Welcome
We welcome you to Sunnyside Elementary School. This handbook has been prepared to give you and your parents information concerning your school and help you become more familiar with it. We hope that you take time to become acquainted with the school facilities, schedules, and rules, and that you make an effort to know your teachers and make new friends.
Along with gaining more knowledge and developing your skills, your major responsibility while at Sunnyside School will be to respect your fellow students, teachers, and staff members. They in turn will respect you. No person at Sunnyside School has the right to infringe or deny the rights of another person.
We hope that your school year is enjoyable and that you are successful in everything that you do.

Philosophy
The faculty of Sunnyside Elementary School believes:
...that students have a right to self-esteem and self-confidence, and that the positive self-image of each individual should be developed with sensitivity.
...that students should be guided toward the realization of their potential as worthy and effective students.
... the educational program should work to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals.
...that students mature and develop at different rates, and that each has different levels of ability and capacity, all of which are factors that should be considered in the educational program.
...that teachers and parents should work jointly to promote the students' physical, emotional, social, moral, and intellectual development.
Vision Statement
Sunnyside Elementary School with the support of our families and community will prepare all students to become lifelong learners, prepared to meet the challenges presented by a culturally diverse and technologically sophisticated world.
With the support of the community, school staff members and parents will work jointly to provide a safe nurturing environment that emphasizes the development of a strong work ethic.
Parents, school staff, and community will provide the resources for Sunnyside students to demonstrate growth in all academic areas through a variety of assessments and develop responsibility, respect, self-discipline, and positive interpersonal skills.
Mission Statement
Sunnyside Elementary School must prepare all students for living in the Twenty-first Century world characterized by global technology, cultural diversity, and lifelong learning. Each Sunnyside student will be given the opportunity to develop the following tools of success.
A strong work ethic
Responsible citizenship skills
Quality basic skills in reading, writing, speaking, math, science, and fine arts
Study skills for lifelong learning
Problem solving and decision making skills
Development of self-respect and tolerance and respect for others
Teamwork skills
Global awareness
Positive presentation of self
Technological literacy
School Improvement Goals
Standards
Goal: To maintain or increase test scores as shown by local, district, state, and national standards.
Objective: An annual increase in the number of students who show one year's growth on their standardized test score rank
Objective: An annual increase in the percentage of students meeting or exceeding academic standards, as measured by national, state, and district assessments
Assessment
Goal: To prepare students for classroom, district, state, and national assessments
Objective: Align classroom instruction with the State Achievement Standards and District Essential Learnings
Objective: Teach to proper test taking skills.
Objective: An annual increase in student attendance rates
Accountability
Goal #1: To Continue to hold students accountable for local, state, and national standards.
Objective: Continue involving parents in the learning process
Objective: Maintain or increase the rate of parent participation in parent/teacher conferences
Objective: Hold students accountable for their own actions, expect quality work, encourage self-direction and motivation, and promote the development of strong job skills
Goal #2: To Develop Strong Basic Skills
Objective: Emphasize the importance of editing written work and using the other recognized steps involved in the writing process
Objective: Maintain and encourage development of programs that increase student skill levels such as Early Intervention Strategies, Title 1, Reading Recovery, and Developmental First Grade
Objective: To increase basic skills in the area of spelling.
Objective: Increase skills in the area of literacy.
Objective: Improve basic skills in mathematics
Goal #3: To Develop the Skills Necessary to be a Lifelong Learner
Objective: Emphasize the development of problem-solving, critical thinking, personal survival, basic academic skills, and the ability to find an answer from available resources
Alignment
Goal: To continue to assign resources to focus on students meeting standards through the use of grants, professional development, community support, volunteer programs, parent involvement, and communication and visibility within our community
Objective: To encourage staff to seek grant funding for projects which are designed to assist students in gaining the knowledge needed to meet standards. Objective: To facilitate professional development in those areas of the curriculum that will assist staff in focusing student success in meeting the standards Objective: To formulate a focused approach to encourage community support, volunteerism, and parent involvement
Climate
Goal #1: To continue efforts to maintain a positive school climate
Objective: Maintain current programs that promote a working and learning climate that is focused on being positive
Goal #2: To continue efforts to maintain a safe school environment for students and faculty members.
Objective: To create a learning atmosphere that is safe for all members of the school community
Goal #3: To work at creating positive school morale for all staff and students
Objective: To promote a learning atmosphere where students and staff have a positive feeling about their work and what they have accomplished.
Collaborative Relationships
Goal #1: To maximize available resources by continuing and expanding partnerships with parents, community groups, social services, and/or businesses
Objective: Sunnyside Staff will take an active part in the school's Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)
Objective: To develop mutually beneficial partnerships with community groups, social services, and/or businesses
Continuous Improvement
Goal: To commit to continuous improvement of student achievement
Objective: Using disaggregated data from various tests and assessments, the staff will monitor and adjust curriculum and instruction so that maximum student achievement will result and progress will be made towards meeting the needs of all student populations.
Performance Goals:
Direct Math Assessment: An annual review of disaggregated data will reveal that the average student scores on the Idaho Direct Math Assessment has been maintained at or above current three-year average of 64.6% of the students at the proficient level.
Direct Writing Assessment: An annual review of disaggregated data will reveal that average student scores on the Idaho Direct Writing Assessment have improved by three percent over the current three-year average of 56.3% of the students being at the proficient level.
Idaho Reading Indicator: An annual review of disaggregated data will reveal that the average percentage of student scores at level three of the Idaho Reading Indicator will increase by 3% over the current three-year average of 49.3% at Grade Three.
Objective: Using a three year record of the school's Average Daily Attendance Data, the school will establish a building attendance goal and will demonstrate evidence of progress towards meeting (or having met) the stated goal.
Performance Goal:
An annual review of disaggregated data will reveal that the average daily attendance for the student population of Sunnyside School will be maintained at or above current five-year average of 93% in attendance on a daily basis.
Objective: Using a three year record of school's behavior referrals, suspensions, and expulsions, the school will establish a building behavior goal and will demonstrate evidence of progress towards meeting (or having met) the stated goal.
Performance Goal:
An annual review of disaggregated data will reveal an annual reduction in student behavior referrals of 10% from the five year average of 470 referrals.
Expectations
The Staff and administration of Sunnyside School have high expectations for our students. We believe that each and every student can and will learn, can act responsibly, can develop good work habits, and can do quality work. To that end, the staff and administration will endeavor to provide an acceptable atmosphere for learning and appropriate learning opportunities.
In turn, the staff and administration expect that all students will do their part by consistently:
...getting enough sleep
...eating a nutritious breakfast
...coming to school on time
...having a special study place at home
...coming to school ready to learn
...coming to school with all needed supplies
...accepting responsibility for all their actions
...following all classroom rules
...being courteous and respectful to teachers and other adults
...being considerate and respectful of classmates
...having a positive attitude toward school and school work
...doing their best to complete all class work
...having a special time each day to do school work at home
...completing all homework (and work not completed in class) and returning it to school when done
..talking to parents about the homework
and
...talking to parents about any problems that may be developing at school.
Violence and Weapons
It is our intention to provide a safe learning environment for all students. Therefore, the threat of extreme violence or its use has no place in the school setting and will not be tolerated. Threatening death, dismemberment, or extreme violence against another student (or students) may result in an immediate out of school suspension of no less than five school days and a referral to the superintendent of schools for further disciplinary action.
Bringing weapons to school will also not be tolerated. Guns, knives, and other objects that may do serious physical harm to others may result in immediate suspension for no less than five days and referral to the Superintendent’s Office with a recommendation for expulsion under the School District’s weapons policy.
Students are encouraged to use appropriate conflict resolution skills to resolve problems with others and to share problems that they are having with the counselor or other adult rather than using any type of violence.
Student Behavior
Good behavior should be the goal of all Sunnyside School students. Good behavior involves making positive choices and taking full responsibility for ones actions. Good behavior benefits everyone and makes possible an atmosphere that allows teaching to successfully take place.
Sunnyside students can demonstrate good behavior by learning and living within the following rules and reminders. The following acts by a student at school, on the way to or from school, or at any school sponsored or sanctioned activity shall be cause for disciplinary action. The disciplinary action taken will follow a pattern that consistently increases in severity from step to step according to the category in which it is listed. Please note that similar offenses have been grouped together by categories in the following listing of unacceptable behaviors. The administration does maintain the right to increase or decrease the level of severity of a consequence depending on the circumstances of the behavior problem.
Unacceptable Behaviors
Using Unnecessary Physical Force, Scuffling, Provoking the Use of Physical Force, or Fighting
