Handbook
Lakeridge Handbook
General Information for Families
Behavior Expectation
LAKERIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RULES OF CONDUCT
Philosophy: At Lakeridge we provide an environment where all students are expected to be safe and to learn. We believe discipline is just one opportunity to teach and learn. We provide students with clear expectations which are practiced and reinforced in all areas of the building by all staff. Ultimately, students are taught self-management techniques which will help them to become successful citizens throughout their lives. To promote the development of good citizenship and the smooth operation of Lakeridge Elementary School, we expect positive behavior from our students.
Lakeridge Code of Conduct
Outstanding ORCAs are:
Respectful and Responsible
Cooperative
Always safe
Specifically we expect that:
- Students will observe safety regulations for walkers, buses and cars.
- Students will obey members of the school safety patrol.
- Students will arrive at and leave school on time, daily. After dismissal, bus riders and students being picked up will wait outside in designated areas.
- Students will use the restrooms in a safe, respectful, and acceptable way.
- Students will leave all potentially dangerous, distracting or valuable items at home.
- Students will eat food only in designated areas.
- Students will enter the building, move through the hallways, and leave the building quickly, quietly, and safely.
- Students will carry visible hall passes whenever they are in the hallways if they are not with a staff member.
- Students will respect the authority of teachers/staff members and obey their directions.
- Students will cooperate with teachers or administrators during the course of any investigation.
Classroom Rules:
Classroom rules and procedures will be developed in each classroom and shared with students and families at the beginning of the year. The basic components of the rules include, but are not limited to: safety, maintaining a positive learning environment, and respect.
Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying:
Lakeridge is committed to providing a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, volunteers, and patrons; an environment free from harassment, intimidation, and bullying. “Harassment, intimidation, and bullying” means any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, including, but not limited to one shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or mental, sensory, or physical disability, or any other distinguishing characteristic, when the intentional written, verbal, or physical act:
- Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property;
- Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education;
- Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
- Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Homework
HOMEWORK POLICY
It is the expectation of Lakeridge students to read at home each day (see reading minute expectations below). Families are encouraged to read with their child and/or participate in a discussion with the child about their reading. Grade level teachers will inform families of how the minutes will be monitored (i.e. reading log, journaling, etc.) and will also provide materials for families to use at home to engage in reading with their child. Students will also have access to DreamBox, which is an on-line platform where students can practice math skills in a game-based format. Log-in instructions will be sent home with families the first month of school. Families are also encouraged to reach out to their child’s teacher with questions about how to support their child at home with other content areas.
Reading Minute Expectations by grade:
Kindergarten-2nd grade: 20 minutes or more per day or 140 minutes per week
3rd-5th grade: 30 minutes or more per day or 210 minutes per week
School Safety Patrol
Conferences
PARENT CONFERENCES –NOVEMBER
Our November Parent Conferences are one of the most valuable events of the year – they set the stage for our work together as a team, helping students learn and achieve. Conferences provide an opportunity for teachers and parents/guardians to visit with each other; discuss student progress; set academic and social goals for the year; and develop a plan to make sure student learning is at the forefront of your student’s time here at Lakeridge. Your student’s teacher will notify you of your scheduled conference time. Conferences are scheduled for November 15th, 16th, 19th, 20th, and 21st. These are all half days. Please mark your calendars for this important time.
Visiting Our School
VISITOR’S BADGES
All visitors on campus from 8:00-4:00 will need to sign in at the main office and get a Visitor’s Badge. The Visitor’s Badge must be worn at all times on school property.
CLASSROOM VISITS
Parents/guardians are welcome to visit our school. Please see the board policy (4200) regarding classroom visits in the Appendix. If your visit is between 8:30 and 3:10, please check in at the office to sign in and get a Visitors Badge Note: Students are not allowed to have friends or school-age relatives visit them during the school day.
PLAYGROUND VISITS
Parents/guardians may observe recesses during designated times only (see daily schedule). All visitors must check in at the office and get a Visitor’s Badge that is to be worn during the recess observation.
VOLUNTEERS
WE LOVE VOLUNTEERS! We wish to extend an invitation to all families and community members to volunteer in the school or with projects at home. If you are interested in being a volunteer in a classroom, the office, library, playground, or on a school/district committee, please contact your child’s teacher or the school to complete the necessary paperwork. When volunteering, we ask that you limit your use of cell/smart phones in the classroom. If you need to take a call, text, or check messages, etc. on your phone, please step out of the learning environment. (See the Appendix for: Renton School District Volunteer Guidelines)
Volunteers
VOLUNTEERS
WE LOVE VOLUNTEERS! We wish to extend an invitation to all families and community members to volunteer in the school or with projects at home. If you are interested in being a volunteer in a classroom, the office, library, playground, or on a school/district committee, please contact your child’s teacher or the school to complete the necessary paperwork. When volunteering, we ask that you limit your use of cell/smart phones in the classroom. If you need to take a call, text, or check messages, etc. on your phone, please step out of the learning environment. (See the Appendix for: Renton School District Volunteer Guidelines)
Health and Safety Information
- School Nurse
- Student Health Concerns
- Common Communicable Diseases
- Hearing and Vision
- Illness
- Immunizations
- Medications
- Emergency Forms
School Nurse
A registered nurse is available at Renton Park two days per week. Our school nurse is responsible for health screening, individual health care plans for students with health conditions, managing immunization, status of students, communicating with health care providers & working with the special education team. The nurse assesses health problems that arise at school, supervises health room procedures, consults & instructs on health-related issues. In the case of a medical emergency, staff will call 911.
Student Health Concerns
Please keep us informed if your child has any health concerns we should be aware of, such as bee stings, specific allergies, etc. Each fall parents are requested to fill out forms alerting us to any health concerns of their children. You may contact the school nurse with any questions (425) 204-2952.
