FARNSWORTH ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL POLICIES

VISITORS

Parents are invited and always welcome to visit the school. When you do visit please make your purpose and presence known by signing in at the office and being issued a visitor's pass. Only children enrolled in Farnsworth may attend class(no cousins, little brother/sister, etc)

COMMUNICATION

Communication is encouraged and is a "two-way street". Please communicate with the school and PTA about any items of concern that you may have.

POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE

We are concerned that our students develop healthy self- esteem, respect for themselves, others and a feeling of personal, school and national pride.

The discipline program is based on the premise that students, even at a young age, can and should make good decisions concerning their own well-being. Students are taught responsible behavior and then given the opportunity to make decisions for themselves.

If you create a problem, you must resolve it without creating a problem for anyone else. The individual is responsible for the consequences of an improper choice, decision or action.

INSURANCE

The Granite District has approved the offering of a private medical/accident insurance plan which is made available to all students at a nominal charge. This insurance program is optional and the policy information may be picked up at the main office.

ATTENDANCE & TARDINESS

We want to work closely with you to help your children succeed and reach their full potential. In order to do our part we need your children in attendance at school every day.

When a student is going to be absent, please call the school office by 9:00 a.m. at 646-4822. When a student returns to school following an absence, a dated note signed by a parent should be sent explaining the student's absence. If the teacher does not receive a written note, the absence will be considered unexcused. If a student is out for three or more consecutive days, a doctor's note may be required. We use parent volunteers to call homes of absent students. These volunteers assist with identifying absent students. They do not determine the validity of an absence only the parents, school officials and/or family physicians can make that determination.

Illness or family emergencies are the only acceptable excuses and students must have a written note (provided by the parents) to be put in their file at the school . Doctor and dental appointments should be arranged for after school hours whenever possible. If they must go during school hours, the student is excused only for the time it takes for the appointment and the traveling time. They must be checked out of school at the office by a parent, guardian, or a person listed on the registration card.

Students are expected to be in the classroom and in their seats when school begins. Students who are late should report to the office to pick up their attendance card. The only excused Tardies are for medical reasons, severe weather conditions or district transportation problems. Those students who have too many tardies will be contacted through Attendance Truancy forms by mail or telephone.

According to the Utah Compulsory Attendance Laws (Chapter 23, Section 53-24-1) every school age child must be in school. The parents are responsible for their children's regular school attendance.

In agreement with the JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM, a child and parent will be referred to the COURT for unexcused absences following an earnest and persistent effort by the school to correct the problem. When parents fail to keep children attending school regularly, the COURT has determined that the District and School must make a truancy or educational neglect referral to the JUVENILE COURT. Farnsworth will enforce District polices using the following procedures:

• 3 Unexcused absences, teachers will contact the student's home.
• 5 unexcused absences, referral to school social worker, letter to parents with acknowledgment required.
• 8 unexcused absences, contact made with student's home by the principal, second letter sent to parent with acknowledgment required, student placed on Oakwood Attendance Assistance Plan.
• 10 unexcused absences, pre-court hearing with student, parent(s), social worker, teacher and principal. Personal Attendance Contract established at this meeting.
• Violation of the Personal Attendance Plan and/or an 11th unexcused absence will result in a referral to the Juvenile Court System.
• *3 tardies count as one(1) absence for purposes of Farnsworth 100% Attendance Awards.

MAKE UP WORK

Students and their parents are responsible for requesting make-up work immediately upon the student's return to school. This work must be completed in a time-frame specified by the classroom teacher. If dates of the student's absence are known in advance, the teacher should be notified so that assignments may be compiled while the student is out.

Please contact the school regarding a special home instruction program, if an extended illness is anticipates.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE FROM SCHOOL

Students should not arrive more than 5 to 10 minutes prior to the start of school. During good weather students are encouraged to remain outside before the first bell. On cold or stormy days, students will be admitted to the lunch room at 8:45 a.m. before the first bell but they must remain quietly seated. Students should enter and exit through assigned doors closest to their homeroom. The main entrance doors are limited to parents, patrons and staff.

Students must leave the school grounds immediately after school has been dismissed, unless required to remain for a pre-authorized activity or waiting to be picked up,.

SPECIAL NOTE: The "BUS ZONE AREAS" in the south school parking lot are for bus use only. Parents should drop their children off on the school side of the street.

Please follow the "ENTER" and "EXIT" signs posted at the driveways.

DRESS CODE

Clothing worn by students shall be neat, clean and in good repair for the personal health and safety of the student.