Failure or Refusal to Comply With Reasonable Requests Made by Staff Members or Other Responsible Adults, Willful Disobedience, or Disrespect for Authority
Using Language or Gestures That Are Vulgar, Obscene, or Otherwise Unacceptable to the School Setting or Possession of Inappropriate Reading Matter
Running in the Hall, Unacceptable hall and bathroom behavior
Excessively Rough or Unsafe Play on the Playground or in the School Building
Bus Misbehavior (See the section SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT)
Cheating or Forgery of School Documents
Classroom Disruption or Disturbing Others
Use, Possession, or Sale of Controlled Substances, Narcotics, Alcohol, or Other Drugs
Endangering the Health and Safety of Others
Possession of Weapons or Fireworks, or Other Objects That Could Cause Injury to Others
Bullying, Taking or Extorting Money or Other Valuables by Threatening the Use of Force, or Harassing or Intimidating Others by Threatening or Using Physical Force
Gambling
Use or Possession of Tobacco Products (Cigarettes, Chew, etc.)
Being in Restricted Areas of the School Without Authorization or Loitering
Refusing to Identify Yourself When Asked
Tardiness, Truancy, or Leaving School Without Permission
Theft or Other Violations of the Law
Vandalism or Destruction of Property
Lunchroom Misbehavior
Repeated Failure to Submit Assignments for Grading or Correction or Repeated Failure to Bring Needed Materials to Class
Committing acts of disrespect for others (i.e., spitting at or on others)
Violating Noon Detention Rules or Failing to Serve Assigned Detention
Throwing Snow, Rocks, Wood Chips, or Other Objects
Sexual Harassment of Others
Bringing Food or Candy Items to Class
Unacceptable Field Trip or Assembly Behavior
The school administration reserves the right to expand this list as needed to cover behaviors and actions not listed. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all unacceptable behaviors.
Consequences
Any student who violates the rules listed above may expect to receive one or more of the penalties listed below:
Problem Solving Conference: The student, principal (and teacher, if appropriate) will meet to develop a plan to eliminate further behavioral problems.
Parent Phone Call: The principal and/or teacher will make contact with the parent or guardian by telephone. (If there is no phone, parent/ guardian contact will be made by letter.)
Parent Conference: The principal will schedule a conference between the parent/guardian and the teacher to discuss the disciplinary problem and possible solutions.
Noon Detention: The student will be asked to report to a room during the lunch period which is supervised by a duty teacher. He/she will be expected to bring either their hot or cold lunch with them and will not be allowed to participate in noon recess activities.
NOTE: Several years ago the minimum assignments for noon detention were adjusted to reflect the relative locations of the grade levels within the building. Grades One through Two will continue to begin most categories of discipline with assignment of a minimum of one day. Grades Three, Four, and Five will now all begin with a minimum assignment of three days in all categories.
Loss of Bus Privileges: In the event that there are repeated referrals for violation of bus rules or safety procedures, bus privileges may be suspended for a period determined by the bus director.
Clean Up Detail: The student may be asked to clean a portion of the school playgrounds.
Time Out from the Classroom: The student will spend the day at a desk in the school office area where he/she will be expected to complete assigned work. The student will not be allowed to participate in recess activities while on time out. The maximum number of days of Time Out in any category will be two days.
Probation with a Behavior Contract: The student may be warned and told that further violations of the rule that was broken will result in a specified consequence.
Short Term Suspension from School: The student will be sent home for a period of one to five school days.
NOTE: Again because of the new locations for the grade levels within the building, the discipline plan was again amended. There is no change from the previous plan for Grades One and Two. However, Grade Three will now join Grades Four and Five and will have a step one minimum in any one category of one day of suspension. The step two penalty will be three days, and the step three penalty five days of suspension.
Long Term Suspension from School: The student may be referred to the Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent then has the option to assign additional out of school suspension time.
Parent Companion Option: As an alternative to Suspension from school, a parent may chose to sit with his/her child for the duration of the assigned suspension. During that time they are to be with the student at all times.
Referral to the Kellogg Police Department or Other Appropriate Agency: Violations of city, state, or federal law may result in the appropriate agency being contacted by the principal.
Expulsion Hearing: A student may be denied attendance indefinitely for repeated or severe violations of school rules.
School Bus Conduct
In the interest of safety, all students who ride the school bus are expected to comply with the following rules:
Be sure to get to the bus stop in plenty of time. Five minutes before the bus comes is plenty of time to talk with your friends and be there in time for the arrival of the bus.
If you leave too late, you have to rush. It is much easier to trip and fall when you are rushing.
Make sure the bus is stopped before you try to board it. There is up to six tons of school bus rolling down the road towards you, and we don’t want you slipping under the wheels.
After the bus stops and the door opens, then you take firm hold of the handrail and get into the bus. Be careful here, too!
Never push while getting on or off the bus.
When you get on the bus go directly to your seat and sit quietly. Students must be seated at all times when the bus is in motion. The driver can not continually ask a large number of kids to behave and concentrate on driving the bus safely at the same time. Pretend that you are out with your parents, driving in the car and make them proud of you.
Obey the driver as you would your parents. A bus driver has the same status and authority to discipline as a teacher.
Your bus driver is just as concerned with your safety as we are. When the driver asks you to do something or stop doing something, do not talk back or make a fuss. There is good reason for the request.
Keep the aisle clear at all times. Make sure all of your school papers are securely zipped in something like a backpack, and kept on your lap during the bus ride.
Be sure to keep all parts of your body inside the bus at all times. You should not be waving or sticking your head out the side window for any reason. Windows may not be opened more than half way.
Behave yourself at the bus stop. You won’t be completely safe from traffic unless you stand away from the curb. Do not push or wrestle with your friend. Stay put, and then line up correctly when the bus arrives. Respect the property at the bus stop location.
Be sure to listen and to obey any adults supervising at your bus stop. True—they may not be your parent, but they should be obeyed if their requests are reasonable and in the best interests of your safety and that of others.
The bus driver should be able to see you at all time when you are getting on or off the bus. Be sure to stay on the side of the street you get out of the bus on and be sure to move well away from the bus.
If you have to cross the street when getting on or off the bus, be sure to take at least ten steps forward from the front of the bus before crossing and wait for the driver’s signal to do so.
You are much more important to us than a jacket or a school book. Never, ever, run behind or in front of the bus to pick up something that you dropped or forgot. Wait for the bus to move on and then pick it up.
Be sure to go straight home after getting off the bus unless you have permission from your parents to do otherwise. Board and leave the bus at your established stop, except when a request signed by your parent or guardian has been sent to the school to request that you do otherwise. We know that you can hardly wait to play after a day at school, but we would rather have you playing at home where you are safe than playing out in the street.
Parents are encouraged to meet you at the bus stop, especially if you are a particularly young student.
It is okay to tell your bus driver, teacher, or parents, of someone is bothering you at the bus stop or while you are on the school bus. We can only help when we are aware that something is wrong.
ABSOLUTE SILENCE is demanded when the driver stops the bus at a railroad crossing.
You are expected to ride the bus you have been assigned unless reassigned to a new bus by the building principal.
Strive to keep the bus neat and clean. No material is to be thrown from the bus. Eating and/or drinking is not allowed on the bus.
Pets and other hard to manage items are not to be transported on the bus.
Students are prohibited from using tobacco products as well as participating in any activity that causes the driver to divert his/her attention from the road.
Students must sit in their assigned seats. Drivers may assign a seat whenever deemed necessary.
Should the student fail to comply with the rules, he or she can expect the following consequences:
First Violation Usually a verbal warning from the driver. The driver will also document the student's name for later reference.
Second Violation A check mark will be placed on the documentation and the driver will hold a problem solving conference with the student.
Third Violation Another check will be made on the documentation. The student will be given an assigned seat.
Fourth Violation A third check will be placed on the documentation and the student and the documentation will be referred to the Principal's office for further action.
Severe Clause: If the offense is deemed serious enough, the student may automatically be referred to the office with disciplinary action to follow
Questions concerning the school bus program can be answered by calling the Bus Director, Mr. Krulitz at 784-0061.
Drugs, Tobacco, and Alcohol
Use and/or Possession
The use and possession of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products are expressly forbidden by state law and by School District #391 Policy #563. Therefore, students using, possessing, selling, buying, or distributing drugs, including alcohol, tobacco, controlled substances, or related paraphernalia shall be at risk of suffering the following consequences and the following procedures will be followed:
Expected Procedures:
Any student exhibiting inappropriate behavior that suggests “using” or “being under the influence” of alcohol or controlled substances (or reasonably suspected to be so), will be immediately escorted to by a district employee to an administrative office for interviewing and observation by the principal or designee. Except in the case of an emergency, the student will not be left unattended and will not be allowed to leave the school premises.
The Principal or designee will immediately notify the students parent or guardian. The student's parents will be summoned to the principal's office.
The principal or designee will refer the student to local law enforcement authorities if he or she reasonably suspects that the student is using, possessing, or under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance. District employees will cooperate fully with any law enforcement investigation of a violation of this policy, including but not limited to, providing access to lockers, desks, storage cubbies, and other school property, and providing oral and/or written statements regarding the relevant events.
