District Calendar

GENERAL INFORMATION

ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL:

• Students who eat breakfast should arrive at 8:30 am and line up outside the gym.

• ALL OTHER STUDENTS should arrive after 8:45 am and line up outside their classroom.
  THERE IS NO SUPERVISION BEFORE 8:45 am.

BREAKFAST / LUNCH:

• Breakfast is served in the gym foyer and eaten in the gym from 8:35 am to 8:45 am

• Lunch is served in the gym foyer and eaten in the classrooms from 11:30-1:00

• All food is to be eaten in the classroom or gym and is not allowed on the playground.

Breakfast/Lunch prices are as follows:

Forms for free/reduced lunch are available in the office.

A cash register program is used.  Money is deposited and the cost of the meal or milk is deducted from the account.  Parents are notified when the account is low on funds.  A check or cash may be sent and should be given to the teacher when students enter the classroom.

DISMISSING STUDENTS DURING THE DAY:

If a child must be excused during the day for doctor or dental appointments, the parent needs to write a note to the teacher stating the time and who will be picking up the child. The parent comes to the office to sign out the child and the office contacts the classroom to have the child dismissed.

EMERGENCIES:

If school needs to be closed, the School District will notify local radio and television stations.  Tune into one of the stations below for information:

It is important that student emergency information is correct.  Please contact the office if there are any changes in your contact information.

Important emergency phone numbers:

Emergency drills are held monthly.  These drills include fire, earthquake, intruder and lock downs.

HEALTH CURRICULUM:

Health is one of the subjects which will be taught to your child’s class this year.  Students and Parents will get info in the Fall at Curriculum Night and a letter will go home 1 month prior to sex education/HIV instruction. Waiver forms are available in the office if a parent chooses not to have the child participate in the health curriculum.

JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS:

Junior high students are welcome at Muir when serving in a volunteer role that has been arranged in advance with a Muir staff member. Just like any other volunteer coming on campus, a junior high volunteer must sign in at the office and wear a badge at all times when on our campus. Also, junior high students are welcome to wait for siblings at the flagpole and should not come into the building without checking in with the office.
 

MEDICATION:

Per State Law, NO medication, including aspirin, throat lozenges, etc., can be given to a child without a medical form that is signed by both the parent and the child’s doctor. Medical forms are available in the office and local doctors also have them available in their offices. A new form must be filled out each year according to state law.

PARKING LOT:

Only buses and day care vans are allowed to park, drop off and pick up students in the bus lane. Parents are requested to drop students off or pick students up using the designated lane in the parking lot. Student safety patrol members and an adult supervisor will assist students from the lane using the crosswalk to the sidewalk. Parents MUST remain in their vehicles in the pick-up/drop-off lane. Parents should park in a parking space if they need to go into the building. The church parking lot to the north of the school is also available for dropping off and picking up students. An adult is on duty there at 8:45-9:00 am and 3:30—3:45 pm.

PHONE CALLS:

Students may use the phone only in emergency situations. Because of a limited number of phone lines, students may not make calls to make social arrangements and calls that have been determined by the teacher or the office staff to be non emergencies.

PUPIL PROGRESS REPORTS:

All students will receive a written report in November and March and at the end of the school year.  Parent-Teacher conferences will be held in November and March.   Additional conferences may be scheduled throughout the school year by the teacher or parent as needed.

SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM:

The safe arrival program notifies parents if their child has not arrived at school. This program is managed by parent volunteers. If a child is absent and the school has not been notified, a call is placed to the parent.  To report an absence, parents are requested to call the school anytime between 4:00 PM and 9:30 AM at 823-9889. You will be able to leave a recorded  message stating your student’s name, teacher’s name, date and reason for absence.  A phone call should be followed up with a note explaining the absence when the student returns to school.

SICK CHILDREN AT SCHOOL:

If a child comes to the health room with 100 degree or more fever, the parent is contacted to pick up the child and take him home.  When children come back to school from being sick, it is assumed that they are healthy and need to go outside during recess.  We do not have the facilities or the personnel to supervise children inside during recess.  If children are too ill to go outside, it would be best to keep them home an additional day.

STUDENT SAFETY PATROLS AND STUDENTS WALKING TO SCHOOL:

Adult supervisors and student safety patrol help support student safety as students walk to and from school.  Students should use the designated crosswalks where there are supervisors and student patrols.  The following crosswalks are supervised and should be used by students walking to and from school:

• 132nd Avenue NE and NE 140th Street (traffic light at school)

• NE 132nd Street and 132nd Avenue NE (traffic light near park)

• NE 143rd Street and 130th Avenue NE

• NE 140th Street and 129th Place NE
   

These guards and supervisors are given the authority to remind students to act in a safe manner and to report if students are not responsive to their reminders.

