Pomeroy  ELEMENTARY

 

STUDENT /PARENT

 

HANDBOOK

 

2009-10

 

 

POMEROY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

P.O. Box 950  Pomeroy, WA 99347

Kim Spacek, Superintendent/Elementary Principal

509-843-1651  Fax:  509-843-8246


 

 


Dear Student and Parents:

This student and parent handbook covers a wide range of topics of basic expectations for students within the school setting.  General topics are covered in alphabetical order.  Many questions can be answered by using this handbook as a resource.

Elementary school is a crucial part of every childŐs life.  It is a time to learn the most important skill of adulthood, reading.  With this skill, many doors are opened to the future.

Please feel free to submit questions or suggestions concerning this handbook to the principal.  Creating a learning environment where students feel safe to explore and obtain a high quality education is important.  To maintain this learning environment, parents contribute through their involvement in this partnership.

The Pomeroy Elementary School faculty and staff hope all students have a great experience at school!

 

In Education,

 

Kim Spacek                                   Lynn Shawley

Superintendent/                            Building Secretary

Elementary Principal

                                                                                                    

Pomeroy Elementary School

General information

Registration

In order to register, your child must be five years of age before September 1.  You will need to bring a birth certificate, hospital certificate, or baptismal record, an immunization record, and social security number.  New students in grades K-6 need to be registered by a parent or guardian in the elementary office before they can attend classes.  Students transferring from out of state will need an immunization record.  Kindergarten registration is held in April.  Notices will be put in the local newspaper and also sent home with students.

Curriculum

Title 1 / Lap Reading and Math Programs

Title 1 is a federally funded program whose purpose is to enable schools to provide opportunities for all children to acquire the knowledge and skills required in the state's challenging content and performance standards.  These supplemental services are available to all students who need extra support or acceleration of skills and concepts in reading and math.

LAP (Learning Assistant Program) is a state funded program that is also available to academically at-risk students in math and reading.

Students are usually referred by their classroom teacher, but if parents have concerns about their child's progress, they may contact Sue Van Ausdle at the Pomeroy Elementary School at 843-1651 to discuss testing and qualification standards. The Title I Parent Involvement Building Plan is available in the elementary office or the Title I room (#204).

Under the No Child Left Behind Act, parents of children in schools that receive Title I dollars have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of the student's classroom teachers including, at a minimum, the following:

á      Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject area in which the teacher provides instruction.

á      Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.

á      The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher, any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.

á      Timely notice that the parents' child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher of a core academic subject who is not highly qualified.

á      Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals, and if so, their qualifications.

A request of information concerning the qualification of a paraprofessional, sometimes referred to as an instructional assistant, can also be made.  This is a person that is employed by the district and assigned to a classroom or classrooms to provide instructional support consistent with the instruction provided by the classroom teacher or teachers.

Paraprofessionals hired after January 8, 2002, must have:

 1.  Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education;

 2.  Obtained an associate's or higher degree; or

 3.  Met a rigorous standard of quality, and can demonstrate, through a formal State exam or local academic assessment, knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing either of the following:

 a. Reading/language arts, writing, and mathematics; or

 b. Reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness.

Paraprofessionals hired before January 8, 2002, must meet these requirements no later than January 8, 2006.

Certain exceptions may apply.  Consult your district for clarification.

Learning

Time to Teach!

ŇTime to TeachÓ is a proactive approach to learning and classroom management.  The elementary staff believes that expected behaviors need to be systematically taught.  Every student needs an instructional approach to discipline in order to be a successful learner.  The teacher introduces and fortifies essential skills and sets the stage for optimal teaching and learning.  Successful classroom management provides structure, rules, and the routines needed to ensure safety and a healthy learning climate.

We believe the ŇTime to TeachÓ program will continue to help us provide a positive influence on teacher-student, student-student, and teacher-parent interactions throughout the school year.


 

 

 

 


School Policies, Rules, & Information

Attendance

Remember, good attendance goes hand in hand with a good education!

General:

Regular school attendance is necessary and required for mastery of the educational program provided to students of Pomeroy Elementary School.  Students are strongly encouraged to be present at each class session to fully participate in group and individual activities which form the basis for student achievement.  Absences deprive students and class members of the extended learning that takes place in the classroom.  However, the faculty recognize the fact that students at times may appropriately be absent from class.  As a safety precaution, the elementary school office will call the home of all students who are absent.

