Student Handbook

Dear Brookdale Families:

Welcome to Brookdale—and thank you for being such a vital part of our school community!

Brookdale is a richly diverse school of nearly 500 students and over 50 dedicated staff members. We’re proud to serve students and families from many cultures, languages, and backgrounds. We believe this diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and we are committed to providing culturally responsive instruction that affirms and reflects our students’ identities, experiences, and strengths.

We recognize that families play a critical role in student success. Thank you for partnering with us by ensuring your child gets enough rest each night, has a designated space for homework, reads (or is read to) each evening, and arrives at school on time each day, ready to learn.

We know students thrive when families and schools work closely together. We love seeing our school community come together to support our students – and one of the most meaningful ways you can help is by volunteering! Volunteers make a huge difference in creating a positive, welcoming environment for all our learners. Whether you have a little time or a lot, there are opportunities to match your interests and schedule. Don’t hesitate to contact the office with any questions or information regarding volunteering.

At Brookdale, we are dedicated to using equitable, restorative, trauma-informed practices. Our school-wide management system is grounded in research-based strategies designed to set students up for success. It is positive and proactive, focused on creating a safe and welcoming learning environment for all. Embracing a growth mindset, we view academic and behavioral mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth.

Our curriculum and instruction are designed to help all students meet the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, while also honoring students’ cultural knowledge and perspectives. Our goal is to actively engage every student in meaningful, rigorous learning. In addition to core academics, students enjoy Art, PE, Music, and Library/Technology classes.

We also offer a variety of programs to support our students’ diverse needs. Our ML team helps multilingual learners acquire English and fully access academic content. We use multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to ensure no student falls through the cracks. Our skilled Learning Specialists and Behavior Support Team provide targeted help in our LAP program. We also offer Special Education services—academic, social/emotional, behavioral, speech, occupational therapy, and physical therapy—to students who qualify.

At Brookdale, we value the important role families play in their children’s achievement. Your input matters to us. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or if there’s anything we can do to support you and your student.

Sincerely,

Connie Holman ~ Principal

Ashley Landes ~ Assistant Principal

ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS

Attendance is a major factor in academic excellence.  Most of what students learn   academically and socially requires that they be in the classroom for the instruction. Research shows that students who attend school regularly in the early years are more likely to learn to read well by the critical 3rd grade milestone, score higher on standardized tests and graduate and go on to college than students who are chronically absent or tardy.  Please be sure that your child is at school on-time every day.

GOOD ATTENDANCE STRATEGIES

Here are some strategies families can use to encourage good attendance:

• Set a good example
• Talk about the importance of school and being somewhere on time
• Scheduling family trips or appointments outside of the school day
• Get organized for school the night before
• Enforce a reasonable bedtime
• Stay healthy with nutritious food and exercise

CELEBRATING GOOD ATTENDANCE

At Brookdale we celebrate good attendance in a variety of ways: monthly perfect attendance awards, recognition of students with perfect attendance at the end of each trimester, and classroom incentives, to name a few.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

•  Call before 9:50 a.m. each day that your child is absent. A message can be left 24 hours a day—298.3100. You can also email us at brookdale@fpschools.org 
• Please inform the office of ALL absences.
• To explain an absence, if the office was not contacted by phone or email, students must bring a note with parent/guardian signature upon their return to school.
• The office staff have legal authority to determine which absences are ‘excused’ or ‘unexcused’ (State law – RCW28A.225.010 – requires schools to report to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, any student with more than 5 unexcused absences in a month or 10 in a year.)
• Once a student misses 7 days during a school year, the district will require 3rd party documentation to excuse future absences. **When in doubt, a doctor’s note is always a good idea.
• Late arriving students MUST check into the office for a tardy slip before going to class.

SCHOOLWIDE AGREEMENTS FOR SUCCESS

We are a Safe and Civil school and have established schoolwide behavior expectations.

