PARENT HANDBOOK
2010 - 2011
This
handbook has been designed to help you become more familiar with the programs
at
JUAN DE OŅATE
Juan
de Oņate arrived in
ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
APS
is one of the largest school districts in the country, with over 90,000
students enrolled in over 130
schools.
Letter from the Principal
Introduction
School History
Staff and Faculty
School Hours
Inservice Days
Attendance
Abbreviated Day
Emergency Dismissal
Student Dismissal
State Statutes
Reporting Procedures
Chronic Attendance/Tardiness Problems
Boundary Information
Change of Address
Student Withdrawal
Academic
Structure
Conferences
Field Trips
Homework Policy
Library Policy
Physical Education
Classroom Placement
Counseling Services
Recess
Retention Policy
Visitors
Volunteers
Section 504 (Americans With Disabilities Act)
Cafeteria Services
Health
and Safety
Health Room
Immunizations
Medication
Student Insurance
Fire Drill Procedures
Crossing Guards
Parking Lot Safety
School Bus Transportation
Bicycle Policy
Dress Code
Personal Property/Lost and Found
Before and After School
Restitution Procedures
Parent Teacher Association
Discipline
Discipline Policy
Behavior Redirector
ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
THERESA
PRINCIPAL
(505)
291-6819
FAX
(505) 275-0648
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Welcome to
The Oņate staff works diligently to provide a broad,
comprehensive academic environment to
meet the educational needs of its students.
We encourage students to achieve at their highest levels and believe our
children are the most important resource.
Maximum effort is exerted for their education and development.
The curriculum emphasizes student achievement in math,
science, and language arts, as well as self-esteem and character building. Cooperative planning and utilization of all
staff resources is an integral part of the
We look forward to working with you this year.
Sincerely,
Theresa Fullerton
An Equal Opportunity
Employer
It is the mission of the Oņate school community to
educate all students
to become responsible, literate,
thinking and contributing members
of a multi-cultural society through
excellence in teaching and learning.
PRINCIPAL
Mrs.
Theresa Fullerton
COUNSELOR
Ms.
Victoria Vigil
KINDERGARTEN
Mrs.
Diane Tafoya
Mrs.
Cathy Zoladz
GRADE
1
Mrs.
Kate Bogren
Mrs.
Carol Price
Grade
2
Mrs.
Rachel Greene
Mrs.
Susana Jenks/Mrs. Lynette Wheeler
GRADE
3
Mrs.
Rebekkah Chacho/Mrs. Goar Kostanian
Ms.
Jillian Gutierrez
GRADE 4
Mrs.
Anissa Chavez
Mrs.
Kate Cook
Grade
4/5 Combination
Ms.
Emily McAfee
GRADE
5
Mrs.
Gay Crouch
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
Mr.
Arthur Ramirez
INSTRUCTIONAL
COACH
Mrs.
Wendy Fuller
LITERACY
TEACHER
Mrs.
Sue Ann Voris
LIBRARY
Ms.
Yolanda Griego
REDIRECTOR
Mrs.
Maria Garley
RESOURCE
PERSONNEL
Mrs.
Allison Reyes-Sanchez
Mrs.
Ms.
Risa Taylor
Mrs. Jo
Kopke
Mrs.
Alicia Meade
Mrs.
Dixie Propp
Mr.
Mark Smith
Mrs.
Laura Sugars
Mrs.
Janice Wood
SUPPORT
PERSONNEL
Ms.
Alma Aguilar
Mrs.
Linda Alsup
Mrs.
Jaime Baca
Ms.
Rose Baca
Ms.
Julianne Gallegos
Mr.
Francisco Mendoza
Mrs.
Ida Martinez
Mrs.
Vivian Romero
Mr.
Jeremy Saavedra
Mrs.
Athenia Schuler
DAILY SCHEDULE
KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIFTH GRADES
(MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY)
9:00 First
9:02 Classes start
10:45 - 11:00
Recess (1-5)
12:15 - 12:45
Lunch Recess Grades K-2
12:45 - 1:15 Lunch
Recess Grades 3-5
2:30 - 2:45 Recess (1-5)
3:45 Dismissal
WEDNESDAY ONLY
Lunch Recess
K-2 11:45 - 12:15
Lunch Recess
3-5 12:15 - 12:45
1:00 Dismissal
Oņate
will have four inservice days throughout the year to provide professional
development opportunities for the staff.
In addition to early release time for parent conferences, students will
be released each Wednesday at 1:00. Parents often wonder whether or not
students attend school the correct amount of time. Please be reassured that they do.
Students
in
An abbreviated day schedule will be used on mornings
when street conditions would endanger the safety of students and employees on
their way to school. A decision to
institute an abbreviated day schedule will be announced by 6:00 a.m. through
the news media ie., KOB Radio (AM 77).
If no announcement is made by that time, a regular school day will be
held. If an abbreviated day is declared,
the instructional day will begin two hours later and end at the regular
time. If an abbreviated day is declared
on a Wednesday, the school day will end at 3:45 pm.
