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Student Handbook

Acoma Elementary School

Dear Acoma Families,

     Welcome! We are glad you are here! The Staff and Administration at Acoma are looking forward to working with you and your child this coming year. We know that this year will be an exciting and educationally stimulating one for your child.

     We believe that communication between home and school is vital to student success. We encourage all parents to work collaboratively with Staff and Administration to provide the best educational opportunities for your child.

     We are confident you and your child will enjoy your educational experiences here at Acoma. If we can be of any assistance to you, please feel free to call upon us.

Thank you

Religious Issues and Holiday Practices Guidelines

Philosophical Statement

Acoma Elementary School is committed to the recognition of cultural diversity. Since its founding, the United States has grown from a nation of relatively few religious differences to one of countless religious groups. This expanding pluralism has created many challenges for the public schools. We strongly affirm our shared commitment of respect for religious beliefs expressed in the constitutional guarantee of religious liberty. This means that we may neither promote nor inhibit religious belief or non-belief. This can be done only by showing sensitivity to the needs of every student and a willingness to steer a course between the avoidance of all reference to religion on one hand and the promotion of religion on the other.

1. Acoma School practice will be in accordance with Albuquerque Public School (APS) Instructional Procedural Directive entitled "Religious Issues/Holiday Practices" dated November 21, 1990.

2. The study of religious holidays may be included in school curriculum as opportunities for teaching and learning about religions. Such study serves the academic goals of educating students about history and cultures, as well as the traditions of particular religions within a pluralistic society.

3. The teaching about religion in the school is the study of religion for its educational value. The task is to teach about religions and their impact in history, literature, art, music, and morality.

The school's approach to religion is academic, not devotional.

The school strives for student awareness of religions, but does not press for student acceptance of any one religion.
The school supports study about religion, but not practice of religion.
The school exposes students to a diversity of religious views; it does not impose any particular view.

The school educates about different religions; it does not promote or denigrate any religion.

The school informs students about various beliefs; it does not seek to conform students to any particular belief.

Implementation Guidelines

1. The instruction and activities of religious holidays will focus on the origin, history, and meaning of the observances while fostering the mutual respect of cultural diversity.
2. Sacred music may be sung or played as part of the academic study of music. School concerts that present a variety of selections may include religious music. Concerts should avoid programs dominated by religious music, especially when those coincide with a particular religious holiday.
3. The use of religious symbols, provided they are used only as examples of cultural and religious heritage, is permissible as a teaching aid or resource. Religious symbols may be displayed only on a temporary basis as part of the academic program. Students may choose to create artwork with religious symbols, but teachers should not encourage or discourage such creations.
4. Students from certain religious traditions may ask to be excused from classroom discussions or activities related to particular holidays. Some holidays considered by many people to be secular (i.e. Halloween and Valentine's Day) are viewed by others as having religious overtones. Excused requests may be especially common when parties and similar non-academic activities mark holidays. Such requests will be granted.
5. If a parent or guardian is concerned about practices related to "Religious Issues/Holiday Practices" at Acoma Elementary School, they are encouraged to express concern to Acoma's Principal. The Principal will weigh the concern to insure that Acoma is in compliance with the Instructional Procedural Directive of APS.

Discipline Policy

     Acoma Elementary's School Wide Discipline Policy is an assertive discipline policy. It is known to us as the Red, Pink and Gold Slip Program. It is a school wide discipline program, not a classroom discipline program. This program is for the children when on the playground, in the building, or in the cafeteria, not in their individual classrooms. Children are expected to adhere to specific rules here at Acoma. The rules are concise and are to insure your child's safety and security. They are as follows:

Cafeteria Rules
        - Talk quietly
        - Stay seated
        - Clean up after yourself
        - All food and drink remains in cafeteria

Playground Rules
        - Stay in your designated playground area
        - Use playground and playground equipment safely
        - No throwing objects - dirt, sticks, rocks, snowballs etc.
        - Fighting, put-downs, and other negative behaviors are not
           permissible

Building Rules
        - Use indoor voices when inside the building
        - Students are not permitted inside the building before school,
            except for during breakfast, or at recess, except to use the restroom, or
            with a teacher's permission
        - Students are to have a hall pass when unaccompanied by an
            adult
        - Students are to walk in the building and on the sidewalks
        - Respect the school facilities; graffiti, vandalism, and other
           destructive
               behaviors are not permissible
        - Gum is not permitted at Acoma Elementary School

     Ongoing throughout the month the children can be presented with gold slips, red slips or pink slips. The children are rewarded with gold slips for being "caught" doing something positive, or displaying positive behaviors. Conversely, students are warned with a pink slip for engaging in negative behaviors, or disciplined with a red slip for disregarding school rules.

    The child then has the responsibility of getting the slips to the appropriate place.

