Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Mission Avenue Elementary. The faculty and staff join me in saying we’re happy to have you as part of the Mission Avenue family. We hope that this will be a successful and satisfying year for you.

The pages of the handbook are filled with important information regarding school policy and procedures. I suggest that parents and students review the contents together. If you have questions that remain unanswered after reading the handbook, please call the school office. We feel that open and clear communication between school and home is important to the success of our educational program.

We feel that the handbook will serve as a helpful reference for parents as they seek to provide academic support at home. Mission Avenue Elementary parents are our partners in the important job of educating the children of this community.
We welcome your participation and support during the school year and solicit your membership in the P.T.O. Working together, we will be able to reach our collective and individual goals. We look forward to celebrating with you the achievements of our students.

Sincerely,
Stephen J.Pino
Principal
 

Our goal at Mission Avenue is to educate all children in an environment that provides protection, encouragement and guidance leading to self-disciplined critical thinkers and independent learners. We believe education is the shared responsibility of home, school, and community. Our team of dedicated educators draws upon the expertise of all members. We believe in a strong program focusing in Language Arts, The Sciences and the Arts, taking each child beyond the basics to higher thought processes and positive self-esteem.
 
 

School hours are from 7:50 a.m. until 2:10 each day. Please have your child at school no later than 7:50 each day. The first bell will ring at 7:50 a.m. Children should NOT arrive earlier than 7:30 a.m. THERE WILL BE NO SUPERVISION ON THE PLAYGROUND OR IN THE CAFETERIA UNTIL 7:30 a.m. EACH SCHOOL DAY. FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILDREN, PLEASE DO NOT DROP THEM OFF UNTIL STAFF SUPERVISION BEGINS.
We insist that every child must go directly home at the end of the school day or to the After School Program. Instruct your child to return home upon dismissal and not to stop to visit other children. This relieves anxiety on the part of the home and school.
 

STAFF DUTY DAY -- 7:30- 2:30 P.M.

BELLS   7:50---------------------------------------------------------- LINE UP BELL
              7:55---------------------------------------------------------- CLASSES BEGIN
              9:45-10:00------------------------------------------------- A.M. RECESS Grades 3-5
              10:05-10:20-------------------------------------------------A.M. RECESS Grades 1-2
                                                                                KINDERGARTEN AS NEEDED
               11:25-11:45-------------------------------------------------PM KINDERGARTEN LUNCH
               11:25-12:05-------------------------------------------------GRADES 1&2 LUNCH/RECESS
               12:00-12:40-------------------------------------------------GRADES 3,4,5 LUNCH/RECESS
               2:10---------------------------------------------------------- DISMISSAL

In case of an emergency, usually caused by bad weather, when it is considered that the safety of the students is in jeopardy, the Albuquerque Public Schools utilize what is known as an abbreviated day schedule. Under this schedule, elementary students attend school from 9:50 to 2:10 p.m. Bus transportation and cafeteria services will be provided on abbreviated days.
Please listen to your radio and TV for the most up-to-date information. The notification will also come through the news media. Days when school is canceled will be made up later in the year.
 

Make attendance one of the top priorities for your child. Good attendance is fundamental for proper progress and success in school. When a student is absent from school for any reason, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to call the school on the day of the absence. Please leave a message on the recorder: student name, grade, teacher’s name, reason for absence, and date of the student’s return. The phone number is 344-5269. The recorder is on from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. If no phone is available, a note from parents or guardians must be presented upon return to school.
Excused absence. An excused absence is any situation when the parent or guardian notifies the school their child is out for a legitimate reason. Most frequently, illness is the reason.
Unexcused absence. An unexcused absence is recorded if the student is absent and the school has received no notification or reason for the absence.
Tardiness. Excessive tardiness hinders learning. Many core subjects are taught in the first hours of the school day when students are fresh. Please make every effort to have your child at school on time. Students that are tardy after 10:45 a.m. are counted absent.
Students can be kept in during recess and/or lunch recess upon written request by a parent or guardian.
 

Please keep the school informed of your correct home and business addresses and telephone numbers. This is important for the school records and any emergency.

If you wish to visit your child’s classroom, we welcome you. New Mexico state law requires that all visitors report to the school office prior to going to a classroom. In the office you will be issued a visitor pass and asked to sign a visitor log. Parents and/or visitors without a pass will be escorted to the office. It is important that we know who is on the school grounds and for what reason. This is a safety precaution for the students’ welfare, and staff’s personal belongings. Appointments are greatly appreciated by faculty and the administration.

The office and the teacher should be notified of any custody issues involving your child. This notification should be a written court document and clearly state who has custody, who may have access to your child and any changes in the particular situation. The school cannot deny access to a custodial parent unless there are court documents prohibiting such contact.
 

The Albuquerque Public School District has developed a district-wide policy. Copies of the policy are available in the Principal’s office. The staff at Mission will make every effort to comply with this policy and attempt to keep parents and guardians informed when serious behavior problems develop.
It is our objective to maintain a strong educational setting where students can feel safe and happy in a pleasant environment. We encourage self-managment. We hold students responsible for their behavior and hopefully we can provide a logical consequence for a student when needed.