UMBRELLAS:

Students may use their umbrellas to and from school, but they may not use them during recesses.

VARIANCES:

If you live outside the Muir attendance area you need to apply for a variance for your child to attend here.  This form can be obtained in the office from the records secretary, and must be filled out each year you  reside in another school's attendance area.  If you have any questions, please call the office.

VISITING SCHOOL:

Parents are welcome to visit classrooms during the school day.  In order to provide the best observation and to ensure continuing instruction, visitors are asked to arrange the day and time with the teacher in advance.  District procedures require that all school visitors report to the office and obtain a pass and nametag before going to the classroom.  This is necessary to maintain building security and to avoid interruptions of the instructional program.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS & RULES

AT JOHN MUIR PEACEBUILDERS ARE EXPECTED TO:

• Treat everyone in a respectful manner.

• Act safely.

• Follow requests from supervising adults.

• Obey the rules of the school and community.

CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE  BEHAVIORS:

• A Peace Treaty is given when students choose not to follow the rules and expectations above.

• The Peace Treaty is taken home to be signed and filled out by the parent.

• The Treaty must be returned the next day or the student loses recess.

• Students are taught the appropriate behaviors that are expected.

• Progressive consequences related to the frequency and severity will be given.

• Consequences may include:  loss of recess, time out, detention, parent conference, behavior plan, in school suspension, out of school suspension or community service.

DRESS CODE:

Students are expected to wear clothes that are suitable to school and TO ALL SCHOOL  RELATED EVENTS. Clothing that distracts from the educational process will be subject to review.

• Objectionable graphics, drug, alcohol or tobacco advertising are not allowed.

• Hats or bandanas for students are permitted only to and from school and during recesses.  They may not be worn in the building.

• Pants are worn at the waist and appropriately sized.

• Undergarments or straps do not show.

• Shorts are finger length, tank and swim type straps are not worn.

• Wallet chains and spike jewelry are not allowed.

• Makeup and spray painted hair are not permitted.

Our focus is on learning.  Anything that interrupts or distracts the learning of others will be addressed.  Students wearing attire that is not suitable for school will be reminded and call home for clothing or the school will provide the appropriate item.

IMPORTANT THINGS FOR STUDENTS TO REMEMBER ON THE PLAYGROUND:

• Stay on the playground at all times.

• Sit on the rocks but do not jump off them.

• Climb trees with a green dot only but do not climb above the green dot.

• Leave personal items, school supplies and food in the classroom.

• Do not jump off the big toys or play tag in the big toy area.

• Ask a supervisor for a restroom pass.

• Do not go back to the classroom during recess.

• Use equipment in designated areas.

• Play according to the game rules taught in P.E.

• Use two hands on the bars.

• Go down the slide seated, facing forward.

DESIGNATED GAME AREAS:

Grass:

• Two handed touch football (no kicking or tackling)

• Kickball

• Tag

• Running games

Blacktop:

• Organized games

• Jump Rope

• Basketball

• Tetherball

• 4 Square

• Wall Ball

Bars and playground apparatus

Soccer Field:

• Soccer

• Two handed touch football

Woods

Classrooms, courtyards, portable buildings, ramps and fences are off limits.

Important note: The following items are not allowed at school: hard balls, super balls, skateboards, scooters, roller blades, shoes with rollers in them, whistles, bicycles, electronic items, trading cards, toy weapons, cell phones, beepers, toys and playground type equipment from home. Personal items including toys need to be left at home and enjoyed there. Skateboards, scooters, roller blades, and bicycles are not permitted at evening school or PTA events. Students will be asked to leave the grounds if they bring these items to an evening school event. If they bring them during school the items will be kept in the office for parents to pick up. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Student’s personal and/or band equipment left at school is done so at the student’s risk.
 

HOMEWORK POLICY

PHILOSOPHY OF HOMEWORK

The purpose of homework can be any of the following:

  1.  to practice and refine skills so that mastery is achieved.

  2.  to prepare students for the next class meeting.

  3.  to extend assignments and to apply learning to a new situation.

  4.  to create a long-range assignment or project requiring several days or weeks to complete.

  5.  to make up missed assignments due to absence.

So that children will continue to grow in all areas, students at John Muir will start in grade one to share their school activities at home in simple homework assignments. This responsibility will gradually increase through grade six.

Make a commitment to listen to your child talk about his/her school work and to give your child some time each evening when he/she has your undivided attention.

