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¨ Daily Office Hours are from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Day Care Hours are listed below.
¨ Staff supervision for students at no charge is from 7:20 - 7:55 a.m. and from scheduled dismissal time for the student (see dismissal schedules) until 20 minutes afterward.
¨ Teachers pick students up from the playground at 7:55 a.m. and proceed to classrooms.
¨ Work time in class begins at 8:05 a.m. for all groups. Students should always arrive on campus with enough time to make their way to their classrooms, put away their things, and be in their seats, working, by 8:05 a.m.—not arriving at the front door at 8:00 a.m.
¨ Parents who arrive with their students after 8:00 a.m. need to go into the office and sign their children in, giving a reason for being tardy. Students will then be given a tardy pass and escorted to class by school personnel. If students are just arriving on campus at 8:00 a.m., they are late and missing instruction time since they still need to walk to class, put away their belongings and get out the materials they need for class.
¨ Parents are responsible for their children before and after school hours, and are expected to pick them up immediately after dismissal.
¨ Parents who need to drop their students off before 7:30 a.m. or arrange care for them after school must contact the office and sign up for Day Care.
¨ Lunch and dismissal times vary according to class and teacher. Schedules are available in the office and sent home with students periodically.
¨ All parents need to complete Emergency Day Care forms if they are not signed up for regular Day Care. If students are not picked up within 20 minutes after their dismissal time, they will be taken to Emergency Day Care and wait until parents arrive. A fee is charged for this service. Students will not be taken to Day Care or charged any fees if congestion on our parking lot is causing a delay.
(Students being picked up late may not stay in the office, wait in classrooms, on the playground or parking lot or in any unsupervised area on or off campus. All teachers have duties after school and the office is too congested for office workers to watch children.)
Day Care is available on our campus for students
enrolled at Happy Valley. A fee is charged for these services. Day Care is
available on all regular school days and on certain days during school breaks. A
fee schedule is available in the office as well as a schedule of the holidays
when the service is not available.
Hours are from 6:15 – 7:20 a.m., and from student dismissal time until 6:30 p.m.
Students go to the playground at 7:20 a.m. to be supervised by school employees
without charge.
To avoid confusion and concern when students have off-campus day care, please
give written notice to Happy Valley School detailing the arrangements that have
been made. Please give us the name of the provider, how children will be
transported and by whom, and the phone number and address of the day care
provider you are using. Also, please provide us with a schedule of the days and
times your student will be using the service. If you are using another day care
provider and they provide transportation, it is your responsibility to inform
them if your child will not be in school or advise them of any changes in your
schedule.
¨ The school must have an orderly atmosphere. Every child should practice respect and courtesy daily, and cooperate with staff members in the teaching-learning process.
¨ The Fred Jones discipline plan which rewards positive behavior and cooperation, and emphasizes that “time on task equals learning” has been adopted as a school-wide system. As part of the instructional process, teachers train students in the expected behavior in the classroom and throughout the campus.
¨ Teachers and other staff members use positive reinforcement throughout the day to guide student behavior. Students are given positive rewards when they are observed doing things right. Citizenship awards, monthly school-wide rewards, classroom prizes and “Preferred Activity Time” may be earned by students for positive behavior.
¨ No one is permitted to interfere with the learning of others or to disregard classroom, campus, playground or dress code rules—all of which are clearly communicated.
¨ Consequences for inappropriate behavior are explained to students and enforced.
Every effort is made to keep parents informed of discipline issues should their intervention be warranted. Teachers contact parents if a child has initial minor offenses. For subsequent or more serious offenses, students will be sent to the Office on a Discipline Referral which is sent home with the student for parent signature. The signed original should be returned to school the next school day. Parent signature does not necessarily indicate agreement with discipline measures, but is evidence that parents are aware of the problem. A telephone call from the Principal may or may not be made. Parents may call or make an appointment to discuss serious behavioral issues, but the teacher should be contacted first for details. The administration of the school is the final authority regarding all behavior/discipline issues. A written appeal should be submitted to the School Board if parents disagree after talking with the administration.
Parents and students sign an agreement in the registration packet stating that they understand the Dress Code, the Discipline Policy and Point System, and Bus Rules, and agree to abide by the policies of the school. Specific safety, classroom, playground or other campus rules that are regularly communicated to students are available upon request.
The following point system may be used by the administration when students are sent to the office for behavior or discipline problems. Teachers do not assess points.