GRADES K - 5
11:02 am - 3:45 pm
No breakfast will be served on abbreviated days. If severe weather conditions exist, schools
may be closed. Days are made up per
State Department of Education guidelines.
Emergency dismissal procedures will be used in the
event of severe weather conditions or conditions which might occur that
endanger the safety of students and/or employees. The decision to designate "emergency
dismissal" will be announced via the news media. Please make necessary arrangements to
acquaint your child with appropriate procedures should this situation occur.
The Emergency Dismissal Form you completed as part of the registration process
will be kept on file in the office.
Should any information change please notify the office immediately. Emergency evacuation (including fire and
lockdown drills) and other safety procedures will be practiced at regular
intervals. PLEASE NOTE: In the
event of an emergency dismissal situation it is important that telephone lines
be kept clear. The school staff is
prepared to deal with situations as they occur, but there are only THREE
available telephone lines during that time.
If it is absolutely necessary for your child to be
excused from class during school hours, please notify the teacher or the office
in advance. Please do not request a
child's dismissal by telephone. For your
child's safety and protection, the parent is required to come into the office to sign the child out. Parents will be asked to show a photo ID when
signing students out. Children are NOT
allowed to walk home alone while school is in session. Families are encouraged to arrange doctors',
dentists' and other appointments so that they do not interfere with the
instructional day. If it becomes necessary for parents to go out of town,
please notify the teacher or the office regarding procedures, emergency contact
information, and names and telephone numbers of authorized parties.
If students are not picked up at dismissal time they
will be brought to the office. There is
no supervision so parents must pick their students up on time. Any child left unsupervised or not picked
up by 4:15 PM will be referred to APS Police. If you have an emergency and must
change your previously arranged plans, you may call the office and they will
attempt to reach your children to let them know of the change. Although every attempt will be made to
forward your information, we cannot guarantee that the change in plans will be
relayed to your child.
The
office and your childs teacher should be notified of any custody issues
involving your child. Appropriate legal
information, which clearly states who has legal custody or access to the child
must be provided. The school cannot
legally deny access to a custodial parent unless specific, written documentation
prohibiting such contact is provided.
Daily attendance is mandatory for students to benefit
from the instructional program. The intent is to establish an effective and uniform
system of school procedures regulating responsibilities under the Compulsory
School Attendance Law. It is of the
utmost importance that patterns of regular attendance be established and
sustained by students.
The procedures are applicable system-wide and school
principals have the responsibility to monitor the provision of this directive
in close cooperation with district attendance offices.
New
Any parent, guardian or person having custody and
control of a person subject to the provisions of the Compulsory School
Attendance Law is responsible for the school attendance of that person.
New
A. Each local
school board and each governing authority of a private school shall initiate
the enforcement of the provisions of the Compulsory Attendance law (22-12-1 to
22-12-7) for students enrolled in their respective schools.
B. To initiate
enforcement of the provisions of the Compulsory School Attendance Law, a local
school board or governing authority of a private school or their authorized
representatives shall give written notice by certified mail to the parent,
guardian or one having custody of the person subject to the provision of the
Compulsory School Attendance Law. Any
person continuing to violate the provision of the Compulsory School Attendance
Law after receiving written notice as provided by this section shall be
reported to the Children's Court division of District Court and shall be
considered to be a neglected child or a child in need of supervision and thus
subject to the provision of the Children's Code.
C. Any person
failing his responsibility for initiating enforcement of sub-section B of this
section is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
If a student is absent for three or more successive
school days, the local school district shall contact by telephone or written
notice the student's parents, legal guardian or custodian no later than the
close of school on the school day next succeeding the three-day period. The provisions of this section do not apply
to any absence if the parent, legal guardian or custodian, prior to the end of
the three-day period, has contacted the school to explain the absence.
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
A. Parents are asked to call the school (505) 291-6819 X 6 no
later than 9:30 am
to
report an absence and request make-up work.
You may also contact the school via the Oņate website www.aps.edu/aps/onate/index.html. To excuse an
absence see procedures below. Students
who are signed out before the end of the instructional day must have written
documentation of the reason (as defined under excused absences) or be subject
to the same consequences as tardy.
B. If the school has not been given prior notice by phone, the
parent or guardian will provide the school with a written explanation
concerning all student absences upon the student's return to school.
C. Absences will be recorded daily. The APS attendance tracking system
automatically records all excused and unexcused absences. Parent letters are automatically generated at
2, 4, 5, 7 and 10 absences.
On the fifth unexcused absence you and your child will be required to
attend the Truancy Prevention Program at Oņate.
At the 10th unexcused absence a referral to the Habitual
Truant Office will be made.
D. Teachers will be informed of calls concerning student
absences.
E. The school should be notified by the parent or guardian of
anticipated absences due to family emergencies and medical or agency
appointments.
F. The school will attempt to investigate unexplained absences
through telephone contact or home visits with parents/guardians as soon as
possible and advise them regarding the importance of regular school attendance
and the legal implications involved.
Students are entitled to make up work (1 day for every
excused absence). However, it is the
responsibility of the student or parent to arrange with the teacher (s) for
make-up work, tests, etc. Requests for homework should be made early enough to
allow reasonable time for the teacher to assemble.
