Welcome
Welcome to Governor Bent Elementary School. We are proud to provide 
a climate where children feel valued for their individual learning styles and 
strengths. Our staff is trained to recognize that children exhibit multiple 
forms of intelligence and we celebrate and encourage all types of learning. 

We have been nationally recognized for providing effective instruction for: 

1. Linguistic Intelligence (reading, writing and speaking) 
2. Logical/Mathematical Intelligence (numbers and logic) 
3. Visual/Spatial Intelligence (pictures and images) 
4. Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence (rhythm and melody) 
5. Interpersonal Intelligence (understand and work with other people) 
6. Intrapersonal Intelligence (knowledge of self) 
7. Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence (movement and handling objects) 
8. Emotional Intelligence (control impulsivity and sensitivity) 
9. Naturalistic Intelligence (care and understanding of natural world) 

We also focus on developing intelligent behaviors as part of our 
implementation of the district curriculum. These behaviors help children 
develop into successful, happy people. Examples of intelligent behaviors 
include persistence, empathy, flexibility, cooperation, humor and risk-taking. 
We welcome your help in reinforcing these behaviors as you work with 
your children at home. We will provide informational material throughout 
the school year in newsletters and presentations. 

Parent Involvement
Parents are the child’s first and most important teachers. Research 
shows that parental involvement is an indicator for student success. At 
Governor Bent, nightly reading and writing is required at all grade levels. 
This can be simple and short, but must be consistent to promote literate 
students. Primary grades will be asking that you sign a Parent Compact 
that lists some required activities. 
Teachers will also be asking for Room Parents to help coordinate field 
trips, tutoring, etc. Please consider volunteering for this important position. 

Field Trips
Only written signed permission slips can be accepted for field trips, 
verbal permission is not acceptable. You will also be asked to sign a walking 
field trip form at the start of the year. You will be notified if your child 
will be off school grounds on a walking field trip. 

Parent-Teacher  Conferences
Parent-Teacher conferences are held twice a year (November 26-30 and 
February 25 - March 1). School will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. on conference days. Most 
employers are supportive of parent involvement and will make 
arrangements. If you would like to arrange a nonscheduled conference
please talk to your teacher. Report cards are issued at the end of every trimester.  Marking periods are shown in the school calendar at the end of the booklet. 

Early Student Pickup/Visitors 
If you need to take your child early, you must stop by the office and 
sign them out. Your I.D. will be checked. Only people listed on the 
registration card will be allowed to pick up a student. This is for the safety 
of all students. Also, if you plan to be on campus for a while, you will need 
to sign in and get a visitor’s badge. 

Personal Property
School personnel can not be responsible for personal property. 
Students should leave roller blades, bicycles, skateboards, bats, balls, radios, 
jewelry, toys and trading cards at home. Please have student names on
jackets and clothing. 

Attendance and Absences
Regular attendance and prompt arrival at school is mandatory and 
necessary for quality learning. Parents are held responsible for student 
attendance. Please note that we must report excessive absences to the APS 
court liaison officer. If your child becomes ill during school hours, it is 
imperative that we have correct phone numbers to reach you. Please provide 
new phone numbers by calling the administration office at 881-9797. 

Students who are tardy loose valuable learning time and they disrupt 
the whole class. Please be sure your student arrives on time. Changes in 
bus schedules due to Big I construction require us to change our schedule: 

School begins at 8:55 a.m. 
School ends at 3:30 p.m. 

Students may not be on campus before 8:40 a.m. unless enrolled in 
Camp Fire daycare (for information, see page 6). This rule is for your 
child’s safety because there is no supervision before 8:40 a.m. 

Inclement Weather/ Early Release
Severe weather means schools are closed for the day for safety reasons. 
This is announced on local TV and radio by 6:00 a.m. Please listen for 
these announcements. 

Less severe weather results in an abbreviated day. School and bus 
schedules are delayed by two hours. Instead of beginning school at 8:55
a.m., school would start at 11:00 a.m. and dismiss at 3:30 p.m. (No morning 
kindergarten.) In case of severe weather during the day, we will contact 
parents or day care providers so they can make arrangements to pick up 
their children. 

Behavior
We promote positive behavior and reward children in various ways. If 
behavior is inappropriate, children are given warnings and instruction. If 
behavior continues, there will be consequences. 

We follow the APS Discipline Policy and if you have questions, you 
may request a copy of these in the administrative office. 
Behavior Forms will be given for major infractions such as: 
 

• Physical harm to another person 
• Defiance and disrespect of authority (teachers, duty personnel, 
   supervising adults) 
• Engaging in dangerous behaviors after warnings 
• Destruction of property 

These forms will be filled out by the principal or assistant principal and 
sent home for a parent signature. Please return them the following day. 
The child will be in “time-out” (supervised in-school suspension during 
recess) until the behavior form is returned. Records are kept and after 
three forms, parents will be called in for a conference with the principal. 
Rock throwing and intentional harm to others is grounds for suspension. 

Playground rules are extremely important and it will help if you discuss 
these with your child before school begins. 

