ACCEPTABLE COMPUTER USE AT PETER KIRK: Peter Kirk promotes computer ethics as well as compliance with laws. No misuse of computers is allowed, including no program disks from home, no illegal copying of software, no opening of unauthorized files, no access to system folder or control panel, and no food or drink around computers. Violators can lose privileges and parents can be required to replace damaged equipment or software. LWSD Network Acceptable Use Policy, Web Publishing Guidelines, and Internet Code of Conduct will be reviewed with students in the fall and are available on the District website @ http://www.lkwash.wednet.edu/lwsd/html/programs/technology/policies/ Privileges can be removed for conduct, which is unethical, illegal or unacceptable.
ATTENDANCE: A child’s learning time is affected by absences and tardies, and we would like to see all children attend school regularly and in a timely manner. If your child is going to be absent or tardy, please call the school office at 425-822-7449 and leave a message detailing the name of the student, the name of the student’s classroom teacher and the reason for the absence. The office opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m.
CH A child’s learning time is affected by absences and tardies, and we would like to see all children attend school regularly and in a timely manner. If your child is going to be absent or tardy, please call the school office at 425-822-7449 and leave a message detailing the name of the student, the name of the student’s classroom teacher and the reason for the absence. The office opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m.
CHILD FIND: otional, and/or physical skills, please contact the school and ask for the special education teacher, school psychologist or their guidance team member. You may also call the Special Services main office at 425-702-3201 or Willows Special Services at 425-882-8170 (birth through pre-school) and request Child Find information.
DRESS: Hats are to be worn outside only. Please do not wear hats while in public areas of this building (office, library, lunchroom, etc.) Short shorts (above finger tip length); tank tops, halter-tops, exposed straps and tummies, t-shirts with negative or drug/alcohol messages, flip flop sandals and shoes with built-in wheels are inappropriate for school.
DRUG-FREE SCHOOL: Under the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, this school must be totally free of unlawful drugs and alcohol. No one is allowed to possess, use or distribute such drugs or alcohol while taking part in any school activities. Disciplinary actions will be taken for drug and alcohol violations. The law says discipline can include prosecution for illegal acts, as well as expulsion for students and loss of job for school employees.
EARLY DISMISSAL: We discourage early dismissals from school and request that you schedule doctor/dentist appointments before or after school. If early dismissal is necessary, please send a written note to your child’s teacher that morning. The note should include the time of the pick-up so the teacher can plan for the student’s absense. ESSENTIAL EARLY DISMISSAL POLICY IS THAT YOU CHECK IN AT THE OFFICE AND SIGN YOUR CHILD OUT. YOUR CHILD WILL THEN BE CALLED DOWN TO THE OFFICE. DISMISSAL BETWEEN 2:45-3:15 IS DISCOURAGED.
FIELD TRIP permission slips are sent home with your child well in advance of a trip. This is done so that you are aware of when the trip will take place. Please sign this slip and return it to school with your child. It is important for us to have all of the slips returned the day before the trip so we are able to plan appropriately for the activity. NO PHONE CALLS FOR PERMISSION SLIPS WILL BE ALLOWED THE DAY BEFORE THE TRIP. CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT RETURNED PERMISSION SLIPS BY THE DAY BEFORE THE TRIP WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO! Younger siblings may not go on field trips when the students are using district transportation. Parents may not chaperone a group of students if siblings attend.
HEALTH EDUCATION: State Law and District Policy provide that a student may be excused from all Health instruction if the parent or guardian so wishes. Students who have been excused from health classes will participate in a variety of supervised activities during the instructional time for health. Those activities are not necessarily health related, but could include such things as supervised study, peer tutoring, researching or assisting in the library, home study, etc. If you wish to waive your student from all health instruction, please arrange for an appointment with the principal to complete the required waiver forms. For an appointment, or for more information on this option, call the school at 425-822-7449.
State Law and District Policy also provide that a student may be excused from any planned units of instruction in Sex Education. The Sex Education Curriculum is not the same at primary and intermediate levels, and it is important to consider their respective health units before deciding to excuse a child from Sex Education.
In grades K, 1, 2, and 3, the Health Curriculum does not include Sex Education as a unit of study. No study of the structure or function of the reproductive system is included in those grades.
In grades 4, 5, and 6, the Health Curriculum includes the following:
Sex Education Units:
Physical changes of puberty; reproductive system.
Human development; conception through adulthood; reproductive system; individual physical differences.
In Grades 5 and 6 A.I.D.S. Education is taught. The curriculum consists of two one-hour sessions plus a video. The law mandates that all students receive this information unless the parent has previewed the material in advance and requested an exemption.
