Student Handbook

Arrival
Students must arrive at the school after 7:35 a.m. when there is supervision in the café and the line-up area under the covered area. If you child is not eating breakfast, we recommend your student arrive at 7:55 a.m. As students arrive, they decide if they need breakfast – if they do they enter through the front doors to the café. If they do not, they follow the sidewalk around to the covered area on the playground. They wait there in line until the teachers arrive when the bell goes at 8:00 AM. Then students are escorted inside by their teacher. Students who arrive after 8:00 a.m. enter through the front doors and all students must be in class by 8:05 a.m.  In severe weather students will be directed to an alternative location if needed.

School begins at 8:05 a.m. Prompt arrival at school is expected of all students. Students who arrive after 8:05 a.m. are considered tardy and must report to the main office.

Dismissal
Students will be walked in grade level groups to the appropriate dismissal area after school. The bus loading area is located on the side of the building, the car drop-off/pick up is located in the front of the building, and parents who are picking up children by foot can meet them in the front of the building. Students cannot be on the roads in the pick-up area without adult supervision by parents/caregivers. Parents like to park and walk to their child but in the end this slows down the student pick up process and it is unsafe. Parents are asked to use the drive through area.

Unless students are involved in a supervised after-school activity, students must leave campus at the end of the school day (2:35p.m. Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday or 12:20 p.m. on Wednesdays.) To not interrupt instruction at the end of the day, parents are asked to wait outside the building to meet their children at dismissal.

If you are using the designated car pick up drive through area, please remain in your car at all times, pull forward in order to keep the traffic flow moving, and following directives of staff members. To help ease student pick-up congestion, you may consider either arriving to school five minutes after dismissal when the parking lot is typically cleared out or parking your car on a side street and meeting your child by foot. Staff will remain outside with students for 10 minutes. To ensure student safety, any student picked up after 2:45 p.m. will need to be picked up in the main office and signed out by a parent/guardian. Frequent late pick-ups may result in the need for a plan to be made between the principal and family or referral to Child Protective Services.

Parking Lot – Where to park
Please park in the visitor parking lot located in the front of the building or in the lower lot. If you need to park on a side street, please use the designated crosswalks and adhere to all safety rules.

Going Home with a Friend
Should your child wish to go home with a friend or anywhere else other than the normal after-school destination, written permission from a parent or guardian must be brought to the school office in the morning where it will be recorded and stamped. School phones are not available to make last minute play plans. If plans should change during the school day, please notify the main office before 2:00 p.m. Change of dismissals plans called in after 2:00 p.m. are not guaranteed to be delivered to the student unless it is deemed an emergency.

Playground Supervision
School staff supervise play areas during morning and lunch recesses. These areas are not supervised before or after school.

Address or Information Change
Parents may make changes to their child’s school file profile via the ParentVue in Synergy.  Uploading documentation may be required.  It is the Parent/Guardian’s responsibility to notify the front office at 425-456-4700 or via e-mail nordstromk@bsd405.org of any changes of address, work or home phone number or emergency contacts so they may be changed on school records. Any changes need to be noted immediately for safety reasons.

Visitor Sign-in
All visitors to the school must use the sign-in system for all visitors and volunteers. If you come to the school to visit or volunteer, please stop by the office first and sign in. We will ask you to wear a badge that identifies you as a visitor or volunteer. We truly appreciate your support at Ardmore and want you to feel welcome here while realizing that the safety of our students is a high priority for us.

Volunteer in the Classroom

All parent volunteers with regular access to students must complete and submit a volunteer application. Applications can be completed online, and a parent computer can be used in our Ardmore Office or any Bellevue school if needed. All applicants must provide a copy of valid photo identification when returning the application. All volunteers must pass the screening process BEFORE they can volunteer in our school.  

Weapon and Drug Free Zones
The school grounds are weapons and drug free zones. It is against the law to have weapons or drugs on campus. Police will be called if necessary.

A “weapon” is any instrument that threatens, or appears to threaten, the safety of the school community. Any student with an object resembling a knife, gun, or other possibly dangerous instrument, regardless of the object’s actual ability to cause harm or the intent of the bearer of such an object, can receive the severest of consequences, including police contact, suspension and expulsion.  

Dropping of Items for Students
If you are bringing an item to school for your child, please leave it in the Office and your child will be called to the Office to pick it up. Do not deliver it to the classroom. This helps us to limit the number of distractions that occur during instruction time.

