HHES Rules and Procedures

ACCIDENT

Every accident in the school building, on the school grounds or at any school sponsored event must be reported to the person in charge, who will contact the school office, and the parents will be notified if necessary.

ADDRESSING TEACHERS

All teachers will be addressed by their proper title: Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms.

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE

Regular attendance is essential to a student's success in school. When a student is unable to attend school, parents should call the office between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. Parents should give the student's name, teacher's name, and reason for the absence. If a parent fails to call, the school will call the home to confirm the reason for the student's absence. Upon the child's return to school, please send a note explaining reason for the absence.

BAND

Students are encouraged to participate in the Band Program. Students may begin band in the fifth grade and continue the program the following year as Advanced Band members.

BOOKS

Textbooks and Workbooks are furnished without cost to each student. All books, however, remain the property of Valdez City Schools. A place will be provided where the student's name, date of issue and condition of book may be recorded. Lost and/ or damaged books will result in the levying of fines. Note: If a book is lost or badly damaged, it may be judged beyond repair by the teacher. Books found to be beyond repair will be paid for by the student based on the replacement cost of a new current issue.

BUS TRANSPORTATION AND REGULATIONS

The following rules for pupils riding buses are basically from the official "Rules and Regulations of the State of Alaska." As such, they are also the rules of the Valdez City Schools.

ALL TIMES

1. Exercise good manners, caution and consideration for other people.
2. Obey the school bus driver; his/her primary concern is for your safety.
3. Pupils may be assigned a seat by a driver.
4. Pupils must not have anything in their possession that may cause injury to another.
waiting for the school bus
 
WAITING FOR THE SCHOOL BUS

1. Stay a safe distance from the roadway.
2. Be at your stop five minutes ahead of time; the driver cannot wait for you.
3. Be in line when the school bus approaches.
4. Stay clear of wheels until the bus has come to a complete stop.
5. Let the smaller children board first.
6. Pupils must cross the highway only in front of the school bus when given permission by the school bus driver.
7. Walk on the left-hand side of the road facing traffic.

BOARDING THE SCHOOL BUS

1. Always use the handrail and go up the steps one at a time.
2. Don't push, crowd, or disturb others.
3. Go directly to your seat and be seated.
4. No animals large or small of any kind are allowed on the school bus at any time.

CONDUCT ON THE SCHOOL BUS

1. Keep the aisle clear.
2. Place books or other gear on your lap.
3. Avoid loud talking, confusion, or anything else that might distract the driver.
4. Keep head, arms and body inside the bus.
5. Do not throw objects inside or outside the bus.
6. Do not chew tobacco, smoke, eat or drink on the bus.
7. Remain seated until the bus has come to a
9. Assist in keeping the bus clean, pupils can be held responsible for any damages to the interior of the school bus.
10. In general, classroom conduct will be observed. The school bus is not a playground. Save horseplay and wrestling for another time and place.

GETTING OFF THE SCHOOL BUS

1. Use the handrail and take one step at a time.
2. Remember pushing or crowding could cause an accident.
3. After you leave the bus, go home or to an assigned place.
4. It is everybody's responsibility to demonstrate good citizenship by cooperating with your school bus driver at all times so that your parents and school district officials can depend upon safe, timely, and efficient pupil transportation to and from school.

SCHOOL BUS "Appropriate Clothing Policy"

The School District has a policy governing clothing to be worn on a school bus in cold weather. It states:
"It is the position of the School District to endorse and support the school bus contractor to enforce a policy that requires students riding the bus to clothe themselves in a reasonable manner that protects the student from the elements. This would include covering exposed arms and legs in freezing temperatures. Safety of our students is of utmost importance to the District."
Bus mechanical failures, accidents, or other delays from road conditions present hazardous situations, particularly in cold weather. Please make sure your elementary age children wear coats, hats (or hoods), gloves, boots, and long pants or snow pants. Bus drivers have been instructed to refuse admittance to students if they are inadequately clothed. These restrictions will be in place when the temperature falls to 35 degrees or below (ambient or wind chill). The state has recently strengthened this policy.