The principal or designee, and/or any other employee having observed the student’s behavior will document his or her observations of the student; the documentation will be provided to the law enforcement agent, and a copy will be placed in the student’s discipline record.
If good cause is found, the principal will:
(a) assign the student from one to five days of out of school suspension at the discretion of the Principal.
(b) make a recommendation that an assessment be made by a licensed drug and alcohol facility.
Enforcement Procedures:
[1] Suspension/Expulsion: Students that violate this policy will be suspended by the principal. Suspension for the first offense of this policy will be for three to five (3-5) days unless extraordinary circumstances exist. The time period for second and third offenses will be at the discretion of the principal and/or superintendent. The principal and/or superintendent will determine whether or not the suspension will be served in-school or out of school. If deemed appropriate, the superintendent may request that the board expel a student who has violated the policy with a second or third offense.
[2] Referral to Law Enforcement: The student will be referred to the law enforcement agency if appropriate. If the incident involves using or being under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, the student will be referred to the local law enforcement agency. In all other situations, referral to law enforcement will be at the discretion of the building principal or designee.
[3] Search and Seizure: A student’s person and/or personal effects (eg., purse, book bag, etc.) may be searched whenever a school official has reasonable cause to believe that the student is in possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia. Any evidence that the student has violated the law and this policy may be seized by the principal or designee.
[4] Parent Contact: The student’s parent or guardian will be contacted as soon as possible following any alleged violation of this policy.
[5] Conduct Contract: Any student violating this policy must sign a conduct contract before returning to school. Violation of the conduct contract may result in additional disciplinary measures.
[6] Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Assessment/Treatment: The terms of the suspension and/or conduct contract may be modified, at the discretion of the principal or superintendent, if a student who has violated the policy voluntarily completes a drug, alcohol, and tobacco education course and/or undergoes assessment and treatment for drug, alcohol, or tobacco abuse.
Trained dogs may be used at the discretion of the superintendent of schools or his designee to search the school premises for drugs and/or weapons.
District employees and independent contractors of the district who implement this policy in good faith and with appropriate foundation are immune from civil liability.
Tardiness and Truancy
It is expected that students be in their classes and ready to begin working when the tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m. Each teacher has been asked to keep a record of those individuals who are tardy and repeated tardiness to class will result in referral to the office for further disciplinary action.
If your child participates in the breakfast program, they are requested to arrive early enough for them to have time to eat and to arrive to class prior to the ringing of the tardy bell. NOTE: Milk and lunch tickets should be purchased prior to warning bell so that tardiness can be avoided.
If it is found that a student has absented him or herself from school without the knowledge or permission of his parents and/or the school, the absence will be considered truancy. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken which may include the filing of a juvenile petition with the County Prosecutor’s office.
Absence Policy
The Board of Trustees of School District #391 has recognized the importance of attendance through an attendance policy. Students are expected to be in school any time that school is in session, unless otherwise excused. According to the policy, students cannot miss more than 15% of the total class days without lawful excuse. This totals 27.5 days for the entire school year.
Absence Procedures
If it is necessary for the student to be absent, the following procedure should be followed:
Please call the school (784-1249) and report that your child will not be in attendance.
The child should bring a written excuse to the school office when he/she returns to school after the absence. Should an excuse not be submitted, it will be noted in the student's attendance record and will be considered unexcused and the parent notified.)
The student is responsible for checking with his/her teacher regarding make up work.
If absence is due to travel or some other foreseeable reason, the parent/guardian should notify the school prior to the absence.
Authorized Absences
Absences for personal illness, personal illness verified by a doctor's excuse, family emergency, funerals, weather, or school activities will be automatically excused. The principal has the responsibility to excuse or not excuse any absence due to any other reason.
Only absences due to personal illness verified by a doctor's excuse, family emergency, funerals, or school activities will automatically deducted from the student's absence total for the year when determining whether a student will be asked to repeat a grade level due to absence. A building committee will review the files of those students exceeding the 27.5 day limit, and parents will be notified of the committees' recommendations and given an opportunity to appeal the decision.
As a courtesy to parents, the school office will disperse letters as the child incurs his/her 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, and 27th absences to advise the parent and student of his/her absence record.
Unauthorized Absence
The parent or guardian will be contacted on an unauthorized absence (i.e., truancy). If the student has a number of unauthorized absences, he/she will be subject to further disciplinary procedures that may include probation, referral to the County Prosecutor's office by way of a juvenile petition, suspension, and/or recommendation for expulsion.
Grading Policy
The following grade scales will be used in grading student progress. Please refer to the appropriate grade level:
Bullying or Harassing Others
Bullying is defined as when someone keeps doing or saying things that have a negative Power over another person over a period of time. It can come in the form of:
Physical—Hitting, kicking, choking, or taking of belongings.
Verbal—Name calling, threatening, taunting, malicious teasing, making faces, or making obscene gestures.
Indirect—Spreading nasty rumors, writing anonymous notes, intentional exclusion from groups or shunning
Such behavior is not acceptable and students who are the object of bullying or harassing behaviors are expected to report it to their parent, their teacher, or the school principal. It is not possible to help a student who is suffering from this type of behavior unless they seek help. Each incident will be investigated, documented, and appropriate discipline will be assigned if it is found that bullying or harassment has indeed occurred.
Playground Rules
Before and After School
Our teacher schedule does not permit us to supervise children who arrive early to school. We ask that students not arrive at the school until 7:40 a.m. unless prior arrangements have been made with the classroom teacher or principal. Students participating in the Breakfast Program may enter the building at 7:35 a.m.
Also, there is no supervision on the playground after school. We ask that all students leave the playground after they are dismissed at the end of the school day.
Please Note: Excessively rough play or otherwise inappropriate behavior in violation of the basic playground rules listed below will result in the student being asked to stand out of play against the school building wall. Rough play is defined as grabbing, pushing, jumping upon, or running into others. His/Her name then will be submitted to the office. Four reported incidents will result in assignment of a minimum of one day of noon detention.
Bicycles are to be parked in the bike rack at the south end of the school building during school hours. Students are asked to not ride their bikes into the play areas under any circumstances.
The staff of Sunnyside is concerned with the safety of all students. As a result, we are concerned with your behavior choices made while playing, with your treatment of others during play times, and the manner that you choose to play on and with playground equipment. Therefore, the following rules have been put in place to ensure that your play experience is a positive and safe experience:
1. Play in Designated Areas:
Before School
Students are asked to play in the big play area to the East of the school and not the side of the building facing Kellogg Middle School. Students are allowed to use the front entrance door after the breakfast bell rings at 7:35 a.m. to go to the cafeteria to eat breakfast or to purchase meal tickets. If you are arriving by bus or car prior to that time, you are asked to walk to the lunchroom door at the back of the school building to await the bell. We ask that students stay out of the classroom areas unless they have a specific reason to be there as there is limited supervision in those areas prior to the start of the school day.
If your teacher is not present, you are to stay out of the classroom area.
Morning, Lunch, and Afternoon Recess
The smaller fenced play area is restricted for use by Kindergarten and first, and second grade students. Second, Third, fourth, and fifth grades are to stay out of the fenced play area. Kindergarten and First Grade students are restricted to playing in the smaller primary playground area to the East of the school building.
2. Play safely on and with playground equipment:
Playground Equipment
Students are to throw only authorized playground equipment. Frisbees and hard balls are not permitted on the playground. If you are not sure about whether the object you are about to throw is authorized or not, please ask the supervising teacher.
Soccer balls and footballs are to be used only in the grass field area to the west of the school. “Catch games” may be played on the paved area.
Soft playground balls are the only ones to be thrown against the gym wall. No balls or equipment is to be thrown against any other part of the school building.
If you take a ball or piece of other equipment out to the play area, you are expected to return it to the school building after recess. You are asked not to play with balls or ropes in the fenced play area. Tag is also not an acceptable behavior in this area.
Jump ropes are for jumping. They are never to be used as a restraint to tie up another student, to play “horsy” with the rope around the other person’s neck or waist, nor should they be used to swing over your head.
Playground Boundaries
The following areas are off-limits to student play:
The grass strip along the fence which borders the Gondola property on the east side of the building and the corner of the incline near the Gondola property.
Stay on the sidewalks. The area off the sidewalks next to the building where trees and shrubs are growing is not an area where students should be walking without permission. Students are asked not to step on the shrubs, touch the trees, or damage any of the fencing.
Retrieval of Balls and Other Objects from the Roof or the Field Adjacent to the School
