Student Handbook

Dear Brookdale Families:

 

On behalf of the staff at Brookdale, I am happy to welcome you to the 2019-20 school year!  We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you so your children can achieve their highest potential. We recognize that in order to be successful in school, children need support from both the home and school. We know a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s education. As partners, we share the responsibility for your children’s success and want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities. We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she:

 

1) attends school daily, arrives on time, and is ready for the day’s learning experience.

2) completes all homework assignments given by teachers.

3) reads daily to develop a love for reading and to improve literacy skills.

4) shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life.

5) informs you if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject.

6) knows that you expect him/her to succeed in school and beyond.

 

Brookdale’s Vision & Mission Statements are the drivers for everything we do at Brookdale.

 

Vision:  Every Brookdale student will gain the necessary social, emotional, and academic skills to be successful in school and beyond.

Mission:  Students, staff and families work collaboratively and respectfully to engage Brookdale students in a meaningful and challenging environment in order to achieve personal and academic goals.

 

Please take time to review this handbook with your child(ren).  Inside is important information regarding day-to-day activities, rules, & expectations for students.  If you have any questions about what is included, please feel free to contact me or to discuss them with your child’s teacher.  It is very important that you and your child are fully informed regarding the expectations related to appropriate behavior for a safe and productive school year! 

The Brookdale staff and I feel privileged to be a part of this wonderful school family!  We thank you for your support and look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Connie Holman                                                                                                                                                

Brookdale 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

· Avoid scheduling family trips or appointments during 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 9:15 a.m. each day that your child is absent.  A message can be left 24 hours a day—298.3100.

· Please inform the office of ALL absences.

· To explain an absence, if the office was not contacted by phone, 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 EXPECTATIONS FOR    SUCCESS

We are a Safe and Civil school and have established schoolwide behavior expectations.  We refer to these expectations as the ‘Paws for Praise.’  These are...

· Be Safe

· Be Respectful

· Be Responsible

· Be Cooperative

 

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.

 

WHEN STUDENTS BREAK

THE RULES

· Students who do not follow Brookdale expectations will face consequences.  They may include:

à Classroom intervention

à Think Time

à Notification by classroom report, notes, email, and/or phone call to parent/guardian

à Restorative Conversations

à Early intervention

à Referral to the principal

à Referral to MTSS-B (Multi-Tiered System of Support—Behavior)

à Development of an individual behavior contract

à Suspension from school

à Expulsion from school

 

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, Paw Slips, Bobcat Bravos, B.O.B.C.A.T. Pride assemblies, etc.

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.

· 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/electronic devices—including spinners, fidget devices and Apple or other smart watches

· 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

 

 

	Approved	NOT APPROVED
ALL CLOTHING	Weather               appropriate Clothes that fit appropriately	· Sagging (zip ties will be provided if necessary) · Words/messaging or symbols which are offensive, insulting, promote violence, or are otherwise inappropriate for school · Make-up
HATS AND OTHER HEADGEAR	Hats on outside only	· Hats during class · Bandanas
PANTS/JEANS	Pants/Jeans must be worn on hips	· Sagging jeans (zip ties will be provided if necessary)
SHIRTS/BLOUSES	Tummy must be covered	· Tank tops (less than 2 inch straps) · Low cut tops · Spaghetti straps · Crop tops/tube tops
SKIRTS/SHORTS	No shorter than 2 inches above knee	· Short skirts/shorts
SHOES	Comfortable; good enough for PE MUST have a back	· Heels · Open toed shoes · Flip flops

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.  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 ride the bus or  walk will be dismissed to the bus zone or crossing guards at the end of the day.

· Students who are picked up by vehicle will be escorted to the front parking lot for dismissal. 

· Students will be called to a loading spot by an adult and will be delivered to their car valet style.

· Adults will not be able to enter the loading zone, they must be in a vehicle.

· ALL changes to the end of day routine must be received by the office 1/2 hour before dismissal (3:30 pm).   Upon notification, students will receive a pink slip indicating the change.

· NO parent pick-up by car will be allowed at the corner of 132nd and Park or in the front of the building. 

These dismissal routines are in place to ensure students’ safety at the end of the day.

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.

· Visitors must check in at the main office upon arrival.

 

CLASSROOM FOOD POLICY

· Due to food allergies, it is important to check with your child’s teacher regarding bringing food to school.

· Please request permission from your child’s teacher before brining snacks to school.

· All snacks/treats must be store bought.

· 24 hours notice is required.

· Healthy treats are encouraged!