Elementary Policies and Procedures - (in alphabetical order)

ELEMENTARY GRADES (K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th) POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

It is the goal of our school to provide a well-rounded education for our students. Part of that education is to provide extra curricular activities to enrich the educational process.

All clubs meet after school. Students will be sent to Extended Day Care if they are picked up more than 5 minutes late. When meeting dates fall on holidays or in service half days – clubs will not meet. Each club will have a minimum and maximum number of students so early sign up is encouraged. There is a fee for each club. The following clubs are offered:

  • Drama Club for Grades 3, 4, 5, & 6
  • Math Club for Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5
  • Odyssey of the Mind for grades 4, 5, & 6
  • Service/Ministry Club for Grades 4, 5 & 6
  • Spanish classes

ARRIVAL TIME

Elementary students arriving at 8:15a.m.to 8:30a.m. should report directly to the classroom for study. The exception would be students arriving at 8:00a.m. for band or other academic activity; those student should report directly to the designated room. Students arriving after 8:35a.m. should report to the school office to be signed in by a parent/guardian.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

All students are expected to be punctual and in attendance each school day unless personal illness occurs or a family emergency arises. Attending school regularly and punctually helps to develop appropriate life long habits essential to successful educational experiences and work ethic. If a student must be absent from school, one of the parents is required to call the school office. A written note is advisable as a safeguard for the student in case any questions arise concerning the absence.

You are encouraged to schedule family vacations during school holidays and all appointments outside school hours. If it is necessary for your child to be away, the student must be signed out when leaving the school building.

Excused absences include personal illness (a doctor’s note is required for excessive reoccurrence or long term illness), medical and dental that can’t be made outside school hours, family bereavement or emergency, unusual occurrence approved by the principal, special educational programs approved by the principal, and religious mission opportunities approved by the principal.

Unexcused absences include family vacation, truancy, and other absences not covered elsewhere in the Attendance Policy.

Make-up work is expected to be made up for both excused and unexcused absences. Upon returning to school, the student is responsible to arrange for all make-up work due to absences. The student will be given one school day to complete work for each day of absence. If work is not completed and given to the teacher for each day missed, the student will not receive a passing grade for the missing work.

Tests missed due to tardies or absences will be made up in the workroom. Unexcused absences or tardies will result in a one letter grade deduction on missed tests.

CURRICULUM

The SPCS Elementary Curriculum emphasizes teachings from the Bible, the inspired word of God. Our Bible Curriculum is published by Concordia, which develops Christ-centered beliefs. Students have memory verses and attend weekly Chapel. All academic subjects are taught from a Christian perspective. Each teacher is a Christian with a degree and current Indiana teaching license in elementary education.

Reading is reinforced via a phonetic approach and each grade level receives additional skill-building with the Nina Traub & Orton Gillingham Phonics Curriculum. The traditional reading curriculum is integrated into an upgraded-primary approach with a literature program. At times, the elementary students are grouped into small combinations of grade levels for hands-on activities. Classroom projects are incorporated with literature themes which give children opportunities to utilize innovative materials. Teachers plan ways to integrate the literature shared in this program with other subject matter.

Sustained Silent reading occurs in each classroom. Teachers also read aloud each day. After specific books are read, they are placed in the SPCS Library for children to check out on their own. The Accelerated Reader Program offers a host of good books on each child’s reading level and fun incentives.

Each elementary class receives weekly instruction in Art, Music, Library, and P.E. Specifically trained staff members provide these classes for our students in addition to regular activities.

Computers are available in all classrooms. They provide a significant component to keep us current with technological curriculum. The Computer lab houses seventeen computers, printers, scanner, photo maker and servers.

Textbooks used throughout the Elementary Grades are:

BIBLE – Concordia Publishing Company
READING – SRA, McGraw Hill, Silver Burdett, Nina Traub, Orton Gillingham Phonics McGraw Hill and Silver Burdett Ginn.
MATH – Saxon
ENGLISH – Houghton Mifflin
WRITING – Scott Foresman (D’Nealian)
SPELLING – Houghton Mifflin
SOCIAL STUDIES – Harcourt & 4th grade – Silver Burdett Guinn.
SCIENCE –Concordia

DRESS CODE

Our expectation is that parents of the SPCS elementary students will use good judgment in helping children select appropriate attire for school. We require appropriate, modest, and neat clothing. However it is the responsibility of the teacher to report to the principal if a student is clothed in inappropriate attire. The parents will be notified to bring a change of clothing for the student.

