Students are admitted to the building upon their arrival between 8:50 and 9:00 a.m. with school starting promptly at 9:05 a.m. Students on school property are expected to enter the building at any door and go directly to their classrooms. For safety reasons, students are not to play on the playground equipment before school begins. There is no supervision prior to students' entering the building. Students should not arrive before 8:50 a.m.
EXCEPTION: On Wednesdays, all elementary schools will have a student arrival time of 9:00 a.m., ten minutes later than the other four weekdays. As part of the approved teacher's contract for 2009-2010, teachers are required to participate in a weekly staff training session. This set block of of time would occur each Wednesday before school The start of the school day is adjusted each Wednesday morning to accommodate this program. School buses will pick up students from their homes 10 minutes later than on the other four school days. The school day will still end at the regular time, 3:35 pm.
Elementary school parents unable to make the 10 minute adjustment will be allowed to drop off students at 8:50 a.m. as on other days. Students will report to the multi-purpose room and read silently. Supervision will be provided. A note with more details will be sent home separately.
The neighborhood bus stops are not supervised by school personnel. Your diligence in monitoring your child at the bus stop will help insure the safety and well-being of our students. Thank you for your help and cooperation.
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Instructional time directly and positively affects student achievement. Maximum success can best be attained through prompt, regular attendance. If a child is ill, a not to the teacher indicating the reason for the absence is required. Children should be fever-free for 24 hours prior to returning to school. Absences for reasons other than illness should be minimized and may be recorded as unexcused.
If your child is absent you must call the school by 9:30 am at 375-3456. We are required by state law to attempt to contact you.
A request to have a child dismissed early should be sent with the child on the morning of dismissal. Parents must come to the school office to sign the child out. We will send for the child. A child will be released only to parents or to those listed on the emergency card unless other arrangements have been made. Unless we hear from a parent, children will not be able to alter their normal dismissal routine.
Students arriving after 9:05 are marked tardy. Students arriving after 9:35 am and before 12:05 pm are marked a half day absence. (School bus and weather problems are excluded). Students leaving school after 9:05 am, and missing more than 90 minutes, are marked one half day absence. State of Illinois reporting requires us to report only half and full day absences, no other fraction is acceptable.
Late arrivals must report to the office for a pass before going to class.
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A student's birthday is a special day. Each classroom honors the child in a manner appropriate for the grade level. The principal announces birthdays daily, and the children receive a Georgetown pencil. Due to allergies and other health concerns, no birthday treats are allowed. No birthday invitations or special deliveries are to be passed out at school to avoid hurt feelings among classmates. Thank you for your cooperation!
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Our goal at Georgetown is to create a school environment where students develop self-discipline. A positive atmosphere conducive to effective learning is created by trust, respect, good manners, fairness, and cooperation. Georgetown practices the 3R's - Respect for Self, Respect for Others, and Respect for Property. If all groups involved - teachers, students, parents, and administrators promote these traits in themselves and in others, the school becomes a very positive force.
At Georgetown, we intend to take physical aggression, irresponsible threats, and acts construed as sexual harassment seriously. We caution all students that physical violence, threats, bullying, hazing, and acts of sexual/racial/ethnic harassment will result in serious disciplinary consequences. We have a "zero tolerance" policy on fighting and physical aggression with a one day out of school suspension as a consequence. Repeated violations of this policy can result in a longer suspension. A police investigation, arrest, suspensions, and recommendation for expulsions may be warranted.
Several items are expressly prohibited for health and safety reasons. Students may not bring tobacco, alcoholic beverages, weapons or "look-a likes," cosmetics, incendiary devices (e.g., matches, bullets, fireworks), radios, pagers, laser pointers, toys, or other similar items which will disrupt the learning environment. Student clothing may not exhibit alcohol or tobacco pictures, inappropriate language, violent content, or gang related symbols. Neither hats, head coverings (exception: religious), nor outdoor attire may be worn in school. Clothing must cover the student's torso (e.g., no bare midriffs, backless, strapless, one shoulder, thing-strapped, cut-out shirts or blouses). The complete statement of the attire policy is in the District 204 Parent-Student Handbook. Please read and adhere to the guidelines within and share with your child.
Students are to respect the rights and property of others. It is most important, for the safety and general welfare of all students, that directions are followed. The consequences of inappropriate behavior include warnings, parental involvement, principal conferences, and suspension or expulsion from school. In accordance with Illinois Senate Bill 730, teachers are assured that they may remove a student from the classroom for disruptive behavior. Due process is provided to all students.
