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N. B. Galloway Elementary School
Student Handbook:
"Building World Class Thinkers"
2008-2009 Supplement to the District Student Handbook

CHANNAHON SCHOOL DISTRICT 17 MISSION STATEMENT:
Channahon District 17, in keeping with its proud tradition, is dedicated to providing for the academic, physical and social development of all students, staff and community members, in an interactive, caring, safe environment; that emphasizes real life applications and challenges each individual to be a productive citizen and a lifetime learner who deals effectively with others and the changing world.

N. B. GALLOWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT:
The purpose of N .B. Galloway School is to education students to become life-long learners and responsible individuals, in a safe and supportive environment.

N. B. GALLOWAY SCHOOL
SHARED VISION

GALLOWAY SCHOOL
2008/2009 SUPPLEMENT TO THE DISTRICT STUDENT HANDBOOK

From the desk of Lorraine Halbesma, Principal of Galloway School:

It is every child’s right to learn to his/her full potential and the staff of Galloway School is dedicated to fulfilling this right. We believe that children learn in a situation where love and understanding are coupled with mutual respect - students for adults, adults for students. Freedom must be present within the confines of a structure that allows protection for the rights of all individuals. Children need to know what they can and cannot do and that they will be treated fairly, equally, and consistently. Complete freedom only promotes chaos and does not present a true picture of our world. Our ultimate objective in education is effective citizenship.

Some rules and regulations are necessary in every gathering of individuals to ensure safety and harmonious living. We will all - students, teachers, administrators - exercise good manners and obey safety rules. GALLOWAY STUDENTS ARE RESPECTFUL. Please note the following guidelines.

BUS STUDENTS: All bus students will enter through the center doors and will be supervised by members of the staff until the bell rings at 8:17 a.m. Students will proceed to their homerooms. Students riding the bus will arrive between 8:10 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. If students arrive after 8:25 a.m., they need to report to the office.

CAR RIDERS, WALKERS, BIKERS: These students are to enter the building through the North door. The North door will be kept locked until 8:10 a.m. at which time the students will be let in. PLEASE DO NOT DROP OFF STUDENTS BEFORE 8:10 A.M. For safety reasons the North door will not be open until 8:10 a.m. The blacktop area by the North entrance is not a morning playground. It is used for morning drop-offs. Your cooperation is needed in this matter.

Drivers bringing students in the morning should proceed to the North parking lot and follow the path marked by signs. This will lead you to the blacktop circle drive and students can be dropped off at the sidewalk of the North door. Please be patient while waiting to drop off your child. Your child should not get out of the vehicle until you have reached the sidewalk and are instructed to do so. Your child’s safety is our primary concern.

DISMISSAL:
Dismissal time begins at 3:10 p.m. No one will be allowed to take students from the school busses at dismissal time. This is done to protect students and to keep bus schedules on time.

Each bus rider is assigned to a bus and a bus stop. Any permanent changes for any reason must be approved IN ADVANCE by the Transportation Director, Mrs. Kavich. Her office is located in the Three Rivers

School, 467-4313. A one-time or temporary bus change to or from school needs to be approved in advance by the building principal. These changes will only be considered for emergency child-care situations.

If you find it necessary to pick up your child at dismissal, guardians will need to send a note to school stating who is picking up the child so he/she can exit through the North Wing door. If a signed note is not received, any person requesting that a child leave with them (other than the legal guardians or custodial parent), will be asked to wait patiently while a phone call is made to verify the request.

CAR RIDERS, WALKERS AND BIKERS will be dismissed through the North doors. Same procedure for "drop-off" applies.

Members of the faculty will be on duty to maintain safety procedures. STUDENTS AND ADULTS ARE ASKED TO PLEASE FOLLOW THEIR DIRECTIONS.

Drivers, please be patient! It is worth the extra few minutes that you have to wait when you think a small child might be hurt because you were in a hurry.

EARLY DISMISSAL:
For the protection of students, we will enforce the following policy when it is necessary for children to leave school before dismissal. Legal guardian or custodial parent must provide an early dismissal request in writing to the teacher, stating the date and time of dismissal, the reason and who will be picking up the student. Students will be called to the office by the principal or secretary for early dismissal.

Students will not be dismissed from the office after 2:45 p.m. If you need to dismiss your child after 2:45 p.m., you must follow the car rider dismissal procedure at the North end.