Occasionally, families are left with little option but
to take students out of school for an extended period of time for unexpected
emergencies. While emergencies are
unavoidable, the staff and administration encourages parents to plan other
activities in a manner that does not impact attendance at school. As well, parents are reminded that the APS
Student Behavior Handbook describes excused absences including A extenuating
circumstances agreed to by the administration prior to the absence. Too often students tell their teachers that
they will be gone for an extended period of time and would like their work for
the time they will be gone. Though
paperwork can be assigned to the students for this purpose, instructional time
is an asset that, once missed, is irretrievable.
If the student needs to be absent for an extended
period of time you will be asked to write a letter to the school regarding the
absence and request for work. Teachers
are not obligated to provide school work for an extended absence. Most teachers will accommodate some work for
a reasonable amount of time, but any work provided for the absence is due
on the day of return.
The Federal ANo Child Left Behind Act requires that states,
school districts and schools be held accountable for ensuring that all students
meet high academic standards. Daily attendance is a critical component of this
educational process.
$
Students
between the ages of five (5) and eighteen (18) years of age are mandated to
attend public school, private school, home school or a state institution.
$
The
B. APS Attendance Policy
$
APS
students are allowed no more than 5 unexcused absences per semester, and no
more than 10 unexcused absences per school year.
$
The
parent/guardian must notify the school each day that the student will be
absent, in accordance with the notification procedure established by the
school.
$
Absences
may be excused for the following reasons, with appropriate documentation:
$
Doctor=s appointment;
$
Death
in the family;
$
Religious
commitment;
$
Illness;
$
Family
Emergency;
$
Diagnostic
Testing;
$
School
or College visit.
In the event that the school has not received
notification of absence by a parent for three (3) consecutive days, the school
must make an attempt to contact the parent/guardian.
$
Excessive excused absences may result in further
inquiry from the principal and request for additional documentation.
$
Family
vacations are considered unexcused absences, and it is expected that parents
will schedule vacations during the periods of time when school is not in
session.
$
Students
who are signed out before the end of the instructional day must have written
documentation of the reason (as defined under excused absences) or be subject
to the same consequences as a tardy.
The
Students
who reside outside the Oņate district must apply for transfer from the
Albuquerque Public Schools Student Services Department. They may be reached at 855-9050. Out of district students who have been
approved for transfer and attend Oņate Elementary can have their transfer
revoked at any time for the following reasons:
·
Excessive (4.5
or more) absences and/or tardies in one semester
·
Disruptive
behavior and/or acts of misconduct
·
Overcrowded
enrollment
·
Lack of parental
support/cooperation with school staff to meet the needs of the student
·
Overcrowded
conditions in the school
Please keep the school office informed of your correct
home and business addresses and current telephone numbers. It is essential that
this information be kept up to date so that you may be contacted in case of an
emergency.
In order to grant transfers from
Parent Teacher Conferences will be scheduled two times
during the school year. The teachers
and principal encourage and welcome
parental classroom visitation and conferences by appointment. However, we ask that you do not attempt to
discuss any personal matters while a faculty member is on playground or
cafeteria duty, or is conducting a class.
Please make appointments for conferences and classroom visits through
the school secretary or the teacher.
Field trips are an extension of the curriculum and
support concepts at each grade level. It
is the District policy that each student have a separate permission form signed
by the parent or guardian for each field trip.
A signed permission form for the trip in question must be in the hands
of the teacher before the student may embark on the trip. The District=s permission form has been developed and approved by
legal counsel. Any alteration to its
content or wording invalidates the form and may make it necessary to exclude
the student from the trip. A telephone
call is not acceptable.
Parents who volunteer to chaperone must be aware that
field trips are learning experiences and that they must make every effort to
follow directions and procedures as set forth by the teacher. Parents attending the field trip should NOT
bring siblings on the trip. This adds
increased security and liability issues.
It is the responsibility of the principal, as the
instructional leader, to encourage homework that is appropriate and effective,
but controlled. Homework should
reinforce and extend the work in the classroom and benefit the student by such
augmentation. Learning is not an
activity, which should be restricted to a six-hour day or the interior of the
classroom. Student homework that is
appropriately selected and planned can add greatly to the learning activity by
providing support, directed study, enrichment experience and individualization
that is not possible in the classroom.
To be effective, however, homework must be reasonable, limited and
purposeful. It is the principal's
responsibility to see that effective guidelines are developed and implemented.
LIBRARY POLICY
Oņate students will go to the library with their class
at a regularly scheduled time each week.
Each student will be allowed to check out book(s) that he/she may keep
for one week. All books not returned at
the next library time will be considered overdue. Students having overdue books
will not be allowed to check out a book until the overdue book is
returned. Students having a book overdue
for over two weeks will receive a notice to take home to parents alerting them
of the problem. Lost books are to be replaced at current value.
Parents may purchase a special book in their child's
name and place it in the library in honor of the child's birthday or other
special occasion. Additional information
including suggested titles and authors is available in the library. Parents are encouraged to visit the library
frequently.
