Downey Elementary
School Handbook

"Working together for creative, responsible, and productive
children."

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
At Downey Elementary School we believe in order for our
students to be successful, parents and school staff must work
together. When we are united in our efforts in the best
interests of children, we can be a very positive influence for
students, families, and the community at large. The principal
and staff at Downey Elementary are committed to establish
and maintain positive working relationships between the school
and the home.

We also understand that when students walk through the doors
of our school, you as a parent/guardian, are entrusting us with
the most precious of all resources; your own children. We take
our responsibilities very seriously in this regard. If you have
any problems or concerns about your child's education, please
contact the school early on so together we can work out the
best solution.

Thank you for placing your trust and confidence in our school
and staff. Our challenge is to foster successful academic and
social development in each and every child. We pledge the very
best effort toward that end.

Daily Schedule
7:55 Doors open
Breakfast is served in the lunchroom.
8:15 1st bell
8:20 School begins
12:10-1:05 Lunch and recess
(Time differs within this time span per grade level)
4:05 School dismissed
4:08 1st bus departs
4:30 2nd bus departs
4:35 3rd bus departs

Mission Statement
Our mission is to teach all students the basic skills they will
need to succeed in their further education, to enjoy learning,
to be confident, to be responsible productive citizens, and to
develop basic values of integrity, tolerance, and respect for
others.

Attendance
Regular attendance is vital to a student's good performance in
school. Please call the school by 9:00 a.m. on a day your child
is absent. Teachers need prior notice to prepare homework
assignments for absent students. Lessons may be picked up
after school at 4:00 p.m.

According to board policy (501.1) parents are to meet with the
school attendance committee if a student has missed 14.4 days
of school during the school year. Retention may be considered
if the student's absences have had a detrimental effect on
his/her academic performance.

The school district provides a homebound teacher for students
who (under a doctor's recommendation) cannot attend school
for an extended period of time (10 days or more). Parents may
contact the school secretary for eligibility requirements.

Testing
The school office maintains a record of all results of testing
required by the state which includes the ISAT, IRI, Direct
Writing and Direct Math Assessments. Results are available
upon written parental request.

Reporting Pupil Progress
Progress reports (report cards) are sent home every nine
weeks. Student reports include information about your child's
progress in academics, conduct, and effort. Students are
evaluated in relationship to their ability. The progress reports
should not be considered a total reporting of your child's
achievement. We encourage you to contact the school at any
time for information about the academic growth of your child.
Student grades are also available on Power Grade. Passwords
are available for access.
Grades are based on classroom grading formulas and may
include test scores, daily work, extra credit assignments,
homework assignments, and display of effort.
90-100 -------- A
80-89 ---------- B
70-79 ---------- C
60-69 ---------- D
59 or Below - F
Physical Education (PE) and Fine Arts are Pass/Fail.

Homework
School is a child's work. Since students work 5.5 hours during
the school day, our philosophy is to give a limited amount of
homework. Exceptions are special projects and work that is not
completed at school. Homework encourages a good work ethic,
personal responsibility, and growth in academic achievement.

Promotion of Students
Student retention or promotion decisions are made by the
principal in consultation with the teacher and parent. Academic,
social, emotional, physical characteristics, and the attendance
record of the student is taken into account in reaching
decisions to promote or retain.

Textbooks
Textbooks are provided free of charge for all students.
Students MUST accept responsibility for their care and
safekeeping. Compensation for lost or damaged books is
expected.

Psychological and Social Services
Psychological services and testing are available to students
through the Marsh Valley School District #21 office upon
referral and parental consent.

Special Programs
Downey Elementary School receives funding through the Title I
Program. This program provides an instructor to assist
identified Title I students achieve targeted gains in specific
academic areas.
Downey Elementary School receives funding through IDEA
1997 and has established a resource program to assist learning
disabled students in reaching academic and behavior goals as
mutually agreed upon by parents, teacher, and appropriate
service providers. Parents may refer their child to be
considered for this program by submitting a referral to the
school office.

Media Center
The Downey Elementary School Media Center is centrally
located in the school making it easily accessible for all
classrooms. The Media Center has multimedia computers with
Internet connections to assist students in doing research
projects. The Media Center provides electronic encyclopedias
along with reading, writing, science, and math programs for
student use. Each classroom is equipped with a video monitor, a
VCR, and several multimedia computers also with Internet
access.

Computer Lab
Downey Elementary has a computer lab with Internet access
where students work on assignments and projects. Every
student working in the lab MUST abide by the technology
contract signed by the parent/guardian and the student to
assure appropriate use of school computers and the Internet.


Presidential Academic Excellence Award
This award is presented to sixth grade students who have
demonstrated academic excellence during their fourth and fifth
grade years, and the first semester of sixth grade. To receive
this award, students must maintain a 3.5 GPA for this period
of time and score in the 85th percentile on either the reading
or math sections of the ISAT test. This is a district-wide
awards program and certificates are presented at an awards
presentation program during the month of May.