Occasionally, individuals bring balls or other equipment from home and the item ends up on the roof or over the fence. Students and parents sometimes find it upsetting that the equipment is not retrieved immediately from the roof or area outside of the fence. The surface of the roof is easily damaged and for that reason, the number of trips to the roof have to be limited. The area outside of the fence is also potentially dangerous for students, particularly the area close to the river. For this reason, it is recommended that expensive balls and other toys not be brought to school.
General Playground Behavior:
No karate or other martial arts behavior is acceptable.
“Camel fighting” or the practice of climbing on someone else’s back for the purpose of attempting to knock other students down is not allowed.
Be aware when others are playing a game and walk around the area so as to avoid interfering with the other students’ fun.
Problem solve and resolve issues that arise about game play and rules so that the activity remains peaceful.
Keep your hands to yourself.
Big Play Apparatus:
There is to be no running on this apparatus. Games of tag are not acceptable. One person is to be on a slide at a time, sliding feet first, and there is to be no stopping in the middle of a slide or other attempts to block others from sliding.
Multi-station Climbing Apparatus: Students are not to bail off or “cherry drop” from this device. Contact should be made with “three out of four” - two legs and one hand in contact for example.
Backstop, Fence, Basketball Pole, and Tether Ball Poles Students are not to climb and/or hang from any of the equipment.
Swings Swing sitting forward. Push from one direction and no “under ducking”, bailing out, or twisting. There is to be one person per swing. Keep your hands and legs to yourself. Don’t “hog” the device. Counting to 100 is a common way to avoid disputes.
Tetherball , Football, and Soccer Students are asked to play by the rules and avoid conflict and argument. Extreme conflict over the rules will result in a suspension of the privilege to play for a minimum of one day and other appropriate disciplinary action. It is suggested that rules be agreed upon prior to the beginning of play, so that all participants know any and all “special” rules of play.
Monorail:
One person is allowed to slide on this device at a time. Be patient and wait your turn. Violently pushing others is unacceptable and putting your legs on top of the handle is not a safe practice.
3. Play games that are safe.
Bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, and roller skates are not permitted on the playground. Wrestling is never acceptable. Those found to be wrestling will be asked to go to the school building wall for the balance of the recess and their names will be reported to the office. Repeated warnings for wrestling will result in a referral to the office for further disciplinary action. Yoyos should be used in a safe manner and never swung at or near other’s heads or bodies.
4. Use good manners, acceptable language, and do not fight.
5. Obey the playground supervisors.
Failure to comply with the reasonable request of a supervising teacher or staff member will result in an immediate referral to the office for further disciplinary action.
6. Report all accidents to a playground supervisor or a classroom teacher.
Hall Behavior
Running in the Hallway
For safety reasons, all students are asked to walk while in the school building. Should a student be observed running in the building, he or she will be stopped and asked to model the correct behavior. Repeated requests to walk will result in direct referral to the office.
Noise
Students are asked to move from room to room quietly. The noise level should always be low whether you are traveling alone or in groups.
Entering and Exiting the School Building
Use only those entrances and exits from the building that you have been authorized to use by your classroom teacher.
Lunchroom Rules
Students are expected to behave in the school lunchroom in the same courteous manner as they would be expected to behave at home. Use good manners. Speak softly. Your voice should not carry outside a three-foot area around you.
It is no longer necessary for you to raise your hand to be excused from lunch or breakfast. Once the teacher signals that the lunch release time has been reached, students may leave the lunchroom in an orderly fashion.
Hair Color
In response to problems over the several years, students are asked to comply with rules regarding hair color. Beginning last school year, students were asked not to color their hair in colors other than natural hair coloring (i.e. black, blonde, auburn, or brunette). In the past, some students have chosen to color their hair with extremely bright colors and this has led to major distractions in the classroom. In some additional cases, the coloring led to confrontation problems between students. In response to these problems, we ask student cooperation with the rule. Violation of the rule may lead to exclusion from the classroom until the hair color is made less extreme.
Student Health
Immunizations
Idaho State Law requires that entering students be adequately immunized PRIOR to entering school. The parent must provide the school with a valid immunization record from a clinic, health department, or private physician showing the complete dates of all immunizations. Children without a valid immunization record will not be allowed to start school.
A waiver form is available on request from the school office that allows exemption from the law based on personal or religious reasons. However, if there were to be a medical emergency such as an epidemic of a communicable disease, the students would not be allowed to attend until such time as health officials declare that the emergency has passed.
Unique Health Problems
The school should be informed of any allergies, reactions, chronic illnesses, serious physical problems, epilepsy, or chronic diabetes, so that proper measures can be taken should problems arise at school.
If a child is to take medication during the school hours, please send a note with the medicine regarding its storage, the proper dosage, and time(s) that it must be administered. For safety reasons all medications must be kept in the office.
If your child has an allergy to any food item, forms are available from School District #391 Food Director Arlene Hendrix. Her office is located at the School District #391 Central Office and she can be contacted by calling 784-1348.
Emergency Numbers
Home, work, and emergency numbers are vitally important to the school. In the case that your child becomes ill or injured and the school is unable to contact you at home or work, we need the telephone numbers of a friend or local relative that the school may contact. Please update all telephone numbers as they change.
Medications
The school understands that it may be necessary for your child to take prescription medication during the school day. According to School Dist. #391 policy, the following guidelines must be followed:
Prescription Medications:
The parent/guardian must submit a written request to the school office if the school is being asked to administer medication.
The medication must be in its original container.
The student’s name, prescription number, doctor, and directions must be clearly set forth on the container.
Non-Prescription (Over the Counter) Medication
The parent/guardian must request in writing that non-prescription medication be given during school hours. Specific directions for administering the medication and the parent/guardian’s signature must be received before the medication will be given to the student.
The student’s name and directions for administering the medication must accompany the container in which the medication is found.
All medications are to be left at the school office with the school secretary. Medications will be given through the office only. Please do not ask the teachers to do this. Please ask your pharmacist to give you a labeled bottle for school and another for home. We ask your cooperation to help ensure the safety of your child.
According to Idaho Code, school personnel cannot dispense any “over the counter” medications such as Tylenol or cough medicine. Such medications must be sent from home to the school office along with specific dosage instructions.
Illness at School
A student who becomes ill while at school may use the office phone to notify his/her parents. His/her parent will be asked to sign a release form when taking the student home.
Absence Notes
A note is required from home when your child returns after being absent. The note should state [a] the name of the student [b] the date(s) of the absence [c] the reason for the absence
Emergencies at School
If a child becomes ill or has an accident at school, every attempt will be made to notify the parents or guardians. If the parent or guardian, or another person designated by the parent or guardian, cannot be located and informed, the child may be transported to the emergency room for medical attention if deemed necessary and appropriate.
Appointments During School Hours
School time appointments should be kept to a minimum. Students who must leave during school hours for doctor or dentist appointments must bring a note from home and present it to the office. Prior to leaving the school for the appointment, the student must check out at the office. Personal business such as haircuts and shopping should be scheduled for after school hours.
Phone Use
Students may only use the phone with the permission of their classroom teacher. Plans for after school activities should be made at home before the child comes to school for the day.
School Clothing
Students must wear shoes and clothes that will safely allow them to participate in school activities. Clothing that disrupts the educational atmosphere of the classroom or fails to meet the health and safety codes of the State of Idaho is not permitted. Each case will be judged on its own merits.
Examples of items not allowed are:
Tank Tops * Bare Midriff Garments * See Through Garments * Offensive or Indecent Decals on Shirts and/or Trousers * Flip Flops * T-shirts with Logos that Advertise Alcohol, Tobacco Products, or Promote Drug Use or Abuse
Shorts are permissible. However, the weather must be such that this type of clothing is appropriate. If the clothing is not appropriate for the weather, the student will be sent to the office, the parent contacted, and the child will be asked to make arrangements to change to more appropriate clothing. Also, the length of shorts and skirts should not be less than the tips of the wearer’s fingertips when the arms are straight at his/her side.
Lost and Found
Parents are asked to mark their child’s clothes, caps, boots, gloves, etc., so that they may be returned to the owner when misplaced. Clothing articles that are found by students should be taken to the office. If no one claims the item, it will then be placed in a lost and found box and displayed during conference time. Items still in the lost and found box at the end of first semester time (January) and at the end of the school year will be boxed and donated to St. Vincent DePaul. Valuables, such as watches, rings, bracelets, etc., will be kept in the office for safekeeping.
Head Lice Policy
Checks for head lice will occur on a monthly basis by contracted employees of the Panhandle Health District, upon the request of a classroom teacher, or when it is suspected that a student is infested. Office personnel and trained volunteers will administer the checks in keeping the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees in the spring of 1997.
The policy requires that if lice or their nit sacks are found in a child’s hair, the child will be isolated, his/her parents will be contacted by phone, and a letter containing a form to be signed by the parent declaring that the child has been treated will be sent with the child. The letter will be sent with the child when they leave at the end of the school day if direct contact with the parent cannot be made. In either case the child will be sent home and excluded from further attendance until the child is treated with prescription medicated shampoo and is found to be “nit free”.