We extend birthday wishes to each student on his/her
special day, but request that birthday parties be held outside of
school. Distribution of party
invitations will not be allowed at school.
Any gifts (flowers,etc.) delivered to the school will be kept in the
office until the end of the day.
It is necessary for a student to have written
permission from parents to be excused from physical education activities due to
health reasons. It is important that the
office be notified. If your child needs
to be excused from physical education, please send a note to the office each
day for three days. After three days, a
doctor's excuse is required. PLEASE
NOTE: Students must wear appropriate athletic shoes without black soles.
It is our primary responsibility to see to it that
every child maximizes his or her potential and receives the very best
educational opportunities possible.
Parental involvement in providing information about the child=s progress is
appreciated and encouraged. Together
with teacher recommendations, this information will be considered and the
school will make the placement decision.
Requests for specific teachers are not accepted. The highest priorities in placement
considerations are:
1. The academic needs of the child; and
2. Class size, as well as heterogeneous,
balanced class groupings.
The placement process is one of the most important
decisions made at the school. It
requires the best of our judgment and input from all concerned. It also requires trust in the school. As a community, you are very supportive of
the school and the faculty, staff and administration tries to be supportive in
turn. Many of us are parents whose
children have attended and/or continue to attend
Oņate is fortunate to have a half- time counselor on
staff. The counselor is responsible for
developing and implementing a comprehensive counseling program. The counseling program provides education,
prevention, and intervention services to help all students achieve
academic success. The program consists
of four components: guidance curriculum,
responsive services, individual student planning, and system support. Classroom guidance lessons are provided
throughout the year. These lessons focus
on various issues including problem solving, decision-making, relationships,
conflict resolution, and bullying prevention.
Small group counseling sessions are also offered throughout the school
year. Group counseling makes it possible
to reach a large number of children who are experiencing similar issues in
areas such as grief self-esteem, friendship, divorce and anger management. These groups provide students with support
and guidance while helping them feel less isolated and alone. Parents will be notified when their children
are selected to participate in small group counseling sessions. The counselor meets with individual students
on a short-term basis when necessary.
Most children, at some time in their school career,
experience a problem or difficulty they are unable to solve by themselves. One of the counselors main roles is to
listen to these children and facilitate their problem solving. If the problem cannot be resolved at school,
it is the counselors responsibility to confer with parents or make the
appropriate referral. In addition, the
counselor serves as a consultant to classroom teachers, a resource and support
to parents, and a liaison to the community. With the use of these strategies and
interventions, the counseling program is able to address the needs of the whole
child. By working with the whole child,
rather than just one aspect of the child, we are better able to break down
barriers to learning and empower the child to succeed at school and in the
world.
RECESS
All students go outdoors to play at recess. If it is necessary for your child to remain
in the building for health reasons, a note to that effect is required. In case of inclement weather, the school will
use its discretion as to whether or not the children will go outside for
recess.
RETENTION POLICY
New Mexico State Law requires schools to identify
students who are performing below state levels for proficiency. Parents of those students will be notified by
the end of the second grading period. At
that time, the parents/guardians and classroom teacher must meet to discuss the
academic deficiencies and develop an Academic Improvement Plan. This plan will list specific responsibilities
the teacher, parent, and student will follow to help the student attain
proficiency.
By the end of the school year, any student who has not
achieved proficiency must be referred to the Student Assistance Team. This team will meet with the parent/guardians
and review the Academic Improvement Plan.
Any student who does not achieve proficiency by the end of a Level Two
Plan must be retained in the same grade unless the parent signs a waiver.
Parents are always welcome to visit the school. Visits to individual classrooms (Regular
Education, Special Education, Primary and Intermediate ED Programs) MUST
be cleared through the Principal.
Visitors may observe only in classrooms in which their own child is
registered. Children may visit only when
accompanied by an adult. In order to
minimize the interruption of the instructional process and to maintain
security, you will be asked to follow these guidelines when visiting
1. If you are on campus between the hours of 9:00
am and 3:45 pm (1:00 on
Wednesday), please check in with the
administration office and record your presence by signing in/out and wearing a
visitor name tag. This includes the recess and lunch breaks.
2. Visits
to classrooms should be arranged 24 hours prior to the visit and should
be limited to twenty minutes. You may only visit a classroom where your
child is enrolled.
3. If you
need to pick your child up for an appointment or need to make
a delivery to your child, please do this through the
administration office.
The office staff will contact your child through the
intercom system. Please try to arrange a
pick up time other than lunch or recess, as it is time consuming to locate a child on the
playground. Your child must be signed
in/out in the office.
4. If you
are delivering a lunch to your student, please have it in the office
no later than five minutes before the scheduled
lunch time. (Refer to lunch schedule on
page 5). Let your child know before
school that the lunch should
be picked up in the office on the way to the
cafeteria. If the lunch is not delivered
on time, the student will need to charge in the cafeteria and eat a school
lunch.
5. Please
be aware that standing outside of a classroom to wait for your child to be
dismissed can be disruptive to the school environment. Arrange a meeting place
(flagpole, playground etc.) to pick up your child when the bell rings.