REMEMBER

1. Riding on the bus is a PRIVILEGE and not a right.
2. If a pupil's conduct is such that the health, safety, comfort, or well-being of others is jeopardized, on or off the bus, the privilege of riding the bus may be denied by a school official. All documented infractions of the above rules will be brought to the attention of the parents.
3. A student is not allowed to ride a different bus unless authorized by the parent and approved by the principal.

BICYCLES/ ROLLERBLADES

Students who ride their bicycles to school should remember the following:
1. Be familiar with the laws and safety rules for bicycle operation and practice the rules.
2. Upon entering the school grounds, WALK your bicycle directly to the racks located in back of the school.
3. Bicycles should be equipped with locks to prevent unauthorized borrowing.
4. Bicycles may not be ridden except to-and-from school.
5. Upon leaving at the end of the day, students are not allowed to ride by the school buses. They must proceed in a westerly direction from the bicycle rack area.

CLOTHING

We recommend that during the winter months, students keep a light pair of shoes (preferably gym shoes) in their lockers to change into upon entering the building. Snow boots are too warm to wear in a heated classroom and we cannot allow students to run in stocking feet for health and safety reasons, and also because of the possibility of a building evacuation during fire or other emergencies. Students will not be allowed to wear outdoor coats/jackets and hats inside the building.
Students should come to school dressed with appropriate apparel, during the winter months. Whenever the temperature (with wind chill) is ZERO degrees and above, we have students participate in outdoor recess. Please make sure your children come to school properly dressed so they may take advantage of the few opportunities we have to enjoy the outdoors in the middle of winter. They should have coats, hats (hoods), gloves, boots, long pants and/or snow pants.

CONFISCATION OF NUISANCE ITEMS

Any items which can endanger health, cause damage to property, or are a disruptive nuisance shall be confiscated. These items may be turned into the principal. If the student wishes to reclaim the item, he or she should report to the principal's office at the end of the school day. Some items may not be returned.

DETENTION

The primary objective of our school is to establish an instruction program which strives to draw from each individual the best of his/her capabilities and to develop within him/her positive attitudes and actions of self-discipline.
Rules and regulations are necessary for the orderly operation of our school and for the ultimate development of self-discipline. If a child fails to follow the rules and not develop self-control, he/she will be assigned detention after school. The child's teacher will contact the parent to arrange for the day of detention.

DISCIPLINE

A copy of the Engaged Learner Program will be sent home in the student folder the first day of school in the fall. This is a detailed outline of the discipline plan. It is very important for students and parents to be familiar with this program.

DISSEMINATION OF OUTSIDE LITERATURE

All notices and information passed out through the school must have been approved by the Principal. Please contact her if you have posters, handouts or notices to distribute or display.

DRESS

To create a favorable climate for learning, students' appearance shall be neat and clean. Dress and appearance which are distractive as to interfere with the educational process or present health and safety hazards shall not be permitted.

DRUGS

The possession or taking of non-prescribed drugs is strictly prohibited. (Refer to the District Controlled Substance Policy).

EARLY ARRIVAL OF STUDENTS

Students should not arrive at school earlier than 8:00 a.m., because the main doors will not be opened until that time. Note: The northwest entrance from the administrative parking lot is not designated as a public access entrance-way; this is the entrance through which service vehicles have access to the building in the morning.

EARTHQUAKE

During strong earth tremors the following procedure shall be employed INDOORS:
1. Stay indoors.
2. Move under sturdy furniture - desks, tables, etc.
3. Move toward the center of the building into hallways.
4. Stay away from windows and other glass objects.
5. Do not use candles, matches, or other open flames.
6. Once outside of damaged building, do not re-enter because aftershocks may occur.OUTDOORS
1. Stay away from buildings where there is danger of falling debris.
2. Stay away (50 yards) from buildings, power lines, and poles.
3. If in a moving vehicle, stop and remain inside.
All clear will be signaled by one long ring of the regular classroom bells.

EVACUATION SHELTER

Our school is a city designated evacuation shelter. In case of a disaster, and particularly a Tsunami, we will keep your child at school, unless you pick him/her up at the office.