Check-In/Check-out:

If a parent/guardian brings a student to school late or takes the child from school early, they must check-in or check-out through the Main Office.

1.   Parents are expected go to the main office and request to check-in or check-out their child through the Building Secretary.

2.   Students are expected to present a note signed by their parent/guardian giving him/her permission to arrive late or leave early, if not accompanied by a parent.

OR

1.   The parent/guardian may make phone contact to speak with the Building Secretary and give permission for their child to arrive late or leave early.

2.   Students are expected to notify their teacher through an admit slip, received from the Building Secretary, indicating the time in which he/she came late or is to leave early.

Excusing Absences:

Students residing with a parent/guardian will require a parent contact for excusing absences.  The school will make every effort to contact parents.  Parents and guardians are encouraged to call the elementary office if their child is going to be absent.  A written excuse for any absence should be sent to the school on the day the student returns to school.  The note should include the current date, date of absence, reason for absence, and parent/guardian signature.

Types of Absences

The following are the categories of attendance and the relevant procedures to be followed within the Pomeroy School District:

Excused Absences

The following absences are defined as being excused absences:

(a) Illness/Medical Release - a valid illness or health condition which includes medical, dental, vision, and mental health or counseling appointments (when verified by a signed note or telephone call from a parent or guardian or the attending physician or counselor).

(b) Emergency/Family Leave/Funeral/Transportation Waiver - a true emergency that could not reasonably be handled outside of school time, sudden or immediate family emergencies, funerals, and transportation waivers.  (This type of excused absence must be verified by a signed note or telephone call from a parent, guardian, law-enforcement officer, or school official).

(c) Religious Release - attendance at a religious observance or at religious instruction provided it is not conducted on school property (when requested by a signed note or telephone call from a parent or guardian).

(d)   Transfer - school-approved activity transfers in which a student is scheduled to attend a school-sponsored activity during school time and is accompanied and supervised by a school employee.

Note:   4-H students will be allowed a transfer when participating in the Garfield County Fair, Spokane Junior Livestock Show, and the Garfield County Junior show for a maximum of six (6) days.

(e)   Administrative - leave that is approved by a school administrator.

(f)   Pre-Arranged Parental - a parental or guardian-approved absence that is arranged for in advance of the absence by a signed note or telephone call and that outlines the duration of absence and expected date of departure and return must be presented to the teacher at least a week (if possible) prior to the departure.

(g) Suspension - a disciplinary action or short-term suspension imposed by the school that results in an absence that is equal to or less than five (5) school days and that is verified by a school official.

Students will be given sufficient time to make up the work.  Parents or guardians need to arrange with the teacher a time to pick up assignments.  It is the parent and childŐs responsibility to see that the assigned work is completed and returned to the teacher.

Unexcused Absences:

An absence is defined as unexcused when it does not completely conform to any of the seven categories (a through g) of excused absences and the procedures for verifying them as defined in the section above.

Unauthorized Absences:

An "unauthorized absence" is an absence that may be excused by a parent but doesn't "fit" into the criteria listed above.  These absences will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and may involve parent conferences, discipline, and/or clarification of the attendance rules and procedures to the student and parent.

Parental Responsibilities

Laws concerning compulsory attendance in the State of Washington place primary responsibility for attendance on parents.  All children between the age of eight years old and under eighteen years old are required to attend a majority of the periods of an average school day (RCW 28A.225).

School Duties

This section outlines the duty of the school when those responsibilities are not met:

á      Inform the childŐs custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) by notice in writing or by telephone after one (1) unexcused absence within any month during the school year.

á      Inform the custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) of potential consequences of further unexcused absence.

á      Schedule a conference with the custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) after two (2) unexcused absences within any month within the school year.

á      Develop a written record of steps taken to eliminate or reduce the childŐs absences as outlined during the conference.

á      Enter into an agreement with the student and parent that outlines attendance requirements before five (5) absences in any one (1) month.

á      If the absences are not reduced, after a plan has been put in place, a petition will be filed with the juvenile court not later than seven (7) absences in one month and or not later than ten (10) absences during the school year.

Tardies: Parents will be contacted if a continual problem exists.

Bus or Walk Notes

Students must have a note dated and initialed by the office in order to ride the bus to any destination other than their regular stop.  Elementary students should have a note if they are to go anywhere other than their normal destination or if they are to be picked up by someone other than the parent/guardian.  Notes can either be sent with the student or called in to the office by the parent.