Parents
should not continue to wait outside the classroom, in the lounge or hallways
after the bell has rung.
VOLUNTEERS
It is our belief that parental involvement is vital to
a child=s success in school. Parents can
be involved with the school on many levels and we acknowledge the value of all
types of participation. There are many
opportunities to volunteer during the school year. These can range anywhere from sending in
materials for projects or snacks to working regularly in the library. A unified effort between parents and staff is
the key to providing an atmosphere conducive to learning. In order to
accomplish this goal we thank you for following these guidelines:
1. Please
check in to the administration office and record your presence at school by
signing in/out and wearing a visitor name tag.
2. Please
be prompt. Notify the office if you are
unable to fulfill your volunteer duties.
If possible, try to give notice in time for a replacement to be
arranged. It is nice to be able to count
on you.
3. Respect
the confidentiality of teachers and children by being discreet.
4. If you
are a regularly scheduled volunteer (library, tutoring etc.) you have
the right to expect to be trained and supervised. Do not hesitate to ask
questions if you do not understand the
assignment. Please confer with a
staff member if you have problems.
5. Regular volunteers in classrooms will be asked to comply
with APS policies and procedures and complete the process for volunteering with
the Human Resources Department. Further information
is available through the office or the classroom teacher.
SECTION 504
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
The Albuquerque Public Schools affords certain rights
to students with disabilities. These
rights are described in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. A student who has a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (caring
for ones self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking,
breathing, learning or working) qualifies as having a disability under Section
504.
Parents or staff members who feel that a student may
be eligible for 504 services should notify the Student Assistance Team and
request a 504 Conference to consider eligibility. An eligible student will have an Accommodation
Plan developed based on his/her educational needs and upon the least
restrictive environment necessary to meet those needs. The 504 Accommodation Plan provides
reasonable accommodations and supplementary aids and services that will allow
the student an equal opportunity to participate in school and school related
activities.
Parents of students with disabilities have the right
to participate in the 504 Conference.
Parents will receive written notification of the schools decisions
concerning the student=s identification, evaluation, or educational placement.
For additional information about disabilities and
procedures under Section 504, please contact the school principal or counselor.
The cost of the meal is $1.75 which includes
milk. The price of an adult meal is $3.00. All students carrying sack lunches may
purchase milk for $0.40 per carton.
Questions regarding cafeteria meal tickets should be directed to the
cafeteria manager at 299-2851. Cafeteria
menus are sent home monthly in the newsletter.
The lunch menu is also announced on the radio each morning. We urge parents to consider the purchase of
meal tickets to help prevent students from losing their lunch money each
day. Lunches may be paid for on-line at www.mylunchmoney.com. Charges incurred
in the lunchroom should be repaid promptly.
Oņate will be serving breakfast to students from 8:45
until 9:00. The cost is $1.15.
Students who are ill or injured during the school day
will be assessed and treated in the health room. If it is necessary for your student to go
home the Parent/Guardian will be contacted.
If the school is unable to contact you, the contacts listed on the
Emergency Card will be contacted.
Students who are ill or injured are not permitted to walk
home or ride the bus and must be picked up.
How
do I know when my student is ill?
In order to achieve the goal of minimizing the spread
of communicable disease at school the following criteria may be considered
reasons to keep a child home from school:
$
Acute
phase of cold/upper respiratory infection (cough, nasal drainage);
$
Elevated
temperature;
$
Vomiting;
$
Diarrhea
- three or more times in six hours;
$
Conjunctivitis
or pink eye;
$
Untreated
impetigo, lice, scabies and similar diseases;
$
If
antibiotic therapy is needed, the student should remain home for at least the
first twenty-four hours;
$
Students
with vomiting and/or diarrhea may not return to school until they have not had
an incident for twenty-four hours.
It is a violation of New Mexico=s compulsory
school immunization law (Section 24-5-5, NMSA, 1978 Comp.) for any student to
enroll in school without up-to-date records of immunization or proper records
of exemption. Please contact the office
for current requirements.
Students who require prescription medications during
the school day must have an AAuthorization for Medication@ form signed by
their physician and parent on file in the health room. Medications that are prescribed Athree times a
day@ can be given before school, after school and at bedtime. Students who take over the counter
medications must have a Parent Authorization form on file in the health room.
ALL MEDICATIONS must be in the original pharmacy labeled container or the
original over the counter container.
Baggies and unlabeled containers
will not be accepted. Students
may carry medication to school and turn it into the health room. No medications
of any kind will be transported home by a student. Students who use asthma inhalers may carry
them on their person if there is a written authorization from both the
physician and parent on file in the health room. Otherwise, those medications will be kept in
the health room and the student may use them under the supervision of the
nurse, health assistant or other trained APS employee. Inhalers must also be labeled by the
pharmacy.
Health room personnel can be reached at (505) 291-6819
X 12 for further information.
