School Handbook

Good attendance is critical for steady academic growth, and, by law, children are required to attend school. 

Please call the school office any time your child will not be in school. 

If you are asked to leave a voice mail, please give the following information:

• Name of the parent or guardian calling
• Student's name and grade
• Date(s) of absence
• Reason for absence; please be specific

Absences will only be excused for the following reasons:

• Illness
• Medical or dental appointment
• A family death or serious illness
• Court/judicial appearance
• Religious observations
• School-sponsored activities

Students who are late to school will be considered tardy. Please make every effort to have your student at school on time. 

Additionally signing your child out in the afternoon prior to the end of the school day affects their attendance and learning. 

Students who become truant (inexcusably absent three consecutive days or five school days in any semester or seven days in a school year) will be reported to the Kansas Department for Children and Families in accordance with Board of Education Policy 1461. 
 

Students must live 2.5 miles or more from their assigned school to qualify for transportation to that school.

For questions about WPS transportation and busing, call 316-973-2190.

The district does offer the FirstView app that helps families track their student's school bus. Families will need a security code from the school office to use the app.
 

In order to provide a quality-learning environment in our school, appropriate student behavior/dress is necessary.

The vast majority of students ARE appropriately dressed, and their efforts in this regard are appreciated.

The staff members expect students and parents to realize that all students are expected to adhere to this dress code.

Reasonable criteria for determining appearance are based on health, safety, and public decency and should be conducive to a learning atmosphere.

Though not all inclusive, these are specific examples of the general criteria.

• Extreme dress or hairstyle which is distractive will not be permitted.
• Sunglasses, hats, bandanas, and headscarves are not to be worn in the building. (Head scarves for religious reasons are acceptable.)
• Any items which promote the use of alcohol, tobacco, illegal pictures or attract attention to body parts (including writing across the rear of pants and shorts) will not be permitted.
• Because of safety concerns, platform shoes, sandals, and flip flops are not recommended on P.E. days or on the playground. Roller skates or Heelies (rollers built into shoes) are not permitted.
• Shirts must reach the waistband. All shirts must cover the belt line at all times.
• Wear shirts that have a minimum of 2 inch straps, cover midriffs and backs at all times.
• Underwear cannot be shown outside of regular attire.
• No shorts/skirts above finger length when arms are at rest.
• “Sagging” will not be permitted.
• Coats will be allowed in the classroom at the discretion of the teacher when the temperature is uncomfortable to the learning environment.

The above code/expectations will be applied fairly and equitably regardless of gender.

Administration, teachers and other school staff may determine what constitutes inappropriate or unsafe dress.

Any item that is deemed disruptive to the operation of the school or distracting to the learning environment will not be allowed.

The decision of the building principal will be final in all disputes concerning student dress.

Parents will be contacted and asked to bring appropriate clothing in the event that inappropriate clothing is worn to school.

Parents should notify the school nurse if there are any health conditions that may require medical attention, such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, etc.

If a student becomes ill during the school day, they should request a pass to see the nurse. 

Students who exhibit fever, sore throat or tonsillitis, any eruption of the skin or rash, any respiratory symptoms accompanied by a fever, severe cough or cold, or any eruption of the scalp, will be sent home.

Parents will be notified to pick up their student and must do so in a timely manner to limit exposure to other students and school staff.

Please keep your emergency contact information up to date with both the teacher and office staff.

School board policy (BOE P5316) restricts school personnel from giving students any medication, including over-the-counter medication.

Medication is given only upon written request from both the parent/guardian and the student's physician.

Students must also have received one dose of medication without an adverse reaction prior to any doses being given at school.

All medicine must be in the original container and be presented by a parent to the school nurse for safe keeping and scheduled administration.

The container should be labelled with the following:

• Name of student
• Name of medication
• Directions for use
• Name of physician
• Name and address of pharmacy
• Date of prescription

The district uses the ParentVUE online portal to give parents to access information about their student's attendance, assignments and grades.

ParentVUE allows parents to quickly and easily update their family contact information, which is vital in order to maintain strong home-to-school connections. 

One of the biggest challenges that we have at the school is having up-to-date information about addresses and telephone numbers.

If an emergency situation should happen, it is important that we be able to reach you!

If you move, if you change jobs, if you get a transfer with a new work number, if you get a new day care provider, if your babysitter’s phone number changes —PLEASE tell us!

Call or send a note with the new address or telephone information and update your information in ParentVUE.

If you wish this information to remain confidential, notify us in writing.

This applies to any emergency contact that you have added on Parentvue.