In order to be readmitted after the shampoo treatment and removal of all nit sacks and lice, a parent or guardian must accompany the child to the school office, and the Principal and/or a designee will conduct a follow-up check. If the follow-up check reveals that the child is nit and lice free, the child will be allowed to resume attendance. If lice or nit sacks are found, the child will be excluded until the nit and lice free criteria are met.
A further follow-up check will be completed on all returning students two weeks following their return to the school.
We encourage a thorough check of your student’s hair at home. If nits are seen, please begin making sure that the child is nit free before they return to school.
Newsletter and Web Page
A newsletter is sent home with each student during the last week of each month during the school year. Included monthly will be up coming dates of importance, the school lunch menu for the coming month as well as articles about current events at school. It is our intention to keep you well informed of what is happening at Sunnyside, and you should expect your child to bring a newsletter to you each month.
Information about Sunnyside School may be accessed as well by visiting our home page located at http:\\www.sd391.k12.id.us/sunnyside on the internet (Note: The school district will be changing the domain name this school year, so the address will likely change to www.ksd391.org/sunnyside at some point in the school year). The newsletter is included and is updated regularly.
Bicycles
Students riding bicycles to school must observe all safety rules. Bicycles must be walked, not ridden, on the school grounds or on the sidewalk in front of the school. They should be parked and locked to the bike rack during school hours.
Cold Weather
In the winter months all children shall be expected to go outside during recess. The fresh air and a chance to “unwind” aids in making youngsters more productive upon their return to the classroom. It is recommended that children be prepared each day for the weather. On snowy and/or cold days boots, hats, mittens, and a warm coat are a must.
When there is an unusual circumstance and a child needs to stay in for a day, a signed note should be sent by the parent or guardian. The note will be good for one day only. If and extended time is required for the student to stay indoors, please submit a written statement from your doctor stating the amount of time required, and the request will be honored.
Skates, Scooters, Skateboards, and Expensive Toys
In-line skates, scooters, and skateboards are not to be used at school. If they are used to transport the child to and from school, they must be brought to the school office for safekeeping during school hours. Transportation of these items to or from school on the bus must be pre-arranged with the bus director by calling 784-0061.
It is recommended that students not bring toys (or other items with significant sentimental or monetary value) to school, as they may be come lost, damaged, or stolen. The school will accept no responsibility for replacing any personal items damaged, lost, or stolen while at the school.
Rest Room Use
Each teacher will discuss with his/her class the appropriate times to go to the rest rooms -- usually at recess and at the noon hour. Students will always be allowed to use the rest room when it is necessary. Medical problems relating to frequent rest room use need to be discussed with the office or the individual teacher.
Birth Certificates
Under state law it is now necessary that the parents of all new students and those students entering Kindergarten submit their birth certificate to the school office. A copy of the certificate will be made and placed in the student's permanent file.
The certificate must be filed with the office within sixty days of enrolling the student. If the parent fails to comply within this time period, under the provisions of Idaho Code the school must notify law enforcement officials of non-compliance.
Homework Policy
We, the staff of Sunnyside Elementary School, support School District #391 Policy Code 603.4 that states: "Homework is considered to be an extension of the classroom and an integral part of the learning experience."
We believe, as well, that the successful completion of homework can be a measure of the student's understanding and a potential evaluation of his or her growth in knowledge.
When homework is assigned by Sunnyside School staff, it is done so for one or more of the following reasons:
...to reinforce skills and material learned in the classroom
....to prepare students for upcoming class topics
...to teach students to work independently
…to aid in the evaluation of student progress and most importantly
...to teach our students that they are responsible for the completion and return of assigned work.
Students and parents can be assured that when homework is assigned that it will be reviewed and evaluated by the assigning teacher and that it will be returned to the student. Students, in turn, will be held accountable for completing and submitting any homework assigned.
While the length of individual homework assignments will vary, a general rule of thumb for the recommended length of work time for such assignments would be:
Grades 1-2: 10-20 Minutes per night
Grades 3-4: 20-30 Minutes per night
Grades 5: 30-60 Minutes per night
Because we feel that parents are important in seeing that homework is completed, we ask that Sunnyside parents:
* Establish homework as a top priority for their children.
* Make sure that a quiet setting is available in which a student can do the homework.
* Establish a consistent homework time each night.
* Encourage completion of homework and provide positive support when the work is completed.
* Communicate with the child's teacher(s) if you see that your child is having difficulty with his/her homework.
Each teacher will be responsible for communicating to parents his or her specific classroom homework policy. This information will include the amount, frequency, consequences, and incentives for completing homework in their classroom.
Homework is not to be confused with the completion of regular classroom daily assignments.
On occasion it may be necessary to send work home not completed during regular class time. Repeated failure to complete such work may result in direct referral to the office for disciplinary action.
School Meal Program
Sunnyside School offers a nutritious breakfast and hot lunch on a daily basis. Late in the 2005-2006 school year, the program shifted from a ticket based program to a computer based plan. All student ticket purchases are logged onto a computer based system, thus eliminating the need for paper tickets.
Meals may be purchased in the lunchroom on a "cash only" basis. Although students are allowed to charge lunches or breakfasts in case of emergency, due to abuses of this program in the recent past no more than five charges can be made to an individual student. Should this limit be reached, no further charging of meals will be allowed until such time that the charged amount is paid in full. All charges must be paid within two weeks of the charge time. In addition, charging of meals will not be allowed during the last two weeks of the school year and this will be strictly enforced.
Meal prices are as follows:
Parents and other patrons are invited to take part in the breakfast and lunch programs with their children. Visiting children are welcome to eat hot lunch as well, but are required to pay adult prices as the National School Lunch Program is only for students enrolled at the school. We do ask that that the school be contacted on the day of your visit, so that arrangements can be with the school kitchen staff to provide additional servings.
Free or reduced lunches are offered to those students whose parent(s) meet(s) the income requirements. Applications are available from the school office or from Hot Lunch Director, Mrs. Arlene Hendrix. Questions concerning the hot lunch program can be answered by calling Mrs. Hendrix at 784-1348.
Emergency Closure
In the event that something happens to cause a school closure or cause school to start at a later than usual time, KWAL (620 AM) radio station will begin announcing this information at approximately 6:30 a.m. or as soon as the decision is telephoned to the radio station by the Superintendent of Schools.
For your convenience, a telephone answering machine has also been installed at the school district office that will be used to advise of any school closures. This service is available by calling 786-2071. It is recommended that you call this number rather than the radio station, as they are not equipped to take your calls.
Dismissal
If children are to go to another address after school, the message must be received in the office no later than 2:10 p.m. so that the message can be properly delivered. There will be no guarantee that a message will be delivered if received after 2:10 p.m. It is building policy that students not be released to leave school with someone other than their parents/guardians without their prior authorization. NOTE: Unless documentation is on file in the office to the contrary, it will be assumed by the office that both parents have a custodial right to take the student from school. This is very important to the safety of the children and will be strictly enforced. If changes are necessary in the manner of how a student gets home after school, please notify the teacher in writing of the change whenever possible.
Student Records
Student records are available in the office. They may be reviewed by parents, guardians, or other qualified adults by making an appropriate request with the school secretary.
Asbestos Plan
Notice: All buildings in School District #391 have an ongoing asbestos management plan. The new Sunnyside School has been certified as having no asbestos in its construction. Documentation is available from the school office and the Superintendent’s Office.
Visitor Policy
Parent Visitors Parents are encouraged to visit Sunnyside classrooms. Like all visitors, you are expected to visit the school office and secure a visitor pass. It is recommended that visits be scheduled in advance. We ask that non-school age siblings not accompany parents on classroom visits because of the potential for interruption.
Adult Visitors
All persons coming into the school building should go first to the School Office. Lunches, books and deliveries to student will be left with the Secretary for distribution at a convenient time during the day.
Student Visitors
Because of the potential interruption to the instructional program at Sunnyside School, students from other schools will not be permitted to visit classes during the school day.
Affirmative Action –Title IX "The Board of Trustees of Joint School District #391, believing in the fundamental principles of justice, due process, equal protection under the law, and the right to petition for redress of grievances, commits itself to an affirmative action program which will provide for equal opportunity in employment and delivery of educational services. The intent of the program is to insure equal treatment of employees in recruitment, employment, training, promoting, and other personnel practices and to insure equal educational opportunity to all students within the district. The District's affirmative action program focuses on all students and employees in the district with particular focus on racial and ethnic minorities, women, disabled and older persons."
Any student who has a grievance to redress under Title IX should contact the Affirmative Action Committee Chair, Johanna Patton by calling 784-1348. Committee member's names can be obtained by contacting the Superintendent's Office.