Our school-wide behavior expectations are:

1.  Follow adult directions right away
2.  Do your work
3.  Stay in assigned area
4.  Use kind words
5.  Use safe actions
6.  Keep body and objects to yourself

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

· We emphasize positive behaviors with encouragement such as rewards, public recognition, friendly smiles, handshakes, High-5s, and positive notes.

· Reinforcements include activities at the classroom and school-wide levels including certificates, Bobcat Bucks, B.O.B.C.A.T. Pride assemblies, etc. 

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES

Restorative practices build healthy communities, repair harm, and restore relationships. Staff members use elements of restorative practices by incorporating community circles, affective statements, and using restorative questions when responding to challenging behavior. Students will have the opportunity to build community daily in their classrooms through community circles.

WHEN STUDENTS BREAK THE RULES

• Students who do not follow Brookdale expectations will face consequences. They may include:
  • Classroom intervention
  • Think Time
  • Notification by classroom report, notes, email, and/or phone call to parent/guardian
  • Restorative Conversations
  • Early intervention
  • Referral to the principal
  • Referral to MTSS-B (Multi-Tiered System of Support—Behavior)
  • Development of an individual behavior contract
  • Suspension from school
  • Expulsion from school

• ·         Students may also be referred to the Bobcat Den.  The Den provides additional support and guidance for students who may need a little extra help.  Students in the Den may work with our PBIS para, Mr. Redford, our counselor, Mrs. Owens, and/or other staff members. 

Brookdale School Wide Expectations

As a Safe and Civil school, Brookdale uses CHAMPS to define and support our Behavior Expectations

PERSONAL PROPERTY & VALUABLES EXPECTATIONS

Brookdale Elementary is not responsible for lost or stolen items

• Cell phones or personal listening devices ARE NOT to be seen or heard on school property during school hours.  If a student brings a cell phone or other device, it will need to be turned off.  All cell phones will be turned in and stored in a central classroom location and will be returned to students at the end of the day
• Smart Watches will be limited to those that do not have texting, calling, or internet access.  Families MUST sign an Acceptable Use Agreement (AUA) in order for a student to wear their watch during the day.  Those who do not follow the agreement will have the watch stored in a central classroom location each day.
• ALL non-school materials will be confiscated if they are seen or heard during the school day.  This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Toys, phones and/or electronic devices
  • Trading Cards (all kinds)
  • Personal grooming items (make-up, hair products, perfumes, etc.)
  • Items that distract from learning

Brookdale Student Dress Code

The purpose of this dress code is to assist administrators, teachers, students, & parents in providing all students a quality educational experience.  To accomplish this, the learning environment must be one that is safe, disciplined, and free of distractions.  Therefore, the dress code regulations that follow are not designed to inhibit personal taste but to encourage learning, good behavior, and safety.

If you are unsure, your student shouldn’t wear it to school

STUDENTS WHO COME TO SCHOOL IN CLOTHING THAT IS NOT APPROVED WILL CALL HOME FOR A CHANGE OF CLOTHES AND MAY BE PROVIDED WITH ALTERNATIVE CLOTHING FOR THE DAY

Arrival

• Students should arrive on campus between 9:20 a.m. and 9:35 a.m.  There is NO student supervision available before 9:20.
• Students MUST be dropped off in the designated area—front parking lot, in front of the main building doors. Student may not get out of vehicles along the road. Adult supervision is provided between 9:20 & 9:35 each morning.
• Students MUST check in at the office when arriving after 9:35 a.m.

Dismissal

• Students who walk (to their home) will be dismissed to crossing guards at the end of the day. 
  • Students may not be picked up in a vehicle on the side of the road, those students will be sent to parent pick up. 
• Students who ride the bus will be escorted to the bus loop by teachers.
• Students who are picked up by vehicle will be escorted to the designated area for dismissal in the front of the building. 
• Students will be called to a loading spot by an adult and will be delivered to their car valet style. Adults will wait in their cars for students to be delivered. To keep all students safe families may not walk up to pick students up from the parent pick up line. 
• ALL changes to the end of day routine must be received by the office 1 hour before dismissal. Upon notification, students will receive a slip indicating the change.
  • Times: 
    • 4:05 Dismissal - Call by 3:05 pm 
    • 2:35 Dismissal - Call by 1:35 pm
    • 12:35 Dismissal - Call by 11:35 am 

These arrival and dismissal routines are in place to ensure students’ safety

VOLUNTEERING

Please consider joining our school volunteer program. Our students will greatly benefit from your involvement and contributions to the school’s program and its operations. You can donate one hour or one day a week, or perhaps you’d be able to work on one project during the school year. No matter what you prefer, we’re happy to work with you to ensure a positive experience!