Bicycles and Scooters

Students who ride bicycles and scooters to school are to walk them across the crosswalks and park them in the bicycle racks located on the west side of the elementary building.   All bicycles should be locked with padlocks when they are parked in the rack.  Bicycles and scooters are not to be ridden during recess.  The school cannot be responsible for any lost or damaged bicycles or scooters.

NO skateboards are allowed on any school property.

Cafeteria

The district serves a full and balanced breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria for a nominal cost. Students are expected to:

á        assume the correct order in the serving line without cutting, pushing, shoving

á        bus their tray to the kitchen upon finishing lunch

á        clean the table in which they eat before leaving the cafeteria

á        push their chair in when leaving their seat

á        maintain behavior appropriate to the school setting, i.e. no vulgar language, shouting, fighting, and throwing food

Campus Privileges

Once at school, students are expected to remain on campus for the entire school day.  Students must be cleared through the office to leave campus, with a note or phone call, for lunch or any other reason.  When a student is released, he or she will no longer be supervised by school personnel.  However, some types of misbehavior may fall under the jurisdiction of the school.

Courtesy and Conduct

Courtesy and good manners should be the key to a student's conduct at school.  A good attitude toward teachers, other school employees, and fellow students will make school enjoyable for all.  Students are expected to have respect for school property and to take good care of books, and other furniture and equipment.

Emergency Drills

Emergency drills occur at regular intervals during the school year.  Students are to follow the directives of the staff member directly supervising them during the drill.  Procedures have been developed for the following situations:

á      Bomb Threat Evacuation*

á      Earthquake

á      Fire Alarm Evacuation*

á      "Lock-Down"

á      "Stay-Put"

*These are Stage 1 Evacuations.

Students and staff return to the building after Stage 1 Evacuations when the "All-Clear" signal is given.

For a Stage 2 Evacuation, students and staff are evacuated clear of the building to the Methodist Church, Football Field, or Elementary Gym because of potential danger to students and staff.  Students may be checked out to a relative 21 years of age or older after roll and a schoolwide briefing has taken place.

Emergencies

Make sure the office and teachers have current telephone numbers, contact people, and addresses.  It is especially important to have someone who is available to assist if you are out of town.  If your child has any medical problems, notify the teacher and elementary office immediately.

Exceptional Misconduct

Pomeroy School District defines Ňexceptional misconductÓ when a student seriously disrupts the educational environment with deliberate and willful actions.  The following actions fall under Ňexceptional misconductÓ and may be disciplined immediately through suspension:  (WAC 180-40-245 and WAC 180-40-260)

á      extreme profanity/disrespectful gestures towards others

á      refusal to comply with reasonable written or oral directions of school personnel

á      repeated or extended failure to correct disruptive behavior

á      vandalism/theft of personal or school property

á      cheating/theft of test instruments or assisting another student in doing so

á      verbal/written/implied threat of life or limb/attempted or actual physical assault of a student or adult

á      harassment, intimidation, bullying of a student as defined in Pomeroy School District Board Policy 3207

á      sexual harassment toward a student or adult as defined in Pomeroy School District Board Policy 8700

á      overt public displays of sexual behavior/misconduct

á      any student that exposes themselves indecently

á      possession/distribution/use of illicit drugs, alcohol, or tobacco

á      possession/distribution/use of products used for purposes other than their manufactured intent

á      possession of and/or use of a weapon of look alike weapon

á      exhibiting behavior that indicates affiliation with a gang in the form of clothing and/or conduct

Note:  Items listed above and other items may be grounds for expulsion.

Exchange of Information

Pomeroy Elementary School participates in the exchange of information with law enforcement and juvenile court officials to the extent permitted by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).  Parents shall be notified of any exchange of information, except as provided by law.

Personal Valuables & Proper Dress

Valuable items, such as radios, recorders, CD players, walkie-talkies, toys, money, and other personal items are not to be brought to school.  Children should not bring toys for outside play.   If the classroom has "sharing time," toys may be brought to be shared.  School personnel will not be responsible for toys brought from home.

Pomeroy Elementary School promotes student dress and appearance that is appropriate for learning.  Students are encouraged to use personal choice when determining what will be worn to school.  Dress and appearance must be neat and clean and not present health or safety problems.  It may not disrupt, interfere with, disturb, or distract from a positive school environment.

 

Clothing

 

Allowed

Not Allowed

á      Any article of clothing that does not create an atmosphere in which a student, staff, or another other person's well being is hindered by undue pressure, behavior, intimidation, overt gesture or threat of violence.

