Jordan Elementary School

At this time we would like to formally welcome all parents/guardians and students to Jordan Elementary School.                          It is extremely important for you to take time to read the following information regarding the policies                                      and procedures for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year.                                       

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The school office is open from 7:30 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Students may arrive at school at 8:00 A.M. when gymnasium supervision begins. The instructional day begins at 8:25 A.M. and students should be in the building before 8:15 A.M.  Students are dismissed at 3:05 P.M. if they walk home or are picked up by car and bus riders are dismissed at 3:15 P.M.

Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds during the day, unless a written communication from the parent is received. Separate, dated notes must be sent for each day that the child will be leaving school. Students must be signed out by an adult at the office before leaving the building. We would ask that parents and guardians please try to avoid scheduling appointments during the school day. Also, if at all possible, the school recommends that students not miss school days for vacation or similar trips.

School attendance is very important and it is taken very seriously. We work closely with the Regional Office of Education’s Truant Office in situations where students are chronically absent or tardy.  We ask that parents do everything in their power to get their child to and from school in a timely manner.

EARLY DISMISSAL 

§         We will be on an early dismissal schedule from Monday, August 29^th through Friday, September 2^nd.  School will be dismissed at 2:15 P.M. on these days due to the anticipated hot weather.  There will be no school on Monday, September 5^th in observance of Labor Day.

 LUNCH AND BREAKFAST 

§       Lunches are $2.50 per day or $12.50 weekly.

§       Students qualifying for reduced lunches will be charged 40¢ daily or $2.00 weekly.

§       Weekly lunches should be purchased on Mondays in the classrooms.

§         Students should not charge lunches for more than two days at a time.

§         Extra milk is 25¢.

§         Do not send drinks in cans or bottles.

§         No soda should be brought to school.

§         No food may be brought to children from fast food restaurants.

§         Breakfast is served from 8:00-8:20 A.M.

§         Breakfasts are $1.00 per day or $5.00 weekly.

§         Students qualifying for reduced breakfasts will be charged 30¢ per day.

§         Students should not charge breakfasts for more than two days at a time.

§         Mrs. Bethel’s class will eat lunch from 11:00-11:25 A.M.

§         All first grade classes and Mrs. Eversgerd’s second grade class will eat lunch from 11:25 A.M. to 11:55 A.M.

§         Mrs. Ruggles’ and Mrs. Schwartz’s second grade classes, all third grade classes and Mrs. List’s class will eat lunch from 11:55 A.M. to 12:25 P.M.

§         Students going home for lunch must be back to school by either 12:10 P.M. if eating during the first lunch period and 12:25 P.M. if eating during the second lunch period.

§         Please inform the school if your child will be late, but will still be eating a school lunch.  We must have a lunch count no later than 9:15 A.M.  If you have not reserved a lunch for your child, other arrangements must be made. 

MEDICAL INFORMATION 

§         A medical permit must be completed and signed by the attending physician and the parents if a child needs to take medication during school.

§         The school nurse or an approved staff member will give medications before school and during the noon hour.

§         When bringing medication to school, make sure it is properly marked in containers.

§         Please report to the school office if a child has any contagious diseases such as chicken pox, strep, etc.  This will then be reported to the school nurse.

§         Please report any cases of head lice or nits (eggs).  In cases of lice or nits, the student will not be allowed to return to school until they are checked and cleared by the school nurse.

§         We are now a “Peanut/tree nut Safe Zone.  This is necessary due to the increasing number of students who are highly allergic to peanut and tree nut products, as well as other specific food items.  You will receive additional information regarding this matter from the school nurse. 

SCHOOL BUS PROCEDURES 

§         The bus pick-up area in front of the school is a one-way road.  NO CARS MAY DRIVE OR PARK IN THIS AREA DURING BUS PICK-UP AND DROP OFF.  Please pay close attention to the signs and to those staff members who are in charge of bus duty.

§         If it is necessary for your child to ride home on a bus other than the one assigned to your neighborhood, you must write a note requesting change.  The student must bring the note to the office in the morning.  If the transfer is acceptable, the principal will sign the note.  At the end of the day, the student should pick up the note in the office and present it to the bus driver on whose bus he/she will depart.

§         A crossing guard will be on duty at Airport Road from 8:00-8:30 A.M. and from 3:10-3:30 P.M.  The crossing guard will not be present during the noon hour.  We ask parents to join the teachers in instructing students to obey the safety patrol, and to use the best possible standards of safety when walking to and from school. 

PARENT PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF PROCEDURES 

Parents may drop students off for school in the morning from 8:00-8:20 A.M.  The parking lot directly north of the school building (Kaskaskia  College Harry Crisp Center) will be used for this procedure.  Vehicles should form a line upon entering the parking lot and should make a complete stop at the walkway leading from the parking lot to the school playground.  Students may then exit using the passenger side door.  Parents should then exit the parking lot.  DO NOT DROP STUDENTS OFF PRIOR TO 8:00 A.M.  here will not be a staff member on duty to supervise students until 8:00 A.M.