• Wear modest clothing.
• Shorts or skirts must be at least finger-tip length (measure by holding the arms straight down to the side).
• Tank tops must be worn with a sleeved shirt.
• Tops that bare the midriff may not be worn by either boys or girls.
• Frayed cut-offs or deliberately ripped clothing may not be worn.
• Hats or bandannas may not be worn.
• Clothing with crude, offensive or abusive messages or pictures may not be worn.
• Gang related insignia or clothing related to gangs may not be worn.
• Clothing with sayings suggestive of items prohibited (example: alcohol and cigarette advertisements, etc.) may not be worn.
• Students who do not dress appropriately will be offered a T-shirt for the day, if possible
• Students may telephone home for a change of clothing.

VANDALISM

Willfully damaging or destroying school property is cause for immediate suspension and possible expulsion. The school requires that vandal damage be paid for before a student is allowed to return to class. If a student accidentally causes damage they should report it to their teacher immediately so that the damage is not thought to be vandalism.

ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESS

Students involved in a minor accident will be cared for by school personnel. If it is necessary for a child to be sent home because of an accident or illness, the parent, or if unavailable, the emergency contact listed on the registration form, will be notified to come and get the child. If contact cannot be made, the principal or designee will decide what to do. The school will call 911 anytime there is a major problem.

Medication of any kind will not be administered by school personnel to injured areas.

SAFE SCHOOL POLICY

For the safety of students, staff and visitors to our schools, the Granite Board of Education has a strict "Safe Schools" policy. It provides guidelines for dealing with disruptive incidents at school and at student activities. The intent of the policy is to give all students the right to attend school and school-sponsored activities without undue concern for their physical safety.

The "SAFE SCHOOLS" policy establishes penalties and procedure for:

• Any act of violence
• Possession of any type of weapon (real or facsimile)
• Any form of organized gang activity
• Any type of criminal behavior

STUDENTS who violate this policy will subject themselves to:

• Automatic suspension from school
• Immediate referral to law enforcement officials
• Mandatory parent conference at school
• Referral to the district Pupil Services Office, in cases involving severe or repeat violations, for placement in an alternative program, expulsion from school, or other action to resolve the problem.

This change has been adopted so that students and staff can feel safe and secure at school.

EMERGENCY DRILLS

Fire and earthquake drills are conducted each month during a school year. Escape plans are taught and reviewed by teachers and students. A detailed emergency preparedness plan exists in each classroom and the school is prepared for a variety of emergency situations. In case of an actual emergency, students will not be released from school until parents have been contacted. Parents and/or other designated persons must check students out of school.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

The school is required to have on file the following information:

• Names of parents or guardians
• Complete and up-to-date address
• Current home phone and work phone numbers
• Name and phone number of relative or friend (for emergencies)
• Physician's name and phone number
• MEDICAL ALERT information (this should include any health information that may affect the child's participation in any of the activities at school)

This information is critical and parents MUST notify the school of any changes immediately, the for safety of the students.

LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS

Students are not allowed to leave school grounds during school hours for ANY REASON without the knowledge and consent of their teacher and written request or an in person checkout from the student's parent or guardian. All students who leave during school hours must be "signed out" in the school office and accompanied from the building by a parent, guardian or authorized designee.

SPECIAL SERVICES

Some of the special services available at Farnsworth are social work, hearing and speech therapy, psychological testing, resource, and multi-cultural instruction. Please ask about services offered.

REPORTING ABUSE & NEGLECT OF MINORS

In order to comply with State law, any school employee who knows or reasonably suspects that a child's health or welfare has been or appears to have been harmed as a result of abuse or neglect shall report or cause reports to be made to the appropriate State agencies. This is a law and we MUST and will comply. This required reporting law applies to everyone in our community.

BICYCLE SAFETY & ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION

Once on school grounds, children walk their bikes to the racks within the cage on the southeast side of the building. Students must provide their own lock. The bike cage is locked during school hours. The school does not assume any responsibility for bicycles. Bike helmets are highly recommended. Roller blades and skateboards are not permitted.

PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION

School staff will provide supervision on the playground at recess and lunch. Granite School District does not provide student supervision on the playground before or after school. All students are encouraged to leave school for home immediately following the dismissal bell.

MEDICATION

District policy states that no medication of any kind (including all over-the-counter medication) may be administered to any student by any school personnel without written authorizations and instructions from the student's physician and parent. The "PERMISSION FOR FARNSWORTH OFFICE STAFF TO ADMINISTER MEDICATION" form must be filled out prior to medication given at school. Students are responsible for coming to the office to receive their medication; and parents are responsible for making sure the school has an adequate supply of medication. The school may withdraw authorization for administration at any time with prior notice.

VOLUNTEERS

All parents are invited and encouraged to volunteer and to actively participate in the educational experience and process here at Farnsworth. We would encourage every parent to make a commitment to volunteer at least one hour in your child's classroom sometime during the school year.