What’s New
As always, there have been a few changes in teachers and procedures as we start the new school year:
NEW STAFF and NEW STAFF ASSIGNMENTS
Mrs. Lois Currie will move from Title 1 to Second Grade.
Mrs. Kimberly Coleman joins the Sunnyside staff replacing the newly retired Mrs. Webb as a Third Grade teacher. She is an experienced teacher and the wife of the Wallace High School principal.
Mrs. Avery Walker has been hired to take Mrs. Ketchum’s place as one of the Fourth Grade teachers. She recently completed her student teaching and hails from Post Falls.
Mrs. Shelly Hansen has chosen to take a job in the private sector. Ms. Jana Nearing will take over her duties as our elementary counselor
LUNCH TICKET PRICE INCREASES
There have again been a number of increases in the cost of school breakfast and lunch tickets. Full price student and adult breakfast prices have been raised by five cents to $1.30 and $1.70 respectively. Full priced student lunches will cost fifteen cents more at $2.00 and adult lunches will cost a dime more at $2.85. The increases will defray increased costs in operating the program. (See page 19 for a complete price list)
BEHAVIOR FOCUS AREAS Continued emphasis will be placed on treating everyone with proper respect and taking responsibility for one’s own actions. Students will be called upon to continue to show improvement in the areas of disrespect for authority, willful disobedience, failure to respond to reasonable requests, failure to complete and submit work, use of physical force, and fighting. Special incentive rewards will again result if the desired improvement is shown.