Curriculum
The curriculum in our classrooms reflect the Common Core State Standards outlined by the State of Washington and Bellevue School District. 

Student progress is monitored using rubrics with success criteria for the standards and formal and informal assessments. Students can be at one of 4 levels on the grade level state standards:

• 4 – Exceeding Standard
• 3 – Meeting Standard
• 2 – Approaching Standard
• 1 – Below Standard

We want all students to be at a 3 or 4 with mastery of state standards. These are the numbers that are reported in the report card. When students are at a 1 or 2 we provide additional or intensive interventions.

Specialists, Band and Orchestra
Across the week, all students participate in specialist lessons that teach them required skills to meet state standards in physical education, integrated arts (music and art), technology, and library skills. Band and orchestra instruction is available for 5th students during specialist time.

Homework
The school has a plan for parents to do homework with students each night to build study skills. This plan is sent home at the beginning of the school year. The key activity that all students must do each night is read for 20-30 minutes. It is beneficial if parents can listen to them read.

Family Support for Students
Parents often ask, “What can I do at home to help my child learn?” The following list will help your child be more successful in school:

• Talk with your child about school; what is easy and what is hard for them.
• Read to your child and/or have them read to you every day for 20 to 30 minutes. Reading can be done in a language other than English. It is the reading that is important, not just English.
• Ask your child to explain his or her thinking when talking.
• Ask lots of “why” questions.
• Have your child write every day.
• Play games that involve problem solving.
• Practice basic math facts in addition, subtraction and multiplication and division.
• Practice spelling and vocabulary words.

Ardmore gives students and staff safety its highest priority. In emergency situations the school wants to be well prepared to ensure the safety of all students and staff. For this reason, we have very strict guidelines about access to the building and student release. All parents must check into the office to access the building and child.

Emergency Contact Information
All parents/ guardians must complete or update the Ardmore Emergency Information Card each year for the school to have on file. This information is necessary for the safety and care of each student. As information changes (address, phone numbers, daycare), you must notify the school to update the information. Students will not be released to people who are not listed on the emergency contact information on the card. If you have someone else pick up your child who is not listed on the emergency card, you must contact the office with the person’s name or send a written note.

It is important that each child has up-to-date profile information on file in the office. This profile provides names and phone numbers of emergency contacts. If your child is sick or injured, or if there is an emergency at the school, the office first calls the parents/guardians listed at their home, work, or cell phone. If we are unable to reach them, we leave messages whenever possible and proceed down the emergency contact list in the order given. We often face the dilemma of not being able to contact anyone because phone numbers have changed or are no longer in use, or we simply don’t have other names to call. We would appreciate you listing several contacts and advising us when changes occur.

Permission Slips
Permission slips are required any time students leave the campus on a school sponsored event. Teachers will send these home in advance for you to sign and return to school. Students who do not have a signed permission slip will not be allowed to participate in the off-campus activity.

Medications
Whenever possible, parents and physicians are urged to design a schedule for administering medication before or after school hours. If this is not possible, parents must come to the Office to complete an Authorization to Administer Medication Form. This authorization is good for the current school year only. Unused medication must be collected from the school at the end of the prescribed period or end of the school year, whichever is sooner. Bellevue School District policy states that all medications must come to the Office, not in the classroom or student’s backpack, in the original container labeled by the pharmacy or physician with the medication name, the dosage to be taken, frequency of administration, the name of physician and a signature by the physician.

Emergency Preparedness
An extensive emergency plan has been prepared for our school. Students are instructed on emergency procedures and participate in monthly drills. In the event of an emergency, power may be lost and we may be unable to contact you.

• Fire, Earthquake, and Lockdown Drills: Unannounced emergency evacuation drills are held each month at the school as per state regulations. These include fire, lockdown, modified lockdown, and chemical spill drills. Practice drills make sure that students and staff will know and follow specific safety procedures in the event of a real emergency. If family members are in the building or on school grounds during a drill everyone must follow staff directions and school procedures.
• Lockdowns & Modified Lockdowns: If there is an emergency in the neighborhood or on school grounds the school will be placed in lockdown for the safety of everyone inside. In a lockdown or a modified lockdown, access to the building is not possible. When these lockdowns are needed a letter will be sent home to families at the end of the day to explain. If family members are in the building or on school grounds during an emergency, everyone must follow staff directions and school procedures.

