OFFICE SECRETARY

Our secretary, Mrs. Patricia Yelder welcomes your interest and involvement in your child’s school.  She is here to provide administrative and clerical support, but even more importantly, Mrs. Yelder is a link between the teachers, staff, students, parents and community members.  Please don’t hesitate to call upon her for direction or assistance. You are important to our school!

BUILDING PLANT OPERATOR

Mrs. Pat Wheeler is the Building Plant Operator (BPO) for Mt. Spurr School.  She makes sure our building is safe and provides clerical support, but even more importantly, keeps our building clean and comfortable.  She is a problem solver for students and staff.  When we need maintenance help, she knows how to get it done.

LUNCH PROGRAM

Hot lunch is available each day at school.   If you prefer you may send a lunch and students may purchase milk.  Please be sure to clearly identify your child’s lunch box or sack.   Parents are welcome to join children for lunch at school.  If you wish to purchase hot lunch, please let the school office know early in the day so that you can be included in the lunch count.

LUNCH TICKET INFORMATION

Student Lunch w/Milk

1 DAY             $ 2.20

5 DAYS           $11.00

20 DAYS         $44.00

Milk Only

1 DAY             $  .40

5 DAYS           $2.00

20 DAYS         $8.00

LOST OR FORGOTTEN LUNCH MONEY

In case of an emergency, students will be able to receive overnight lunch charges.  Since our funds are very limited, we must have permission to make loans to children.

The lunch program is federally funded and a convenience for parents and students.  The choice of eating a school hot lunch or bringing a sack lunch from home is a parental decision.  Lunch menus are sent home on a monthly basis.  Please note that all choices are not always available as listed.   We experience a great deal of waste when the child has a strong dislike for a menu item.  Please discuss the lunch menu with your child and provide a sack lunch when you know he/she will not eat the hot lunch selection on a particular day.  Parents may provide written permission for their child(ren) to walk home for lunch.  Please be sure the classroom teacher, as well as the office, is informed.  Students must sign out in the office.

NOON DUTY ATTENDANTS – Mt. Spurr is fortunate to be able to hire noon duty attendants who monitor the cafeteria and playground.  Periodically, we need to hire for these positions.  We are constantly in need of substitutes.  If you are interested in making extra money and enjoy being with children, please contact the office regarding these positions.

MONEY – If it is necessary for your child to bring money to school, please send it in a sealed envelope with the following information on the outside:  child’s name, teacher’s name, amount of money, reason for sending money.

LEARNING "STREET SMARTS"
WALKING TO SCHOOL

Many Mt. Spurr students will walk to school.  Perhaps your child is one of them.  Many young children have difficulty dealing with traffic that is encountered on their walk to school.  Their age and small size put them at risk.  Young children believe that if they can see a driver, a driver can see them.  They think cars can stop instantly, but cannot judge how fast they’re going or in which direction a warning honk has come from.  They don’t readily recognize danger or react to it as an adult would.  Is your child a safe pedestrian?   Here are some helpful guidelines to make your child “street smart” on his/her walk to school:

*Choose the safest route to and from school and discuss it with your child.  Look for the most direct route with the fewest street crossings.  Utilize sidewalks and walking paths rather than main roadways.   Be courteous; do not have them walk on other people’s lawns.

*You should walk the route with your child until he/she demonstrates adequate traffic safety awareness.

*Take the same route each day, as agreed upon between parent and child.  Do not take shortcuts, which can be more dangerous.

*Obey all traffic signals and markings.

*Walk on the LEFT side of the road, facing traffic.

*Cross the street at a corner or crosswalk.  Allow plenty of time to cross and walk.  Do not run across intersections.

*Do not enter the street from between parked cars or from behind bushes or shrubs.  (The majority of fatal childhood traffic injuries result from darting into the street between designated intersections.)

*Look out for cars backing out of driveways and parking lot spaces.

*Be extra alert in bad weather.  Visibility may be poor and motorists may not be able to stop quickly.

*Wear reflective clothing so you can be seen.

*Walk with others, using the “buddy system.”  Have a set group of children to walk with everyday.  NEVER WALK ALONE.  (Do not walk four or five abreast on the side streets so that cars cannot get by.)  Parents, you may want to exchange telephone numbers with families of children your child walks to school with.  You can also alert each other about moose, dogs or other dangers in the area.

*Know that municipal vehicles marked Safety Bear Buddy are there to help in case of a problem or an emergency.

Be sure that your child has “street smarts” by teaching him/her to be a safe pedestrian.  It will surely come in handy whether your child is walking to school, a friend’s house, or is taking an invigorating walk with the dog around the neighborhood.

STARTING YOUR DAY AT MT. SPURR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2002-2003 SCHOOL SCHEDULE

8:45 a.m.          Playground Supervision

8:50 a.m.          First Bell: Students Line Up To Enter Building

9:00 a.m.          Tardy Bell - Classes Begin

9:05 a.m.          Announcements

LUNCH SCHEDULE

11:15-12:10  Kindergarten Lunch/Recess

11:25-12:10  1st Lunch/Recess

12:00-12:45  2nd Lunch/Recess

12:30-1:15  3rd Lunch/Recess

3:30 p.m.    Dismissal

3:45 p.m.    End of Playground Supervision

*If children have not been picked up by the time the playground supervisor returns to the building, they need to come to the office for assistance. 