á      Obscene, vulgar, or offensive printing, writing, pictorial representations on clothing, skin, or any other surface that is in public view is not allowed.

á      Advertising of alcoholic beverages, tobacco product and/or drugs is not allowed.

á      Clothing that depicts gang related behavior is not allowed.

á      Spandex worn as an outside garment is not allowed.

á      Short shorts/skirts/culottes (i.e. a reasonable length is near the student's fingertips when the arms are held at their side) are not allowed.

á      Blouses/shirts that expose midriff (i.e. a reasonable length is no skin showing if hands were placed upon the head) are not allowed.

á      Blouses/shirts that expose the back (i.e. halter tops, see-through blouses, spaghetti straps, tank tops, tube tops) are not allowed.

 

Allowed

Not Allowed

á      Any article of clothing that does not create an atmosphere in which a student, staff, or another other person's well being is hindered by undue pressure, behavior, intimidation, overt gesture or threat of violence.

á      Clothing that exposes under garments is not allowed (i.e. halter tops, see-through blouses, spaghetti straps, tank tops, tube tops).

Hats/Head Gear

 

Allowed

Not Allowed

á      Bandanas and scarves used as hair accessories in that hair is kept out of the eyes neatly.

á      Hats may be worn in shop oriented classes and P.E. based upon teacher discretion.

á      Bandanas and scarves that depict gang affiliation are not allowed.

á      Hats are not allowed.*

*The last Friday of the month hats may be worn.  However, individual teachers may ask students to remove them during class, depending upon activities for the day.

Jewelry

 

Allowed

Not Allowed

á      Any jewelry that does not create an atmosphere in which a student, staff, or another other person's well being is hindered by undue pressure, behavior, intimidation, overt gesture or threat of violence.

á      Jewelry that depicts gang affiliation are not allowed.

á      In some lab/shop situations and in P.E. classes jewelry may not be appropriate because of student safety.

Shoes

 

á       Students shall wear shoes while in the school buildings as required by Washington State Health Laws.

If, in the opinion of the school administration, an article of clothing is deemed to be inappropriate for wearing on school grounds, the student will be requested to change attire.  Refusal to comply with such a request may be grounds for disciplinary action.

Library Policy

Each child may check out two books in each library period, unless his or her name appears on the overdue list.  Reference material (encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc.) may be checked out at the end of the day for overnight use, but must be returned promptly to school the following morning.  We do not charge for overdue books, but we do charge replacement cost for lost or damaged books.

Student Accident & Health Insurance

Pomeroy School District does not provide medical insurance to cover injuries to students.  A student insurance plan is available at minimum cost to cover any student while at school and at school activities.  Optional 24-hour coverage and dental coverage are also available.  Insurance brochures are available in the elementary and high school offices.

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

Pomeroy Elementary School is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, volunteers and patrons, free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. Harassment, intimidation, and bullying may occur when a studentŐs behavior falls well below expected standard of conduct as defined in Board Policy #3207.  Slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, oral, physical or electronically transmitted messages or images (i.e. cyber bullying) are examples of the many forms in which harassment, intimidation, and bullying may take.  Any intentional act that is in the form of a written message or image, including those that are electronically transmitted, verbal or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in RCW 9A.36.080(3), (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or mental or physical disability), or other distinguishing characteristics, may be considered harassment, intimidation, or bullying when it results in one or more of the following circumstances:

á       Physically harms a student or damages the studentŐs property; or

á       Has the effect of substantially interfering with a studentŐs education; or

á       Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or

á       Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

To report and resolve complaints of harassment, intimidation or bullying, the student needs to seek out any adult staff member, the counselor, or principal.

Illness at School

A child suspected of having a communicable disease must be kept home.  Diseases that require exclusion are chicken pox, pink eye, dysentery, measles, rubella, polio, whooping cough, scabies, headlice, impetigo, and scarlet fever.  Ringworm does not require exclusion if being treated.

Students who do not have their required immunizations will be excluded from school when there has been one case of a vaccine preventable disease such as measles, rubella, whooping cough, mumps, polio, and diphtheria.  This exclusion will last for the entire fourteen (14) day incubation period and will continue as long as the disease continues.

Children who feel ill in the morning should be kept home as we do not have facilities to care for ill students. If a student becomes ill at school, the parents/guardians will be contacted to take the student home. 