Student Reunification
If there is an emergency at school the first things parents want to get to their child. This can prevent emergency and school staff doing their job. Each emergency will require different reunification processes to ensure all students and staff are safe. Please follow the directions provided by staff. The most important thing is to not have adults take students from the campus until all students are accounted for and students can only be released when an emergency contact signs them out. We will communicate via digital communication to keep parents up to date.

Personal Property
We have everything your child needs to learn at school. Other than school supplies, they do not need to bring personal items from home. Personal items such as electronic games, cameras, radios, headphones, fidget spinners and any other toys, must not be brought to school. They are not allowed at school because they distract students from learning and are not needed.

Student Responsibility for Personal Item
Ardmore Elementary does not accept responsibility for personal items that are lost or broken at school. Students and their families are responsible for all personal items.

Weapons or Toy Weapons
Weapons or toy weapons are NOT ALLOWED on school property at any time. Toy guns and toy knives are considered weapons, so they cannot be brought to school.

Money
Money for field trips should be handed to the teacher at the beginning of the day. Students do not need money at school usually but if they do, they should give it to their teacher for safe keeping. The school cannot be responsible for money brought from home that we do not know about.

Personal playground equipment
Equipment such as basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, baseballs and bats, and jump ropes are provided at school so students should not bring their own equipment. The school will not be not responsible for any personal items brought to school if they are lost, damaged, or stolen. The school will not be responsible for any toys that are collected or stored by staff.

Lost and Found
Lost and Found is located in the café or multipurpose room. Unclaimed items from the Lost and Found are donated to charity at the end of each trimester.

Backpacks
All students should have a backpack to carry student work, books and communication from the school and home. If parents need assistance getting a backpack please call the school.

Student Phone Calls
Student phone calls during the school day must be made through the school office with the permission of school staff. This is to ensure students are not contacted by strangers or distracted from their learning. If parents want to contact a student they should call the office and a message will be delivered to your student. Do not call student cell phones during school hours as staff do not know if it is a safe caller.

Cellular Phones
Cell Phones cannot be used during instructional hours on campus at Ardmore. This rule is to ensure student safety from outside individuals. If students carry a cell phone for safety purposes before or after school, the phone must be turned off and left in the student backpack or in s pocket at ALL times throughout the school day. Parents should not call students on the student’s cell phone during school hours. Please call the office and they can convey the information. If a cell phone is seen or used on campus, the phone will be confiscated and held in the main office until a parent can pick it up. On the third occurrence a plan of action will be agreed on between the school and family.

Bicycles & Scooters
Students may ride their bicycles and scooters to school. A bicycle helmet is required. Bicycles and scooters must be walked on and off the school grounds and riders must obey the school staff at all times. The school accepts no responsibility for accidents or damage to or theft of on any bicycle, scooter or skateboard on or off the school site. Bicycles, scooters, and skateboards cannot be ridden on school property and must be walked on and off the school grounds. Students may lock their bicycles at the designated bicycle stands at the front of the school. The school is not responsible for the storage or loss of any bicycles, scooters, and skateboards.

Communication with the Principal or Assistant Principal
You can stop by or call to talk to the Principal or Assistant Principal at any time. Unfortunately, they are not always free. The Principal and Assistant Principal are expected to spend half their time in classrooms with students and teachers. To ensure the Principal or Assistant Principal can listen to your ideas or concerns it is best to arrange a meeting in advance. You can do this by talking with the office manager at (425) 456-4700 and scheduling a time.

Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences provide the opportunity to share valuable information about student progress in school. Parents may request a conference with the child’s teacher or the principal at any time during the school year. Formal conferences are held in the fall for all students. Additional conferences are held at teacher/parent discretion. Kindergarten conferences will be held in the first days of school before kindergarten students start.

Curriculum Night
Ardmore Curriculum Night for all grades will take place in September. Curriculum Night is an opportunity for you to learn more about classroom expectations, academic focus, and curriculum content for the course of the year. The time will also provide an opportunity for you learn about volunteer opportunities in your child’s classroom, as well as meet school administration. Childcare will be provided, as will translation. More information will follow at the start of school from your child’s classroom teacher.