Keeping students emotionally and physically safe at school is our number one priority.

All students have the right to learn in an orderly environment that is free of disruption.

We understand that from time to time, students may need additional practice meeting these expectations.

We are trying to teach students academic and behavioral skills they will be using in the real world that will help them be successful adolescents and adults.

Our staff will work closely with parents to ensure students learn to be responsible citizens and develop strategies for resolving conflicts.

We provide breakfast for all students free of charge.

Lunch fees can depend on family income.

Complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application annually to qualify for free lunch and adjustments to school fees. 

The district uses an app called School Cafe to allow families to see menus.

The district uses LINQ Connect to pay for meals.

For special dietary restrictions, please contact the school nurse. 
 

Field trips with our city and nearby sites of interest are scheduled by classroom teachers throughout the school year.

These trips are designed to supplement different aspects of the classroom curriculum and introduce students to resources within the community.

Parents will be notified of the planned trip at least five days in advance and must sign a trip waiver for students to attend.

If a student does not have a signed permission slip to attend the trip, they will not go.

We will not accept verbal permission over the phone.

If there is a fee for the field trip, the money needs to be submitted at least three days prior to the scheduled trip.

All field trips require the use of school buses.

Parents are not able to transport students on field trips.

If a parent serves as a chaperone, they will need to complete the school district's volunteer registration process prior to the field trip.
 

We ask parents to write their students names on the inside of their coats, jackets, hats, gloves and lunch bags.

If any of these items are lost or misplaced, having the names will help our staff locate the rightful owner.

Any items will be on display during conferences so parents and students can look though and see if anything belongs to them.

All unclaimed items will be donated to a charity at the conclusion of the school year.

It makes for a very long day when the weather necessitates staying indoors for recess.

It is our goal and intention to go outside every day.

The exception is if there is precipitation or if the wind chill index falls below 20 degrees.

Please assist by seeing that your child is properly dressed for the weather, which includes coats, hats, gloves, and appropriate footwear.

If you need assistance, contact our school social worker.

Playground Behavior & Guidelines

The playground needs to be a safe place for all children to play, exercise and enjoy. The following rules are strictly enforced:

• Children are not to bring their own play equipment to school.
• Use equipment properly and in a safe manner. Teachers will teach and review proper use of equipment.
• No wrestling, play fighting, chase games or aggressive play.
• Play in the assigned area where you can be seen by the playground supervisor.
• Students should not leave the playground for any reason without adult permission.
• Students will not pull on or grab at another student or their clothing.
• Students will not pick up and/or throw rocks, sand, or other unsafe objects, including snowballs.
• No bullying or harassing.

Students that violate the playground guidelines will experience a loss of recess.

Repeated violations will result in a prolonged loss of recess, parent conference and/or possible suspension.

The safety of students, staff and parents is the Wichita Public Schools' greatest priority during the threat of dangerous conditions.

Emergency plans are in place should tornadoes, lightning, hail, snow or other dangerous circumstances present a safety concern. 

If schools are to be closed or activities cancelled or rescheduled due to weather conditions, the information will be posted on the Wichita Public Schools' main webpage and displayed on all school websites.
 

Parent-Teacher Conferences are a great way to stay involved in your child's education.

Parents have the opportunity to discuss their child's progress, review assignments, learn about future projects and to strengthen the connection between home and school. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice a year in October and February. 
 

Progress reports are provided to parents every quarter.

Reviewing these reports is an essential component of parent involvement in their child's education.

Please look for these reports and discuss them with your student.

You may also log on to ParentVue for an ongoing list of grades provided by the teacher.

If you have any concerns about these reports, contact your student's teacher.

All visitors to the building, including parents, must sign in through our visitor management system HallPass.

Parents, caregivers and other relatives wanting to volunteer in the school or for field trips are required to register every year as a volunteer. Visit the Volunteer Registration page to complete your annual registration.
 

In general, we limit classroom parties to two per year, one in first semester near Halloween (fall party), and one in second semester near Valentine’s Day (spring party).

Parties are held the last 30 minutes of the day (unless students are scheduled for specials at that time).

The teacher or classroom parent will contact you about providing treats for the two parties.

Some parents wish to provide treats for their children’s birthdays.

Simple refreshments may be provided.

ALL items must be pre-packaged snack items.

All birthday treats must be prearranged with the child’s teacher.

We cannot interrupt a classroom for birthday treats that were not scheduled in advance.

Please DO NOT distribute any party invitations or other materials not pertaining to school functions at school.

Children are not to bring candy or gum to school at any other time.

Items will be confiscated.