Western Heights Handbook Philosophy
The major role of education in America is to prepare the youth to assume the duties and responsibilities which are theirs in our changing democratic society. Western Heights Elementary, along with the instructions of home, church, and community, is responsible for providing each child with opportunities for the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies. The faculty philosophy incorporates the belief that democratic, intellectual, moral, and social values, acceptable to the mainstream of American culture, are necessary for the students' future success. We believe that these values are best taught by example, in an atmosphere of mutual respect and genuine concern. Nurturing the students in their intellectual, physical, emotional, and social development is the responsibility of the faculty and staff of Western Heights Elementary School. Therefore, our philosophy is to encourage and promote academic growth for our faculty and staff in order to better fulfill our responsibilities.
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Objectives
1. Guide each student to a realization of the values of a democratic society and
his role and responsibilities in such a society.
2. Develop skills and competencies in all areas of curriculum.
3. Promote the development of the individual's pride in his school and community.
4. Emphasize the worth and dignity of each individual and the importance of
successful relationships with others.
5. Foster the student's desire to achieve his potential.
6. Encourage intellectual curiosity for life-long learning.
7. Provide opportunities for the child to develop his values.
8. Maintain a flexible and supportive environment in which the child will experience
success.
9. Provide experiences that will stress the importance of good sportsmanship and
worthy use of leisure time, and the physical well being of each student.
10. Utilize community resources in the educational process.
11. Maintain a high level of cooperation and communication between faculty and
parents.
12. Encourage faculty and staff to work toward achieving a higher level of excellence.
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General Information
School Phone Numbers
Office.............337.433.5779
Fax Number...337.439.9298
Cafeteria........337.433.5783
Library...........337.439.9131
Click here for a list of extension/voice mail numbers and email addresses.
Visitors
The Calcasieu Parish School System requires that ALL visitors should report to the office upon arrival at the school site and are not allowed to visit any classroom, student, or teacher unless permission is given from the office. Our rules on visiting the school are not only to allow academic progress but for the safety of our children.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Appointments should be made with the teacher to discuss your child's work. Teachers are usually free for conferences from 2:45-3:30 p.m. Additional times are available during the school day when the teacher is free of classroom responsibilities. Classes will not be interrupted for any reason. Conferences or interruptions during class teaching times are prohibited for very obvious reasons. If you feel the need for a conference with your child's teacher, contact the secretary/counselor at 433-5779 and she will arrange a conference. All visitors are required to sign in and get a visitor badge from the front office.
School Hours
Class begin each day at 7:40 a.m. and end each day at 2:45 p.m. The office will be open at 7:15 a.m. each morning and someone is there until 3:30 p.m. Teachers are at school from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
School Evacuations
In case of fire or other emergency, the signal to evacuate the building will be sounded. There is an evacuation plan posted in each room which shows the route of evacuation for that particular room. Safety procedure drills are practiced on a regular basis throughout the school year.
Crossing Guards
For the safety of our students, a crossing guard from the Sheriff's Department is stationed at the traffic light on the corner of Guillory Street and Elizabeth Street by the crossing lanes. Students who walk or ride bikes to and from school are expected to go to the crossing lane, wait for the guard to stop traffic, and signal them before crossing.
Use of School Telephone
There is a telephone in the office and in each teacher's classroom which can be used by the students in case of emergencies. Permission should be obtained from the principal, teacher, or the secretary before the child uses the telephone.
Lost and Found
Any article that is found should be turned into the office. If you have lost an article, please check for it in the office.
Animals at School
The Calcasieu Parish School System prohibits all live animals in the school unless they are in cages and brought in for specific purposes, approved by the teacher.
Student Insurance
Accident insurance, covering students from the time they leave home in the morning until they return home in the afternoon, is available to all students. Twenty-four hour insurance is also available. Forms will be sent home and are available at school, explaining the insurance policy and cost.
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Parent Information
To Our Parents
For the least amount of disruption to the students, specific days are set aside for Parent and Grandparents to join student in a meal. Parents are also invited to attend the Christmas and Easter parties.
School Parties
School parties are limited to two per year, which are Christmas and Easter. Those two parties will be held during the school day. "Surprise Parties" and non-academic activities are not permitted due to class/curriculum requirements. Please do NOT ask to have birthday parties for your child at school. You may send snacks to school with your child to share with his/her classmate for recess. Parent Volunteers
Parents are welcomed on the school campus to do volunteer work at these times:
8:30-10:00 a.m.
1:00-2:30 p.m.
We request that all volunteer parents leave the school grounds during all other times. You must sign in and get a badge from the office upon arrival. Thank you for your help and assistance.