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Please update your emergency card throughout the year if changes in your employment, phone number, or contact person have been made. This is for your child's protection. Any temporary medic all information requiring special considerations or accommodations for your child must be submitted in written form to the office.
We will be using the ConnectEd email and phone communication system again this year. Parents will receive routine announcements and emergency announcements through this system. Please be sure to inform the office of changes in your phone number or email address so that we can update this in our system in order to keep you informed. You may send a note to the office or phone at 630/375-3456.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
In case of bad weather or dangerous road conditions, school closings or early dismissals may be announced. Do not call the school! Tune your radio to one of the following radio stations: WMAQ 670 AM, WGN 720 AM, WYSY 1280 AM or WKKD 96 FM. Indian Prairie District #204 uses these radio stations as well as the ConnectEd parent email and phone system to inform parents of such closings as quickly and as widely as possible. Calling school during these times seriously clogs our phone lines and makes it difficult to make vital outgoing calls. The district information line is 375-3015.
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Grades are an evaluation of current achievement of grade level objectives, not potential, or social performance. Effort attitude, cooperation, behavior, etc. are also noted on report cards and are frequently commented upon by teachers. Teachers use frequent and ongoing assessment in determining grades. Components of these grades will reflect numerous and varied age appropriate opportunities for students to succeed and demonstrate learning. Components of grades include: Tests and quizzes, daily work, special projects, assignments, class participation and discussion. The following grading scales have been established for all District 204 students:
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Grades 1&2
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Grades 3, 4, & 5
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Effort
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S+ demonstrates strength
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A 91-100
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O outstanding
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S satisfactory progress
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B 81-90
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S satisfactory
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U unsatisfactory progress
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C 71-80
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U unsatisfactory
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I showing improvement
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D 65-70
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NA not applicable
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N needs to improve
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F 64 and below
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MISSION STATEMENT
Believing that the Library Media Center is a fundamental part of the educational program of the schools of Indian Prairie District #204, the mission of the LMC is to encourage, promote and assist students and teachers to be effective users of ideas and information and to foster reading habits and use of the library for lifelong learning.
The LMC program supports the district curriculum and state standards through direct involvement. Instruction includes information acquisition skills and research project development. Many enjoyable LMC learning activities include story time, reading incentive programs, and book talks.
Students who lose or misuse books will be charged an additional fee based on the decreased life of the book. This policy includes library books as well as textbooks. Reasonable wear is accepted, but fines will be imposed for excessive wear or damage. Fines are made at the teacher's LMC Director's and principal's discretion. Please put all water bottles brought to school in backpacks in a zip-lock plastic bag to protect library and textbooks carried home in backpacks.
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We will have a thirty-five minute lunch/recess period for grades K-5. Kindergarten students will be given a slightly longer lunchtime until they become comfortable with the schedule and are not rushed while eating. Sack lunches are needed except for those ordering hot lunch through the district program - Chartwells. The hot lunch includes milk. Parents may purchase milk separately for students who bring a lunch from home. Visit the MealpayPlus Web site at www.mealpayplus.com or phone 866-260-6822 for hot lunches and milk. More detailed information is available in the school office or on the District 204 Web site at www.ipsd.org. Please be sure that your child has a lunch, with needed utensils, every day as there are no extra provisions at school. Students are expected to respect the lunchroom supervisors, the rights, and property of others. Good manners are essential. Please review the basic rules with your child:
- Walk in the lunchroom.
- Remain in your seat until you have permission to leave.
- Talk at a low, conversational level.
- Raise your hand to ask for assistance.
- Never throw food.
- Do not exchange food with other students.
- Clear the tables and floor.
- Discard all garbage and recyclables into the proper containers.
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All students are expected to go out for recess unless a doctor's excuse is on file. Be sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. Students will go outside unless the windchill temperature is 0 degrees. Please sent warm clothing suitable for play in snow during the winter months, including snow boots. Girls are not allowed to carry purses outside during recess. Students are asked to leave toys and sports equipment (e.g. balls, ropes) at home as the school will not be responsible for loss or damage. Georgetown provides equipment for many activities during recess.
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Georgetown Spirit Days will be celebrated on each Friday of the month. On these days, the faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to wear our school colors of maroon, white, and gray. For those who are interested, the PTA has Georgetown spirit wear for sale during the year. Our mascot is the HAWK. Our motto is "Spread Your Wings and Learn." In the spirit of acknowledging outstanding citizenship, students may receive a "Golden Feather" certificate when sighted by a staff member doing a good deed. Let's all catch the SPIRIT!