10 points = suspension for up to 5 school days
20 points = suspension for up to 10 school days
30 points = expulsion from the school recommended
If a student is suspended or expelled for any reason, the parent must pick the child up immediately when contacted. Students on suspension complete missed schoolwork at home.
|
Student Behavior |
No. of Points |
Student Behavior |
No. of Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not following class rules | 2 | Fighting | 10 |
| Talking in class | 2 | Vandalism | 10 |
| Swearing/inappropriate language | 2 | Stealing | 10 |
| Other | 2 | Putting self/others at risk | 10 |
| Violating state or federal laws | 10 | ||
| Leaving class without permission | 3 | Harassment | 10 |
| Bathroom violations | 3 | Possession of | 10 |
| Dress Code violations | 3 | Weapons | 10 |
| Severe teasing of others | 3 | Other | 10 |
| Throwing rocks, sand, or dirt clods | 3 | ||
| Throwing food | 3 | Smoking | 10 |
| Other | 3 | Drinking Alcohol | 10 |
| Gang Activity | 10 | ||
| Cheating | 4 | Pornography | 10 |
| Lying | 4 | ||
| Insubordination | 4 | Possession of guns/bombs | 30 |
| Disturbing the learning of others | 4 | Acts of Arson | 30 |
| Other | 4 | Acts of sexual abuse | 30 |
| Illegal drug possession | 30 | ||
| Hurting other students | 5 | Alcohol possession | 30 |
| Other | 5 | Other | 30 |
The dress code is designed to help encourage a wholesome learning environment, to provide safety, and discourage negative influences. Clothing should be clean, neat, in good repair, and fit properly.
Student attire, accessories and appearance must be modest and avoid creating a distraction. Clothing must not have inappropriate language, pictures, images, or representations of controversial subject matter, such as gangs or violence.
Shirts and Blouses must appropriately cover the midriff, chest and back areas, and have no gaping armholes.
Pants and Shorts must not be baggy, saggy, excessively tight, worn or torn. Shorts must be near mid-thigh length.
Dresses must be modest, cover the midriff, chest and back areas appropriately, have no gaping armholes and be near mid-thigh length. Shorts are to be worn under dresses on physical education days and at any time when girls are climbing or playing on the playground equipment.
Underclothing must not be exposed, and see-through attire is not permitted.
Shoes with closed toes are encouraged. High heels, platform shoes, flip-flops, thongs and shoes without a heel strap may cause injury and are discouraged. Tennis shoes are to be worn during physical education classes.
Hats, Caps and Sunglasses are permitted outside, but may not be worn indoors. Sun block is encouraged.
Hair should be neatly groomed and clean. Distracting hairstyles are not permitted.
Jewelry may be worn by girls, with earrings in/on the ear lobes only. Boys may not wear earrings. Body piercing, other than girls’ earrings, may not be visible on exposed areas of the body.
Tattoos, transfers, writing or markings on exposed areas of the skin are not permitted.
Cell Phones and Paging Devices are discouraged because of their distractions to the learning environment. If parents feel there is a reason their child needs these items, please contact the office.
Enforcement: Students out of dress code will be dressed in something more suitable from clothing in the nurse’s office. Parents are responsible for insuring that their children are properly dressed for school each day. The final decision regarding dress code issues rests with the administration.
Parents and students sign the dress code as part of the enrollment agreement each year. Thanks for helping keep the learning environment positive and safe for everyone.
Happy Valley is a drug free zone.
Students accepting, purchasing, selling, distributing or using illegal drugs or
substances will be expelled. Students in possession of illegal drugs or found
to be abusing prescription drugs or other substances will automatically be
expelled. If a situation involving illegal use of drugs arises with students or
any other person on campus, on school property, or within school jurisdiction,
the police will be called.
Each year new enrollment forms must be completed and submitted to the school office in order for a class position to be reserved for a student. Registration information is normally sent out to currently enrolled families in February. Returning students and their siblings have priority in reserving class positions until the deadline given in the enrollment packet. After the deadline, new students will be accepted, and returning students may not have a class position reserved for them.
Parents should contact us as soon as they know that they are moving away or enrolling their students at another school. If we receive a records request from another school, signed by the parent, we automatically take that student off our rolls when we send records. No student may be enrolled in two schools in Arizona at the same time.
We must have a withdrawal slip from a new student’s previous school before that student may be enrolled at Happy Valley. Also, we must receive all required documents such as birth certificates, immunization records and completed Happy Valley School forms before a student is enrolled or before they can be added to our official waiting list.
All students are tested to determine the form level and class they will be assigned. The Wide Range Ability Test is used for determining academic skill level and performance in reading, math and spelling. If available, teacher recommendations and other standardized test results may also be used to help determine placement.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents certain rights with respect to students’ education records. They are:
¨ The right to inspect and review their student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access.
Parents must submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
¨ The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent believes is inaccurate or misleading.