There may be circumstances when it is necessary to release confidential information regarding a student. State law requires that any suspicion or evidence of child abuse/neglect, or knowledge of a minor engaging in dangerous or illegal behavior be reported to the appropriate child protection agencies and/or legal authorities. Furthermore, if a student poses a serious danger to him/herself or is a substantial danger to others, any individual (including school personnel) with knowledge, evidence, or suspicion of said danger, is required by law to intervene. The intervention may include informing family members, identified victims, and/or the proper authorities to provide for the safety of the student and others.
The Albuquerque Public Schools cannot assume liability
for cost incurred in student accidents.
The district does make a student accident insurance policy available to
all. Information is sent home early in
the school year.
During a fire drill, the entire class walks at a
brisk, orderly pace with no pushing and in single file out of the classroom
using the outer doors.
Proper discipline should be maintained as students
move away from the exits to a sufficient distance so that no student is within
50 feet of the building. Teachers will
take attendance when all students are out of the building. Students who are in the health room should
leave the building with the nurse or secretary.
Students and staff will become familiar with
evacuation drills, lockdown procedures and/or any other drill deemed necessary
by staff and administration.
The City of
The parking lot will be closed from 8:45 until 9:00 and from 3:15 until 3:45 due to
serious traffic problems in our small parking lot. PLEASE
PARKING IN THE
At NO time should
children be in the parking lot unless accompanied by an adult. Children and adults are asked to use
the crosswalk. By City Ordinance, dogs are
not allowed on campus. If you
walk with your dog to school to pick up your student, please arrange an
off-campus meeting place.
Please assist in the smooth flow of traffic by
following all safety rules and exercising patience and good judgment. The safety of our children is paramount. Thank you for supporting our safety efforts
and modeling cooperation and encouragement.
It is the policy of the Board of Education in
accordance with New Mexico state law to provide transportation for elementary
students who live more than one mile from the school within their attendance
area. Due to liability issues, no one
but regular riders may ever ride the bus.
The Director of Transportation in consultations with the principal and
bus contractors involved will establish bus schedules and revisions.
Please remind your children that you expect them to
follow bus rules and to be well behaved and obedient to the driver. In
Consequences for Misconduct on the bus:
First Discipline Referral: Warning Call
Second Discipline Referral: One-day bus suspension
Third Discipline Referral: Three-day bus suspension
Fourth Discipline Referral: Semester bus suspension
Behavior that causes physical harm to other students,
physical harm to the driver and/or assistant, or physical damage to the bus
will result in automatic suspension of transportation privileges.
Suspension from the bus does not mean that a student
is suspended from school. The
parent/guardian will be responsible for transporting the student to and from
school.
NOTE: Parents must
contact the transportation department for permission if at any time they would
like the child dropped off at a stop other than the regular stop. Children will not be allowed to leave the bus
at any other stop.
ONLY THOSE CHILDREN AUTHORIZED TO RIDE THE BUS WILL BE
PERMITTED TO BOARD.
If students ride bicycles or scooters to school, they should
follow proper procedures for their safe use. Students are not allowed to ride
bicycles or scooters on school grounds.
Bicycles are to be parked and locked in the bicycle rack upon arrival at
school. Scooters should be folded once
on school grounds. The school is not
responsible for loss or damage.
SKATEBOARDS,
ROLLER BLADES, ROLLER SKATES, OR HEELIES ARE NOT ALLOWED AT SCHOOL.
Parents, good taste, weather, and PE program should govern the
type of clothing worn to school by the students. Tennis shoes are required for PE; soles CANNOT
be black.
The Dress Code adopted by the School Board will be
adhered to at all times. The text is
included:
The Board of Education expects student
dress and grooming to reflect high standards of personal conduct so that each
student=s attire promotes a positive, safe and healthy atmosphere within the
school. Student dress may not present a
health or safety hazard, violate municipal or state law or present a potential
for disruption to the instructional program.
Attire or accessories that advertise, display or promote any drug,
including alcohol or tobacco, sexual activity, violence, disrespect and/or bigotry
towards any group are not acceptable.
Unacceptable clothing and accessories include, but are not limited to,
gang-related attire, excessively tight or revealing clothes, short shorts, bare
midriff, low-cut and/or off the shoulder blouses, spiked jewelry, chains, belts
with more than two inches excess. Sagging,
or the wearing of pants below the waist
and/or in a manner that allows underwear or bare skin to show and bagging, or
the wearing of excessively baggy pants with low hanging crotches are
prohibited. As a matter of common
courtesy and respect, hats/caps are not to be worn while inside buildings
except when there are specific instructional, safety, religious or medical
reasons.
Schools may customize their
individual dress codes to address their needs and standards of their communities
and neighborhoods through use of a process which ensures input from students,
parents, faculty and staff of the school and other interested community
members. Students and their
parents/guardians have the responsibility to be aware of the school specific
dress codes and to conform to those requirements. The responsibility to interpret and enforce
the policy rests with each principal for his/her school.