Room Mothers
Mothers may be room mothers or assistant room mothers for the class in which their child is a member. The role of room mother is to facilitate quick communication by phone and assist the teacher in other activities such as Christmas and Easter parties, field trips, etc. Each room mother will be furnished with a complete list of phone numbers of the class members for the purpose of rapid communication. This volunteer parent serves a very important role in aiding the school to meet its needs.
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Academic Information
Calcasieu Parish Grading Scale
The following grading scale will be used for reading, mathematics, language, spelling, social living, social studies, and science:
100-94=A
93-87=B
86-79=C
78-70=D
70-00=U
Six weeks grades will be an average of daily/weekly tests or assignments. The following scale will determine the overall grade:
3.5-4.0=A
2.5-3.4=B
1.5-2.4=C
1.0-1.4=D
0.0-0.9=U Handwriting, physical education, fine arts, and conduct will be graded according to the following scale:
O...Outstanding
S...Satisfactory
N...Not Satisfactory (needs improvement)
Report cards are designed to inform you of the progress made by your child each six weeks. Kindergarten parents will receive progress reports three times a year – every 12 weeks. Grade One gets a report card after the first twelve weeks and every six weeks thereafter.
Banner Roll
Banner Roll students are those making grades no lower than an “A” in all subjects not graded by O, S, or N.
Honor Roll
Honor Roll students are those making grades no lower than a “B” in all subjects not grade by O, S, or N.
Evaluation
Students are evaluated formally and informally. Teachers use a variety of activities to assess their students informally: quizzes, unit tests, inventories, daily class work, and classroom observations. Students are formally evaluated in the spring. Fourth grade students take a state criterion-referenced test (LEAP) to determine promotion to the fifth grade. Students who do not pass all parts of the test will not be promoted. Students in K, 1, 2, 3 and 5 take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (I.T.B.S.). Kindergarten students are tested in the fall and spring. Scoring at least 80% on the spring test is required for promotion to the first grade.
Promotion/Retention
Placement decisions are made in accordance with federal, state and parish guidelines. Please refer to the Calcasieu Parish School System Pupil Progression Plan.
The promotional policy in Calcasieu Parish is based on standards cited in Louisiana Bulletin 741, policies and regulations of the Calcasieu Parish School Board and the Calcasieu Parish School System Pupil Progression Plan. Students will not be promoted solely upon the recommendation of a private practitioner or private agency. However, the recommendation will be given consideration, except in grade four where a passing score on the LEAP is a requirement.
Students will be considered for promotion when all of the following requirements are met:
1. Passing grades in:
Grade 1 Reading and Math
Grades 2–3 Reading, Math and Language Arts*
Grades 4–5 four of the five subjects:
Reading, Math, Language Arts*, Science or Social Studies
*Language Arts is an average of Language and Spelling
2. Attendance of a minimum of 160 days during the school year
(Excused absences are counted as part of the 20 days allowed.)
3. Passing score on the LEAP test in grade 4.
4. If applicable-grades 1, 2, 3, and 5 I.T.B.S. scores are satisfactory
5. If applicable–S.B.L.C. recommendation A student can be retained for one, two, three and/or four of the following reasons:
1. Excessive absences – 20 days - even though they are excused.
2. Student’s schoolwork
3. If applicable, LEAP test scores
4. Disciplinary action of expulsion Placement and promotion guidelines are subject to change. Please consult the school counselor if you have questions or concerns.
Notification of Possible Failure
Based on the grades seen on the report card and papers brought home, parents should be aware of a possible failure of the student’s grade level. Beginning in January, a letter is sent to notify parents of this possibility. Parents are encouraged to contact the school counselor and/or their child’s teacher for methods and strategies to help their child. Parents should not wait until it is too late. Immediate attention should be given to the notification that a student could fail. Homework
Homework should reflect reasonable, meaningful objectives of the instructional program, Assignments for homework should be based on classroom activities, be clearly understood by the students, and serve as practice for past learning. Parents should encourage students to accept responsibility for their assignments.
Library
The library is available to all students. The reading material is selected to meet the demands of the curriculum and the need for leisure reading. Fines are not charged for overdue books; however books which are lost or damaged are to be paid for by the students.
Transferring
Parents should notify the classroom teacher and office as soon as possible that their child will be transferring from Western Heights to another school. The following criteria must be met before a student's records can be released:
1. Library books and textbooks must be returned or paid for.
2. Breakfast/Lunch money must be paid in full.
SPARK
Spark (Seeking Purposeful Analytical Realistic Knowledge) is the local name for the academically gifted students in Calcasieu Parish. The identification of gifted students begins with a referral by a teacher, friend, or parent of the student with approval of the local school committee (SBLC). A screening test is given and if a student scores high enough on this or on CAT scores, then a full evaluation is given by a Pupil Appraisal team. Once a student is classified as academically gifted, an Individual Education Program (IEP) conference is held and the student is placed in the program. Evaluations by local psychologist are accepted for review by Pupil Appraisal. Spark classes will be held at R.W. Vincent in Sulphur.