REPORTING ABSENCES:
In addition to the procedures in the District Handbook, it is requested that Galloway parents send a note to their child’s teacher when returning to school. This will help to improve communication and assist the teacher in understanding current student needs. Absences can be reported on the Galloway School Hotline number, 815-521-3191.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS/INVITATIONS:
Birthdays are special days that we celebrate with our students, even those who have birthdays in the summer. Students may bring treats but we ask your help by providing single serving finger foods such as cookies or cupcakes. It is too difficult for staff members to cut birthday cakes or pour drinks from large containers, single-serving packaging is preferred. Further, we ask that you refrain from sending special things, such as flowers and balloons as they become disruptive both in the classroom and on the school buses. Invitations to any celebrations/thank you notes may not be distributed at school. Parents who choose to send treats should send enough for their child’s classroom only. Please do not send extra items. Students are prohibited from distributing to other classrooms/teachers.

HOMEWORK CLUB:
HOMEWORK CLUB PHILOSOPHY: Homework is one of the most powerful tools that can be used to ensure a child’s success in school. The purpose of homework is to reinforce and extend what teachers have taught in the classroom.

Research indicates that students who consistently do their homework: (a) improve academic achievement at all grade levels and (b) grow to be independent, responsible, motivated, and successful adults.

Galloway’s involvement in the Homework Club will indicate support with such an important activity. The Homework Club will be a positive and caring place to assist each child who attends, to complete homework successfully and become more confident in day-to-day study skills.

PROCEDURE: Homework Club will occur on Monday through Thursday, from 3:10-4:10 p.m., in a Galloway classroom supervised by a faculty member. All students must attend for the complete time and be prepared to work for the entire time. PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSPORTATION HOME.

1) If a student chooses to be in Homework Club, he/she must get a Homework Club form from the homeroom teacher and take it home. Have parents fill it out and return it to the office. The student is responsible for bringing appropriate and enough work.

2) If a student is a "chronic homework abuser", (determined by the principal after teacher referral) the teacher may refer this student to Homework Club. The teacher needs to fill out a form, see the principal, and call home to set it up with the parent. That teacher is then responsible for giving the Homework Club Supervisor the assignments, and the supervisor is responsible for giving the completed assignments to the teacher. Supervisor is also responsible for contacting the teacher if the student is a "no show".

HOMEWORK CLUB DISCIPLINE: This club is a privilege. Appropriate and respectful behavior is expected. If a student chooses to challenge the rules during Homework Club, the supervisor will enforce the appropriate consequences, which may include principal and parent involvement.

READING SUPPORT:
Reading Support services are provided for those children at Galloway School who are reading below grade level. Children are placed in the program after being tested to determine their instructional reading level. This test is given at the beginning of the school year and anytime during the year, when a child is identified by their classroom teacher as having difficulties in reading. The children remain in the program until they are reading at grade level.

TELEPHONE:
The office telephone may be used for emergency calls only. We expect students to be responsible for their actions. Students will not be permitted to call home for forgotten work. Classrooms will not be interrupted with messages for students. Emergency messages will be given to students as soon as possible, but without interference to classroom discussion.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES:
To discipline with authority is to give life to learning - in developing a positive school climate, the positive approach to discipline takes into consideration the beauty of each student and provides an opportunity for each student to take an active part in his/her academic planning. Galloway School will provide a safe place where students can feel needed, valued and responsible. Students need to learn how to act and speak with respect for each other. It is the school’s responsibility to help develop persons who can build a good and decent society. In such an environment, students are responsible for their own behavior, academic success, and failures. Actions are owned by the individual student. They cannot blame the environment, parents or peers for their own behavior. Each student has the ability to choose. All students have the right to be in school. With this right comes the responsibility to respect the rights of other students and to become actively and productively involved in their own academic learning. Such an atmosphere creates a joint effort to learn, relate and experience.

Classroom teachers begin each school year by organizing the classroom, setting guidelines (rules and consequences). Students are involved in discussions of these practices; and teachers model the behaviors. Parents are informed about the procedures used. Much positive reinforcement is used at Galloway School. However, when students choose not to follow the class procedures, consequences will occur. These consequences may begin with a simple reminder to the student. If a student chooses to continue behaviors that are not acceptable, those consequences will increase to such things as a time out period, loss of recess, calls to parents or visits to the Principal’s office. However, consistency across the grade level will be maintained as much as possible.

A discipline cycle provides immediate and consistent logical consequences for irresponsible behavior. Students in grades two, three and four, may be issued lunch recess detentions for inappropriate behaviors. This means students will sit in a quiet classroom during the time the rest of the grade has lunch recess.