We will inform the parents/guardian at least four weeks before beginning planned units of instruction in Sex Education and A.I.D.S. Education. Parents will be informed of the following:
1. Dates the unit will be taught.
2. Content of the planned unit in Sex Education.
3. Procedure for preview of instructional materials.
4. Procedures for excusing students from planned units of instruction in Sex Education.
We will also be happy to work with individual parents/guardians who feel that their child may need to be excused from other specific portions of the curriculum. If, at any time during the school year, you wish to excuse your child from all or part of Health instruction, please call the school to make arrangements.
Please call the school if you would like to review the Health Curriculum, or if you have any questions about this procedure.
IDENTIFICATION OF MONEY: Whenever money is sent to school with the child, it is best to place it in a sealed envelope with your child's name, the amount, teacher's name, and purpose for which it is to be used written on the envelope. This will make recovery possible in case of loss and help us to credit you with the proper amount.
ACCIDENTS/ILLNESS AT SCHOOL: When children become ill or injured at school, parents are contacted. Kirk has a health room, including a cot, where a sick child can wait until parents arrive. When a child is sick or injured it is important that they be picked-up AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Please be sure that the school has a telephone number of a nearby friend or relative who could come for your child quickly if you cannot be reached. Also, please update your work, home, and emergency numbers with the school office when these change.
LIBRARY: Books convert to overdue status at 4:00 of the due date. Overdue notices are generated and then distributed to the student. Students are encouraged to be responsible library users by returning books on time. Students are not assessed a fine for overdue books but a replacement fee is charged for lost or damaged books.
LOST OR STOLEN PROPERTY: The school district cannot, by law, pay for students' personal possessions such as clothing, bikes, musical instruments, radios, etc., should they be lost, stolen or broken, etc. Please monitor what your children bring to school so accidents can be avoided. Students should have their name on all possessions and keep track of their belongings.
LUNCH ROOM: Hot lunches are served daily (except where noted). A menu is sent home each month.
STUDENT LUNCH $2.00
REDUCED PRICE LUNCH $ .40
MILK – each carton $ .50
ADULT MEALS $2.75
Parents can establish an electronic account with the school in any amount from which students can buy lunch or milk. To establish an account, please send a check made out to “Lake Washington School District” or “LWSD”, and an account will be established in your child’s name. You may also use your credit card to replenish your child’s account after it has been set up. The lunch charge number is: 425-702-3393.
Free and reduced-price lunches are available to children from families whose income meets the eligibility guidelines. All students receive an application in the First Day Packet. If you need this application please call our office at 425-822-7449.
Please do not send lunch items with your child that need to be heated in a microwave.
MARKING CLOTHES (PLEASE!!!!): Many coats, jackets, and boots are identical. As you know, from your own experience at home, children frequently mislay or lose things. Your child's clothing can be easily recovered if the name is sewn in or written on a tape with indelible ink. Lost and Found is located in the alcove behind the gym.
MEDICATION AT SCHOOL: Under normal circumstances prescribed and/or over-the-counter oral medication should be dispensed before and/or after school hours under supervision of the parent or guardian.
If a student must receive prescribed and/or over-the counter oral medication from an authorized staff member, the parent must submit a written request accompanied by authorization with written directions from a licensed physician or dentist. The forms are available in the school office. A physician's prescription may serve as written directions for up to a 14-day period.
The superintendent shall establish procedures for:
No medication shall be administered by injection except when a student is susceptible to a predetermined, life-endangering situation.
Current practice codified 1988
Adopted: 5-91
LEGAL REFS. RCW 28A.31.150
RCW 28A.31.155
CROSS REF.: EBBA, First Aid/Accident Reports
JHCA/JHCB, Physical Examinations/Immunization of Student
PARENT CONFERENCES, CALLS, AND VISITS: Parent-Teacher conferences will be scheduled in November. Additional conferences will be scheduled throughout the school year if they are needed. (Peter Kirk Elementary does not observe the October optional goal setting conference schedule.) Parent visits are welcomed, but should be pre-arranged with the teacher. Please be sure to check-in at the office before going to your child’s classroom! All visitors (volunteers as well) are required to wear a visitor/volunteer badge while in the building. Please call 425-822-7449 to make arrangements to visit with the principal or teacher. Calls to teachers are best placed between 8:00 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. and after 3:20 p.m.
P.E. ATTIRE: Acceptable attire for PE includes well fitting clothing and appropriate shoes. Clothing that is too tight or too baggy and sandals are inappropriate for class.
PETS: This is just a reminder that as a district we ask that parents leave your dog at home during school hours. We have students who are afraid and some that are extremely allergic. We also strongly discourage bringing other pets onto the school campus as well. Washington State law restricts having any pet in the classroom for an extended period. Under special circumstances a student may make special arrangements with the teacher to bring a pet to school. In any case, pets must be on a leash or in a cage.
