School Handbook

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

Please call the school office at 316-973-1150 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
• 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.

Bus safety rules and bus schedules are issued at enrollment time. Changing a route for any reason will take approximately five days.

Family cooperation is needed to make bus transportation a safe and pleasant experience for all riders.

Buses should be expected to be late due to weather conditions and street safety, just as when we try to drive our own vehicles in unsafe conditions.

Temporary shelters along routes have been identified in case a tornado warning is issued.

For status on late buses, please look to the FirstView bus app. You should call the school office for assistance with the app when necessary.

To provide safe transportation for all children, students must obey safety rules (respecting the rights of others, staying seated, low voices, and always listening to the bus driver).

Children who do not follow the rules will be given incident reports which can result in being suspended from the bus for a period.

Parents/guardians will be responsible for transportation to and from school in this case.

Serious incidents may result in immediate suspension of transportation privileges.

Parents will receive written communication concerning each bus incident report that is turned in by the bus driver. (BOE Policy P7210 and P7311) 

Students may ride bicycles to school.

The school and the Wichita Police Department discourage families from allowing children to ride their bicycles in areas of heavy traffic such as Hydraulic or Central.

Students should dismount and walk their bicycles across all street crossings adjoining the school and while on school property.

Families assume all responsibility for the safety of students while riding a bicycle.

The bicycle must be parked in the bicycle rack near the front door and locked when not in use. 

6:30 a.m.– Before School Latchkey Begins        
8:45 a.m., Door 1 opens-early students may pick up a breakfast in the cafeteria and line up, by class, in the gym. 
8:50 a.m., First Bell/Students may get breakfast in the cafeteria and go to class. 
9 a.m., Final Bell/School Begins –Students should be in their seats ready for the day
9-11:50 a.m. Pre-Kindergarten; 1:20-4:10 p.m. Pre-Kindergarten 
4:10 p.m., School Dismisses
4:10 p.m.– After School Latchkey Begins, 6 p.m.- After School Latchkey Ends
            
School begins promptly at 9 a.m.

We do serve a free breakfast daily, students eating breakfast should arrive at 8:45 a.m. so they have time to eat before class starts.

Students not eating school provided breakfast should eat at home.

Please do not send your students with breakfast from a restaurant or convenience store.

Children should not be at school prior to 8:45 a.m. as there are no adults supervising outside prior to 8:45 a.m.. This is a safety concern!! 

School is dismissed at 4:10 p.m. and students must be picked up or walk directly home at dismissal time.

Should a student be left at school past 4:20 p.m., an adult on the PIF will be required to come into the office to check him/her out.

The times before and after the school day are reserved for planning and conferencing for school staff and teachers are off contract by 4:20 pm.

Latchkey services may be offered/requested if students need to arrive before 8:45 a.m. or are not picked up by 4:20 p.m. 
 

Arrival

Unless in Latchkey, students should not arrive to school prior to 8:45 am. Children will line up outside on school property by door 1.

Before School Supervisors will be outside from 8:40-9 a.m. to supervise and interact with students.

Students will come into the gym at 8:45 a.m. and sit down by class.

Dismissal

4:05 p.m.

• Grades 3, 4, & 5 will begin exiting from door 9 and walk to south parking lot for pick up.
• PreK will exit door 1 and wait for parents on the patio. (Students in Grades 3-5 who have younger siblings who walk to school or get a ride may go to the basketball court, sit down and wait to be called)

4:10 p.m.

• Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grade teachers will escort their classes out of the building through door 1.
• 1st/2nd grades sit in staff parking lot waiting to be picked up
• Latchkey/Bible Club students will stay with their teacher until 4:20 p.m. and then dismiss to their proper locations
• Students in STEALTH should report to the gym at dismissal

Students should arrive at school dressed in clothing which is comfortable for the time of year and that supports the learning environment.

Appearance influences learning and how we all feel about ourselves in general.

1. Students may not wear clothing or items that advertise alcohol or tobacco products, drugs, contain reference to sex or profanity or show suggestive, vulgar, or obscene writing, pictures, or symbols. 
2. Students may not wear any shirt/top or shorts/skirts that exposes an excessive amount of skin (such as halter tops, shirts without sides, cut-off tank tops, bare midriffs, tube tops, etc.) 
3. Slacks, jeans, shorts, etc. are to be worn at the natural waistline of students. 
4. Students will not be allowed to wear any clothing or items that give the impression of any gang affiliation. 
5. Students should not wear headgear in the building (caps, bandannas, etc.) 
6. Appropriate footwear should always be worn. Tennis shoes on PE days, closed toe shoes in winter, etc.

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.

Please be sure to notify the Washington office (316-973-1150) if your address or telephone number change during the school year.

It is important that the school can always reach you or your designee in case of an emergency and to communicate with you about important items that affect your child. 

Student use of personal cell phones is prohibited during the school day.

These devices must be kept out of sight in backpacks and powered off during the school day as they have the potential to be disruptive to the educational process.

Students who violate this policy and associated regulations shall be deemed to have created a disruption to the instructional environment and are subject to appropriate disciplinary actions.