Grades K-5
Warning Bell	7:55 a.m.
Regular School Hours	8:00 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
Morning Recess	10:10 - 10:25 a.m.
Lunch	11:00 – 11:55 a.m.
Afternoon Recess	1:30– 1:45 p.m.
Release Bell	2:35 p.m.

School Hours

Kindergarten:	o= Not Evaluated at This Time / N = Needs More Time to Develop / I = Improving / S = Progressing Satisfactorily / += Not Evaluated
Grades 1 & 2	E= Excellent Progress / S= Satisfactory Progress / N= Needs to Improve / U = Unsatisfactory Progress / W = Working to Capacity, But Not On Grade Level
Grades 3, 4, 5	A = Excellent (90 - 100%) / B = Good (80 - 89%) / C = Satisfactory (70 - 79%) / D = Unsatisfactory (60 - 69%) / F = Failure (59% and below)

	Breakfast	Lunch	Milk
Full Price Students	$1.30	$2.00	$.30
Reduced Price Students	$.30	$.40	$.30
Adults	$1.70	$2.85	$.30
Children Not Enrolled	$1.70	$2.85	$.30

Fire Drills
Periodically, it will be necessary to have fire drills. These will happen with no advance notice. It is important that all students understand the proper procedures for filing in and out of the building in the case of a fire or fire drill.
[1] Leave by designated exits in a quiet, orderly manner.
[2] Line up outside in a quiet orderly manner until it is safe to return to the building.
Insurance and Injuries
Even with the greatest precautions and the closest supervision, accidents can and do happen at school. They are a fact of life and part of the growing-up process our children go through on their way to adulthood. Parents need to be aware of this and be prepared for possible medical expenses that may arise should their child be injured at school. The school district does not provide medical insurance to automatically pay the medical expenses when students are injured at school. This is the responsibility of the parents or legal guardians. The district carries liability insurance only.
If it is deemed by the principal or his designee that a child has suffered an injury requiring transportation for medical attention every attempt will be made to contact parents to gain permission to transport. Should contact with parents prove impossible, the decision to transport will fall to the principal or designee unless otherwise directed in writing to the school office.
The school district does make student medical insurance available to families for their individual purchase. Brochures outlining the coverage and premiums are handed out at the beginning of the school year and are available at the school office.
Special Education Pre-referral Process
If your child is currently experiencing educational concerns or you suspect a disability (i.e. speech, language, academics), then please contact your child’s teacher. The teacher will assist you in the pre-referral process.

School Directory
Superintendent's Office
800 Bunker Avenue
784-1348
FAX: 786-3331
Sunnyside Elementary School
790 Bunker Ave.
784-1249
FAX: 784-1240 School District #391
Bus Garage
Silver King
784-0061
Emergency School Closure Number
786-2071

Arrival At School
The supervision of the children who attend Sunnyside School begins at 7:35 a.m. each day on the east side play area for grades 1-5. It is recommended that Kindergarten students report to the Kindergarten playground. As it is unsafe to leave children unattended, we ask that you do NOT have your child arrive at school prior to this time.
We also ask that your child report directly to the playground and that he or she not wait outside his/her classroom. Your cooperation will help us maintain the safest possible environment for your child. Breakfast is available for purchase in the lunch arbor beginning at 7:35 a.m.
Sunnyside Elementary School-wide Program
Title I Parental Involvement Policy
The purpose of a school-wide program is to provide comprehensive instructional reform that will enable all students to meet challenging state standards.
In school-wide programs, all children in the school are considered Title I eligible. This allows educators to provide extra help to students when and where they need it without waiting for them to test into the program.
A school may elect to operate a school-wide program if 50 percent of children in its attendance zone are from low-income families. These schools enter into an intensive planning process and develop their own school-wide plan with the help of parents, staff, and consultants.
Title I Parental Involvement Policy
The purpose of this policy is to encourage and facilitate parental participation in Title I educational programs. Parent and community involvement is critical to the effectiveness of schools and is a key factor contributing to student achievement and success.
Expectations for Parent Involvement
1. Information Sharing:
· Parents will be invited to an annual meeting which will explain the program requirements and their right to be involved.
· Parents will be kept informed of their child’s academic progress.
· Parents will be provided with specific instructional strategies to help their child with Language Arts and/or Mathematics at home. The teacher, if necessary, will model with strategies.
· Parents may receive a description and explanation of the curriculum and forms of assessment used and the expected student proficiency levels.
· Parents will have reasonable access to the staff and school.
· Parents will be provided with the school performance profiles as required by law and their child’s individual student assessment results along with an interpretation of the results.
2. School/Parent Compact:
The Title I program will provide a compact, which outlines how parents, the entire school staff and students will share the responsibility for improved student achievement.
The compact will:
· Describe the school’s responsibility to provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in an environment that will enable participating students to meet State Student Performance Standards.
· Describe the parent’s responsibility for supporting their children’s learning.
· Address the importance of communication between teachers and parents on an ongoing basis.
Parent-Community Partnership
To ensure effective parental involvement and to support a partnership among the parents and community to improve student achievement the Title I program will:
· Provide assistance to parents in such areas as understanding federal and state education goals, state content and student performance standards, assessments, etc through periodic newsletters, informational meetings held at varied times and locations, participation in Open House, Parent Nights, and Parent Conferences, as well as communications between Title I staff, teaching staff, and parents.
· Provide literacy training opportunities (e.g., MegaSkills® and Reader’s, Writer’s, and Parents Learning Together) to assist in parents in working with their children to improve their children’s achievement.
· Participate and support parent involvement programs, such as C.H.I.P.S. (Community Helpers In Public Schools) and S.M.A.R.T. (Start Making A Reader Today).
· Participate with Head Start and Even Start Programs when feasible and appropriate.
· Develop, when appropriate roles for community based organizations and businesses in parent involvement activities and provide information about and encouraging the formation of partnerships between public schools, businesses and parents.
· Provide parents opportunities to learn about child development and child rearing in a central place.
· Provide information about school and parent meetings, programs, and activities are sent home in the language used in the participating child’s home.
Assessment
An annual meeting will be held to explain to parents the program, its requirements, and their right to be involved.
Each year a survey will allow parents the opportunity to identify the strength and weaknesses of the Title I Parent Involvement program and/or their satisfaction with the program.
A school-wide leadership team will consist of a Title I teacher – committee chair, the principal, at least one Title I parent, and two classroom teachers (regular classroom and special education).
The school-wide leadership team will meet annually to review the plan, compile the survey results, and to make recommendations for changes and additions.

