designed to help us create an environment that reduces violence and establishes a more peaceful way of living in our school and community.  In PeaceBuilders, four carefully worded guidelines form the central strategy for behavior at our school. 

The entire staff has been trained to use and teach these guidelines in the classroom and on the playground each day.  They have been very helpful in “increasing the peace” at Mark Twain Elementary.

 

The PeaceBuilders Pledge

 

I am a PeaceBuilder.

I pledge. . .

To praise people,

To give up put-downs

To seek wise people,

To notice and speak up about hurts I have caused, To right wrongs.

I will build peace at home, at school, and in my community each day.

 

Recognizing Our PeaceBuilders

 

One of the ways we increase the peace at Mark Twain is to recognize students who are following the PeaceBuilder guidelines by writing Praise Notes to each other. Both staff and students can fill out these notes which are then posted in classrooms, sent home to parents, or sent to the principal for extra recognition. We appreciate our Mark Twain PeaceBuilders!

 

 

 

General Information

 

Daily Schedule

 

Grades 1-6 and All Day Kindergarten             8:30—3:00

AM Kindergarten                                          8:30—11:05

PM Kindergarten                                           12:25—3:00

Half Days when scheduled                    8:30—11:30 

 

8:10 a.m.      Crossing guards arrive at crosswalks

8:15 a.m.      Students may arrive on the school grounds

8:25 a.m.      First Bell—Students may enter the building

8:30 a.m.      Tardy Bell—Students should be in classrooms

 

Grade                    AM Recess             Lunch Recess          PM Recess

 

1                           10:15--10:30                   11:35—12:00                   2:00-2:15

2                           10:15—10:30                    12:05—12:30         2:00-2:15

3                           10:15—10:30                    12:05—12:30         2:00-2:15

4                           10:35—10:50         12:30—12:55         2:20-2:35

5                           10:35—10:50         12:30—12:55         2:20-2:35

6                           10:35—10:50         12:05—12:30         2:20-2:35

 

3:00 p.m.      Dismissal Bell—Students proceed directly to bus or crossings

3:10 p.m.      Buses have departed and crossing guards return to building

 

Reporting Attendance

 

When a student is absent, the parent must notify the office by 8:30 a.m. (Safe Arrival 828-3230). We must know that all students who started to school have arrived safely. If no prior exchange of information has occurred, the office will make a call to the home.

 

Please be on time to school. Students who are late to school interfere with their own learning and disrupt the classroom.  Students who arrive late to school must check in with the office secretaries to obtain an admit slip.  If students are frequently tardy, the school will notify parents to help develop a plan so students arrive on time to school.

 

Classroom experiences cannot be duplicated by make-up work. Please make every effort to maintain regular attendance.


 

School Hot Lunch Program

 

Hot lunch will be served at Twain.  The 2004-2005 price is $2.00.  This includes a half-pint of milk or juice. Some students prefer to bring lunch from home.  Milk and juice are available for purchase by students with sack lunches for 50 cents. Students may bring a check to deposit into their personal school lunch account.  They may buy hot lunch or milk/juice from this account.

 

Keeping our Students Safe: Emergencies at School

 

The Emergency Preparedness and Safety Committee is responsible for keeping all plans and supplies up to date and all staff and volunteers trained in case of an emergency. At the beginning of the year, students are trained in emergency procedures and continue to practice all year long. Please support our efforts for safety in all situations by having an emergency plan at home and supporting our plan at school. Parents can help in some important ways:

 

Emergency Cards: All students must have emergency cards on file in the school office and with the classroom teacher. We appreciate very much the time it takes for parents to fill out these cards completely. This information is vital both for the safety of the child and the ability of the staff to contact parents and provide information to emergency personnel. Please notify us of any changes in your child’s emergency card immediately.

 

Personal Comfort Kit: Each child should have a few personal emergency supplies in the classroom emergency container in the event that our schedule is changed by power outages or weather emergencies. We will send a list of recommended supplies and a ziplock bag home with the child early in the year.

 

Phone Tree: Our PTSA manages an emergency phone tree in case we need to notify all our parents of an emergency at school. Volunteers are needed to help make these calls. They are trained in calling procedures and are given the latest information possible. Wait for the phone tree to notify you in an emergency. Please do not call the school. If emergency vehicles are at the school, keep parking lots and entry roads clear. Keep all phone numbers accurate and up-to-date.

 

Lunch Buddy Program

 

Lunch Buddies are caring adult volunteers who have been matched with students at elementary schools in the Lake Washington School District. The students have been identified as benefiting from individual adult attention and positive recognition.  The Lunch Buddy Program gives working adults a chance to make a difference by becoming volunteers in a local school and getting to know the children of the community. The program also brings another caring person into the life of a child and offers him or her the opportunity to have an adult friend.