C
NO
midriff shirts are allowed. This means
that no skin should be showing between the bottom of the shirt and the top of
the pants/skirt at any time;
C
Sleeveless
shirts must be two inches wide at their narrowest point on the shoulder (No spaghetti straps or halter tops);
C
Team
jerseys (sleeveless with large arm holes) must have a sleeved shirt underneath
them at all times (No tank tops or muscle shirts);
C
Coveralls
must be worn with both the suspenders fastened and over the shoulders;
C
Excessively
sagging pants or shorts are not allowed;
C
Excessively
baggy clothing (including pants and/or shorts) are not allowed; Baggy generally means that the
pant legs are wider than twice the width of the leg;
C
Clothing
that is excessively torn, tattered or long is not allowed;
C
Wallet
to pocket chains are not acceptable (No chain, spiked or sharp accessories);
C
All
belts should be worn appropriately with no excess belt hanging;
C
No
body piercing other than ear piercing should be visible (no tongue, eyebrow,
nose piercing, etc.);
C
Any
item of clothing identified with a gang or gang behavior is not allowed;
C
Hats
or other types of head gear may not be worn inside buildings on campus;
C
Skirts
should be no shorter than the point where extended fingers end when the student
is standing up straight;
$
Permanent/temporary
hair coloring of any kind is not allowed.
Parents will be notified and students will be required to restore the natural
hair color. Parents will also be
notified when haircuts (Mohawks etc.) cause disruption to the educational
process.
Students who come to school dressed inappropriately
will be asked to change. Parents will be
asked to bring a change of clothing or clothes available at the site will be
used. Repeated violations will be dealt
with parent notification and disciplinary consequences.
Please mark the clothing and any other articles that
your child brings to school We especially recommend that his/her name be
printed on all articles of clothing, sack lunches, lunch boxes and school
supplies. Please do not allow your child to bring telephones, CD players,
radios, skateboards, roller blades, toys, or collectors= items,
etc., to school. These items brought to school will be
confiscated. They are easily lost, stolen or traded and cause undue
disruption. The school Lost and Found
Box is located in the cafeteria.
Unclaimed articles are given to the APS Clothing Bank on a regular
basis.
The playground is supervised from 8:50 until 9:00
am. For your child's safety and
protection he/she should not arrive at school before 8:55 a.m. In stormy weather, it is requested that children
do not arrive at school before 9:00 a.m.
When children are on campus before school hours they MUST be on
the playground. They are not allowed
around the buildings or portables. They
should drop their backpacks outside their classrooms and then go directly to
the playground where there is supervision.
Children should return home before going to play. All arrangements with friends should be made
with parents before children come to school.
The use of the telephone at school for such arrangements is not
permitted.
STUDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE THE TELEPHONE IN THE
OFFICE IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES ONLY!
The collection of restitution monies to pay for the
cost of destruction and/or damage to school property (textbooks, buildings,
equipment, etc.) is a lawful and proper endeavor on the part of the Albuquerque
Public Schools.
The Albuquerque Public Schools Police Department shall
handle and coordinate all efforts in this regard and will automatically
initiate action in appropriate cases.
Parents are invited and encouraged to join the PTA at
Oņate Elementary. The PTA strives to
develop united efforts between the school and the community to provide quality
educational opportunities for all students.
The PTA contributes greatly to the success of the
school. It provides a way for parents to
become involved and serves as a major communication link between parents,
school staff, central office administrators, and the local school board.
All PTA meetings are open and parents are encouraged
to attend.
ONATE PARENTS ARE THE VERY BEST.
The Oņate staff perceives discipline as a way of
helping children develop appropriate behaviors that will enable them to
function in today's society. We believe
our school should have order based on reason and understanding. Rules are easy to enforce when all understand
why they are necessary and when all have a part in establishing
expectations. We feel mutual respect
between students and teachers is very important. Early in life students need to begin learning
a sense of responsibility and independence.
We must recognize and promote the basic human needs: security,
belonging, accomplishment and success.
We believe that every child is unique.
Every child's development and achievement should help to prepare him/her
for full participation in our democracy.
The staff at Oņate Elementary believes that the goals
of constructive discipline are:
1. The accomplishment of learning and personal growth;
2. The realization of a positive self image based on successful
school experiences;
3. The internalization of democratic values and constructive
methods of handling feelings, resolving conflict and working for significant
social change; and
4. The development of caring, responsible, creative, joyful,
healthy, committed and self-disciplined individuals.
The staff feels that the following tasks are
essential:
1. Encourage tolerance for individual differences;
2. Involve students in the decision making process;
3. Define limits and rules with an understanding of logical
consequences;
4. Ensure consistency of application, but leave room for
flexibility;
5. Encourage students to develop responsible alternative
behaviors;
6. Provide positive reinforcement for acceptable behavior; and
7. Provide opportunity for the development of a positive
self-concept.
The staff at Oņate is dedicated to teach, observe, and
promote the personal rights of students, teachers, support staff and parents of
Oņate children.
Oņate students
are learning positive ways to solve conflicts with the help of the Mediation in the Schools program. Specially selected fourth and fifth graders
have completed training in order to help resolve conflicts at school.
The purpose of the Mediation program is to teach
non-violent resolution of conflict and enable students to reach mutually
satisfactory agreements. The curriculum
is taught in all of the classrooms. The
students work in pairs and are on duty on the playground during morning and
afternoon recess. The program seeks to
improve the environment of the school and assist in modeling positive ways to
solve problems.