Student Progress Reports
The chief purpose of reporting student progress to parents it to provide the information necessary for a solid working relationship between school and the home in guidance of the student. Parents will be kept informed about the growth and progress of their children in all aspects of school curriculum, including observed student behaviors in the intellectual, emotional, physical and social development areas. Written progress reports will be sent during the designated reporting periods (usually the end of the two semesters in January and June). 

Communication to Parents
 

• Principal Newsletter – the principal sends out a newsletter every two weeks. These newsletters are published on the school website so it can be translated into all main languages (click the button at the bottom of the website)
• PTSA Eagles newsletter is usually available online and notices for events are sent home with students every two weeks. Please check your child’s backpack for these important items from school.
• Website – The school website has information posted.
• Automated Phone Calls – the school will use automated phone calls on occasion. This means the school will call you with a message. Just listen to the message – you don’t need to call the school. If you want to volunteer at school or you have a concern, question or comment, please call the school at (425) 456-4700 and you will be directed to the right person.
• Text Messages – the school will be using text messages to communicate with families, so we can ensure families get up to date information. Make sure your cell phone number is up to date in the system.
• Email – parents have stated they prefer to communicate via email. We mainly use emails to communicate – please make sure you have your email in the system. Call the office – (425) 456-4700

Phone Calls with Teachers
Teachers are available to talk with parents before school and after school. During school hours, when teachers are teaching, the office staff will take a message for your child’s teacher or connect you to their voice mail. If you want a teacher conference, please call and make an appointment. Our office staff can help connect you with the teacher to set that up. Call (425) 456-4700.

Meetings with Teachers
During teaching time teachers must teach. Teachers can meet a time convenient for parents outside of the teaching time. Parents are welcome to arrange meetings with teachers to talk about student and family needs. The meeting can be arranged through the office or with the teacher. All meetings should be at a time that is convenient for the teacher and the parent.

Classroom Visits
Parents are welcome to visit their child’s classroom or any other activity on the school grounds, such as special programs and assemblies. Please contact the teacher and/or principal in advance if you wish to observe or visit a class. While in the classroom the parent cannot talk to students or the teacher. The parent should plan to leave notes on what they observe with the teacher. If parents want to talk to the teacher arrange a time to talk after the visit. On-going observations of a classroom can cause disruption to the regular school day, therefore the principal reserves the right to limit the number of observations requested by a parent, as necessary.

Interpretation
The district uses staff where possible to provide interpretation. The district also uses a language service via the phone to support interpretation. When you call the school may need to have the service call you back to provide interpretation.

Behavior & Discipline
Ardmore follows the Bellevue School District policy 3241 to address behavior challenges that students are facing. Ardmore’s behavior philosophy is consistent with Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS). We teach and reteach behavior expectations. We provide school experiences for students that promote positive reinforcement of culturally and socially appropriate behaviors are actively promoted by staff members. We use the RULER and Second Step programs to teach social skills and emotional regulation. We use Restorative Practices to address conflicts. Many students come to school knowing the social and behavior expectations of school but other need additional or intensive support to meet school behavior expectations. It is important that the school partner with parents to teach expectations.

When/if student behaviors become disruptive to the learning environment, progressive discipline strategies that promote student reflection and restorative justice will be utilized to support students’ understanding of how their behavior impacts themselves and others. Additionally, Ardmore staff members communicate and collaborate with families to problem-solve difficult behaviors that may arise.

Recess
At the beginning of the year, each student is taught the Ardmore recess expectations as a part of the PBIS program. Each student is responsible for safe and fair play while at recess, as well as expected to stay within the playground boundaries. Please help your child to dress appropriately for Washington recess weather (rain). Warm rain jackets and weather-sturdy shoes are recommended for all times during the year (as rain can occur at any time in the northwest). Rainy day recess inside will only occur during the harshest of weather conditions. When rainy day recess does take place, students will be offered indoor and/or covered area alternatives to play in with adult supervision.

Dress Code
Ardmore follows the Bellevue School District dress policy. Families should be thoughtful in helping students select appropriate clothes and shoes to wear to school each day. Clothes should be appropriate for the learning environment and weather forecast to ensure student safety. Footwear should be chosen with safety in mind, considering that most students are running around outdoors during recess, climbing on playground equipment, and playing games. Closed shoes are recommended for safety reasons on the playground. Tennis shoes are required for every PE session. Every student will attend PE once a week.