• English Crossing Elementary Appendix

    16728 16th Dr. NE
    Marysville, WA 98271

    Mailing Address:

    English Crossing Elementary
    PO Box 50
    North Lakewood, WA 98259
    Phone Number: (360) 652-4515
    Fax Number: (360) 654-2036
    www.lwsd.wednet.edu/ECE

    Mission Statement

    We, as a community of students, parents, and staff at English Crossing Elementary provide an education that promotes improved student achievement in a safe, supportive, respectful environment where students are encouraged to become responsible, productive citizens.

    Principal’s Message

    Dear Families,

    Welcome to English Crossing Elementary School. This handbook provides some basic and important information about our school. Please read through and refer to it when needed. If you have questions that are not addressed in this handbook, please call the school office at (360) 652-4515. We will make every effort to answer your questions and address concerns in a timely manner. Additional information may be found on our school and district websites.

    We value your partnership in your child’s education and want to work together to help your child reach their fullest potential. We strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for all. Please feel free to reach out any time with questions, comments, or concerns. We appreciate your support and look forward to partnering with you to provide your child(ren) with the best education possible.

    Sincerely,
    Michele Ricci

    Schoolwide Behavior Expectations

    Our schoolwide expectations are called the Big 3. They are:

    1. Treat Others Right
    2. Make Smart Decisions
    3. Maximize Your Potential

    We teach and reinforce these expectations throughout the day. Positive behavior choices are recognized and reinforced. These expectations are supported by our monthly Core Essential Values. Students will be introduced to a different Core Value each month.

    Student Schedule

    Student School Day

    • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday — 8:35 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
    • Early Release Fridays — 8:35 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

    Students may be dropped off fifteen minutes before the start of the school day at 8:20 a.m.

    Lunch/Recess (Times may vary slightly due to scheduling changes.)

    • K-1: 11 a.m.-11:40 a.m.
    • 2-3: 11:25 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
    • 4-5: 11:50 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

    2nd Recess

    • K-1: 12:40 p.m.-12:55 p.m.
    • 2-3: 1 p.m.-1:15 p.m.
    • 4-5: 1:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

    Half Day Schedule

    Half Days — 8:35am to 12:15pm

    Lunch will be served on half days.

    • K-1: 11 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
    • 2-3: 11:25 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
    • 4-5: 11:50 a.m.-12:10 p.m.

    Personal Items

    Students are not allowed to bring personal and valuable items to school. This include: toys, trading cards, and electronic devices, such as IPods, DS players, and cell phones, unless approval has been obtained from the principal and/or the transportation supervisor. Students may not use cell phones during the school day unless they have permission from school staff. Students will be asked to put these items in their backpacks to take home. If students continue to bring or use the items, teachers may take the items and ask that they be picked up from school. Some bus drivers allow these items during the bus ride. However, they are not allowed during the school day. 

    Attendance

    Regular school attendance is important and necessary for all students. We want all students to be at school every day, all day, and on time. Families are essential partners in getting students to school on time every day. We will work with you if there are barriers to getting your student to school. At times, students may appropriately be absent from school. Below are our guidelines and procedures for supporting attendance.

    • Absences due to illness or a health condition, religious observances when requested by the student’s parent/guardian, school approved activities, and family emergencies shall be excused. The principal may, upon request by a parent/guardian, grant permission in advance for a student’s absence providing such absence does not adversely affect the student’s educational progress.
    • If an absence is excused, the student shall be permitted to make up all missed assignments.
    • Parent/Guardians: Please call the school secretary by 9:00am on the day your student will be absent.
    • If a phone call is made, the student does not need to bring a note to school from the parent/guardian indicating the reason for the absence on the day she/he returns to school. Otherwise, students must produce a written excuse signed by the parent/guardian and present it to the office staff on the day the student returns to school.
    • If the parent/guardian does not notify the school of their student’s absence, the school will make every attempt to contact the parent/guardian at home or at their worksite.  For your convenience, you may leave a message at 360-652-4515 twenty-four hours a day to report your child’s absence.
    • Washington State Law (RCW 28A.225.010) requires that all children from ages 8 to 17 attend school. Children who are 6-7 years old are not required to be enrolled in school. However, if parents enroll their 6-7 year old, the student must attend full time.
    • Washington State Law requires elementary schools to conference with families when students have five excused absences in one month or ten in the current school year in order identify the barriers to the child’s regular attendance. Exemptions are when absences are pre-arranged or there is a doctor’s note for the absence.
    • Please be sure to fill out a pre-arranged absence form before taking a planned trip during school days.