 

Here at Twain we have several children who have Lunch Buddies. Many more would benefit from having an adult Lunch Buddy. Adults in our business community who no longer have students at our school are welcome. If you know of anyone who would like to participate in the Lunch Buddy Program, please have him or her call us at 828-3210.


School Supplies List

 

The following materials are to be supplied by students. Please check periodically to make sure that students still have the supplies they need every day.    

Grade K

A picture of yourself with your name on the back (3x5 or 4x6), box of crayons and markers of any kind or size, one box of cookies or crackers to share at snack time, one-inch binder, one skinny box of writing utensils (either skinny markers or skinny colored pencils), four large or six small glue sticks,  two folders (Pee-Chee type), one large bottles hand sanitizer, one box of Baby Wipes, one ream of white Xerox copy paper, and backpack.

 

Grade 1

                        Backpack, crayons (no more than 24 colors), pencils (1 doz.) #2 lead, one package of pencil top erasers, two large erasers, pencil box, scissors (Fiskars are best), Elmers Glue (large), one family size box of Kleenex, small spiral notepad, one bottom-pocket folder for take home work (no Trapper Keepers), one ream of white Xerox copy paper, and crackers, cookies, or juice for 20.

 

Grade 2

Backpack (no rollers), #2 pencils, black Flair pen, soft rubber eraser, ruler, crayons (24 count), markers (small box), spiral notebook (no trappers or 3-ring notebooks), good quality scissors (Fiskars brand student scissors really last!), pencil box, four large glue sticks, Elmers liquid glue,  two folders (pockets on bottom), one white board marker, family size box of Kleenex, 8 oz hand sanitizer, small Scotchbrite sponge, one box of baby wipes, and one ream of white Xerox paper.

 

Grade 3

2 inch 3-ring binder (No Trapper Keepers Please), wide rule notebook paper, 120-page

spiral notebook (wide rule), ruler, scissors (Fiskars brand), #2 pencils (no mechanical pencils), colored pencils (set of 24), personal capped pencil sharpener, fine-tip black permanent marker (Sharpie), eraser, crayons (16), wide tip washable markers, pencil pouch (no pencil boxes please), white Elmers glue (no colored glue please), Prang water color set, one large glue stick, one family size box of Kleenex, and one ream of white Xerox copy paper.

 

Grade 4

3-ring binder (no Trapper Keepers), five sturdy pocket folders, one spiral notebook, pencil box, pencils and erasers, black erasable pen, big glue stick, ruler, markers (thick and thin), black Flair pen, black Sharpie permanent pen, one set of watercolors, swide ruled notebook paper, colored pencils, paperback dictionary, one family size box of Kleenex, solar calculator, one ream of white Xerox copy paper, and adult sized scissors. No gel pens, please.

 

Grade 5

3-ring 2” binder, pencil box, pencils and erasers, erasable pen (black or blue), big glue stick, ruler, markers (thick and thin), black “Sharpie permanent (fine and ultra fine) pens, notebook paper, colored pencils, one set of watercolors, post-it notes, letter size clipboard,  paperback dictionary, one ream of white Xerox copy paper, 6-8oz bottle of hand sanitizer, two family size boxes of Kleenex, solar calculator, and adult sized scissors.

 

Grade 6

3-ring binder, lined paper, colored pencils and markers, #2 pencils, eraser, black or blue ballpoint ink pens, three highlighters (pink, yellow, green), 3-ring pencil pouch or pencil box, scissors, glue stick, metric and standard combination ruler, calculator, personal dictionary, 5-subject spiral notebook, binder dividers, one ream of white Xerox copy paper, post-it notes, and one family size box of Kleenex.  Optional:  watercolor set and bamboo paint brush.

Student Discipline Policy

 

Discipline is the process of holding students accountable for their choices. Most infractions are minor and infrequent. The teacher and student working together can correct these infractions. 

 

Consequences for minor offenses may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

·         Warning

·         Loss of participation (Timeout in classroom or “buddy” classroom)

·         Parent contact

·         Discipline report

·         Parent conference

Consequences for major offenses may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

 

·         Immediate timeout

·         Behavior plan

·         Detention

·         Suspension

·         Conference with principal and/or parents

 

Mark Twain School-Wide Behavior Expectations

 

Responsible Before and After School Behavior

 

Goal:  Students will arrive and depart school in a safe and orderly manner.

1.                   Go directly to the playground when arriving at school.

2.                  Walk around to the playground.  Do not enter the building.

3.                  You must have a pass to be in the building before or after school.

4.                  When the 8:25 a.m. bell rings, line up right away and wait for your teacher.

5.                  At the end of the day, depart quietly by 3:10 p.m.

6.                  If your parents pick you up, meet them at the pick up area.

7.                  If you take a day care van, meet at the van pick up area.

 

Responsible Hallway Behavior

 

Goal:  The hallways of Twain will be a safe and quiet environment where people interact with courtesy and respect.