The school policy is that no medication can be administered at school by staff. If absolutely necessary, parents will be expected to come to school and take care of giving the medication. The parent and attending physician must both complete an authorization form before the nurse, nurse assistant, or office staff member can dispense medication at school. The authorization form can be obtain from the nurse.

The Board of Education has adopted a dress code which will apply to all APS students. The Board 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 which 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, short shorts, bare midriff, spiked jewelry, chains, belts with more than 2 inches in excess. “Sagging”, 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.

Birth certificates shall be required of all pupils entering the Albuquerque Public School in kindergarten and first grade. To be enrolled in an APS kindergarten, a child must be at least five years of age prior to 12:01 a.m. on September 1 of the school year. The child must enroll under his/her legal name. All students entering APS for the first time must present a certificate showing immunization against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio (oral vaccination), and Measles (Rubeola, Rubella).
If available, new students to APS must present a Social Security Card.
 

Throughout the year, students at Mission will be taking trips to various places with their class. When a trip is planned by a teacher, it is required that they send home a permission slip with their students. In order to avoid the unpleasant situation of not being able to send a student on a trip, please sign the form and encourage your child to return it promptly to his or her teacher. If you do not want your child to go on the trip, he/she may stay home the day or we will provide an instructional alternative. If a child does not have a signed permission slip, they will not attend the field trip.

All activities at school will be sponsored by an administration approved adult. Children may not organize themselves into any club or group for any reason without the sponsorship or supervision of an administration approved adult. Children who participate in gang activity or gang-like activity will be suspended or expelled. Gang activity may / will include inappropriate dress.
Gang activity will be defined as including, but not limited to, any behavior by a group of students which can be construed as intimidating or an actual threat to the safety of any child or to an orderly school environment.
 

Homework is assigned at the discretion of the teacher. Many assignments are based on the teaching style or the method of the individual teacher. If you have any questions about homework, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher. Younger children will have less homework. These students may bring class work or books home to share their learning accomplishments with parents. Time taken with this can be greatly supportive.
Learning projects for older children sometimes become homework activities for them. The instructional staff will attempt to keep you informed about unit themes and topics so that you can help expand your child’s awareness and learning. An ill child should no be expected to complete school assignments. If your doctor advises further rest, teacher will help the student catch up with the school work after his/hers return to school. This sometimes necessitates homework. Do not demand extensive home study time for your child. We encourage all parents to support and help children as they complete homework assignments.
 

Children may check out books and take them home or keep them at school. Children, however, will be held responsible for books which may be damaged or lost. When students transfer, all books must be returned or paid for before the end of the year report card is given. Please help by reminding your child to return books on time.

If clothing is marked with your child’s name, it is easier to return when lost. Please encourage your child to report to the office anything lost or found. We place all lost items in a designated area and students are free to search through the items. Items not claimed at the end of the year are given to the APS Clothing Bank.
 

Cafeteria charges: Full Price Reduced Adult
Breakfast $ .75 $ .25 $1.00
Lunch $1.40 $ .40 $2.00
Extra Milk $ .30 $ .30 $ .30
Application for federally funded free and reduced meals will be available at the school cafeteria for those who qualify. Mission Ave. will continue with the hot lunch program from Central Kitchen. Food is prepared at APS Central Kitchen and transported to Mission.
It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide meals for their children. This can be done through the purchase of meals, applying for free or reduced meal, or providing a lunch from home.
It is not our intent to deprive any child of a meal. Nor, can we afford to over extend credit because it will force us to raise the price of the meals Parents or guardians will be provided a notice when meals are charged. Any extensions of this policy must be approved in advance by the Principal. Only through your support we can avoid the unpleasant situations non-payment of debt can bring.
 
 

This year there will be two official parent- teacher conferences to evaluate student progress:
October 25- 29 First Reporting Period
March 21-23 Third Reporting Period
This should not suggest that these should be the only conferences held throughout the year. If you or the teacher feel a need to confer over your child’s progress or behavior, the opportunity should be there at any point during the year. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher any time you have a concern or if you just want to evaluate your child’s progress. Our staff would be willing to meet with you at any time which would be convenient for all concerned.
 

Pets can cause problems at school. Bring them only when prearranged with the teacher and principal. Stray animals are sent to the animal shelter.
 

We feel we have an excellent P. E. program at Mission. We try to consider individual differences and abilities as we work to develop motor movements and big muscle coordination as well as the total individual. According to state regulation, all students are to participate in the school P.E. program unless it can be verified medically that they should not take part in this type of activity. A note from your physician will be necessary and on file in the school in order to release your child from P.E.
 

In order to avoid interruptions in the educational program, we ask your cooperation in picking up your child or children during school hours. Please report to the office when you come to school. Sign your child out. We will then request your child be sent to the office to meet you.

Children need this outdoor activity and will be expected to play outside, properly dressed. If a child is to remain in the building, the parent should send a note indicating the reason.
 

