School Handbook

Welcome to Irving Elementary School!

In the section below, we've provided all the information you need to know for you and your student to thrive as part of the Irving Elementary family.

Getting Ready for School

Attendance Expectations

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.

Transportation

Health Services and Medications

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

ParentVue - Communication from School

Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures

Parent Drop Off

1. Students who are dropped off by a parent should arrive on or after 8:50 am. Students are marked tardy at 9:00 am.

2. Irving staff members will direct vehicles to a drop-off point between the orange cones.

3. Drop-off by private vehicle should only occur in the circle drive for K, 1st, 2nd. 3rd, 4th, 5th will be dropped on Market by the Front door.

4. Once the vehicle has come to a complete stop along the curb, students may exit and then shut the door. These procedures allow for multiple
students to be dropped off safely at one time efficiently.

5. Students should leave the car on the passenger side.

6. Students should be prepared to exit the vehicle quickly.

7. There should only be one lane of traffic for student drop-off.

8. Students who need to arrive before 8:50 am may be enrolled in the Latchkey Child Care Program.

9. These procedures allow for multiple students to be dropped off safely and efficiently.

Parent Pick Up

1. Students should be picked up between 4:10-4:20 pm.

2. Vehicle drivers will be directed to a numbered spot between the orange cones in the circle drive (Grades K, 1st, 2nd) and along the Curb on Market (Grades 3rd, 4th, 5th) to pick up their students.

3. Pick up by private vehicle should only occur in the MARKED locations.

4. Students should not go to the vehicle until directed by a Irving staff member and the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

5. Students should get in the vehicle on the passenger side.

6. If you have other children in 3rd,4th, 5th, they should be at the sibling location, right before you exit circle drive.

7. Drivers can also park their vehicle and come up to pick up students. Students should never go to a vehicle in the parking lot without an adult accompanying them. For the K-2 you must use the NORTH CROSS walk the others are OFF LIMITS. For 3-5 you must us the light. DO NOT CROSS AT OTHER PLACES!

8. There should only be one lane of traffic for student pick up.

9. Students who can’t be picked up by 4:20 pm may be enrolled in the Latchkey Child Care Program. Students left after 4:30 pm will be called into Child in Need of Care (911)

Pick up Signs & Car Signs

1. Place the white paper with children you are picking up in your car WINDOW for an Irving staff to see and we will radio for child to go to a Pick up numbered sign

2. Please pull up to the closest sign to pick up kids.

3. Do not leave until you are shown GO sign.

4. 6 cars will pull up, load kids, then pull off at same time.

5. Next set of cars will pull up and repeat.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone at Irving safe!

Dress Code

Parents and staff at Irving Elementary School believe that students should dress in a manner and style that promotes a positive and safe school environment and enhances students' self-image. In addition, we believe that a standardized dress code:

Promotes an environment of discipline and learning that improves academic performance.
It values students for their character by providing socioeconomic equality for all, and eliminates "label competition."
It fosters a school's sense of "community" by improving students' self-respect, school pride, and self-esteem.
Decrease distractions in the classroom and maintain modesty standards.

Shirts

All tops and shirts must cover at least 2 inches of shoulders, show no cleavage, and cover the entire stomach (examples: Tops with spaghetti straps, abdomen, or halter are not allowed as the only blouse. They can be worn as an undergarment).
Shirts should have sleeves with no holes or cutouts.
Shirt skirts should be long enough (3" overlapping pants) to cover your abdomen, skin and underwear while sitting or standing. Shirts should not show cleavage.

Bottoms

Pants and shorts should fit properly. The bottoms should not sag or be too tight.
Pants with holes: The holes should be below your fingertips or worn with shorts or leggings.
Shorts and shirts should be no shorter than the length of your fingertips when your hands are at your sides.

Shoes

House shoes, slippers, flip-flops are NOT allowed.
Athletic shoes will be worn for physical education.

Coats

Coats should NOT be worn inside classrooms or inside Irving Elementary School unless students are transitioning outside.
Clothing must fit properly. All items must be a comfortable size to fit students.
Clothing that is too large and/or loose, as well as clothing that may be considered too tight or revealing, is not permitted.
Skirts, dresses, sweaters, shorts, or skirts that are shorter than fingertip length when the arms extend to the sides are not permitted.

Free Dress Day Regulations

The decision of the building administration shall be final in all disputes relating to student attire.

Clothing or items that advertise drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products, contain references to sex, profanity or display suggestive, vulgar and obscene writings, images or symbols that are not permitted (items that refer to specific parts of the body).
Hats, hoods and caps should be worn outdoors only and should be stored in a student's backpack unless it's "Hat Day."
Tissues, rags and sweatbands are not permitted.
Sunglasses, chains and dog collars are prohibited.
Underwear, pajamas and slippers should not be used as outerwear.
Clothing or any item that gives the impression of belonging to a gang is not allowed.
Coats, backpacks and purses should be stored during the day.

The above code/expectations will be applied fairly and equally regardless of gender. Changes or additions to the Dress Code may be made based on the need to maintain an appropriate learning environment throughout the year. If a student is dressed inappropriately, the student's parents will be called to bring appropriate clothing. Repeated offenses will be considered defiance of authority and dealt with accordingly. The decision of the building administration shall be final in all disputes relating to student attire.

Dress Code Violations

In an effort to promote self-respect, the following steps will be taken to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment:

All teachers wil ask students to adhere to the dress code in classrooms and hallways.
Teachers will allow students to correct the situation before taking any further disciplinary action.
Failure to comply with teacher requests makes it an act of defiance.

Options for students

Change or correct the item that violates the dress code.
Call parents for help.

During the School Day

Behavior Expectations

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.

Each of the classes will be having the yearly bully and harassment lessons in the month of september. This will taught to them by our counselor. Once they have had the lesson, they will bring home a brochure. This is the same information the kids are provided every year.

Bullying

We take bullying very seriously.

Bullying is defined as 1) purposeful behavior that intends to cause harm or distress, 2) is usually repeated over time, and 3) occurs in a relationship where there is an imbalance of power. Forms of bullying are: 1) Physical, 2) Cyber, and 3) occurs in a relationship where there is an imbalance of power. Forms of bullying are: 1) Physical, 2) Cyber, and 3) Relational Aggression. Witnesses of bullying are to tell the bully to stop, tell and adult, and reach out in friendship to the victim.

If your child is experiencing bullying at school, please contact your child's teacher or school administration and let them know about it right away. It is important to remember that we cannot act in situations that we know nothing about.

Families and students are also encouraged to use the SPEAK Up Anonymous Tip Program. The district’s Crime Stoppers in Schools program has created the Speak Up program, which allows students, staff and parents the ability to send anonymous tips through a secure website, app or phone number. The funding for this service is provided by Crime Stoppers of Wichita and Sedgwick County, a division of The Wichita Metro Crime Commission.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is words or behaviors that are sexual in nature and are unwanted and unwelcome. Sexual harassment could be touching or grabbing body parts, touching or rubbing onself in front of another, sending or delivering unwanted and unwelcome messages, notes or pictures with sexual content, sexual gestures, looks, jokes, comments or noises. Sexual harassment is not tolerated in Wichita Public Schools.

All complaints of sexual harassment will be investigated completely and when the complaint is made. All efforts will be made to provide confidentiality, to the extent possible, for all people involved. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. False complaints will also result in disciplinary action.

Cell Phone Policy

School Meals

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

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 intoduce 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 process prior to the field trip

Weather Information

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' website main page and displayed on all school websites.

Lost and Found

Family Engagement

Parent Teacher Conferences

Progress Reports

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.