Injury at School

If a student is injured or becomes ill at school, the student is to report to the classroom teacher and ask for a pass to go to the office.  If necessary, the office staff will try to contact your parent(s).  All students who are injured or become ill must check out through the office before leaving school.

Medication:  Prescription & Non-Prescription

Staff cannot administer any type of medication, i.e., prescriptions, over-the-counter, inhalers, etc.  A medical form called "Authorization for Administration of Oral Medication at School" must be filled out, signed by the doctor and parent, and placed on file with the elementary office.  Medication must be given to the school in the original prescription container stating child's name, correct dosage, and time to be given.  Neither elementary school office nor the Garfield County Health District office supplies over-the-counter medication to students. 

Medical forms may be obtained at the elementary office, Garfield County Health District Office, or at the Pomeroy Medical Clinic. 

Internet Use

Student use of the Internet is limited to educational use.  The Pomeroy School District Acceptable Use Procedure-Student outlines specific expectations of students using the Internet on school property.  Students will opt-in during the school year.

The Internet, Problems and Filtering

The Internet has information on many things.  Some information may not be appropriate for students.  Because of this, the Federal government passed a law entitled the ChildrenŐs Internet Protection Act (CIPA). This law requires schools and libraries to attempt to limit access to certain types of information.

Pomeroy School District uses an Internet content filter to block many types of information, but parents and students need to realize that no filter is perfect.  At times it may be possible to find inappropriate information in spite of the filter.

Our Internet Content Filter

PSD is currently using the Barracuda filter.  We block all the areas required by the CIPA.  We also block other areas that are not a part of the school educational mission.

Tracking

The Barracuda system tracks every site visited on the Internet.

Categories currently blocked during the school day for grades K-12 are:

Sex: adult, pornography, lingerie/bikini, sexuality, nudity

Questionable: computer hacking, profanity, weapons/bombs, intolerance/extremism, tasteless, copyright infringement, misc. questionable, violence.

Malware: spyware, adware, phishing.

Internet Activities: anonymizer, email host, web host, sharewares download, online chat, high bandwidth sites.

Business: online auctions.

Categories currently blocked during the school day for grades K-12 are:  (continued)

Health: Adult sex ed.

Recreation: gambling, games (some educational game sites are not blocked), mature humor.

Games sites are unblocked before and after school hours.

Lost and Found

Articles which have been found, other than library books, should be taken to the office.  Library books should be taken to the librarian.  Lost articles can be claimed by using proper identification.  It is a good idea to clearly mark items with the owner's name so they can be returned without delay.  This also discourages unauthorized borrowing.

Sexual Harassment

This district is committed to a positive and productive education and working environment free from discrimination, including sexual harassment.  The district prohibits sexual harassment of students, employees, and others involved in school district activities.

Sexual harassment occurs when: 

1.   Submitting to the harasser's sexual demands is a stated or implied condition of obtaining an education or work opportunity or other benefits;

2.   Submission to or rejection of sexual demands is a factor in an academic, work, or other school-related decision affecting an individual; or

3.   Unwelcome sexual or gender-directed conduct or communication interferes with an individual's performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

Sexual harassment can occur adult to student, student to adult, student to student, adult to adult, male to female, female to male, male to male, and female to female.

The district will take prompt, equitable and remedial action within its authority on reports, complaints and grievances alleging sexual harassment that come to the attention of the district, either formally or informally.  Allegations of criminal misconduct will be reported to law enforcement or Child Protective Services.  Persons found to have been subjected to sexual harassment will have appropriate school district services made reasonably available to them and adverse consequences of the harassment shall be reviewed and remedied, as appropriate.

Engaging in sexual harassment will result in appropriate discipline or other appropriate sanctions against offending students, staff and contractors.  Anyone else who engages in sexual harassment on school property or at school activities will have their access to school property and activities restricted, as appropriate.

Retaliation against any person who makes or is a witness in a sexual harassment complaint is prohibited and will result in appropriate discipline.  The district will take appropriate actions to protect involved persons from retaliation.

It is a violation of this policy to knowingly report false allegations of sexual harassment.  Persons found to knowingly report or corroborate false allegations will be subject to appropriate discipline. 

Student Records

Students and parents have a right to the following concerning student records:

á      The right to inspect and review educational records.

á      The right to request an amendment to the record that is believed to be in accurate or misleading.

á      The right to consent to disclosure of the student's record and an explanation under which the school may disclose without prior consent.