    TARDIES: If a student is not in school on time, their learning is disrupted. If a student is tardy, the parent is requested to accompany the student to the office and sign them in. A student is tardy if they arrive anytime after 8:35 a.m.

    LEAVING EARLY: Teachers strive to make every minute of the school day count. Students who leave early miss out on important instruction. Therefore, we ask that you schedule appointments after school hours when possible. If you do pick your child up during the school day, please check in at the office. Your child will be called from class at that time. Please do not go to the classroom to pick up your child.

    Student Absences and Makeup Work

    Students who are absent from school are expected to make up missed work when they return. When students are absent, they miss valuable instruction and learning opportunities. Classrooms are structured so that students are engaged in class discussions and hands-on group activities designed to lead students to a deeper understanding of the concepts being taught. It is difficult, if not impossible, to re-create these experiences. Please be aware that there will not always be a worksheet or other paper/pencil task for every subject. If your child is sick and needs to miss school, he/she will generally be given the make-up work on the day he/she returns to school. A reasonable amount of time will be given for this homework. If a student is absent for more than three days, the parent may request to pick up the child’s work. If your child needs to be out for an extended period of time, please call the school office to request work and fill out a pre-planned absence form when appropriate.

    Homework

    Research shows that the active involvement of families in school is essential to a child’s educational success. One way in which families can become involved is by encouraging their child to complete homework assignments. Homework can include reading, math facts, spelling, and assignments that were not finished in class. Some teachers may also assign long-term projects and reports that are to be worked on at home. Some students may also have IXL, RAZ Kids, and other online programs that they can work on at home. The best way to stay informed is to read the information provided by your child’s teacher.

    Reading at Home

    The Reading At Home (RAH) program is a part of every student's daily homework. RAH is designed to encourage children and families to read as a life-long habit. Students are asked to read at least 20 minutes daily, or at least 5 days out of every 7. This practice in reading is important for improving children's reading ability, and is a required part of daily homework. Students need to mark their reading on the monthly calendar in their planner, and parents need to sign the RAH record each month. Small prizes are given each month for participation, and we have a big celebration in the spring for those who have participated at least 8 months out of the 9 RAH months. More information will be provided in a newsletter at the beginning of the year.

    Dress Code

    At ECE, we feel a safe and positive environment is important to student success. This includes how they dress each day. Clothing with profanity, suggestive comments and/or designs, advertising alcohol, tobacco or drugs are not acceptable. Students are expected to dress appropriately for the weather. This includes wearing clothing suitable for wet and/or cold days, when necessary. Northwest weather can be unpredictable. Sunshine in the morning can turn to rain later in the day. Unless we are experiencing heavy rain, students will be outside for recess. Please send students with jackets and socks and shoes. When the weather turns warmer we want to ensure that students wear clothing appropriate for learning and playing at school. If students wear very short shorts or revealing tops, they may be asked to make a clothing change or put additional layers on.

    If a student is dressed inappropriately, parents may also be contacted and asked to bring more clothing. Keep in mind that tennis shoes or sneakers need to be worn on PE days. We also discourage flip flops and sandals because it is difficult to play in them at recess. Students often trip or get injuries if their footwear isn’t appropriate for outdoor activities.

    Parent Teacher Association

    The PTA provides support to the school and its programs. Through its fund-raising projects, it provides financial assistance for playground equipment, school assemblies, library materials, audio-visual equipment, and much more. The PTA is open to all parents. Come and share in the fun of the many PTA projects. We encourage you to join and support our PTA. Watch for announcements giving details of the meetings. Check out the bulletin board and Facebook page for more information.

    Lost & Found

    A “Lost and Found” area is located in the multipurpose room. Jewelry, money, and small items are kept in the office. Students may retrieve lost articles by checking these areas regularly. We encourage you to label all of your child’s clothing and personal possessions by boldly printing their name on each item. Unclaimed Lost & Found is donated at the end of each trimester to a local charity.

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