Primary Expectations (Grades 1, 2, 3)

1. Read daily.

2. Studying word cards with parents (first grade).

3. Completing unfinished or missed assignments in all subject areas.

4. Studying weekly spelling words.

5. Reading to a parent or another child.

6. Practicing math facts.

7. Preparing projects in science, language arts, social studies, with some parental involvement and supervision.

8. Preparing sharing assignments such as Weekly Star, curriculum emphasis, homeroom sharing.

Intermediate Expectations (Grades 4, 5, 6)

1. Completing unfinished or missed assignments.

2. Studying weekly spelling words, math facts, and other facts to be tested.

3. Reading books and newspapers, discussing content.

4. Studying for tests using notes and study guides.

5. Completing short-range assignments (two or three day assignments), creative writing, science, reading, language arts, book reports.

6. Completing long-range assignments and projects (reports and research).

7. Bringing or gathering materials for projects.

Daily student attendance is critical to student academic success and also required under state law.  Washington State Law says the only acceptable excuse for absence is illness.  The school district must file a petition with the juvenile court alleging a violation of the state  compulsory attendance law for any student with 5 unexcused absences within any month or 10 unexcused absences during the school year.  Action taken could result in a $25 per day fine and /or community service.

Parents are requested to call the school attendance line (425.823.9889) the morning a student is absent to report the circumstances for the absence. Letters are sent to parents when students have been absent and/or tardy 15% of the total days school has been in session. Conferences may be held with the principal to develop a plan to support attendance or a student may be referred the Lake Washington School District truancy officer at any point as needed.

It is important to be on time! The school day begins at 8:55am and students should be in their classroom and ready to start the day by 9:00am. They miss the critically important beginning to the day when they are not here on time.

When students are tardy, they go to the office to get an admittance slip. A valid excuse for being late would be a medical appointment, late daycare bus, or the student taking care of business in the office. Even though the excuse is valid, the student’s attendance record is still marked tardy.

When students are tardy more than 3 times in a quarter, they may be asked to make up the time missed after school or at recess. The number of tardies is monitored and letters sent to inform parents. Conferences may be held with the principal to develop a plan or the student may be referred to the LWSD truancy officer.

Thank you for your effort with these important issues. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if there are special circumstances that we need to know.
 

PEACEBUILDERS AND LIFE SKILLS

PEACEBUILDERS:

We are a PeaceBuilder school. Students are taught five steps that increase peace in our school and our community:

RECOGNITION FOR APPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS:

If a child chooses not to accept his/her responsibilities or infringes on the right of others, then a Discipline Record or Peace Treaty, will be issued.  Progressive consequences related to frequency and severity of the behavior will occur which may include loss of recess, time-out at school, detention, parent conference, behavior plan, in-school suspension, out of school suspension, or community service when appropriate.

When a student disobeys the rules, he/she will be given the opportunity to explain his/her actions and will be counseled about ways to deal with problems.  The student will be asked to take the Peace Treaty home for parent signatures and told that he/she will miss recess if the form is not returned.  Parents will be contacted by the reporting supervisor, teacher, or principal regarding the Treaty.

SEVERE INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR RESULTING IN SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION

Severe inappropriate behaviors include such actions as:

• Disrespect (may include: disruptive classroom behavior, swearing, threats of others,    bullying.)

• Hurting someone by fighting, punching, throwing objects, kicking, etc.

• Destroying school property or the property of others.

• Illegal activity including, but not limited to, possession and/or use of alcohol, drugs, weapons, fireworks, or other explosives.

• Behavior that endangers self or others.

• Harassment or bullying.

• Student is immediately accompanied to the office with a Discipline Record (Peace Treaty), indicating the severe inappropriate behavior.

• The staff member referring the student meets with the principal.

Following the principal/student conference, the parent/guardian is notified by telephone or mail and copies of suspension forms, if applicable, are sent.

LWSD POLICIES
 

Behavioral Expectations of Students
We believe that student development occurs best within an atmosphere of mutual respect, and therefore any behavior that undermines this respect cannot be allowed. Teachers, administrators, and staff will not tolerate any behavior that materially interferes with or is detrimental to the orderly operation of school, school-sponsored activities or any other aspect of the educational process. School jurisdiction and authority include student conduct to and from school, at school, at bus stops, on busses, and at any school sponsored activity. Also included in the school’s jurisdiction is any off-campus student speech or activity which school authorities have reason to believe will interfere with the work of the school or impinge on the rights of other students or staff at school. Such acts, including but not limited to those listed below, shall be subject to discipline, including possible suspension and/or expulsion from school, and /or referral to law enforcement authorities.