Parents may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should submit a written request to the principal, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed and specifying why they believe it is inaccurate or misleading.
If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent, the school will notify the parent of decision and advise them of their rights to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent when notified of the right to a hearing.
¨ The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate education interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the school contracts to perform a special task (an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school in performing his or her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
¨ The right to file a complaint about complying with the requirements of FERPA. Write to the office that administers FERPA:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-4305
Field Trips (Regular Bus Rules Apply - See Appendix B)
Parents must sign a written permission form in order for their children to participate in field trips. Students are required to follow all policies and rules that apply at school at all times while they are on the field trip, including the time that they are being transported to and from their destination. Students who are transported on buses or other vehicles approved by the school are under the authority of the operator of the vehicle and all other supervising adults.
Parents and other adults who attend or
volunteer to supervise students on field trips must read and sign a “Volunteer
Agreement” prior to going on the trip. Adult sponsors /volunteers
may ride school provided transportation if there is space. Siblings of
students and other children may not ride school provided transportation, and
should not accompany or join the class on field trips, which are for the benefit
of students in the class. "Extras" are a distraction.
Numeric grades are given for academic subjects to reflect the percentage of correct answers the student achieves on graded work. Although tests are given which demonstrate mastery of State Standards in these areas, music, physical education, computer and penmanship grades are based upon a combination of academic achievement, effort and participation. Grades for these subjects may be expressed as A, B, C, D or F, on the Report Card, depending upon the form level of the student.
Students are required to master all subjects at the 85% level. If the student does not achieve 85%, the material will be re-taught and re-tested (up to three times) until the student does achieve an 85%. If a student cannot consistently achieve 85% mastery, a move to a less rigorous academic class/level will be considered for the purpose of strengthening the student’s academic foundation.
Harassment, threats, bullying and other aggressive behavior have no place in an educational environment. Such actions violate state and federal laws, and will not be tolerated at Happy Valley School. Teasing and making fun of others falls into the category of harassment. The Discipline Policy makes provisions for dealing with these violations.
Anyone who believes they are a victim of harassment, threats or bullying at Happy Valley School, or knows of someone else who is, should report it immediately to a staff member.
Happy Valley School will enroll homeless children identified by school personnel or agencies within the community. Homeless students will have a full and equal opportunity to succeed.
Homeless students and their families will receive educational services for which they are eligible, including referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health and other appropriate services. Parents or guardians of homeless children are informed of educational and related opportunities available to their children, including all available transportation services, and are encouraged to participate in the education of their children. Any enrollment disputes are to be mediated in accordance with Title X, Part C, Section 722(g)(1)(A) paragraph (3)(E).
It is our philosophy that there is adequate time during the school day for academic learning. Teachers instruct, drill, review and supervise students as they do their work in class, making the best use of time at school and assuming responsibility for student learning.
Homework for students each night should consist of oral reading to an adult at home for 20 minutes, and review of math facts taught and practiced at school. It is critical that parents listen to their children in kindergarten and lower form read every day, although that practice should continue throughout all form levels.
Parents may request additional homework (in writing) from their child’s teacher in the form of review sheets or questions to be answered over material covered in class. Teachers may help by looking over the student’s work, but that work is considered practice and does not become part of the student’s grade.
Students who maintain a combined average of 94-100% in all academic subjects during the grading period are eligible for First Honor Roll. Students who have maintained an average grade from 87-93% are eligible for Second Honor Roll.
Parents must provide the school with copies of immunization records signed by a licensed medical practitioner or physician. The State of Arizona has revised the immunization requirements for several age levels. Parents should contact their physician, the Arizona Immunization Program Office, or the school nurse if they have questions or need clarification
Inadequately immunized children must have at least one current dose of each vaccine in order to attend school. Additional doses of the vaccines for which a child is deficient must be received when they are due in order for students to continue attending school.
If parents have a personal or religious belief exemption, they must sign an Arizona Department of Health Services form provided by the school or health department. If there is a physical exemption, the same form must be signed by both the parent and the physician. The school includes this form in the registration packet.
In the event of an outbreak of disease that is preventable by vaccine, children who are exempt from immunization will not be allowed to attend school until the risk period ends (usually 2 or more weeks).
The school does not carry medical or dental insurance for students. Consequently, if they are injured during school activities, their parents must be responsible for medical or dental costs and for the cost of medical transport if an ambulance is called.
Children entering Kindergarten must be five years of age by September 1 of the current calendar year. Parents or guardians are required to furnish proof of their child’s date of birth. If space is available after those who are legally required to be in school have been enrolled, children who will be five by December 31 may be tested for early entrance.
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