Your child’s day begins at 9:00 a.m.  Students will line up at the playground door designated for their classroom.  At the first bell (8:50 a.m.) teachers will lead the children into their classrooms.  Students do not enter the building prior to 8:50 a.m. and only then when they are dismissed by the playground supervisor or accompanied by their teacher.

TARDY - Students arriving in the building after 9:00 a.m. are late.  If students arrive after the 9:00 a.m. bell, they will be marked tardy by their teacher.

PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION - Staff supervision on the playground is only 15 minutes prior to school and 15 minutes after school dismissal.  Please help assure your child’s safety by timely arrival and prompt pick up after school.

Outdoor and P.E. Activities - Children must be dressed appropriately for the weather!  Until the chill factor or actual temperature reaches –10 degrees F, children will go outside for 20 minutes at lunch time.    All students participate in outdoor and P.E. activities.  If you send a child to school who is not feeling up to par, that student is expected to participate in all school activities planned for the day.  Your child can be excused only by a doctor’s written statement excusing them because of illness or injury.

GYM SHOES - Each student is required to have one pair of tennis shoes (with non-marking soles) at school for physical education.  These shoes may also serve as “indoor shoes” as required of each student.

PARENT AND EMERGENCY CON-TACT PHONE NUMBERS - At times it becomes necessary to contact parents during the school day.  It is essential that we have a current home and work phone number for parents.  Accurate phone numbers aid in contacting you in case of emergency.  It is not always possible to get in touch with parents and we must have an emergency contact person and their phone numbers on file in the office.

LOST AND FOUND - Items of clothing, lunch boxes, and backpacks are placed in a large bin in the main entrance.  Small personal items or money turned into the office are placed in a special “Lost and Found” box in the office until claimed.

RELEASING STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL - For the protection of students, and to prevent unauthorized and unwanted persons from taking children from school prior to dismissal or at the close of school, these steps will be followed:

·        No child will be permitted to leave with anyone other than listed parent or guardian unless permission of parent or guardian has been secured.

·        Persons picking up children are to report to the office and be prepared to identify themselves and sign out on the checklist.  DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO CLASSROOMS TO PICK UP CHILDREN.  Teachers have been instructed not to release children without authorization.

·        When using the telephone to request early dismissal, please be prepared to establish your identity, or to expect a call back so that we can verify you as a caller.

·        During winter months travel incidents can occur which prevent timely arrivals.  Rather than have students standing in the cold and waiting, students will wait at the main office until they are picked up.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS - School closures or beginning time delays will be announced on major radio stations.  In the event that school is dismissed early because of an emergency or inclement weather, children should know where to go.  It is very important to keep the school office informed of current phone numbers and emergency contact names and numbers.

SCHOOL TELEPHONE - The school telephone number is 753-9225 or 753-3536.  Students are allowed to use the phone for emergency or school business purposes only.  They must have a phone pass from their teacher before using the phone.  Calling to see if one can go home with a friend is not considered business or an emergency, and permission to use the phone will not be granted.  Urgent messages can be delivered by intercom to the classroom, but please allow time for delivery.  Remember that each call to the classroom takes instruction time from the students.

COMMUNICATIONS - Notes sent home may include classroom newsletters, school newsletters or PTA newsletters.  Please check with your child on a regular basis to be sure you are receiving all school communications.  Backpacks can often remain full unless the student is reminded by the parent to share school information.

LOST OR DAMAGED SCHOOL PROPERTY - Students and their parents are reminded that textbooks and library books are expensive and students who lose, deface, or otherwise damage school equipment will be responsible for the cost of its replacement.  Your care of school materials and your cooperation in the prevention of vandalism of school property is appreciated.

 SCHOOL PARTIES - Classrooms may have parties during the school year and they are generally limited to three.  These are normally held immediately prior to the Winter Vacation (December), on Valentine’s Day and at the end of the school year.  Individual classrooms may decide on other options.

INVITATION DISTRIBUTION - We all know that most of our children’s friends are made in the school setting.  This occasionally leads to the temptation to distribute party invitations at school during the academic day.  When this occurs, some children develop hurt feelings at being left out or ignored.  Please help us by having your child mail invitations or distribute them away from the school grounds.

FIELD TRIPS -From time to time class groups will be taking educational trips to various parts of the community.  In order for a student to participate in a trip it is mandatory that a permission form be on file in the office.  If for some reason a child fails to return the signed document by the announced deadline the student will remain at school during the period the remainder of the class is involved in the activity.

Students are responsible for providing fees and lunches for trips requiring admission charges and/or that span the lunch period.  If financial hardships exist and a parent is unable to pay an admission fee, arrangements will be made through the school.