     Gold Slips are put into the gold slip box in the cafeteria for monthly drawings for various prizes.

     Pink slips are given to the student's classroom teacher. The classroom teacher will escort the student to the in-house suspension/time-out room at the next recess. Students will be required to serve a total of 10 minutes in suspension/time-out as an immediate consequence for their inappropriate action. However, if a student is uncooperative during this suspension/time-out, the student will serve a subsequent suspension/time-out. If the student's behavior continues to be inappropriate, the principal will meet with both the student and their parents to discuss alternative discipline measures. Parents will be notified that their child has received a pink slip by a form sent home from the teacher. The form must be returned, and will require the signatures of both a parent and the student. If three pink slips are issued to any child in within one month, it will constitute an automatic red slip.

GOLD SLIP SAMPLE

Name____________________

Teacher__________________

Date_____________________

Staff Issuing Gold Slip____________________

________Helping an adult
________Picking up trash (without being asked)
________Act of kindness
________Having good manners
________Following the rules (without being told)

TRUSTWORTHINESS RESPECT CARING RESPONSIBILITY FAIRNESS CITIZENSHIP

PINK SLIP SAMPLE

Name___________________________

Teacher’s Name ___________________

Date of Offense___________________

Staff Issuing Pink Slip______________________

________Not in appropriate place
________Misuse of playground equipment
________Running in places other than the playground
________Unintentional harm to others
________Bullying (name calling)
________other____________________________

TRUSTWORTHINESS RESPECT CARING RESPONSIBILITY FAIRNESS CITIZENSHIP
RED SLIP SAMPLE

Name____________________________

Teacher’s Name_____________________

Date of Offense____________________

Staff Issuing Red Slip________________

________Hitting, Fighting, Physical Abuse, or Bullying
________Endangering Self or Others
________Throwing Objects
________Defying Abusive Language or Gestures
________Stealing
________Other

TRUSTWORTHINESS RESPECT CARING RESPONSIBILITY FAIRNESS CITIZENSHIP

     Red slips are given to the student’s classroom teacher. The classroom teacher will escort the student to the in-house suspension/time-out room for the next two recesses. Students will be required to serve a total of 20 minutes in suspension/time-out as an immediate consequence for their inappropriate actions. If a student is uncooperative during this suspension/time-out, the student will serve a subsequent suspension/time-out. If the student’s behavior continues to be inappropriate, the principal will meet with both the student and their parents to discuss alternative discipline measures. If a student receives a red slip for three consecutive months, they will be assigned to a staff member who will act as that student's mentor. The staff member will keep close personal contact with that student to help them in all possible ways to decrease and hopefully alleviate any further red slips. Parents will be notified by phone that their child has received a red slip.

     At the end of the month, the same day of the month as the Citizenship Assembly, it will be reward day. All those students who did not receive a red slip are rewarded. Those students who received red slips will fill out a form as to why they received the red slip, and other ways they could have solved their problems to avoid the red slip. After this is completed, these students then become involved in various other tasks around the school.

    A gold slip does not cancel a pink or a red slip. They are distinct and separate issues.

    Encourage your child to earn as many gold slips as possible to increase their chances of being drawn. Your child does not have to earn a gold slip to be rewarded. All your child has to do is to avoid receiving a red slip.
Abbreviated School Day

An abbreviated day plan calling for a shorter school day for students in such cases as bad weather has been adopted by the Board of Education of the Albuquerque Public Schools.

When the abbreviated schedule is to be used, notification will be made through the news media as soon as the need has been determined.

The plan calls for elementary schools to meet from 11:00 a.m.- 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. On abbreviated school days there will be no morning kindergarten classes. The afternoon classes will meet as usual.

Attendance

    We request that you call the school attendance line at 299-3547 to report your child's absence. For the absence to be excused, parents will need to call before 11:00 a.m. the morning of the absence. Families with afternoon kindergarten students may call an hour after the afternoon class starts. Absences will not be excused after that school day.

    Your child's teacher is to be provided a written explanation from the parent/guardian concerning all absences upon the child's return to school if prior notice has not been given. The school should be notified of anticipated absences due to trips, family emergencies, and medical or agency appointments.

    Your child must have your written permission on file in our office to go home for lunch, or for any reason, unless you call and grant such leave. If your child goes home and is not returning for the afternoon session, you must notify the school.

    All students arriving at Acoma after school has started, or departing Acoma before the school day is completed, must be checked in and out of the building through the administrative office by the parent/guardian. For the safety of your child, a picture I.D. may be required as proof of identification. Children will be released to authorized people on the child’s registration card. Other names may be added to the card by the parents or guardians.