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Student Services
Cafeteria
The Western Heights Cafeteria serves excellent food for both breakfast and lunch. For the cost, better meals are difficult to find.
Breakfast/Lunch Prices
Breakfast- 40 cents per day; Reduced price-30 cents per day
Lunch- $1.25 per day; Reduced price- 40 cents per day
Parent Lunch- $4.00
Parents are encouraged to pay by the week or month. Money should be sent in an envelope with the child’s name, teacher’s name and amount enclosed written on the outside.
If a student wishes, he/she may bring their lunch from home. If a beverage is brought, it should be in a thermos. Canned or bottled carbonated drinks are not allowed.
Extra Milk and Juice
Extra white
milk is 35 cents and Strawberry, Chocolate, or Vanilla milk is 50 cents.
Free/Reduced Meal Program
Applications for the free/reduced lunch and breakfast program are distributed at the beginning of each school year but are also available in the school office. Should your financial status change at any time during the year (loss of job, decrease in salary, more dependents, etc.), an application can be filled out at any time.
Student Valuables
Students are warned not to bring large amounts of money, radios, etc. to school and if they wear glasses or watches, to keep track of them at all times. Students, not the school, are responsible for personal property. If it is necessary to bring money for any reason, leave it in the office for safe keeping.
Textbooks
All students must keep books issued to them in good condition. Lost and defaced books will be paid for by the student to whom they were issued. Textbooks are the property of the State of Louisiana.
School Pictures
Individual pictures will be taken during the Fall and Spring semesters of the school year.
Class pictures will be taken during the Spring semester.
Buses
Students are under jurisdiction of the school while riding buses. Students must ride the bus to which they are assigned. Misconduct on a bus may forfeit the student's privilege of riding a school bus. Buses provide transportation for students living within the school's attendance zone and who live one mile or more from the school.
Transportation
The covered ramp in back of the cafeteria should be used to load and unload all children delivered or pick up by means of private transportation.
All buses and daycare vehicles use the driveway in front of the school. This procedure has been developed for the safety of the students.
Students should be given definite instructions as to how they are to get home, before they leave home in the morning.
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Registration Information Registration Procedures
Students must meet age, immunization and residence requirements for entering school. Age Verification
All children, upon entering a Calcasieu Parish school for the first time are required to present a certified or original copy of their official birth certificate. Items Necessary for Registration
· Bring two forms of verification – example: lease agreement, utility bill, etc.
· Birth certificate
· Immunization records
· Records from transfer school
· Social Security card – showing Social Security number
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Medical Information
Vision and Hearing Screening
Students in grades K, 1, 3 and 5 are screened each year for vision and hearing. If a problem is detected, the school nurse notifies parents.
Administration of Medication
The parent or guardian who wishes medication to be administered at school to his/her child has the following responsibilities:
A) To obtain a written order for each medication to be given at school, including annual
renewals at the beginning of each school year. Before you get an order for your child
to receive medication at school during his/her lunch time, you need to contact the
the school to find out when the child goes to school. (Lunch and 12:00 noon are not
necessarily the same time.)
B) To obtain a prescription for all medications to be administered at school, including
over-the-counter medication.
C) Arrange for an adult to deliver the medications to and from school, in original
labeled container as dispensed by the pharmacist. The parent/guardian will need to
get two containers for each prescription from the pharmacist in order that the
parent, as well as the school, will have properly labeled container.
Illnesses Occurring at School
Parents will be notified when their child becomes ill at school. If this is not possible, and the illness is serious, the child will be placed under the care of a physician and the parent will be responsible for the payment of the bill.
The following guidelines will be followed concerning illness:
1. Any child having a fever, diarrhea, severe colds, or sore throats should not remain at
school.
2. Sniffles, reddened eyes, headache, and abdominal pain are signs of acute
communicable diseases. Children with such conditions should be separated from others
immediately and sent home.
3. Skin eruptions or rashes should be considered communicable unless medical opinion
to the contrary is expressed.
4. No medications are given internally at school without written permission from a
physician. Aspirin, ointments, topical antiseptics and cough drops, etc. are
considered medicine.
5. No child will be sent home alone or to stay at home alone.
Skin Conditions
Children with scabies (itch), ringworm, and Impetigo (Indian Fire) must be referred to a physician and a note from the physician indicating whether is all right for the child to remain in school.
Prescribed medication for head lice may be verified by the showing the principal or secretaries the bottle or the label from the bottle.