Under certain conditions, parents may be asked to drive students on various field trips, etc.   Parents who wish to volunteer for these trips should check to make sure they have appropriate insurance coverage.  The coverage required is liability insurance in the minimum amount of $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury and property damage insurance in the amount of $10,000.  Parent drivers must also have a current driver’s license and fill out the necessary forms in the school office before the scheduled trip.

WITHDRAWALS AND TRANSFERS - Should it become necessary to withdraw your child during the school year, please notify the school office several days in advance.  We need time to prepare and process the records. Be sure to stop by the office for copies of any necessary records for enrollment at another school.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

The Mt. Spurr staff recognizes that children are unique and learn in diverse ways.  Our focus is to provide varied and challenging learning experiences that will enable children to reach their full potential.  We assist them in subjects, higher level thinking skills, problem solving, wellness, and developing responsible behavior.  In addition to providing a strong educational curriculum in each classroom, many specialized programs are available to students.

SPEECH - A speech therapist is assigned to Mt. Spurr School who helps identify speech, language and hearing disorders.

GIFTED (IGNITE) - Students participating in the gifted program have been nominated by the parent or teacher and then tested before qualifying.  These children remain a part of their regular classroom.  However, they receive separate instruction under the direction of a gifted program teacher three hours each week.

SPECIAL EDUCATION (RESOURCE) - All children meeting identifiable learning needs will be served by a resource teacher in addition to their regular classroom teacher.  The most common areas in which students receive academic support in this program are reading, written expression, and mathematics.  Parents are actively involved in all components of their child’s program.

SLINGERLAND - This multi-sensory teaching approach is available for students in grades one and two at Mt. Spurr School.  Students are screened in kindergarten, or other grades as needed, and are offered placement opportunities based on need.

BILINGUAL EDUCATION - The Anchorage School District’s Bilingual/ Multicultural Education Programs teach English As A Second Language (ESL) and other academic needs to students who come from homes in which a language other than English is spoken.

MID-QUARTER STATUS REPORTS – Mid-quarter status reports are given to advise parents of achievements or concerns about students.  Always be sure to contact your child’s teacher if you have questions about academic expectations set by your child’s teacher.

REPORT CARDS - Report cards are issued four times during the year.  These cards are one method of reporting pupil progress.  Parent/teacher (and sometimes student) conferences are scheduled for the first and third quarters and at any other time deemed necessary by the school and/or parent.  After studying your child’s report card, please sign it and return it to the school promptly.  Report cards may be held until all books (library and text) are returned and/or fines paid.

ACHIEVEMENT - Grades are based upon the child’s mastery of materials within the level assigned.  This may be above, on or below grade level.

GRADES 1-3
O - Outstanding

S - Satisfactory

N - Not Satisfactory

EFFORT GRADES are based upon the relationship between the performance and the ability to achieve. (O-S-N)

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

When parents and teachers work together, they make an unbeatable team.  Parent conferences can help build the teamwork that helps kids learn better.  Some planning by parents can help make conferences a success.

1.      Think about what you want to learn in the conference.

·        How is my child doing in class?

·        Does my child use time well?

·        Does he have good work habits?

·        Does my child usually turn in homework?

·        Has he/she missed assignments?

·        Does my child have friends?

·        What can I do at home to support the teacher and school?

2.      Talk with your child.

·        Ask what he/she thinks the teacher will say.

·        Ask if he/she has any concerns.

·        Talk about likes, dislikes, problems, and successes.

3.      Ask the teacher to explain anything you don’t understand.

4.      Be prepared to talk and listen.

·        Tell the teacher what you see at home.

·        Talk about your child’s interests.

·        Tactfully talk about any concerns.

·        Be sure to let the teacher know about anything that might affect your child’s learning.

5.      Follow up.

·        Stay in touch with the teacher.

·        If you think of a question you didn’t ask, write a note.

YOUR CHILD’S ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Each classroom and each teacher’s style will differ, but the underlying emphasis is on reaching out to each student and helping each child be successful.  Classroom activities are planned and implemented by the teacher.  Within each classroom, your child’s teacher is in control and has the authority to uphold that responsibility.  The Mt. Spurr staff is outstanding in its teaching excellence, its caring, and its receptivity to parent concerns and assuring that each student’s needs are met.

During the year many situations arise which may be handled most efficiently in a conference with your child’s teacher.  You may have questions about your child’s progress; about his/her adjustment in school; you may need more information about school practices or school policies; or you may have information which you feel will help the teacher as he/she works with your child.  Your child’s teacher will be glad to discuss such matters with you at a scheduled conference.

Parents are encouraged to call or write to schedule conferences when they feel a need exists.  Naturally, teachers cannot discuss your child or answer questions during class time.  Also, they have numerous duties and school activities which keep them busy after your child leaves for home.  Therefore, in order to avoid disappointment at not being able to see the teacher, please send a note or call early enough so that a definite date and time may be arranged for the conference.   Teachers will schedule parent/teacher conference appointments for all students following the first and third quarters of the school year to discuss student progress.