Student Handbook

ABC's of Parkside Elementary School Student Handbook

Attendance
Regular school attendance has a direct effect on the academic progress of all students and on the development of good habits now and in the future. Parents can help their children succeed by ensuring their attendance except when illness or extreme family emergencies occur. In order to excuse an absence, please call the main office at 206.631.4700 each day of absence. Please see our attendance policy for more information.

Breakfast and Lunch
Parkside offers breakfast and lunch programs for our students. Funds may be added to student accounts online, or paid directly to the cashier in the cafeteria. Applications for free and reduced lunch are available online and in our main office.

Commitment
The Highline Public Schools is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, volunteers, and patrons, free from harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Highline Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin or ethnicity, religion, creed, age, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital or family status, veteran or military status, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal.

Dress Code
Parkside is not a uniform school. Students are expected to dress in a manner that reflects pride and respect for themselves and their school and is appropriate for the serious work of learning. It is generally expected that student dress shall be clean and appropriate for the activity in which the student is engaged.
 Tank tops must be at least 2” on the shoulder seam
 Shorts and skirts must be longer than the student’s fingertips when arms are extended to sides
 Hats/Hoodies must be off indoors
 Stretch pants and leggings must have appropriate top covering the bottom
 Pants must be worn on hips
 Shirts must cover stomach
 Pajamas and slippers must remain at home
 Shirts that portray violence, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or obscene words or pictures not allowed
 Flip flops are discouraged because of student safety during recess and PE

Electronic Devices
Cell phones and other electronic devices may be brought to school at students’ own risk. They must be kept off and remain out of sight during school hours.

Folders
Student folders are used throughout the school year for communication to and from school. Please look for this folder in your child’s backpack and send it back to school daily.

General Information
Please make arrangements for your student’s transportation home prior to the start of school. To eliminate interruptions in the classroom, messages will be delivered prior to the end of the school day. Students will not be allowed to call home to make social arrangements or retrieve forgotten items. Please notify the office at least 30 minutes prior to the end of the day in order to ensure your student receives the message.

Hours
School hours are from 9:15am to 3:45pm. Our office is open from 8:45am to 4:15pm.

Items From Home
Providing a fun and healthy recess continues to be one of our goals. Nevertheless, students are not encouraged to bring items from home due to the possibility of loss or theft. Soccer and basketballs must be kept in backpacks and skateboards and in-line skates must be kept at home. Bikes may be ridden to school, but walked on school grounds, and helmets are required. Students are not allowed to bring personal items for cash sales and are not able to sell “non-profit” non-school-related items for cash: cookies, candy, raffles, etc.

Join PTA
Our Parent, Teacher, Association (PTA) is a vital part of our school team. The membership dues support school programs. Forms are available in the main office to join.

Keeping Parkside Safe
We acknowledge that the emotional and physical safety of students and staff is everyone’s responsibility. Safety drills are done once a month for practice in case of a fire, an earthquake, an evacuation, or an intruder. We also have mobile security officers who serve our school.

Lost and Found
Please make sure all coats, hats, gloves, lunchboxes, etc. are labeled with your child’s name. Our Lost and Found is located in the Multi-Purpose room. All items left are donated to charity before each school break (Winter, Spring, & Summer).

Medication
Students requiring any prescribed or over-the-counter medications during school hours must have a doctor’s signature and instructions on the Medication Authorization Form. This form must accompany the medication in its original container and brought to the school by a parent. Schools are not allowed to dispense medication without doctor’s consent.

Newsletters and Calendars
Parkside’s Newsletter and Calendar are posted on our website and on Peachjar. These communications have the most current school information. To sign up for Peachjar, visit: https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/all/schools/32701

Our School-Wide Expectations
 Participate: Engage actively in the learning task.
 Achieve: Set your own goals and reach them.
 Work Hard: Give your best effort, even when it’s hard!
 Show Respect: Be a responsible & courteous member of our Parkside community.

Progress Reports and Student Led Conferences
Progress Reports are sent home in November. Report Cards are sent home in March and June. Student Led Conferences are the week prior to Thanksgiving. These are important opportunities to learn about how your student in achieving in school.

Questions
Feel free to contact our office at 206-631-4700 or check our website if you have any questions at http://www.highlineschools.org/parkside.

Requests
If a child’s routine is changed, a note from the parent/guardian must be sent to the main office. The note should include instructions as to where the child should go after school, how they will get there, and who is picking them up.

School Delay or Closing
It is the intent to hold school whenever possible. However, there may be days when school is closed, two hours late, or be dismissed early due to weather or emergency conditions. Families will receive voice calls, emails, text messages, and notification from the Highline Public Schools app, available from Apple and Google Play Stores.

Tardies
Students are expected to be in their seats by 9:15am in order to avoid being tardy. Plan on arriving to school each day by 9:10am (8:50am if eating breakfast at school). Please make appointments outside of the school day to ensure positive attendance.

Understanding RULER
RULER is an approach to support social and emotional learning. It includes identifying how we want to feel in our classrooms, using the Mood Meter to describe how we are feeling and solving problems.

Visitors
For the safety of everyone in the building, and to keep disruption to the educational process minimal, all visitors are required to register at the school office when visiting or volunteering.

WA State Patrol Clearance
Volunteers are needed at Parkside. A Type I or Type II Volunteer Application, available in the main office, must be completed two weeks prior to volunteering at Parkside and/or chaperoning a field trip. Approved applications are good for two years.

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