Alcohol and Drug Policy
According to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, schools must be totally free of unlawful drugs or alcohol. No one is allowed to posses, use, or distribute tobacco, drugs, or alcohol while at school or while taking part in any school activity.

Dangerous Weapons
Possessing, using, transferring, or transporting any object that could reasonably be considered a firearm or dangerous weapon or possessing any exploding item or device that would be capable of producing bodily harm or cause damage to property or disruption of the educational process is strictly prohibited. Violation of this rule is considered serious to the safety and welfare of both the student who violates it and others in the District and such a disruption to the educational process, that emergency expulsion will always be immediately enacted. By law, we are required to notify the local law enforcement agency of a violation of this rule. Also by law, in the case of possession for a firearm, we are required to expel the student. The duration of the expulsion will be at least one school year and may be permanent.

Student Searches
Administrators may make general searches of all student lockers, desks, storage areas, or automobiles parked on campus without prior notice given to students. An individual student, his/her property, and automobiles parked on campus may be searched by school district employee if the search is reasonably related to the discovery of contraband or other evidence of a student’s violation of the law or school rules.

Drug-Scenting Dogs
The purpose behind inspections by dogs is to discourage students from bringing, keeping, and/or using drugs on school grounds. RCW 28A.600.210 states: “The legislature finds that illegal drug activity and weapons in schools threaten the safety and welfare of our school children and pose a severe threat to the state educational system. School officials need to protect students from exposure to illegal drugs, weapons, and contraband. Searches of school-issued lockers and the contents of those lockers is a reasonable and necessary tool to protect the interests of the students of the state as a whole.” With this purpose in mind, administration has the authority to invite drug-scenting dogs to conduct suspicionless searches on school property.

Progressive Discipline
The school encourages Progressive Discipline to correct undesirable/unacceptable behavior, attendance, or attitude problems whenever reasonably possible. Progressive Discipline is the process used to correct student behavior problems and teach the student to function in an acceptable manner.

Progressive Discipline attempts to relate the imposed disciplinary action or intervention to the severity of the offense and the number of times that offense (or accumulated offenses) has occurred. Students who violate a rule the first time face disciplinary action commensurate with the violation. Second violations will result in stronger disciplinary action. Repeated violations may result in severe disciplinary action or suspension. At each intervention step, the intention is to assist the student in identifying the problem, understanding what new behavior is necessary, and encouraging him/her to accept responsibility for his/her actions.

The goal of the Progressive Discipline approach in the Lake Washington School District is to encourage the students to:
• Correct inappropriate or unacceptable behavior
• Develop better understanding of the problem and the need for behavior change
• Accept responsibility for their actions
• Make the necessary or desirable change in their behavior
• Provide and opportunity to demonstrate improvements and personal growth
• Plan for and make appropriate choices conducive to school success.

Discipline procedures range from conferencing with students, parents and/or guardians to suspension and expulsion. Definitions related to these different options include:

Discipline: Any form of corrective action taken other than suspension and expulsion.

Suspension: Denial of right of attendance for a specific amount of time; short-term suspensions are for no more than ten consecutive school days; long-term suspensions exceed ten consecutive school days; in-house suspension allows students to attend school but limited to the in-house room.

Expulsion: Denial of right of attendance for an indefinite amount of time will be used only when the nature and circumstance reasonably warrant the harshness of expulsion.

Emergency Expulsion: When the student’s presence imposes an immediate and continuing danger to the student, other students or school personnel, or an immediate and continuing threat of substantial disruption to the educational process. An emergency expulsion may be imposed to allow administrators to fully investigate the situation and impose any appropriate disciplinary or corrective action.

Students who create a disruption of the educational process in violation of our building standards may be excluded from a classroom for all or any portion of the school day. Students may be excluded for longer periods if they repeatedly disrupt the learning of other students. Students who repeatedly violate school policies are a concern, and the frequency with which they violate school rules is often of equal or greater concern than individual violations. Because of this, discipline is based on the cumulative effects of these acts.

While administrators normally apply the concept of progressive discipline in working with our students to bring about changes in inappropriate/unacceptable behavior, there may be situations where progressive discipline is not appropriate and prudent. In such cases, Lake Washington School District reserves the right to immediately suspend or expel where exceptional misconduct is involved (i.e., conduct that is so frequent in nature or as serious in nature in terms of the disruptive effect upon the operation of the school as to warrant an immediate suspension or expulsion). This may also apply to students who have committed serious violations or acts in the community and may pose a threat to order students at school. A suspension from school may be appealed. The student will be informed of the process at the time a suspension occurs. Parents will be notified of the suspension by mail.