·         Students are to enter the school building through the main entrance at the front of the building after being dropped off if they choose to eat breakfast.  Otherwise, students should remain on the playground.  During inclement weather, students may enter the building through the north entrance (near the playground).

·         Parents may pick-up students using the same parking lot directly north of the school building (Kaskaskia College Harry Crisp Center).  Parents should park along the south end of the parking lot and wait for students to be dismissed at 3:05 P.M. 

 PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE ROW CLOSEST TO THE FENCE.  Parents are to walk to the walkway leading from the school playground to the parking lot and should then walk their child(ren) safely to the vehicle.  Students are not to walk through the parking lot unattended.  A school official will also be on duty during this time.

·         During the hours of 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., parents may use the south parking lot next to the school.

·         Please watch your speed when you are in any of the parking areas.

·         Violators run the risk of having their license plates numbers recorded and turned into the Centralia Police Department.

 EARLY DISMISSAL TIMES 

On days when school is dismissed at 12:30 P.M., parent pick-up students will be dismissed at 12:05 P.M. and buses will depart the school at 12:30 P.M.  On days when school is dismissed at 2:15 P.M., parent pick-up students will be dismissed at 2:05 P.M. and buses will depart the school at 2:30 P.M.

 CLASSROOM/BIRTHDAY PARTIES, TREATS, AND DRINKS 

§         We are happy to celebrate your child’s birthday; however, we do not allow drinks and treats as part of the in-school celebration.  Instead, Jordan School has a “Birthday Book” program which allows a child to select and purchase a special book ($5.00) that they may share with the class and with their family.  After a week, a special marker will be placed in the book denoting the child’s name and birth date and the book will then be donated to the Jordan School Library on behalf of the child.

§         We ask that you do not send birthday invitations to school unless all students are invited in the classroom. 

§         No drinks or snacks will be allowed in the classroom with the exceptions of special parties (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Play Day, etc.).  During these parties healthy alternative snack choices must be provided.  All treats must be commercially made.

§         During the hot weather, water or other special drinks may be distributed or used during class time with teacher consent.  (No screw on lids please) 

SCHOOL VISITS AND CHILD PICK-UP PROCEDURES 

§         Please report to the office when you enter the building.  Items and messages should be left with Mr. Bland or Mrs. Holtkamp.  They will then deliver them when it is least disruptive.

§         If you are picking up your child, do not go directly to the child’s classroom.  All pick-ups will be at the south end of the school by the office. 

§         In order to pick your child up for any reason during school hours or lunch hours, you must first sign your child out in the school office. 

CHANGE OF AFTER-SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION 

§         Notification of any change in a child’s normal after-school transportation should take place prior to 12:00 P.M. on the day of the change.  This includes bus transportation and parent pick-ups. 

SCHOOL SUPPLIES 

§         Please make sure that your child has adequate school supplies throughout the school year.  P.E. shoes are needed to participate in P.E.  P.E. shoes should be in your child’s locker on the first day of school.  It is extremely important that your child have the necessary supplies to enable him/her to succeed during the school year.  If you are unable to obtain the necessary supplies, please contact the school and we will do our best to assist you. 

TEACHER APPOINTMENTS 

§         If you would like to talk to your child’s teacher by phone, you may contact the teacher by using our automated phone system.  Simply choose the menu option on the announcement to go to the school directory and enter the teacher’s name for his/her extension.  You will then get the teacher’s voice mail if the teacher is unable to answer. 

§         Teachers may also be reached by e-mail.  Teacher e-mail addresses are located at our school website:  www.ccs135.com.   Simply click on the Jordan School webpage and find the “Faculty and Staff” icon.    Click on this icon to locate the e-mail address of all of our staff members.  Please keep all e-mail correspondence courteous. 

LOST AND FOUND ITEMS 

§         Items that are lost by students will be placed in a lost and found area in the office.  At the end of each month unclaimed items will be donated to the Salvation Army. 

JORDAN SCHOOL WEB PAGE 

www.ccs135.com

Classroom web pages may be accessed using the Jordan School web page.  Classroom web pages contain important classroom information as well as weekly homework assignments.  A calendar of events may also be found listing important events at Jordan School.  Teachers may also be contacted by e-mail.  Teacher e-mail addresses are located at our school website.   Simply click on the Jordan School web page and find the “Faculty and Staff” icon.    Click on this icon to locate the e-mail address of all of our staff members.  Please keep all e-mail correspondence courteous.

 If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to call or stop by the school.  We are looking forward to meeting and working with you during the upcoming school year!

 SCHOOL CANCELLATION/NOTIFICATIONS 

Parents will be notified of any school cancellations, early dismissals, and/or special events that are taking place at Jordan School through our AlertNow system.  It is extremely important that parents/guardians keep the school office informed of any changes in telephone numbers throughout the school year.