Common Communicable Diseases
Please notify the school if your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease (e.g. chicken pox, ringworm, measles, impetigo, etc.). Confidentiality will be respected, and we appreciate the opportunity to be able to control any further spread in the classroom and school.
Other Health Concerns
Head lice are an occasional annoyance for children in schools. Please check your child’s head every few weeks for signs of lice, particularly around the ears and at the nape of the neck. It is easier to tackle the issues when lice are found early. To prevent lice, instruct your children not to share combs, brushes, or clothing. Please notify the school if your student has head lice. Once a student has received treatment for head lice they will be checked by trained school staff before returning to class.
Hearing and Vision
Illness
Before sending your student to school, be sure your child is feeling well enough to participate in the full school program, including recess and physical education (unless we have a physician’s note stating otherwise).
In general, your child should stay home from school when these symptoms are present: vomiting, diarrhea, elevated temperature, ear ache, sore throat (especially associated with fever), head lice, inflamed or draining eyes, sores or rash (not obviously associated with an allergic reaction).
If your child’s temperature is 100 degrees or higher OR they are vomiting, they may not remain at school. Parents are asked to pick up their child if a health problem occurs. A student with an oral temperature of 100 degrees or over should remain at home until free of fever for 24 hours.
When returning after an illness they should be free of a fever (without use of fever reducing medication) for at least 24 hours before returning.
Immunizations
Washington State law requires that all students, kindergarten through grade twelve, must be fully immunized before they can attend school. For a complete list of vaccine requirements and recommended immunization schedules, please visit the Washington State Department of Health.
The law states that parents must complete and sign a Certificate of Immunization Status giving the month, day and year of each dose of vaccine. When a student lacks full immunization we require evidence of initiation of the immunization schedule or a properly completed Certificate of Exemption.
Medications
Medication includes both prescription and non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs.
- Medications are allowed at school only when they are in the original container in which they were purchased.
- All medication, even Tylenol, aspirin and cough syrup, must be registered with the school nurse and kept in the clinic.
- The law requires schools to have a written request from the parent/guardian and instructions from a physician or dentist for any medication to be taken at school. This includes over-the-counter drugs.
Emergency Forms
Please make sure that the school has an up-to-date Emergency Form on file at all times. It is especially important that the school has the following information on file and current.
- EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER
- CURRENT CONTACT PHONE NUMBER
In the event that your child becomes ill or injured at school we will need to be able to contact you or an alternate person of your choice. Please request a new emergency contact form from office staff should your emergency telephone number change during the school year.
Emergencies (windstorm, earthquake, power loss, etc.) may arise making it difficult to dismiss your child following normal routines. No child will be released without contact with you or your emergency designee. It is helpful to include names and numbers of additional adults to whom your child could be released to (neighbors, family members) in your emergency plan.
School Programs and Services
- Counselor
- Discovery Program-Highly Capable Program
- English Language Learner Program- ELL
- General Music
- Learning Assistance Program - LAP
- Library
- Physical Education
- Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy
- Resource Room Program
- School Psychologist
- Special Education Services
Counselor
The counselor provides services to classrooms, small groups and individuals as needed and works to create a positive school climate. Students may refer themselves or staff and parents may make referrals to the counselor for assistance with particular concerns such as friendship issues, family changes, grief, and/or managing emotions, such as anger. Our full-time counselor works with parents and staff to help students be more successful in & out of the school environment. Our counselor is also available to help families connect with community resources to support clothing, food mental health & homelessness.
Discovery Program-Highly Capable Program
Children who excel academically and/or who display strong creativity may qualify for the Discovery Program. If you feel your child should be referred for highly capable services, please discuss this with your child’s teacher or the principal. Referral forms are available in the office, or by calling the Discovery Program Office at 425-204-2401.
English Language Learner Program- ELL
Our ELL Program serves students whose primary language is a language other than English. The students may receive support through small group instruction in English communication skills, reading, and writing in order to develop and apply English language skills to academic content. ELL students are identified through ELL testing and through parent surveys.
General Music
Learning Assistance Program - LAP
Our Learning Assistance Program, or LAP, is an intensive intervention program for Kindergarten – 4th grade for students who are performing below-standard in reading. Students served in LAP work in small groups with a reading teacher or classified staff member to develop foundational reading skills and improve reading comprehension.
Library
The school library supports classroom instruction and provides books for students' recreational reading. Each class visits the library once a week for instruction in using resources and to check out books. Students are responsible for returning books in good condition and in a timely manner. No charges are made for overdue books, but fines are assessed for damaged and lost books. Fines may be paid through the Online Payment Portal.
Physical Education
Physical Education Programs are offered to all students. The curriculum includes individual fitness skills, team sports skills, and the awareness of physical fitness benefits and goal setting. When your student is scheduled for P.E. please be sure they wear clothing and shoes which allow for full and safe participation in physical activities.
Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy
Resource Room Program
Specially designed instruction is provided for eligible students in one or more basic skills areas. Students remain in their regular classes most of the school day and are pulled out for areas of needed assistance. Instruction takes place in small groups or individually and is designed to meet the needs of the student.
School Psychologist
Special Education Services
Evaluation Team meetings are used to review our support for students having academic and/or behavior challenges in the general education classroom. This team is composed of the building administration, school psychologist, special education teachers, speech and language pathologist, occupational therapist, nurse, counselor, and classroom teachers. Teachers and parents can request students who are having academic and/or behavior challenges to be considered by the Evaluation Team. It is the team's responsibility to determine if further testing needs to occur and to aid the classroom teacher and parents in developing the appropriate program for that child.