FIRE DRILLS

In order to insure the safety of your child, we will conduct one fire drill per month. The following is the procedure we will use:
1. The sounding of the alarm is the signal to evacuate the building.
2. If feasible, teachers should turn off their classroom lights and close their classroom doors.
3. Students and personnel should move rapidly along the designated pathways to an exit. no one should run. If there is smoke in the pathway, crawl to an exit.
4. If the pathway to an exit, or an exit, has become blocked, word to that effect should be passed back. Order should be maintained as another exit is sought.
5. After leaving the building, students should proceed to a distance of at least 100 feet from the fire. Care should be exercised to avoid interfering with the fire fighting equipment.
6. Students are expected to become familiar with the fire drill exit route posted in each room. (Teachers must be prepared to give directions pertaining to leaving their classrooms).

GUIDANCE

The guidance service fulfills many functions. Elementary students have available a school counselor for giving assistance in the area of educational and personal counseling. Students and parents are invited to make use of the schools counselor.

GUIDELINES FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH

Parents and/or guardians may apply for free or reduced price hot lunches anytime during the school year by completing an application available in the school office.
All applications are evaluated by the School District Business Manager. All information is confidential.

GYM SHOES

Each student is allowed to participate in physical education at least twice a week. Please have one pair of tennis shoes (without black soles) at school for this purpose, as well as general classroom use during the wet, winter months. Because of potential foot injury, a child may not participate if he/she doesn't have gym shoes.

HATS

Hats are not to be worn in the school building during the school day.

HEAD LICE

We know the head lice season is from November through April and it is no fun to find these critters. Please check your child's head periodically during the season.
In order for a student to return to school after a bout with the little critters, the parent must get a note from the Health Nurse declaring that the child has been treated and is able to return to school.

IMMUNIZATIONS

State law requires that students be properly immunized. A child may enter school without the proper immunizations. However, if the student doesn't complete his/her immunizations at the end of thirty calendar days, he/she may be excluded from attending school.

INSURANCE

Parents are encouraged to purchase accident insurance through their regular family insurance agent. The school district does not carry accident insurance to cover students. However, private accident insurance for students during the school day and for related school activities or twenty-four hour coverage is available. Information regarding insurance is sent home at the beginning of the school year. The school district does not carry accident insurance to cover students.

KINDERGARTEN

The 1988 law concerning Kindergarten states that a child who is five years of age before August 15th preceding the beginning of the school year may enter a public Kindergarten.

LIBRARY

Students are encouraged to check-out books from the library. in the event that a book is misplaced or lost, please notify the Librarian and a bill will be sent to cover the replacement of the book(s). In the event the book is found later, a refund will be made to you.

LOCKERS

Each student shall be assigned a locker. Except for fifth and sixth grade students, no lockers will be allowed to be fitted with locks. Fifth and Sixth grade students will be assigned a combination locker for their personal use. Student lockers are the property of Valdez City Schools and as such, may be opened and inspected by school authorities. Security of personal property in school lockers and security of the locker is the student's responsibility. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.

LOITERING

Students are requested to leave the building after their daily programs are finished. Students must have a valid reason for staying in school after their classes are over. Non-students loitering on campus may be arrested.

LOST AND FOUND

An area for lost and found items is located in the office. Check this area periodically if your child is missing hats, gloves, etc. All articles at the close of the school year will be donated to a charitable organization.

LUNCH

Lunches are eaten in the cafeteria and students are under the direct supervision of aides, teachers and cafeteria staff. Students are expected to behave in a manner which will be a credit to their family and allow all children to eat lunches in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Daily, weekly, and monthly tickets may be purchased. If you prefer, your child can bring a sack lunch and purchase milk or it is permissible for students to go home for lunch. Note: Students will not be allowed to leave the building to go anywhere other than home during the lunch hour, without written parent permission. We request that the students who go home for lunch check out through the office. Lunch price information will be sent home with each student on the first day of school. Lunch charges will be given FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY. Charges must be paid the next day and no further charges will be given until the outstanding charge is paid. Parents are invited to join their child(ren) for lunch. Adult lunch tickets may be purchased in the school office.