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The Student Services team at Georgetown School consists of the student services coordinator, support facilitator, Project Arrow (gifted) resource teacher, reading improvement teachers, English Language Learner (ELL) teachers, nurse, social worker, psychologist, speech and language therapists, occupational and physical therapists. These specialists work with teachers, individual students and groups based on needs. Services are delivered based on students who qualify through our Problem Solving or RtI initiative. Short-term remedial classes are offered during the school day to raise deficient academic levels. Social skills instruction is presented to individuals and classes as needs dictate. Curriculum enhancement and enrichment are provided to students by integrated activities or pull-out classes as appropriate.
Georgetown is fortunate to have teacher assistants on staff who work directly with special needs students and others who benefit from extra support. These paraprofessionals also help guide the children's safety with traffic control and welcoming of the children at the doors and buses.
Contact Elly Goldstein, Student Services Coordinator, with questions regarding any of these services.
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Our primary goal is to educate children. To help accomplish this goal it is important to avoid classroom disruptions. It is for this reason that parent cooperation is requested and appreciated in helping students be aware of their after school schedules and plans BEFORE coming to school in the morning.
- Students will not be called from class to answer the telephone.
- Messages will not be delivered unless it is an emergency.
- Teachers will not be called away from class to speak on the telephone.
Voice mail messages may be left for the teachers. Teachers will promptly return calls and e-mail during their planning time, before or after school.
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WALKING TO SCHOOL
All students walking to school who must cross Long Grove are to do so at the Fox Hill or Middlebury stop signs while remaining in the crosswalks. Students are expected to respect and obey the parent crossing guards on duty. Walkers are dismissed through the rear doors and are not to walk through the parking lot. Everyone's cooperation is needed to assure our children's safety.
BUSES
A list of bus routes is available in the school office. Questions concerning routes should be directed to the Transportation Supervisor at 904-0900. Rules of conduct must be adhered to in order to keep bus riding privileges. Due to liability and concern for safety, buses may be equipped with active video cameras and outside safety arms. Students are not permitted to ride any other bus other than their assigned route.
BICYCLE RIDING
Bicycle riding to school is permitted. However, it is imperative that safety rules are adhered to and that these are discussed with your child before you allow him/her this privilege. Bikes must be walked on school property. Students should promptly walk their bikes to the racks, lock them, and enter the building after 8:50 am. Skateboards, roller blades, shoes with heels (Heelys) and scooters are not permitted at school.
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All visitors, including parents and volunteers, are required by State Law to report to the main office upon entering the building. Everyone must sign in/out, state the purpose of their visit, and obtain an identification badge. Visitors may gain entry at the main doors by ringing the buzzer. All other doors remain locked.
All persons are required to make prior arrangements before visiting a teacher and/or classroom. Classroom instruction is not to be interrupted for individual concerns unless an emergency exists. Forgotten lunches, clothing, etc., will be brought to the lunchroom or classroom by Georgetown staff. Pets are prohibited in school and on school grounds during morning entry and after school dismissal times.
Classroom Visitation
Parents are welcomed to spend time in their child's classroom. If parents wish to visit the classroom, they are to make prior arrangements with the classroom teacher. As a guide, we ask that parents adhere to district policy of spending no more than an hour with their child's class, either in the morning or after lunch. Parents may sign their child out for lunch if they so desire. Visitors in the classrooms may affect the students' ability to focus; therefore, we must monitor this situation with diligence. As with any visitor to the school, parents must stop by the office to sign in and receive an identification badge. Thank you for your cooperation.
VISITOR PARKING
School buses use the front driveway for loading and unloading. Cars are not permitted in the circle drive until all buses have arrived in the morning or have left in the afternoon. When the circle drive is clear, parents should move forward to the main entrance. Posted signs indicate NO PARKING in the circle drive from 8:40-9:00 am and 3:10-3:40 pm. This time will be adjusted for ten minutes later on Wednesdays due to the late arrival. Obey all traffic control signs and curb markings. There is NO PARKING on the right hand side of the circle drive due to fire code. Parents may move along Long Grove Drive on the school side of the street, where permitted, to pick up students. Students are not to be picked up in the staff parking lot unless handicapped access is required. There is no parking allowed on the south side of Long Grove Drive.
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