Names to Know

School:	Sunnyside Elementary School
Superintendent:	Sandra Pommerening
Principal:	Stephen D. Shepperd
School Secretary:	Chris Vlastelic
Kindergarten:	Mrs. Ivie and Mrs. Still
First Grade:	Mrs. Wick and Mrs. Fritz
Second Grade:	Mrs. Currie and Mrs. Stern
Third Grade:	Mrs. Coleman and Mrs. Kilbourne
Fourth Grade:	Mrs. Ferreira and Mrs. Walker
Fifth Grade:	Mrs. Lamphere and Mrs. M. Lewis
Title 1 Reading/Math:	Mrs. Groth
Resource Room:	Mrs. Roach and Ms. J. Lewis
Speech Therapy:	Mrs. Robbins Mrs. Cannaday-Kleinbeck
Science:	Mrs. J (Fisher)
Music:	Mrs. Lowry
Physical Education	Mr. Roach
Computers:	Mrs. Barrett
School Psychologist:	Dr. James
Counselor:	Ms. Nearing
Fifth Grade Band:	Mr. Dickinson
Library Media Specialist:	Mrs. Cobb
Technology Coordinator:	Mr. Miller and Mrs. Johnson
Gifted and Talented:	Mrs. Wall
Conflict Resolution	Currently Not Filled
Food Service Staff:	Mrs. Spurway and Mrs. Morgan
Custodians:	Sally Adams and Hope Montes
Classroom Paraprofessionals:	Mrs. Hunt (Special Services)
Mrs. Costa (Special Services)	Tessa Alfonso (Special Services)
Mrs. Moe (Special Services)	Mrs. Partridge (Title 1)
Mrs. Stice (Title 1)

Dates to Remember 2007-2008

September 3	Labor Day Holiday (Schools Closed)
September 4	First Day of School
September 19	Teacher Collaboration Day (Early Release for Students)
October 5	Curriculum Day (No School for Students)
October 17	Teacher Collaboration Day (Early Release for Students)
November 2	End of 1st Quarter (No School for Students)
November 8-9	Parent-Teacher Conferences (No School for Students)
November 14	Teacher Collaboration Day (Early Release for Students)
November 21	Early Release Day
November 22-23	Thanksgiving Holiday (Schools Closed)
December 12	Teacher Collaboration Day (Early Release for Students)
December 21	Early Release Day
December 22-January 6	Christmas and New Year’s Holiday (School resumes on January 7)
January 18	End of Semester1 (No School for Students)
January 21	Curriculum Day (No School for Students)
February 15	Teacher Collaboration Day (Early Release for Students)
February 18	Presidents' Day Holiday (Schools Closed)
March 5	Curriculum Day (No School for Students)
March 12	Teacher Collaboration Day (Early Release for Students)
March 21	End of 3rd Quarter (No School for Students)
March 27-28	Parent-Teacher Conferences (No School for Students)
March 29-April 6	Spring Vacation (Schools Closed)
April 16	Teacher Collaboration Day (Early Release for Students)
May 14	Teacher Collaboration (Early Release for Students)
May 26	Memorial Day Holiday (Schools Closed)
June 6	Last Day of School for Students (Early Release for Students)

Table of Contents

SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Absence Policy 10
Absence Notes 15
Affirmative Action 20 Alcohol Policy 8
Appointments During School Hours 15 Arrival at School 22
Asbestos Plan 20
Behavior Policy 5
Bicycle Policy 17
Birth Certificates 18
Bringing Toys (and Other Expensive Items) to School 17
Bullying and Harassing Others 11
Clothing Policy 16
Cold Weather 17
Dismissal 19
Drug Policy 8
Dress Code 16
Emergency Closure 19
Expectations 4
Fire Drills 21
Grading Policy 10
Goals 2
Hall Behavior 13
Homework Policy 18
Lost and Found 16
Mission Statement 2
Parent Involvement Policy 22
Philosophy Statement 2
Phone Use 16
Restroom Use 17
School Bus Conduct 7
School Hours 5
Skates, Scooter, and Skateboard Policy 18 Special Education Pre-referral Process 21
Student Records 19
Title IX 20 Tobacco Policy 8
Tardiness Policy 9
Truancy Policy 9
Violence Policy 5
Vision Statement 2
Visitor Policy 20
Weapons Policy 5 Welcome 1
RECESS/LUNCH SCHEDULE, MEAL PROGRAM INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES
Meal Ticket Prices 19
Meal Charges 19
Lunch Room Rules 14
Playground Rules 11
Recess Times (see School Hours) 5
HEALTH OFFICE INFORMATION
Emergencies at School 15
Student Health 14
Head Lice Policy 16
Illness at School 15
Insurance and Injuries 21
SUNNYSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STAFF LIST 24
STAYING INFORMED
Dates To Remember 25
Newsletter 17
School Directory 21
Web Page 17
What’s New 1

Labor Day (No School)	September 1
First Day of School	September 2
In-Service Day -- No School	September 15
State Workshop Day -- No School	October 2-3
End of First Nine Weeks—Teacher Work Day / - No School	October 31
Parent-Teacher Conferences—No School	November 6-7
Early Release Thanksgiving Vacation	November 26 November 27 & 28
Christmas Vacation	December 20 -- January 4 (School Resumes January 5)
End of Second Nine Weeks—Teacher Work Day / - No School	January 16
Teacher In-Service Day—No School	January 19
President's Day Holiday -- No School	February 16
End of Third Nine Weeks— Teacher Work Day / - No School	March 19
Parent-Teacher Conferences—No School	March 25-26
Spring Vacation -- No School	March 27 -- April 4
Teacher Work Day—No School	May 28
Memorial Day -- No School	May 31
Last Day of School—Early Release	June 4

Kindergarten:	o= Not Evaluated at This Time / N = Needs More Time to Develop / I = Improving / S = Progressing Satisfactorily / += Not Evaluated
Grades 1 & 2	E= Excellent Progress / S= Satisfactory Progress / N= Needs to Improve / U = Unsatisfactory Progress / W = Working to Capacity, But Not On Grade Level
Grades 3, 4, 5	A = Excellent (90 - 100%) / B = Good (80 - 89%) / C = Satisfactory (70 - 79%) / D = Unsatisfactory (60 - 69%) / F = Failure (59% and below)

September 5	Labor Day (No School)
September 6	First Day of School
September 14	Teacher Collaboration—Early Release
October 7	Curriculum Day -- No School for Students
October 26	Teacher Collaboration—Early Release
November 4	End of First Nine Weeks—Teacher Work Day - No School
November 10-11	Parent-Teacher Conferences - No School for Students
November 16	Teacher Collaboration—Early Release
November 23	Early Release
November 24 & 25	Thanksgiving Vacation—No School
December 21 -- January 2	Christmas and New Year’s Holiday (School Resumes January 3)
January 11	Teacher Collaboration—Early Release
January 16	Curriculum Day -- No School for Students
January 20	End of Second Nine Weeks—Teacher Work Day / - No School for Students
February 15	Teacher Collaboration—Early Release
February 20	President's Day Holiday -- No School for Students
March 6	Curriculum Day -- No School for Students
March 16	Teacher Collaboration—Early Release
March 17	End of Third Nine Weeks— Teacher Work Day / - No School for Students
March 23-24	Parent-Teacher Conferences — No School for Students
March 25 -- April 2	Spring Vacation -- No School
April 12	Teacher Collaboration—Early Release
May 13	Teacher Collaboration—Early Release
May 29	Memorial Day -- No School
June 8	Last Day of School—Early Release

Sunnyside Elementary School Student/Parent Handbook
2007-2008
Student/Parent Handbook
2005-2006
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