These students are monitored by a staff member. Third and fourth grade students will be allowed five lunch detentions during a quarter. After that, each inappropriate behavior will result in an after school detention. The cycle increases after the fourth after school detention. Therefore, a student reaches his/her cap on the issuance of this fourth after school detention. The next offense will result in an all day in-school suspension. Parents will be contacted when students are issued these detentions. Before the student reaches the in-school suspension stage, a conference is arranged with staff, parents, and the student and a contract is written which is a plan for the improvement of behavior.

Students in grades three and four will be expected to complete assigned work on time and as accurately as possible. An assignment that is one day late will have ten points taken from the earned grade. Any assignment later than one day will be considered a zero grade.

Recent occurrences in our society have resulted in schools taking a strong stand on verbal and/or implied threats. Students cannot make verbal and/or implied threats to teachers and/or students that could alarm, disturb, or interfere with the orderly operation of the school. Statements such as "I’ll kill you", "I’m going to hurt you", or any comments that may be construed as threats to the safety of our students and staff members will not be allowed. Similarly implied threats will also be taken seriously. "Kidding around" about hurting or shooting others is not appropriate in our society and will not be allowed in our school.

Please contact the school if you have questions or concerns.

LUNCHROOM ETIQUETTE:
Students enter the lunchroom in line. Those purchasing lunch proceed through the line, getting their food and then giving their lunch numbers to the employee who checks to make sure the full component of a Type A lunch is there. Those purchasing milk only, go through the same line. Students are given time to eat before dismissal to lunch recess. Students are expected to remain seated and finish eating before leaving the lunchroom. Food or drink may not be taken from the lunchroom. Students are responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Galloway School operates a closed campus. Students are expected to eat lunch at school unless other arrangements are made between the parent and the principal.

Student conduct in the lunchroom shall be consistent with the standards of good eating habits and table manners as practiced at home. Students will be allowed sufficient time to eat lunch. The time not used for eating will be spent in play and/or quiet relaxation either outdoors or in a classroom.

CAUTION! - PLEASE REFRAIN FROM SENDING CARBONATED BEVERAGES. ALSO, PLACING CARBONATED BEVERAGES IN THERMOS CONTAINERS CAUSES THEM TO LEAK. THERE ARE A VARIETY OF DRINKS AND PACKAGING OPTIONS ON THE MARKET. PLEASE HELP US IN THIS MATTER.

RULES FOR LUNCH AND OUTDOOR RECESS:
The following guidelines are for your child’s own safety. Please review them with your child and make sure he/she understands them.

1. Walk at all times in the lunch area.

2. Raise your hand for help or to get out of your seat.

3. Use indoor voices only.

4. Eat only your own food. Do not trade with someone or share anyone else’s food.

5. Clean your area before you leave. This includes the floor.

6. Keep hands and feet to your self.

7. Respect other students. No rough play such as tackling, pushing, fighting, etc.

8. Line up when the bell rings.

GENERAL GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES:

• Students are not allowed to carry knives or other items considered dangerous to themselves or fellow students.
• Personal possessions such as GAMEBOYS, ELECTRONIC TOYS, PURSES, and OTHER TOY ITEMS are not to be brought to school without the permission of a staff member. Students may bring items to play with at lunch recess with the permission of the lunch recess supervisors only. This is the only time when these items are to be used. Toys are not to be played with during lesson times. Students who do not follow this rule will be warned. After the first warning, these toys or other items will be collected and taken to the Principal’s office. These possessions will be kept by the Principal until a parent comes to claim them.
• A student may be allowed to leave his/her classroom only with the permission of his/her teacher.
• There is to be no chewing of gum in school.
• Students not engaged in a school activity after school hours are required to leave the school grounds immediately.
• No abusive language will be used on school property or while under the supervision of school officials. There will be no fighting at school.

• Students will conduct themselves in a polite, orderly manner wherever they are. They will have respect for school and personal property of other students.

• Running in school (except for P.E. classes) is not permitted at any time. Keep to the right in the halls.

• Students do go outside at lunch time whenever possible. Please dress your child warmly and appropriately.
• It is necessary to check your child in or out through the school office when he/she is coming in late or leaving early. PLEASE CALL THE SCHOOL WHEN YOUR CHILD IS GOING TO BE LATE OR ABSENT.
• Students may not bring promotional items (such as Girl Scout cookies, Band candy, etc.) to school to sell.
• Students should not bring money to school unless it is for a specific reason.

A FINAL THOUGHT:
Good communication between school and home are vital to the well being of our children. Please feel free to contact the school at any time. Students should feel free to come to the office with questions, problems or concerns.

BUILDING WORLD CLASS THINKERS