1.                   Walk slowly in a straight line on the right side of the hall.

2.                 Use quiet speaking voices.

3.                 Use a pass when out of your classroom.

4.                 If an adult asks to speak with you, stop and talk with that person.

5.                 You should stay outside during recess and not be in the halls.

6.                 No touching art work on walls, doorways or ceilings.

7.                 Teacher will accompany their class during whole class transitions.

 

Responsible Restroom Behavior

 

Goal:  The restrooms at Twain will be clean and safe.

1.                   You must use a restroom pass during class times.

2.                  Use restrooms appropriately and leave them clean.

3.                  Put toilet paper in the toilet.  Put all other paper in the garbage.

4.                  Flush the toilet.

5.                  Leave the stalls unlocked after use.

6.                  Wash your hands.

7.                  Leave the restroom as soon as you finish and return to class.

8.                  Use a quiet voice in the restroom.

 

Responsible Playground Behavior

 

Goal:  Students will play safely and have fun on the playground.

 

Our playground is a place for students to have fun and exercise during recess.  When on the playground we want our students to practice their PeaceBuilder skills:

 

·         Praise People

·         Give Up Put Downs

·         Notice Hurts and Right Wrongs

·         Seek Wise People

 

The following expectations are designed to help students practice responsible, positive behavior on the playground.

 

  1. Safety first
  2. Treat everyone with respect.
  3. Solve problems peacefully/seek help if needed.
  4. Use equipment appropriately.
  5. Take turns on equipment. 
  6. Games are open to all students.
  7. Stay outside unless you have a building pass.
  8. When the bell rings, stop what you are doing and walk to the building.
  9. Walk to the covered area immediately in the case of a thunderstorm or heavy rain.
  10. When a student is injured, report it immediately to an adult.
  11. Leave rocks, woodchips and dirt on the ground.
  12. No food on the playground.
  13. The Big Toy is closed for play before school.

 

Consequences for Infractions on the Playground

 

  1. Verbal reprimand.
  2. Positive practice (have the student do it the right way).
  3. Have students involved use PeaceBuilders skills to solve the problem.
  4. Have the student stay with the supervisor for two minutes.
  5. Time-out against the wall for one minute/Time-out for five minutes.
  6. Office referral.

 

Responsible Lunchroom Behavior

 

Goal:  Students will eat a nutritious lunch in a respectful manner.

 

Our lunchroom is a place for students to relax and eat a nutritious lunch.  When in the lunchroom we want our students to practice their PeaceBuilder skills:

·         Praise People

·         Give Up Put Downs

·         Notice Hurts and Right Wrongs

·         Seek Wise People

The following expectations are designed to help students practice responsible, positive behavior in the lunchroom.

 

  1. Walk in line keeping hands and feet to yourself.
  2. Sit with your bottom on the seat and your knees under the table.
  3. Use quiet voice when talking only to friends close to you.
  4. Eat quietly and use good manners.
  5. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
  6. Clean up after yourself.
  7. Wait to dump garbage until your class is called.
  8. Stay seated until you are dismissed to recess.
  9. Look and listen for the attention signal.
  10. Leave in a quiet and orderly manner.

 

Consequences for Infractions in the Lunchroom

 

1.       Verbal reminder.

2.      Positive practice (have the student do it the right way).

3.      Time out table.

4.      Community service.

5.      Class practice.

6.      Office referral.

Classroom Daily Feedback for:

    • Table behaviors.
    • Seat behaviors.
    • Clean up behaviors.

 

Responsible Bus Line and Day Care Van Line Behavior

 

Goal:  Students will behave in a safe manner while waiting for the bus or day care van and follow the directions of the adults and patrol students.

1.                   Go directly to the bus line or to your line in the day care waiting area.

2.                  Stand in your bus line or day care line.

3.                  Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself.

4.                  Leave rocks, sticks, bark and pine cones on the ground.

5.                  Follow the directions of the adults and safety patrol students.

6.                  Walkers will leave the school grounds immediately after school.

 

Guidelines for Student Attire

 

Goal: Students will dress in a way to help foster a positive attitude and respect for the learning environment, to display personal cleanliness, neatness, and appropriate attire.

1.       Tank tops, cut-off shirts, and sport shorts are examples of clothing more appropriate for after school or the beach.  They are not considered appropriate attire for school.

2.      The fingertip rule will apply to the wearing of shorts or skirts.

3.      Wearing clothing that relates in any way to gangs, sex, alcohol/drugs, tobacco products, or profanity will not be allowed. The unacceptable items will be removed. Sometimes this requires a call home for a parent to bring a change of clothing.

4.      Hats or caps are not suitable for wear within the classroom and the school building.

5.      Cosmetics are such a distraction to the elementary environment we ask that students not wear or bring facial makeup during the school day.

 

Personal Items at School