TEXTBOOKS, LIBRARY BOOKS AND SCHOOL MATERIALS

Textbooks, library books and school materials are furnished, without charge, to students. Students are expected to maintain these resources properly throughout the year. If any books or materials are lost, misused or damaged beyond reasonable wear, parents shall pay the replacement costs before other books or new materials are issued to the student. Repair fee will be charged at the end of the year for books or school property damaged by neglect or willful destruction.

TRANSFER AND RELEASE OF RECORDS

In order for your child's records to be released to their new school and the transfer process completed, you must notify the school, complete the required forms, and return all school and library books. The school will need to know the expected date of withdrawal, the name and address of the new school the student will attend and your new home address. The necessary transfer forms are in the office. A transcript of the student's records will be forwarded via mail to the new school where a student transfers. These records cannot be hand carried by parents.

SCHOOL PHONE USAGE

A student must first get a "phone pass" from their teacher in order to use the school phone. Phone passes will be issued for only the most important of calls. Students cannot use the phone before or after school.

FOOD, DRINKS AND GUM

All food and drinks are restricted to the cafeteria unless otherwise authorized by the teacher (parties, etc.) GUM IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS AT ANY TIME!

As per Board of Health regulations, NO HOMEMADE FOODS OF ANY KIND MAY BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE SCHOOL FOR ANY REASON. ALL FOODS FOR ANY PARTIES, ACTIVITIES, ETC. MUST BE STORE BOUGHT AND PACKAGED.

TESTING

In the Fall, Students in grades 3, and 5will take the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT's) in the fall. . The purpose of this testing is to monitor and evaluate student academic progress and show patterns of groups.

Testing for the Granite District Gifted Program (Access) is done in January. Students are considered for placement in the Access Program by a combination of factors including SAT scores, scores on Out-Of-Level tests, teacher nominations and parent nominations.

Students in grades 1 through 6 will participate in Criteria Reference Testing (CRT's)in the spring. . This test is used to examine each child's grade level comprehension of math, reading, and science concepts and to show group patterns.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips, designed to supplement different aspects of the classroom curriculum and to introduce students to the resources of the community, may be scheduled throughout the school year. Parents will receive notices of field trips well in advance of the scheduled trip date and will be asked to sign field trip permission forms. Sometimes a small amount of money may be requested, as a donation, from each student to help defray trip costs. However, no child will ever be kept from a field trip due to cost.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Students' coats, boots, and gloves, should be marked for easy identification. Toys and items which could prove distracting or hazardous to students (including walkman-type personal cassette player and pocket knives) are not allowed at school. Such items will be confiscated and may be reclaimed only by a parent. Students should never bring large sums of money or valuables to school, as the school will not be responsible for the loss of such items. When money is sent to school, please realize the responsibility your child will have. Please place money in a sealed envelope with the child's name, teacher's name, room number and purpose.

Personal toys, sports equipment, and other items SHOULD NOT be brought to school.

LOST AND FOUND

All clothing items found and not labeled will be placed in a box in the foyer. The items will be kept until the end of each month. At this time, non-claimed items will be donated to a charitable organization. If your child has lost an item, please come to the school and look in the lost & found box as soon as possible. Again, please make sure all items coming to school are labeled for identification.

SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

Regular Lunch Prices is $5.50 ($1.10 a day)
Reduced Lunch Price is $2.00 (40 cents a day)
Milk Price 25 cents per day.
Lunch money is to be paid in advance. District policy will not allow students to charge lunches. Money will be collected by your child's teacher every Monday. To avoid problems, please send exact change or a check made payable to Farnsworth Elementary.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Students entering Kindergarten this year are required to have record of two MMR immunizations. All Kindergarten and children coming to Farnsworth for the first time are required to show proof of immunization. If there is an outbreak of a particular disease, students whose immunizations are not current will be excluded from school until the health department determines that it is safe for them to return to school.

PETS

Please keep all pets penned or leashed to avoid any problems associated with them following children to school. The County Animal Control will be called to pick up animals at school if our attempts to contact owners fail.

Please consult/contact the teacher and the school before bringing pets to school for "show and tell". All animals need to be leashed or caged and cannot be left at school.

SCHOOL PRIDE AND SERVICE

It is the philosophy of Farnswroth to provide all students the opportunity to learn the benefits of service. As part of the school curriculum, students will have the opportunity to participate in school sponsored projects such as school grounds beautification, peer/cross grade tutoring and lunch serving.

SCHOOL MASCOT

Our school mascot is the TIGER. There are Spirit Days organized by the principal, the community of caring liaison and student council. . We encourage our students and staff to identify with these symbols as a representation of our school pride and spirit.

The vision of Farnsworth Elementary School is to provide a safe, caring, and productive environment in which students are given opportunities to learn to  participate successfully and contribute to today's ever changing society.