MEDICATION

If it becomes necessary for a student to take any form of medication at school, a signed note from a parent must be presented to the office. All medication will be kept in and dispensed through the main office. Village Pharmacy will provide a school appropriate bottle, correctly numbered, and labeled.  Please, ask for the service, indicating that the medication is for school. Thank you.
 
PARENTS AND EMERGENCY CONTACT 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 us in contacting you in case of an emergency.

PARENT RESOURCE CENTER

A Parent Resource Center for all parents is located in the elementary building. Parents are encouraged to visit the center and make use of the multi-media collection of resources which are available for checkout during the regular school day. This program offers a wide variety of services to benefit parents, teachers and students, as well as a schedule of special topic seminars which will be offered throughout the school year. This center belongs to parents; we hope to see you make use of it.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

The teachers/administrators encourage parent/guardians to request conferences at any time during the school year. If a conference is desired, it should be arranged through the office. parent conferences will be scheduled by the school at the end of the first and third quarters.

PARTIES

Students are allowed to have three regular parties per year. The students and their teachers may choose three of the following: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's and/or end-of school.
To avoid hurt feelings, we also request that invitations to private parties NOT be distributed at school unless they include the entire class.

PETS AND ANIMALS AT SCHOOL

Because of the unpredictable behavior of animals around many children, we ask your cooperation in keeping pets at home.
If you would like to bring a pet to school to show your child's class, please arrange a day and time with the teacher.

PRESCHOOL

Valdez City Schools operates a preschool at the Hermon Hutchens Elementary School for children between the ages of three and five years of age with a documented developmental delay. Please call the school for further information.

PROFANITY

The use of vulgar or profane language, gestures, or possession of or the display of obscene material is prohibited.

PTA

The Hermon Hutchens Elementary School P.TA. (Parent Teacher Association) has been actively involved in proving support programs and activities for our school. All parents are urged to become members and to actively participate. Meetings are scheduled monthly during the year.

RELEASING STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL

For the protection of the students and to prevent unauthorized and unwanted persons from taking children from school prior to dismissal or at the close of school, the following procedure will be followed:
1. No child will be permitted to leave with anyone other than the listed parent or guardian unless the permission of the parent or guardian has been secured.
2. Persons picking up children are requested to report to the office to pick up the child(ren). Teachers have been instructed not to release children without authorization from the office.
3. If you are a half day kindergarten parent/guardian and the teacher recognizes you, feel free to pick up your child outside the classroom door at the end of the session.

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 report periods and at anytime deemed necessary by the school and/or parent.
Report cards may be held until all books (library and text) are returned and/or fines paid.

RESPONSIBLE SELF-DISCIPLINE

Consideration of other people in respect to their feelings, their safety, their privacy and their full social rights and privileges are essential to a happy, healthy person.

IN THE CLASSROOM/ON THE PLAYGROUND

Thank you for:
* Being in your seat and ready to write at 8:15 a.m.
* Leaving dirt, snowballs, rocks on the ground
* Respecting the rights of your fellow students by not disrupting their learning
* Playing in the designated areas
* Taking turns to play on the swings
* Leaving your gum at home
* Respecting the rights of others
* Listening to each other
* Accepting direction from teachers
* Taking turns to talk and supervisors on duty
* Raising your hand and waiting your turn
* Using language that is not offensive to share in class to others
* Using time wisely
* Not using "put down" statements
* Taking excellent care of the library books
* Playing the games according to and materials in a responsible way school rules
* Showing respect to everyone involved in your instruction

AT ASSEMBLIES

Thank you for:
* Showing respect to the performers
* Walking to and from assemblies
* Being a polite audience
* Applauding performances in a correct manner
* Sitting quietly
* Not disturbing others

SCHOOL CLOSURES

Emergency closures of school to students due to weather conditions or similar factors will be announced over the local radio stations as soon as they occur. Closures during the regular school day because of a building emergency are handled in a prearranged orderly manner. No child will be sent home during the day without the knowledge and permission of parents or parental authority.

