Parent-Student Handbook

GRADES
Grades are an evaluation of student achievement of grade level objectives, not potential or social performance.  Teachers use frequent and ongoing evaluations in determining grades.  Components of these will reflect numerous and varied age-appropriate opportunities for students to succeed and demonstrate knowledge of subject matter.  some components may include:

• Classroom Participation
• Homework
• Attendance
• Note Taking
• Daily Work
• Special Projects
• class Assignments
• Quizzes and Tests
• Discussion

Grading scale for Grades 1 and 2:

Grading scale for Grades 3-4-5:

Report Cards will be distributed on a quarterly basis.

Interim reports may be sent home at the midpoint of each grading quarter as a progress report.

ART-MUSIC-PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students will receive instruction in these special areas as scheduled:

Necessary supplies, materials and gym shoes are required to participate

HOMEWORK
Spring Brook School supports homework assignments as an extension of the classroom.  Homework begins in an informal fashion becoming increasingly more formal as the child progresses through grade levels.  Time requirements, quality and subject is varied and reasonable within each grade level.   Homework is required at all grade levels, but a mixture of mandatory and voluntary homework is most productive and beneficial to learning.

Spring Brook students and teachers are guided by the 10 minute homework rule, i.e. 10 minutes per night x the grade level. (Grade 1 would expect 10, grade level 5 would expect 50 minutes.) Homework should help students develop good study habits, foster positive attitudes towards school and communicate to students the idea that learning takes place at home as well as at school.

MAKE-UP WORK DURING ILLNESS
When a child is absent for 3 or more days, we will provide homework as appropriate.  Parents should contact the teacher to make arrangements.   Generally, it take one (1) day to prepare the homework.  It is not unusual for a teacher to advise keeping a journal and assigning reading activities.

Much of what happens in the classroom goes beyond paper and pencil activities and simply cannot be made up via sending something home (direct instruction, discussions, group work, informal diagnosing, etc.)  Often makeup work cannot be provided due to the fact that is represents new learning or concepts that need precise direct instruction before independent practice.
Parent are also asked to always consider the specific nature of the absence when requesting makeup assignments.  Many illnesses don't foster individuals feeling well enough to devote the necessary thought and effort into producing a quality product.

Primary teacher in grades K-2 often prefer to send makeup work with the child upon returning to school.

Teachers have the final decision over makeup work.  The general practice for time to submit makeup work is one day for every day absent. Thus a child missing 5 days will have 5 days to turn in makeup assignments.

Teachers are under no obligation to provide assignments or work ahead of time for absences due to vacations, business trips or time out for private lessons.

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER AND COMPUTER LAB
The LMC and computer lab is open from 9:15 AM - 3:15 PM.  With flexible scheduling, students use the LMC throughout the entire school day for book check out, research, small group learning, and whole class instruction.

The LMC is fully integrated into the curriculum and is central to the instructional process. The mission of the library media program is to assure that students and staff are effective users and producers of information resources. An integral part of the mission aims to encourage students to develop an enjoyment for reading.  Components of the LMC include:

• K-5 library location skills

• Classroom curriculum research

• Technology and computer utilization

• Reading Promotion

The LMC has over 20,000 items consisting of books, magazines, computer software, references, videotapes, and AV materials.  On an average, 2,700 items are circulated monthly in the LMC.  The LMC is fully automated with an on-line card catalog and circulation system.  There are 6 multimedia computers and 6 networked research stations for student use.  The LMC maintains digital cameras, televisions and VCRs and projection capabilities.

The computer lab consists of 30 student Dell computers. The lab is fully networked and has Internet accessibility.  The lab has a weekly schedule plus flexible time for classes and groups, which allows for student access throughout the entire day.  The computer lab is a production lab, where students produce projects that support the school curriculum.   Students write stories, newsletters, create cards, research, write reports, and develop multimedia programs using software.

The LMC and computer Lab is staffed with LMC Directors, Mrs. Geri Atherton; LMC Aide, Mrs. Sarah Harris and Tracy Herrick; Technology Aide, Mrs. Kathleen Yunger and over 75 PTA parent volunteers.

GIFTED RESOURCE - PROJECT ARROW
Project arrow offers direct instruction to identified gifted students for grades 2-3-4-5.  Standardized achievement tests, ability tests and teacher recommendations are used to determine eligibility.  Approximately 5% within District #204 are identified.  Curriculum enhancement and higher level thinking is integrated with classroom units and cluster grouping to meet student needs.

ACCELERATED MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT
Accelerated math groupings are developed in grades 3-4-5 from math placement tests, teacher recommendations and standardized assessments.  A student's mathematics ability is considered for this group since the pace and content is advanced.