For all elementary boys and girls:

• Shirts and tops must be long enough to tuck in at the waist.
• Shorts and skorts must be no shorter than fingertips with arms at the side.
• Gym/tennis shoes with closed toe and heel are to be worn with socks.
• Pants and jeans must be appropriate length – not rolled above the ankle, dragging the ground, or worn below the waist. Capris are appropriate.
• Hats are to worn outside the building.

Brief clothing, such as halters, mini skirts, short shorts/skorts, inappropriate pictures, symbols or slogans are NOT allowed. We reserve the right to have a student “cover-up” until alternate clothing is brought from home. For safety reasons, sandals, boots, jellies, clogs, flip -flops, or patent leather shoes may not be worn.

FORMS

  1. SPCS Emergency Information and Agreement – This form must be filled out before a child is left for class. It is duplicated and kept on file in the classroom and school office. In addition, a copy is taken on field trips to give school/hospital personnel permission to give immediate aid to children in an emergency situation.

  2. SPCS Immunization Record – Every child must have an updated immunization record on file as a requirement of the Division of Public Health. This form may be turned in on the first day of school.

  3. SPCS Parent Committees – We request parent/s sign up for at least one committee per child for the duration of the school year. Sharing your time and talents is greatly appreciated.

GRADING SYSTEM

Each child’s educational progress is evaluated on an individual basis. The SPCS Progress Reports were created by the SPCS Staff to communicate children’s strengths in a positive way.

Formal reporting is done every nine weeks. Informal information is sent home, along with homework, on a weekly basis. Parent/Teacher Conferences are held once yearly. ISTEP+ is given to the 3rd Grade through 6th Grade in September. NWEA is given to 2nd through 6th Grade every fall and spring.

HEALTH SCREENINGS

Vision and hearing screenings are provided for the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Grades. Scoliosis screening is provided for the 5th Grade.

HOLIDAYS

  1. Halloween – SPCS does not participate in this holiday.

  2. Thanksgiving – Each class celebrates with some form of a “feast.” Your child’s teacher will inform you of the class activity and ask for your assistance.

  3. Christmas – As we focus on the commemoration of Christ’s birth, we think of giving, just as HE was given for us. The “Mitten Tree” is an opportunity to give hats, gloves, and mittens to children who are in need. The class may also celebrate with a Christmas party assisted by parents. Usually the Drama Club performs a musical about the event.

  4. Valentine’s Day – Parents help with classroom parties where cards are shared.

  5. Easter – Easter is a joyous time as SPCS celebrates Christ’s resurrection. Parties assisted by parents are held in the classrooms. In addition, first, second, and third graders perform an Easter Pageant.

HOMEWORK

Homework is important! It is an extension of the learning process that takes place in school. Homework provides practice and drills which reinforce classroom learning and creates opportunities for independent study and research. Homework encourages responsibility, establishes good study habits, helps with organizational skills, and keeps parents informed. Please help your child find a quiet, comfortable place to complete homework assignments.

Teachers will assign make-up homework for an ill child that may be picked up at the curved counter by the school office AFTER 3:00 PM. Another option is to request a school classroom “buddy” to record missed assignments and bring home needed materials.

The following time periods are suggested for homework assignments:

First Graders ———— no more than 20 min. per eve.
Second Graders———no more than 30 min. per eve.
Third Graders————no more than 40 min. per eve.
Fourth Graders——— no more than 50 min. per eve.
Fifth Graders————-no more than 60 min. per eve.
Sixth Graders———— no more than 60 min. per eve.

LUNCH

A school lunch program is available. The food is prepared and served by the SPC Food Services Ministry. Parent volunteers are needed for the cafeteria lunches to serve and help clean up. Please contact the Food Services Ministry or school office if you are interested.

A regular set lunch includes one entrée, two sides, and milk .……… $2.45

Extras from the lunch line:

Entrée ………………..………………$1.40
Veg./Fruit.……………………….………50
Milk……………………………………..40
Dessert …………………………..…..….30
Roll/Bread ……………..……….……….25

Menus are posted in The Connector every week. We request that every all day kindergarten and elementary family deposit a minimum of $30.00 per student in a “lunch account” on the first full day of school. (This will provide approximately 2 weeks of a school lunch). Even if a family intends to send a lunch box from home the majority of the time, we request the first deposit in order to assure a meal is covered should a student forget his/her lunch. Families may deposit more than $30.00. Students are monitored daily when they go through the cafeteria line. When an account nears $10.00, a notice is sent home requesting the student’s account be replenished.

Parents - please follow these lunchroom rules:

  1. No soda pop at school (in cans or in a thermos). The staff on duty will dispose of any pop.
  2. No soda pop or toys are to be brought in with purchased “kids meals”.
  3. If a child eats lunch away from school, that child MUST be signed OUT and IN by an ADULT. The adult must accompany the student to a teacher on duty (Gym, Playground or Cafeteria). We cannot have students wandering around alone.