Oņate will continue to implement the Character Counts
program which focuses on six aspects of character development. One aspect per month will be emphasized
throughout the school.
July/August Respect
September/October Citizenship
November/December Caring
January/February Trustworthiness
March Fairness
April Responsibility
Students will receive Character Counts coupons when
they are observed performing
acts of kindness. Monthly, students slips are
displayed on the Coyotes with Character bulletin board located in the hall by
the library.
The Oņate Discipline Policy has been developed to
encourage students to acquire positive and acceptable behavior skills.
The following suggestions are important to remember:
1. Awareness by the entire school community, students, staff
and parents about the school's goals, objectives, rules and procedures will be fostered. Parents are asked to become active partners
in assisting the school to develop strong, positive, self-management behaviors.
2. All school employees are responsible for monitoring the
behavior and safety of all students.
3. Classroom teachers have the primary responsibility for
instructing students concerning expectations of behavior management. Students must accept guidance from all adults
working in a supervisory capacity (teachers, assistants, secretaries,
custodians and parent volunteers).
4. All staff members should actively engage in ways of
recognizing and reinforcing positive behaviors that are exhibited by individual
students throughout the school.
5. Classroom teachers will establish a process for recognizing,
rewarding and reinforcing appropriate management behaviors. Students will realize that they have control
over their behavior and that choices will carry either positive or negative
consequences.
6. School personnel who become aware of any type of harassment
will promptly and effectively act to end the harassment and prevent it from
recurring and, where appropriate, remedy the effects on the student.
1st Reported Offense: Documentation (Behavioral ticket sent
home); Principal/ Teacher notified.
Student meets with the Redirector
2nd Reported Offense: Documentation (Behavioral ticket sent
home); Conference held with Parent, Principal and/or Redirector
3rd Reported Offense: Documentation (Behavioral ticket sent
home); Out of school suspension for one (1) day.
4th Reported Offense: Documentation (ticket); Out of school
suspension for two (2) days. Referral to Discipline Committee.
1. Students are expected to follow the directions of
supervising adults.
2. Students are expected to use conversational voices. PLEASE, NO SHOUTING!
3. Students are expected to ask permission before leaving their
seats for any reason.
4. Students are expected to clear the table and seat before
leaving. Students are to remain in the
cafeteria a minimum of fifteen minutes.
5. Students are expected to stand quietly in line with hands
and feet to themselves.
6. Students should leave quietly when dismissed by the
supervising adult.
No food or drinks are allowed outside at lunchtime.
1. Students are expected not to throw rocks, snowballs, sand or
dirt.
2. Students are expected not to play body contact games. There is NO play fighting.
3. Students are expected not to use obscene language or
gestures. Teasing, name calling,
tattling or arguing is not allowed.
4. Students
are expected to respect school and personal property.
5. Students
are expected to use school equipment appropriately.
a. There is only one way to slide: sitting on your bottom, legs out and one
person at a time.
b. There is only one way to use swings: one person at a time,
sitting on your bottom and with your legs out.
The following activities are considered unacceptable
on the
climbing
equipment:
-cherry drops
-jumping from one bar to another
-jumping from the top
-walking across the bars without using hands
-hanging from the climbing poles
-walking across the low protruding bars without hands
-standing up on the bars
-pushing
-climbing the basketball goals
-climbing the softball backstop
6. Students are expected to play in appropriate areas. Games are played away from the walls on the
field. There is NO WALL BALL!
7. Students are expected to stay within the fenced areas at all
times. Staff members will retrieve balls
over the fence or down the street only.
8. Students are expected to play on the playground, not around
or between the buildings, portables or parking lot.
PLEASE NOTE:
Regulation softballs, soccer balls, hard balls, tennis
balls, bats, racquetballs, nerf balls or basketballs are not to be
brought to school.
Roller blades, roller skates, heelies or skateboards are
not allowed.
Oņate
prohibits harassment of any kind including harassment based on gender,
ethnicity, religion, or an individuals disability. School personnel who become aware of
harassment concerns and/or issues will promptly and effectively act to end the
harassment and prevent it from recurring.
Any concerns related to harassment should be reported to the principal.
The Behavior Redirection program is a behavior
intervention strategy that is an adaptation of the traditional Time-Out and
Live Space interview models. Students
who are interfering in the educational process or who break a rule are
candidates for a referral to the Redirector.
In a positive way she assists the student in an investigation of why
his/her behavior is inappropriate. The
process can be completed in as little as 15 minutes so that the student may
return to class to put the plan into practice.
The redirection process:
$
provides
an immediate and consistent intervention in the cycle of inappropriate
behavior;
$
intervenes
early in the cycle, before the behavior becomes seriously disruptive;
$
shortens
the time that students are out of the classroom due to inappropriate behavior;
$
helps
the student plan for more appropriate and effective behavior;
$
returns
the student to the classroom as soon as possible to implement the behavior
plan;
$
is
positive;
$
is
supportive.
The redirection is NOT
$
counseling
$
punishment.
The principal handles behavior serious enough for
immediate consequences.