SCHOOL PROPERTY

Textbooks and most class equipment are furnished free of cost to you. In case of loss or damage to these items, the students will be assessed a replacement charge. The taxpayers appreciate your courtesy.

STUDENT COUNCIL

The elementary student council is made up of two student representatives from each class in grades 4-6. Two upper elementary teachers serve as council sponsors. The student council makes plans for spirit activities and other school related activities that are submitted to the principal prior to implementation.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All students have the right to appeal decision from a higher authority. Valdez City Schools has established a complaint procedure for students to follow, when they feel the need to appeal decisions made at the school or district level except for those decisions covered under simple discipline, suspension, expulsion, and denial of admission. It may be used if a student feels her/his rights have been violated. Refer to Student Policy ST.1164.10 in the office.

SUSPENSION

The principal has the exclusive right to suspend a student in and out of school. The act of suspension shall be reserved for serious or repeated infractions of school rules. A student placed on suspension shall not participate in any extracurricular activity or trip sponsored by the school during the period of suspension. The Compiled School Laws of Alaska and Valdez City School Board Policy procedures govern suspension and expulsion. Letters of suspension and expulsion shall be placed in the appropriate student's record in the school office.

TARDY SLIPS

When a student is tardy, he/she must come to the office to receive a Tardy Slip which is to be presented to their classroom teacher.
When a child is continually late, he/she must make up the lost time in after school detention.

TELEPHONE USAGE

The school telephone number is 835-4728. Students are allowed to use the phone only for business or emergency. Students must have permission from their teacher or office staff to use the phone. Calling to see if they 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 to students, but please allow time for delivery.

TIME OUT

We use Glasser's time-out model for students who need quiet time to cool down or need quiet to concentrate. If you want to know more about the plan, please call.

TSUNAMI

If the Department of Emergency Services should announce a tsunami alert, we will keep the students at school, because it is designated as a Civil Defense Shelter. If you would like to pick up your child from school, check him/her out through the office, so we will have a record of their leaving.

VACATIONS

Refer to the school calendar for school vacations. When children are gone for extended periods of time during the school year, their fellow students continue to learn new concepts that the vacationing child misses. In the event your family plans to be on vacation anytime during the year for unscheduled school breaks, please notify the principal in writing prior to your departure. Parents and students must take responsibility for all make-up work assigned by the classroom teachers.

VOLUNTEERS

If you have some time to give, we would love to have your help. Please, stop by the office and sign in before going to classrooms. Also, drop by our Parent-Resource Office and see about training to become part of our "Valdez Reads" program.  We offer training to those willing to tutor our students in reading.

WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS

Students shall not carry on their person, use, transmit, or possess weapons, dangerous instruments (including knives), or their replicas in school buildings, on school grounds, on the school transportation system, at school bus stops, or at any school related or school sponsored activity away from school (including athletic events). Refer to Student Policy ST 1140.10 in the office.

WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL

Should it become necessary for a student to withdraw from school, a parent should accompany the student to school on the last day and complete and sign the necessary withdrawal forms.
 
FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS AT VALDEZ CITY SCHOOLS
INDIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM

Native American and/or Alaska Native students have an opportunity to participate in special activities to enhance their awareness of their culture. Improved self-concepts, academic performance, and leadership are key objectives of this Federal Program. After school tutoring will be provided daily for grades 3-12.

BILINGUAL/BICULTURAL PROGRAM

Students and their families receive an equal learning opportunity which promotes the acquisition of English as a second language. Throughout the school year many students share their various cultures and languages while learning about cultural customs and traditions from round the world.

TITLE I PROGRAM

Targeted students participate in a reading enrichment program with a full time reading enrichment program with a full time reading instructor. For the 2003-2004 school year, Grades 1-4 will be targeted. Long-term student gains have been impressively documented, showing that our students are maintaining gains that they make in this special supplemental reading program.

MIGRANT EDUCATION PROGRAM

Students and their families have an opportunity to participate in a variety of special activities which promote academic achievement. In addition, program activities support a greater awareness of the student's life style, which is impacted by a close living relationship with the sea and this coastal environment. After school tutoring will be provided daily for grades 3-12.