PHONE CALLS: Students will be limited in the use of the phone to calls of an emergency nature or pertaining to school business. The classroom teacher provides phone passes. In an emergency or when absolutely necessary, we will give students messages from parents. We ask that you make arrangements with your child prior to school regarding after school plans.
SAFE ARRIVAL: Please call the office at 425-822-7449 if your student will be absent or late. The office opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m. There is an answering machine to leave your message after hours.
STUDENT CONDUCT: (JFC-R) Students shall respect the law and the rights of others. Students who are in violation of laws or rules on or off school property or at school-supervised events are subject to disciplinary action in the following areas: alteration of records; cheating; attendance; alcohol, chemical substances and tobacco products; disruptive conduct; damage or theft of property; extortion, assault or causing physical injury; leaving campus during school hours without permission; loitering; vulgar or lewd conduct; and/or weapons and dangerous instruments.
STUDENT PROGRESS REPORT: All students will receive written reports in November and March and at the end of the school year. Parent/Teacher conferences will be held in November and optional conferences again in March. Peter Kirk Elementary does not observe the October Optional Goal Setting Conference half-day schedule.
TOBACCO-FREE ENVIRONMENT
It is the policy of the Lake Washington School District to prohibit the use of tobacco products on public school property. For purposes of this policy, the term "tobacco" shall include any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarettes, or any other lighted smoking equipment or material, or the chewing or sniffing of a tobacco product. Staff, students, parents, contracted personnel and visitors are prohibited from using tobacco products on school property.
TRANSPORTATION: District Transportation (busses) is provided only for those students residing West of Market and for ½ day Kindergartners (one-way only). Morning Kindergarten will walk to school, but will be bussed home. Afternoon Kindergarten will be bussed to school, but will walk home. If there is any change in how the children are to arrive or depart school, a note must be sent to his or her teacher.
VACATIONS AND SCHOOL WORK: Teachers are often asked if the children will be missing anything important and if the teacher will provide work for the student while they are gone. The answers to these two questions are: Yes, the student will miss important instruction; and No, the teacher is not required to provide advance work for students who will be missing school due to vacations. It is important that you let your child’s teacher and the office know that they will be miss school; however it is up to the teacher as to whether or not they will provide any advance work and what make-up work will be required after the student returns. Parents may encourage students to keep a journal of their experiences and to do daily independent reading.
VARIANCES: If you live out of the Peter Kirk attendance area you must have a variance on file. If you move you must notify the office as soon as possible.
VIDEOS: Video selection for classroom use is based on thoughtful consideration by staff. Factors determining selection include one or more of the following: encompassing quality literature, enhancing knowledge, emphasizing life skills and relating to classroom programs. All videos shown at elementary are "G" rated in accordance with Lake Washington School District policy.
VOLUNTEERS: Parent volunteers enhance opportunities for learning in today's classroom by increasing the effectiveness of individual student learning. We have a need for volunteers to further reduce student-adult ratio. With this reduction, each child will learn more, learn faster and achieve at a higher level when they receive individual attention in the classroom setting. The following is a partial list of the tasks that the teachers now perform and in which the volunteer may be asked to assist:
supervise phonics, math or reading games
listen to oral reading
help supervise student work
use flash cards with one or more pupils
conduct a story hour
assist those who have been absent
help check individualized work assignments
facilitate cooperative student groups
help with theme projects
If you can donate an hour or more a week, please contact your child's teacher. We genuinely need and appreciate your help.
Things to remember when helping at school: To ensure the safety of our students and to be in compliance with Washington State Law (RCW 43.43.830 through 43.43.845), we ask that all parent helpers and volunteers complete a Select Volunteer Application, Volunteer Disclosure form and Washington State Patrol background check form. In addition, all chaperones, drivers for off campus activities, and swimming pool chaperones will be required to complete all paperwork as well. Off campus drivers will have additional insurance forms to complete prior to the field trip.
1. Complete the Volunteer application, disclosure and background forms.
2. Sign in at the office.
2. Pick up and wear a nametag.
3. Be consistent/punctual - teachers depend on you.
4. Be positive with children.
5. Any concerns should be directed to the teacher.
7. Check with the teacher before bringing younger siblings to class.
8. The workroom is for ADULTS only.
9. Younger siblings may not go on field trips when the students are using district transportation.
10. Parents may not chaperone a group of students if siblings attend.
12. Confidentiality is critical.
(#6, #7 and #9 are safety and liability requirements for the district.)
VOTER REGISTRATION: Mail-In Voter Registration Forms are available in the office.