• Treat others, as you would like to be treated. Include others in 
your games and be kind. Have fun! 
• Running is allowed only on the dirt playground. Walk on 
cement, asphalt and between buildings. 
• Follow the rules of soccer, tether ball and squash. If in doubt, 
ask a duty person. 
• Keep you hands to yourself. Tag games always end up in 
inappropriate pushing. 
• Use slides properly. Climb up the ladders and slide down one 
person at a time. 
• Sit and swing straight in swings. Do not run through the swing 
area. 
• No hard balls allowed on playground. 

Our counselor trains students and staff to use Conflict Resolution
techniques to solve problems and disagreements. We hope students will 
learn to solve problems through discussion and mediation, not anger or 
physical confrontation. These are skills they can use for the rest of their 
lives and we hope you will reinforce them at home. 

Dress Code
We follow the APS guidelines in order to promote a safe learning 
environment. Students who are out of compliance will be asked to call 
home for a change of clothes. Here are important guidelines to be aware 
of: 

• No gang-related attire (this changes, so you need to be aware) 
• No tight or revealing clothing (spaghetti straps, exposed 
   midriffs, tube tops) 
• Shorts musts be “finger-tip” length 
• No hats allowed in the buildings ( may wear for sun protection 
   on the playground) 
• No sagging pants or wide-legs. Pants should fit at waist, 
   crotch and legs. 
• No long belts 

Camp Fire Program (Before and After School Care)
We are fortunate to have this excellent program. For schedule and 
pricing information call 842-8787. If you must leave your child before 
8:40 in the morning, you will need to make arrangements in advance with 
the Camp Fire program.  Sign up for Camp Fire for those unexpected times 
when you can not pick your child up on time (within ten minutes of dismissal time)
or need to drop off early.

Transportation 
Students who live more than a mile from school qualify to ride the bus. 
Students who do not obey the rules may have their bus privileges revoked. 
Please contact the bus operator, Helweg and Farmer, at 822-9434 if you 
have questions. 

Student Transfers
When a student is transferring to another school, please be sure all 
books are returned and lunch fees are paid in full. We will not release 
records to another school if material or fees are still owed. 

Classroom transfers are not encouraged. Children are placed by teacher 
recommendation, learning style, and space availability. When a transfer is 
requested, a three-step process is required. 

• Parent meets with teacher to discuss concerns. Wait two weeks 
   to see if problems are worked out. 
• Parent and teacher meet with administrator to discuss options. 
   (Possible waiting period). 
• If a student is to be moved, it will be to the classroom with the 
   lowest PTR (Pupil-Teacher Ratio), unless there are special 
   circumstances. 

Services and Programs
Parent-Teacher Association — The Governor Bent PTA is an active, 
organized group. Volunteers assist in the library, office, playground, 
computer room, classrooms and special functions. The PTA sponsors fund-raisers. 
The money raised is used at the school for classroom equipment 
and supplies. Volunteers are always needed, so please join the PTA! For 
information about the PTA, call the administration office at 881-9797. 

Student Council — The student council consists of students elected at-large, 
one from each classroom, fifth grade elected officers, the counselor 
and staff sponsors. The purpose is to provide students with an opportunity 
to give input and plan special activities for the school. 

Cafeteria — Parents may purchase meal tickets in the cafeteria before 
9:00 a.m. Lunch is $1.40. Breakfast is $.75. Milk is $.30. Students who 
forget their sack lunch or money may charge a maximum of three times. 
An application to determine eligibility for reduced price or free meals is 
available in the cafeteria. 

Guidance and Counseling — This program helps children with emotional 
issues that may get in the way of learning. Emphasis is placed on 
development of positive self-concepts and on skills to help students get 
along with others, solve problems and make decisions. 

Health Care and Medication — We have a school nurse two and a half 
days a week and a full time health assistant. Your child may not bring 
medication to school. When necessary for prescribed medications to be 
dispensed, please contact the school nurse (881-9797) for proper procedure.
Student immunizations must be current to enroll your child.

Student Insurance - APS Board of Education provides an optional student 
accident insurance policy. Forms are available in the administration office. 

Clothing Bank — This service provides appropriate clothing for needy 
students. The PTA, teacher and counselor usually arrange for trips to the 
clothing bank. If you have donations of clean, usable clothing, let us know. 

Library — Students have a library period each week. Parents are responsible 
for lost or damaged books. Volunteers are encouraged to help the librarian.

Computer Class --Students have computer class each week. Classroom
teachers and collaborate with the technology teacher to integrate curriculum.

School Pictures — Individual photographs will be taken in the fall, and 
class pictures later in the year. Please mark your calendars when you 
receive picture notices so that your child is dressed appropriately. 

Bilingual Program — This year Governor Bent will collaborate with the 
University of New Mexico to enrich our bilingual services. A classroom at 
every grade level will provide services for students who are federally funded 
as second language learners. All classrooms will benefit from professional 
development to enrich student literacy. It should be an exciting year! 

Help with Homework  
The Albuquerque Federation of Teachers provides a Homework Hotline . 
With the help of corporate sponsors — Furrs Supermarkets, Qwest, 
Public Service Company of New Mexico, Bank of Albuquerque and KOB-TV 
Channel 4 — the union provides five teachers to answer questions four 
nights a week. the hot-line hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through 
Thursday. Call 343-4300 or, outside Albuquerque, 1-800-947-8839.