Children with the following communicable diseases are to be excluded from school and may return when:
Measles- 5 days after the rash disappears
Chicken Pox- 7 days after the appearance of the vesicle
Mumps- when the swelling has subsided
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Attendance Rules
According to Calcasieu Parish School Board Policy Manual below are listed the rules and regulations on attendance, tardiness, excused and unexcused absences.
Absences
1. A student must bring a note from his/her parent or guardian after being absent for
any reason. The note must be dated, signed by the parent, and state the reason for
being absent. Every absence will be recorded as excused or unexcused.
2. If a student misses one through three hours during a school day, this will constitute
one-half day's absence. Four or more hours during a school day will constitute a full
day's absence.
3. At ten accumulated absences, the student may be reported to the Supervisor of
Student Personnel Services.
4. An elementary student who misses 20 days or more during a school year will be
retained in that grade.
Excused Absences
Children may be temporarily excused from school for the following reasons:
1. Children who are personally ill and whose attendance at school will endanger their own
health or that of their classmates. If in the judgment of the principal the absences
due to sickness are excessive, he may request a written statement from a physician.
2. Children in whose family there is a serious illness which would reasonably necessitate
the absence from school if justified by principal, Student Personnel Department, or
Louisiana Licensed practicing physician.
3. Children in whose immediate family a death has occurred; such absence is not to
exceed five days.
4. Children whose religious faith requires absence for the observance of special and
recognized holidays of the child's own faith.
5. Medical, dental, optometric. or chiropractic appointments.
Unexcused Absences
In view of that fact that it is impractical to list all excusable absences from school and recognizing that there are cases where temporary absences other than those listed in the Compulsory School Attendance Law are excusable, the school principal shall determine whether or not the temporary absence of a pupil is excusable, taking into consideration the merits of the case and the effect such absence will have upon the school work of the pupil.
Tardy
Students are expected to arrive at school on time and to class on time. Excessive tardiness is grounds for disciplinary action. If a student is guilty of excessive tardiness, the principal may suspend him/her, pending a visit by the child's parents to correct the tardy attention. A child shall be considered tardy if they are not in class at
7:45 am. If the child is tardy, the parent or guardian must sign them in the front office before the child reports to class.
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Student Responsibilities
Discipline
General Expectations
1. Follow directions of all teachers and staff members.
2. Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
3. Use appropriate language at all times.
4. Littering and damage to school or personal property are not allowed.
5. Treat all school employees, students, and visitors with courtesy and respect.
Playground Expectations
1. Follow the directions of the duty teachers.
2. Throwing of rocks and/or other harmful objects is not allowed.
3. Walk to and from playground areas.
4. Stay in designated playground area during recess.
Cafeteria Expectations
1. Follow directions of teachers and cafeteria staff.
2. Speak in a soft voice.
3. Playing with, or throwing food is not allowed.
4. Clean your area (table and floor) after eating
Suspension
The principal may suspend from school for a definite period any student who is guilty of willful disobedience of the law. Any student, after being suspended on three occasions for committing any offenses by law, during the same session, may be committing the fourth such offense, be recommended for expulsion from the public schools of the parish wherein he/she resides until the beginning of the next regular school session.
Causes for Suspension
1. Leaving the school grounds without permission.
2. Excessive tardiness/absences (an admit slip must be obtained from the office when
tardy)
3. Absence from school without parent or guardian's knowledge.
4. Possession of tobacco, lighter, weapon, drugs, alcohol or such while under School
Supervision.
5. Disrespect for authority.
6. Fighting with students or faculty.
7. Body injury or threats to students or faculty.
8. Vandalism, gambling, stealing, molesting students, indecent behavior, profane/obscene
language.
9. Disturbance of classroom/school grounds/school bus, etc.
10. Habitual violations of school rules; bus disruptions, unacceptable behavior, dress,
hazing students, illegal activity, unprepared for class, no hall pass, incite unrest,
tardy to school.
Sexual Harassment
It is the policy of the Calcasieu Parish School Board to maintain a learning environment that is free from prohibited sexual discrimination or sexual harassment. All forms of unlawful sex discrimination on the part of an employee to employee, employee to student, student to student, any person to any person, or any combination of these relationships is prohibited. Drugs and Dangerous Substances
The Calcasieu Parish School Board and the State Department of Education have directed that each student, parents or guardians be told that without exception a student shall not be under the influence of, bring on, consume or have in his/her possession on a school bus, on school premises, or at a school function away from school, any narcotic drugs or controlled dangerous substance as defined by state law, unless dispensed by a licensed physician as allowed by law.
Firearms
Any student or nonstudent (excepting Federal, State, or Local Law Enforcement Officers in performance of their duties) carrying or possessing a firearm on school property-school building, school bus, or campus-shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than 5 years.
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