Classes have approximately 30 minutes for lunch and 30 minutes for outside recess, weather permitting. If it is necessary to remain inside, the gymnasium or classrooms will be used for inside games. Staff members are on duty during lunch period. They make every effort to allow children freedom to eat in a pleasant environment and to play on a safe playground. Group rules are maintained in both areas so everyone is treated fairly and with kindness.

Parents are invited to join their child for lunch – please inform the teacher or office no later than the morning of your visit so we can include you in the lunch count.

RULES FOR LUNCH, RECESS, AND PLAYGROUND

LUNCH:

  1. Students wait quietly in food line and serving area
  2. Students eat silently while remaining seated
  3. Students may talk after finishing their meals
  4. Student may be dismissed for:
    a. Second helpings
    b. Tray clean – off
    c. Line up
  5. Students leave lunch area quietly in line.
  6. CLAPPING PATTERN means silence to all children.

GYMNASIUM INSIDE RECESS during inclement weather:

  1. Acceptable activities:
    a. Jogging, fast walking, running (not into other’s play space)
    b. Exercising, jumping, cheer-leading, talking in small groups
    c. North end of the gym – used for basketball and other activities with recess balls
    d. South end of the gym – used for non-ball activities

  2. Non-acceptable behavior:
    a. Running into other students, hitting, or hurting others
    b. Taking up too much space – interfering with other activities
    c. Getting too rowdy
    d. Excluding others from entering activity

  3. Offenders of rules spend “time-out” in gym

  4. WHISTLE SOUND means freeze to all students

RECESS:

  1. Students may take out school sports equipment.

  2. Soccer Field:
    a. 2nd and 3rd Grades (boys & girls) may play on Mondays and Wednesdays.
    b. 4th, 5th, 6th Grades (boys & girls) may play on Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays.
    c. Players should try to work out any problems. Teacher on duty may have to intervene if disputes cannot be settled by students.

  3. Classes go outside every day, weather permitting.

  4. Weather conditions are evaluated daily. If wind chill is 25 degrees or below the inclement weather plan will be implemented.

PLAYGROUND:

  1. Slide – Slide down only
  2. Climbing equipment - Gym shoes only
  3. Swings - Sit at all times. Stop swinging before getting off.
  4. Parallel Bars - Hand use only - no sitting
  5. Sticks, rocks, and mulch – Not to be picked up or thrown
  6. Snowballs - Not to be thrown within the fenced playground area.
  7. Balls - Allowed only in grassy areas beyond playground
  8. Personal toys - Not to be taken to playground

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

SPCS elementary families (Grades 1-2-3-4-5-6) may apply for Scholarship funding each spring to help defray tuition the following school year. Applications may be obtained in the school office during registration for the next school year. All information is confidential.

SPECIAL CLASSES

SPCS is fortunate to have special classes in Art, Music, Band, Computers, and P.E. Each teacher has developed a program which enhances the overall educational experience. A nine week grade, given in each area, will relate to participation and cooperation. During the school year, the teachers appreciate parent help with special requests for supplies.

STUDENT COUNCIL

Student Council offers opportunities for leadership within SPCS for our upper elementary students. With a voice through student government, students take an active role in the activities of the school, which enhances school spirit and brings fresh ideas to consider. The offices of President, Secretary, and Treasurer are fifth and sixth graders. The committee members consist of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. In addition, third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade and sixth grade select a classroom representative and an alternate to be liaison between the Student Council and the classroom. The students involved take ownership of their responsibilities, develop oral communication and organizational skills, and experience a sense of fulfillment.

STUDENT PLACEMENT

School policy states that assignment of students to classrooms will be made at the discretion of the SPCS staff. Specific guidelines are followed and placement will be made on the basis of educational and individual needs as well as distribution of age and sex. Parent requests for a specific teacher cannot be granted.

TARDINESS

Each classroom teacher keeps attendance and tardiness records. It is important for children to arrive promptly for class. If three unexcused tardies occur during one semester, parents are contacted. Tardiness is noted on report cards. Prompt arrival at school is expected. Morning carpool begins at 8:15 a.m. daily. Tardiness interrupts a student’s instructional time and disrupts the classroom. Students are considered tardy after 8:30 a.m. If being tardy is unavoidable, a note should accompany the student to explain the reason for his/her tardiness. ALL tardy students should be walked into the education wing so an ADULT can sign the student in at the curved front desk. The student should report to the office before going to class.
Continued tardiness will require a family meeting with the classroom teacher.

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