Students shall be personally and solely responsible for the security of their property.

The Wichita Board of Education shall not assume responsibility or liability for the theft, loss, or damage to a personal cell phone, or any other personal devices brought to school. 

Please be sure to notify the Washington office (316-973-1150) if your address or telephone number changes during the school year.
 

It is important that the school can always reach you or your designee in case of an emergency and to communicate with you about important issues that affect your child.

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.

Making good choices and being responsible will be rewarded regularly.

Teachers use a variety of ways to reward positive behavior and hard work that may include extra recess, Eagle Excellence Awards, positive notes home, and quarterly honor awards recognizing students for academics, effort, and good citizenship just to name a few. 

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.
 

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.
 

Wichita Board of Education Policy, P6340, states that “Homework is a valuable and valued tool in the learning process. Used appropriately, it can provide practice and reinforcement for previous instruction, provide opportunity to develop pupil responsibility, and involve parents more directly in supporting the learning process.

For these reasons, pupils shall be given regular and appropriate homework activities.

Homework shall be assigned with consideration to the maturity level of the pupil, the organization of the school, and other activities in which the pupil might be involved.”

Parents may request make-up work for students absent due to illness by phoning early in the day.

Large sums of money or valuables should not be brought to school.

However, if it’s necessary, valuables should be left with the teacher or in the office.

At no time should an article of value be left unattended as Washington Elementary staff cannot monitor students’ items (this includes cell phones) and will not be held responsible for theft.  

When it is necessary to bring money to school, it should be placed in an envelope and sealed.

The child’s name and a note indicating the purpose of the money should be written on the outside of the envelope and given to the teacher or office staff.

Please try to notify your child’s teacher in advance when sending money or valuables so they can be on the lookout for these things.

(Constructed from Ron Clark's "The Essential 55." This provides a comprehensive blueprint for creating a respectful, structured, and positive learning environment. Rooted in his extensive teaching experience, these rules aim to equip students with the skills necessary to succeed academically and socially.)

• Respond to adults
• Make eye contact
• Transitions will be swift, quiet and orderly
• When walking in line, keep your arms at your sides and move quietly
• Never cut in line
• Respect other students' comments, opinions and ideas
• Do not show disrespect with gestures or words
• When a substitute teacher is present, all class and school rules will still apply
• Follow classroom and school expectations (AVID, CHAMPS, voice levels, etc.)
• Always say "thank you" when you're given something
• When you receive something, do not insult the gift or the giver
• Do not ask for a reward
• Congratulate classmates when they do well
• If you win, do not brag; if you lose, do not show anger
• Participate when we read together in class
• You must complete your homework every day
• When homework is assigned, do not moan or complain
• Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough and say "excuse me"
• Keep yourself and the bathrooms clean and germ-free
• After dining, be responsible for your trash
• Be organized (AVID)
• Know staff members' names and greet them in the hall by name
• Greet visitors and make them feel welcome
• When meeting new people, shake hands and repeat their names
• If someone drops something and you are close to it, pick it up
• Hold the door for people rather than letting it close on them
• If someone bumps into you, say "excuse me," even if it was not your fault
• If anyone is bullying you, let an adult know
• if you are asked a question in conversation, ask a question in return
• Answer all questions in a complete sentence
• No matter the circumstances, always be honest
• Be positive and enjoy life
• Learn from your mistakes and move on

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 March.
 

Progress reports are accessible to parents every quarter.

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

Please log in to ParentVUE 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.

Washington Elementary School staff believes a weekly communication system between home and classroom is essential.

All students will be given a “Tuesday Folder” to take home weekly. Parents should keep an eye out for this red folder for all Washington students on Tuesdays, with the expectation that they be returned the next day.

Folders may include the weekly or monthly classroom/grade level newsletter, completed work for the week, a list of incomplete work, awards or special recognitions and informational flyers.

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.
 

Students may bring treats for their classmates on their birthday.

The last few minutes of the school day may be used for birthday recognition.

Please always notify the teacher or school ahead of time when bringing treats. 

Fall and Valentine's parties are planned each year with refreshments provided by the student's families.

Families who do not wish to participate in these events may make other arrangements by contacting the teacher or school office.

Any other parties or similar events require prior approval of the teacher and the principal.

For the health and safety of our students, especially those students who have special dietary needs, we ask that all treats be store bought and preferably be a healthy snack item.

  Main School Office
Moneisha Landrum and/or Brianne Moore
316-973-1150

Principal
Theresa Manning
316-973-1153

Assistant Principal
Cortney Debenham
316-973-1155

Social Worker
Valerie Vazquez
316-973-1157 (Habla español)

Nurse
Pricila Martinez-Ortega
316-973-1154 (Habla español) 

Counselor
Roxanne Holden
316-973-1162

Pando Initiative
Ivory Reed
316-973-1189

Community School Coordinator
Bradley Richard
316-973-1150

Teachers may be contacted through email (available through ParentVUE), or you may call the main office and leave a message along with a return phone number. They will return your call at their earliest convenience.