STUDENT SERVICES
A continuum of services and technical assistance is available to support the education of all children.  Services are provided for eligible children in the area of learning disabilities, developmental delays, multiple disabilities, behavior disorders, speech and language, vision or hearing disabilities, and physical disabilities.   Social work, psychological diagnosis, physical therapy adaptive physical education, and remedial reading are provided as related services.  Questions, inquires and/or referrals are initially directed to the classroom teacher.  Services are determined and monitored with regular classroom teachers, the special education team, and the administration.

TESTING
District #204 uses general achievement and ability testing in grades 2 through 10.  The purpose of these tests include:

(a) helping parents see how their child is achieving in relation to other children

(b) helping teachers and schools plan instruction and

(c) form a record or pattern of student academic growth

Specific Assessments Parents need to be aware of include:

• Stanford Achievement Tests and Otis Lennon Ability tests will be administered in Grade 2-3-4-5 at Spring Brook School in October.  These are standardized national normed assessments.

• ISAT (Illinois Standardized Achievement Test) testing is administered to graded 3-4-5 during April in the areas of math, reading, writing, social studies and science.

• Project arrow (gifted) placement testing is conducted in April or May.

• Accelerated Mathematics placement testing is conducted in April or May annually.

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Lunch & Recess

LUNCH/RECESS
Student in grades 1-5 may elect to purchase a hot lunch or bring a sack lunch from home on a daily basis.  Students will be given the opportunity to purchase a 20 meal ticket for $40 or a 10 meal ticket for $20 to participate in the Marriott Hot Lunch Program.  Cash will not be accepted on a daily basis.
Milk is available at $8.50 per year as part of school registration or may be purchased at $.05 per day.

The lunch sessions are generally divided into 10-15 minutes for recess and 20-25 minutes for eating.

We discourage lunches coming to school from fast food chains. Lunches from fast food chains must be packaged in a plain container to be delivered to the student.  The practice is discouraged as it causes unnecessary classroom disruptions, raises the level of competition with classmates, and creates related problems for other students.

Drinks brought from home should be in a thermos or drink box.  Carbonated beverages are discouraged.   Students are not permitted to exchange food or give others items from their lunch.

COLD WEATHER RECESS
DURING THE WINTER, STUDENTS WILL GO OUT FOR RECESS IF THE WIND CHILL INDEX IS AT OR ABOVE ZERO DEGREES.  The wind chill report will be obtained from the National Weather Service.  Students are expected to dress appropriately for winter weather recess with hats, gloves, boots and winter coats.

FREE LUNCH - MILK
District #204 participates in the federally funded program to supply free lunch and free milk to children of families whose gross income qualifies them for such assistance.  Parents may apply at any time during the school year by contacting the school office.  Foster children may also be eligible for these benefits.  No child will be discriminated against because of race, sex or ethnic origin.

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Miscellaneous

TRANSPORTATION

PARENT PARKING
Spring Brook elementary school is a neighborhood school designed for walking students.  There are no students at Spring Brook that are eligible for district #204 bus service except special needs students.

A.  Posted "No parking, stopping or standing" zones are provided for clear sight distances for pedestrian crossing, to keep vehicles off marked crossings, and to prevent motorists from parking too close to the intersections and entrance drives.

B. Posted "No parking, stopping or standing 8:45-9:15 AM and 3:15-3:45 PM" zones area listed on the north side of Gateshead and the west side of Seiler and the south side of DeLaSalle.  These are restricted areas for parent pickup or drop off to avoid having children crossing traffic.  DOUBLE PARKING IS NOT PERMITTED BY CITY ORDINANCE AND POLICE MAY TICKET YOU.

C.  Parent are asked to prearrange pickup locations with children to avoid congestion on the front sidewalk and doors.

D. The front circle driveway will be open as an alternative AM drop-off area only from 8:40 AM - 9:05 AM.  Buses, childcare vehicles and cars will all be able to use the circle drive during the morning.   The system will be a "kiss and ride" procedure to drop off students - parents may not park or leave their car along the driveway.  Al vehicles must enter from the south and exit north along Seiler Drive.  the circle offers on way flow.  Cars enter as space permits and are directed to pull forward for drop-off.  Please be patient and cautious, as traffic will move through the circle quickly. No left or U turns into or out of the circle drive from Seiler is permitted.

E. Children must exit cars on the yellow safety curbside.  Students may conveniently use all sidewalks to walk to entrances.

F.  Circle drive passes are available in the office for students needing front pickup related to medical reasons.

G. The front driveway is not to be used for student PM pickup.

H. The Parking Lot north of the building is for school business parking.  It is not designated for pickup or drop off of students.  There is no admission/departure during arrival and dismissal times.

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