Special Reminder: If a student has ten days or more of unexcused absences per quarter, their name will be turned over to the Albuquerque Public Schools District Court Liaison Officer. Five (5) tardies constitute an absence. See the Perfect Attendance Program page for further explanation.

Cafeteria

     Forms may be obtained at registration, or in the school office, to fill out in order to qualify for the free or reduced breakfast and lunch program. Please return completed forms to the cafeteria manager.

    Any child who misbehaves or abuses Albuquerque Public School Policies regarding cafeteria services will be denied cafeteria services.

     Parent/Guardian and students may purchase meal tickets and pay charges before school in the cafeteria.

     Cafeteria menus are planned for a one-month period. Menus can be found posted at school and will be sent home each month. Children may bring a sack lunch if preferred.

Times

8:15 a.m.    Breakfast Served
11:40 a.m. - 12:36 p.m. Lunch Served

Prices

Child’s Breakfast    $ .75               Adult's Breakfast    $1.00
Child's lunch    $1.40     Adult’s Lunch    $2.00
Milk    $ .35

For any additional information about cafeteria services, please call 298-8122 and speak to the cafeteria manager.


School Bus Regulations

Bus Rules

Student transportation is a privilege, not a right, extended to qualified students. Students who do not obey the following rules and regulations may have their transportation privileges revoked by school officials:

1. The driver is in full charge of students when they are riding the bus. The students must obey the driver promptly. In cases where a teacher or school administrator is on the bus, they are also authorized to enforce student discipline.

2. Students should never stand in the traveled portion of the roadway while waiting for the school bus.

3. Students who are compelled to walk a distance to meet the bus must walk on the side of the road to their left, facing traffic, except on divided highways.

4. Students are not to carry an unnecessary conversation with the driver while the bus is in motion.

5. The use of tobacco, drugs, or alcoholic beverages shall not be permitted.

6. Students shall not get on or off the bus or move about within the bus while it is in motion.

7. Students must occupy the seats assigned them by school officials or the bus driver. Students in less desirable seats may move into more desirable ones when the students assigned to the latter are not in the bus; however any such moving will be done only when the bus is stopped and with the driver's approval.

8. Students will not ride on the outside of the school bus at any time.

9. Students must not extend their hands, arms, heads, or bodies through bus windows.

10. Students must not open or close the bus windows without the permission of the bus driver.

11. Students shall not throw any item inside or outside the bus while boarding, riding, or leaving the bus.

12. Rough or boisterous conduct will not be permitted in the bus. However, students are permitted to converse in a normal tone of voice while in the bus. Students should keep absolutely quiet when the bus is approaching a railroad crossing and remain quiet until the bus is safely across the tracks.

13. Students will stay out of the driver's seat and will not tamper with any equipment.

14. Any damage to the bus from any cause will be reported to the driver, and the driver will in turn report it to the proper school official.

15. Students will not be permitted to leave the bus on the way to and from school except at their regular assigned stop.

16. Students who must cross the road after alighting from the bus must pass far enough in front of the bus (approximately 8 to 10 feet) so that the driver can see them. Students will cross the road only when the driver signals all is clear. The only exception to this rule is in urban areas where pedestrian crossings are provided at intersections and students will be instructed to cross after the bus leaves the unloading zone or traffic signals direct them to cross. Students will not cross multi-lane roadways to meet the bus except in urban areas where crosswalks or traffic signals are provided.

17. Students should look both ways before crossing to the opposite side of the road.

18. Students must cooperate with the bus driver in keeping the bus clean.

19. Students must be on time at their assigned bus stop. The driver will not wait for students at the loading area.

20. Animals, firearms, knives, explosives, breakable glass items, or other dangerous objects are not permitted on the bus. No item that will block the aisle or that will be tossed around in an accident shall be carried on the bus.

21. Students shall be courteous and obedient to the driver.

22. Students shall not be permitted in front of the passenger seating area while the bus is in motion.

23. Parents or guardians shall be held responsible for malicious destruction on the bus.

24. Students should remember that being careless or taking a chance not only endangers their own safety but also the safety of the other students on the bus. Students will receive a written warning for misconduct on the bus. The principal is given this notice and then meets and confers with student. After this conference the principal will notify parents of student's misconduct and complete the notice. A copy of the completed notice is then sent to the parents. A student's third notice will result in suspension of bus privileges.

Helweg and Farmer
Bus Contractor: 298-6831

Bicycles

     Bicycles may be ridden to school only if the student has a lock to secure the bicycle to the bike rack during school hours. Once the school grounds are reached bicycles must be walked to the bicycle racks. Bicycle safety equipment should be utilized. The school will not be responsible for theft or damage to bicycles.