We seek volunteers to help us with the following activities:

• Listen to students read.
• Read to students.
• Chaperone field trips.
• Assist in the classroom.
• All visitors must check into the office upon arrival.

If interested, please call our Volunteer Coordinator at 253.298.3100. We’ll be glad to work with you to complete the online volunteer screening. (Screening assures families that volunteers in the school have no serious criminal records.)

ALL volunteers MUST complete a volunteer screening at the beginning of each school year.

VISITORS & GUESTS EXPECTATIONS

Brookdale welcomes our many visitors – family, teachers from other schools and districts, and guest presenters.

• All visitors must make arrangements with the classroom teacher at least one day prior to visiting. (Must be a cleared volunteer).
• Visitors must check in at the main office upon arrival.
• VISITORS MUST FOLLOW THE HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES AS OUTLINED FOR ALL STAFF AND STUDENTS

CLASSROOM FOOD POLICY

Classroom food is limited due to Health & Safety protocols. Please check with the office before sending ANY food other than individual lunches.

• Please request permission from your child’s teacher before bringing snacks to school.
• All snacks/treats MUST be store bought and individually wrapped.
• 24 hours notice is required.
• Healthy treats are encouraged!

BIRTHDAY TREATS  

If you wish to bring treats for your child’s birthday, please notify the classroom teacher ahead of time so they can plan when to fit the celebration into their daily schedule. 

All birthday treats must be store-bought and delivered to the office before lunch. 

Please note that parents are not permitted to enter classrooms for birthday treats, as this is a small celebration—not a classroom party. 
(Please remember that only cleared volunteers are allowed into the building during school hours.) 

Due to safety on the bus and classroom distractions, balloons are not allowed at school. Please save them for your child at home. 

We believe it is important to prepare students in advance for how to respond in case of a crisis or serious conflict. Practicing these routines ahead of time helps everyone know what to do if an unexpected situation arises. A “Room Clear” routine is used to ensure the safety of all students and staff when a student is highly upset or behaving in a way that is dangerous or severely disruptive. When a student becomes extremely dysregulated or unsafe, staff will have already taught students what to do. The steps for this procedure are:

1.      Planning Ahead:
At the start of the school year, teachers will choose a nearby classroom to go to during a Room Clear. This room must have another adult who can supervise students. Teachers will coordinate with that colleague to make sure it is ready for use if needed.

2.      Calm Directions:
In the event of a Room Clear, the teacher will use a calm voice to ask students to leave the room in an orderly way. For example: “Class, please stand up, push in your chairs, and line up quietly.” Students will be reminded to follow directions quickly and respectfully, and to avoid paying attention to the student who is in crisis. Teachers will encourage positive behavior and remind students to show care and respect for everyone.

3.      Relocating:
The class will walk to the designated partner classroom.

4.      Returning to Support:
The teacher will then go back to their own classroom to help manage the situation until the school’s Admin Care Support Team arrives.

5.     Notifying the Office:
The partner teacher will call the front office and report the Room Clear using the phrase “ROOM CLEAR” along with the location.

6.      Waiting for “All Clear”:
Once the situation is resolved and an “All Clear” is given, the teacher will return to the partner classroom and bring the class back to their own room.

7.      Restoring Community:
After the incident, the teacher will consider whether a restorative approach is needed. This might include a circle or conference with individuals, small groups, or the whole class to address any harm that occurred and support healing and understanding.

8.      Family Notification:

When a room clear occurs, families will be notified.