á      The right to file a complaint with the Family Compliance Office of the Department of Education.

á      The right to a description of who is considered to be a school official and what is considered to be a legitimate interest so that information may be shared with that person.

á      The right to information about who to contact to seek access or amendment of educational records.

Directory information is made available to "third parties" upon request, unless an "opt out" form is on file.  Third parties include, but are not limited to the armed service, local and regional newspapers, athletic programs, and college recruiters.  Directory information includes the following:

á      student name

á      student address/phone number

á      date/place of birth

á      participation in school sponsored athletics and activities

á      dates of attendance

á      recognition, such as:  degrees/awards received/honors

á      weight and height for athletic programs

Threat Notification

Students who are the subject of threats of violence or harm shall be notified of threats in a timely manner.  Parents shall be included in notification to students who are the subject of threats of violence or harm.  Timing and details of the notice will be as extensive as permitted by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), other legal limitations, and the circumstances (Board Policy 4314).  Students who have made threats shall not have their identity disclosed to the person threatened, except under the following conditions:

á      The parent or adult student has given permission to disclose the student's identity or other information to the subject of the student's threat.

á      The identity of the student and the details of the threat are being disclosed to relevant district staff who have been determined to have legitimate educational interest in the information.

á      The identity of the student or the details of the threat are being released because the release of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.  This exemption is to be strictly construed pursuant to federal regulations.

á      The district is responding to a court order or subpoena.  Generally the district must make a reasonable effort to notify the parents of the student or adult student of the subpoena in advance of complying, so that the family can seek protective action.

Telephone

The office phones are for school business, not as a convenience to the students.  Students will not be summoned from class for phone calls except in an emergency.  The office is not an answering service for students.  Students who have need of using a phone must do so with permission from their teacher.  A phone is available in the foyer.

Textbooks

Textbooks for all classes are furnished by the district.  Notebooks, pencils, pens, etc., are to be furnished by the students.  It is the studentŐs responsibility to care for the materials furnished by the district.  Textbooks are to be kept covered at all times.  Damaged or excessively worn books may cause fines to be levied.

Weapons

re:   guns, pocket knives, squirt guns, paint ball guns, fireworks, and look-alike weapons

The Pomeroy School District is committed to providing a safe learning environment.  Appropriate discipline sanctions, up to and including expulsion and referral to law enforcement, will be imposed if an individual's actions cause a threat to this safe environment.

ĽWhenever any of the above-listed items are involved in a school setting, an immediate investigation will occur.  The following factors will be considered, when disciplinary action may be imposed:

--  the age and maturity of the student

--  the potential danger to staff, students, patrons, and facilities

--  the specific circumstances involved

--  any factors that merit consideration or modification on a case-by-case basis by the Superintendent

Strong disciplinary measures (up to and including expulsion) may be imposed if, in the judgment of the administrator in charge, a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation exists involving any of the above-listed items or a threat of bodily harm.  If students, staff and/or patrons are placed in any potential danger by a student bringing, possessing, and/or a threat to use any of the above-listed items, the student will be immediately placed in a contained environment and a prompt and extensive investigation will occur.

It is against state law (RCW 28A.600.420) for a person to carry a firearm onto, or possess on, public or private elementary or secondary school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools.  Any person who has been determined to have done so will be expelled from school for not less than one (1) year under RCW 28A600.010  as well as referred to law enforcement.  A firearm is defined as a dangerous weapon in RCW 9.41.010.  Other types of weapons include Ňnun-chu-ka sticks,Ó Ňthrowing stars,Ó any air gun, air pistol or air rifle, etc.  NOTE:  A firearm (i.e.:  hunting rifle stored in a studentŐs pick-up) on school property is a violation of state law and will result in expulsion as required by state law.  The expulsion may be modified on a case-by-case basis by the superintendent.

Visitors

Parents are welcome to visit the school and classrooms.  All persons entering the school are asked to please check in at the office.

Parents wishing to visit the classroom should call the elementary school office to make arrangements.  Parents wishing to have a conference or having specific questions should call the school and the teacher will return your call as soon as he/she is free.  The school encourages close communication between the home and school.

Because of the natural disruption a visiting student can cause, Pomeroy Elementary School does not allow students outside of the district to attend school.

Volunteers

Volunteering is encouraged and appreciated.  Contact your childŐs teacher to see how you may help in their classroom.  Volunteers are asked to check-in or check-out through the office, while working in the building.