Lost and Found

     The Lost and Found is located in the North hallway by the cafeteria. Please mark clothing and any other articles that your child brings to school. We especially recommend that names be printed on lunch boxes, sack lunches, clothing and supplies. If your child has lost an article of clothing, it might be advisable to check our Lost and Found. Clothing items and lunch boxes are usually placed in the Lost and Found. Money, pieces of jewelry or small items are brought to the office when they are found.

Pets

     Students must obtain permission from their teacher before bringing a pet to school. The pet should be properly secured. It is the student's responsibility to care for the pet here at school.

Before and After School Program

     Acoma Elementary is fortunate to have a before and after school program sponsored by Albuquerque Parks & Recreation. The program is before school from 7:00 - 8:45 a.m. and after school from 3:45 - 6:00 p.m. and 1:45 - 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. There is no charge for the afternoon program and a nominal charge for the morning program. For more information, please call 291-6866 or stop by the office for assistance.
Visitors to School Campus

    All visitors are requested to come to the office to sign in and receive a visitor’s nametag. The reason for signing in is twofold:

a) For the safety of Acoma children – The nametag indicates to the children and staff that the visitor has been seen at the office and has been given permission to come onto the school grounds.

b) For the convenience of the visitor – If the visitor receives a call while they are at Acoma, the office staff will be able to locate them by consulting the visitor’s sign-in sheet.

     If a visitor comes onto the playground or is seen at the school without a nametag, they will be referred to the office for the safety of the staff and Acoma children. A driver’s license or other picture identification may be needed when checking a child out of the building. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Teacher Observation and Visitation

     We openly invite you to visit with or observe any staff member of Acoma Elementary. However, we do request that you call the office ahead of time to arrange such an appointment with staff members in order to efficiently and effectively meet your particular needs. We appreciate your assistance with this matter.

Health Office

     We have a Registered Nurse on campus with us two days a week and a Health Assistant with us on a daily basis. Our Nurse and our Health Assistant develop and maintain health records on each individual student. They assist in identifying those students with health needs that interfere with learning and student success. Additionally they serve as health resources for Administration, Staff, and Community Members.

Immunizations

     A record of immunizations for each child must be reported to the school. This data is entered on the permanent school health record. Children may not enroll at Acoma without current immunization records.

     Any special health problems or needs should be brought to the attention of the school nurse or the health assistant.

Medications

    Providing medication to students is primarily the parent's responsibility. Ideally, all medication should be given at home.

    If medication is to be administered at school, the physician must submit in writing their recommendation. The parents should provide written consent for administration of the drug by the school nurse, health assistant, principal, or other designated school employee. APS is not legally obligated to administer medicine to any student and APS will do so only when necessary for a student to remain in school. The school nurse should be notified of all students who need to take medicine at school so that the approved guidelines and necessary paperwork can be completed.

Illness or Injury at School

   If your child becomes ill or injured at school, you will be contacted regarding the nature of the illness or accident. Please be sure to let your child know where you can be contacted if you plan to be away from home. We do require an emergency phone number for each student upon enrollment at Acoma.

Student Insurance

   Laws of New Mexico are such that a school district cannot assume liability for costs incurred in student accidents. Therefore, the Board of Education makes a student policy available to all regularly enrolled students in Albuquerque Public Schools. The policy is optional and is explained in a brochure available at registration in August and also in the school office.

Non-APS Service Providers

   Outside agencies and service providers may be allowed to provide health and support services for your child and family at Acoma Elementary School. These providers are not APS employees and APS is not responsible for their work. These providers are responsible for obtaining informed consent from the parent/guardian before beginning any service, unless the student has confidential access to these services as provided by NM State law.

Conflict Management and Peer-Mediation Program

     The elementary school mediation program provides a means of non-violent conflict resolution for students and staff to be used for disputes that arise in the school setting. Staff and students are trained as mediators who act as third party neutrals to help disputants reach agreements that are mutually satisfactory. Mediation is a voluntary process; the mediator does not find fault or punish or decide outcomes, but helps parties reach agreements that will allow them to continue their relationship. Students learn new skills in managing anger and conflict and practice these skills by direct participation in the mediation process. The program also seeks to improve the environment of the school setting by helping students and staff to address and solve the underlying conflicts that often cause rule infractions. Through use of student mediation and conflict resolution curricula, students learn life-long communication and problem-solving skills.

     The Mediation in the Schools Program is an application of the mediation process to the educational setting. Mediation as an alternative form of dispute resolution has grown in use during the last 15 years as a result of dissatisfaction with the adversarial process in resolving certain types of disputes, especially those between parties who have an ongoing relationship. In the mediation process, mediators act as third party neutrals that do not impose solutions on the disputants, but remain neutral, non-punitive and non-judgmental.

The process allows the parties to:
          - Express their feelings and points of view.
          - Identify their needs.
          - Clarify issues.
          - Explore solutions.
          - Reach an agreement that is satisfactory to both parties.