Respect of other people’s property is expected of all children. Remind your child that we all must make every effort to keep our school looking clean. Let’s instill in our boys and girls that our school is share property and when destruction occurs it affects all in a negative way. If students are found to be the cause of damage, they and their parents or guardians will be held responsible.

Parent and guardian Safety Reminders:
Children should be dropped off and picked up with extreme caution in the designated zone. (by Gym, NOT Cafeteria or Office)

Student Safety Reminders:
1. For the protection of all students, weapons, knives, and other sharp pointed objects are not allowed at school.
2. Accept rides only from people you know.
3. Accept no candy, money, or gifts from strangers.
4. If strangers ask for directions, remain away from the car to talk.
5. Enter another person’s home only with your parents’ permission.
6. Do not play alone in strange places.
7. Telephone home if you expect to be late.
8. If someone in a car bothers you, get a license plate number and tell an adult.
 

Riding the school bus is a privilege. (See Bus Transportation Handbook. Bus Stop Schedules are attached).
The school bus will pick up children at their designated bus stop and return them to the same bus stop at the end of the school day.
In addition:
1. A child may not be accompanied by a non-bus riding friend.
2. A child may not go home with another child, or to an occasional babysitter.
3. A child may not, for any reason, ride a different school bus.
If the bus driver must correct a student’s behavior the parents or guardians will be contacted. Once the parents or guardians have been notified, student behavior will be expected to improve. If rule violations continue, the student will be suspended from riding the bus for a short time--usually one week. The next violation will jeopardize the privilege of riding the bus for the rest of the semester or year. This policy will be reinforced for the safety of all the students.
 

School parties will be held at the classroom teacher’s discretion. All party type activities should be cleared through the classroom teacher.

In the event of an injury on school premises, the child is to report to any teacher, to the school nurse, or to the principal. If an injury is of a serious nature, the parent or guardian will be called and transportation arranged. Parents or guardians will be notified of any illness.
If parents or guardians are not available, the child will remain at school until they can be located. If the parents or guardians can not be contacted in case of a severe illness or injury, the services of the Rescue Team Fire District #9 will be enlisted.
Please make sure that phone numbers are up-to-date in the office and/or health room.
 

Laws in New Mexico are such that a school district cannot assume liability for costs incurred in students accidents. The Board of Education makes a student accident policy available to all students in APS. The policy is optional and is explained in the brochure sent home each new school year.

There is a great deal of paperwork to do when a student withdraws from school. In order for us to process your child’s records and grades, we must have a minimum of 24 hours notice. We will make every effort to process the student withdrawal as soon as possible, but we must allow enough time for the paperwork to go to the teacher, librarian, nurse, and office. We appreciate your understanding of the process. (see Textbooks and Library).

Because of loss, breakage, or theft, children are discouraged from bringing personal toys to school. The school will not be responsible for personal property.

Volunteers offer help at Mission which is utilized in several aspects of the school’s program. If you can volunteer to help type, work in the library, or assist a classroom teacher, please let us know. Neighbors who’s children are grown are sometimes seeking this worthwhile experience of being a school volunteer. Help them get started at Mission. Please, always check in at the office before you go to the classroom.

If parents are to be away, it is helpful for the school staff members to know:
1. Dates of your absences from home.
2. Name of the person in charge during your absence.
3. Telephone number of the person in charge.
 

Outside agencies and service providers may be allowed to provide health and support services for your child and family at Mission Avenue Elementary School. These providers are non 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 New Mexico State Law.

The local School Board of Albuquerque School District No. 12 hereby gives public notice, as required by the Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, to all the parents of students under the age of 18 and to students 18 and older that:

A. APS maintains the following types of education records directly related to students:
1. Academic Records
2. Personal information records
3. Disciplinary records
4. Attendance records
5. Health records
6. Progress records
7. Standardized testing records.

B. Access to students records is limited to:
1. Parents of students under 18.
2. Parents of students over 18 if such student is a dependent as defined in the Internal Revenue Code
3. Students
4. Officials of this school district who have a legitimate educational interest.
5. State and local officials to whom information is required to be reported.
6. Certain testing organizations.
7. Accrediting organizations.
8. Appropriate persons in connection with an emergency.
9. Pursuant to subpoena or court order.
10. To any person with the written consent of the parent of students under 18 and the student over 18.
11. To a school or schools in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

C. APS policy requires that student records be kept to an essential and relevant minimum. Records are reviewed periodically and non- essential material is deleted.

D. APS policy limits the right of access to student records to the persons and under the circumstances, indicated in paragraph B above. APS policy require that copies be made available to persons entitled to copies at the cost of 10 cents per page.
APS policy provides the right to challenge the contents of records. If records contain information on more than one student,
the right to inspect relates only to that portion of the records concerning the particular student in question.

E. Student directory information may be released without prior consent unless the parents of student informs the principal within a reasonable period of time that any or all of the information should not be released without prior consent. Directory information includes:
1. Student’s name
2. Address
3. Telephone listing.
4. Date and place of birth
5. Mayor field of study
6. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports.
7. Weight and height of members of athletic teams.
8. Dates of attendance.
9. Degrees and awards received.
10. Most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by student.