Student Discipline
General Building Rules
Students will:
1. Use appropriate language.
2. Keep hands, feet, objects, and rude remarks to themselves.
3. Walk quietly in the building.
4. Follow the directions of the school staff.
Playground Rules
Students will:
1. Play in designated areas.
2. Use only approved balls and equipment on the playground.
3. Use ALL playground equipment safely.
4. Avoid tackling or any other form or rough play.

Lunchroom Rules
Students will:
1. Enter the lunchroom quietly.
2. Use quiet voices.
3. Sit while eating.
4. Use good table manners.
5. Clean up their table area when finished eating.

Bus Rules
Students will:
1. Obey the driver.
2. Talk in quiet voices.
3. Keep hands, feet, head etc. in the bus.
4. Will NOT throw or hand any item out of the bus windows.
5. Stay in the seat while the bus is moving.
6. Walk in front of the bus when it is necessary to cross the
street when getting on or off of the bus.
7. Keep hands, feet, objects, and rude remarks to themselves.
8. Remain on the school sidewalk until the bus comes to a
complete stop and permission is granted to board the bus.

Level I Rules and Violation Procedures
All students are expected to be courteous and respectful to
others, to play fair, take turns, and to follow the rules. When
students fail to comply, they will be verbally corrected. In the
event he or she continues to be non-compliant, they will be
referred to the classroom teacher for discipline. In the case
of a playground violation, the child will be removed from play
for a time out period and his/her teacher will be notified via
documentation on the recess incident report. Discipline may
include loss of the next recess, time out in class, time out in
another classroom, or loss of recess privileges for a specified
time period.

Level II Rules and Violation Procedures
Students are expected to be honest and show respect towards
each other and all adults in the school at all times. Failure to
do so will result in Level II Rule violations. Examples of Level II
violations include the following: Lying, cheating, being
disrespectful to adults or other students in school, use of
profanity or obscene language, bullying, teasing, shoving, name
calling, fighting, etc.
Discipline procedures for Level II Rule violations are as
follows:
1. The classroom teacher will investigate the facts concerning
the incident and confer with the building principal.
2. The building principal may inform the parents and convene a
conference with them to formulate a plan to eliminate the
inappropriate behavior.
3. The building principal may assign consequences such as
suspension, loss of a privilege, or work detail.

Level III Rules and Violation Procedures
The following types of student conduct, while under the
supervision of the school, on or off of the school grounds, will
constitute a Level III violation:
1. Willful disobedience or failing to comply with direct and
reasonable directions of a staff member.
2. Extortion by means of force or threat to obtain money or
property from another student.
3. Intimidation of any person with threat of bodily harm.
4. Disruption of school related activities by depriving others of
the use of school buildings, school grounds, or parts thereof
through violence, force, noise, threat, passive resistance, or
other conduct, which interferes with educational activities.
5. Causing or attempting to cause damage to school property or
private property.
6. Stealing or attempting to steal.
7. Intentionally causing, attempting to cause, or behaving in
such a way as to cause physical injury to any student or school
employee.
8. Truancy
9. Possession, handling, or exhibiting any object, which may be
considered a weapon or dangerous plaything.
10. Any action that would threaten the health, safety, and
well being of students, teachers, employees, or parents.
11. Possessing, using, or being under the influence of any drug,
illegal substance, alcohol, tobacco, or any intoxicant of any
kind.
12. Possessing or distributing pornographic materials.

Level III discipline procedures will proceed as follows:
1. The classroom teacher will investigate the facts concerning
the incident and notify the building principal.
2. The principal will interview the student concerning the
incident.
3. The principal will contact the parents (and any government
agencies if necessary) by telephone or letter and assign any
combination of the following consequences.
a. work detail
b. loss of recess
c. loss of privileges
d. reimbursement
e. detention
f. suspension out of school
g. suspension in school
h. refer to superintendent for expulsion
i. referral to Bannock County Sheriff
j. referral to Juvenile Justice

Inclement Weather
Any school schedule changes due to snow, ice, flooding, etc.,
will be announced by the superintendent's office. When severe
weather is threatening, watch Channel 6 television for
information on school closures, delayed openings, or early
dismissal.
The school staff has organized a communication (calling) tree
and will attempt to notify parents/guardians by telephone.

Telephone Messages
The school telephone is answered between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m. Messages to teachers or students will be placed in the
teacher's mailbox. Only in an emergency will a teacher or
student be called to the phone during class time.
Students will be allowed to use the telephone during the day
with written permission of the classroom teacher.

School Visitation
For the protection of the students and the integrity of the
instructional program, all visitors are to sign in at the school
office. Please, do NOT go directly to your child's classroom.
Visitors will be issued an identification tag (ID badge) to wear
while in the school.
Anyone who may need to deliver an article to a child is
requested to leave it at the office so it may be delivered at an
appropriate time without disrupting the class.
Parents are encouraged to visit school frequently and actively
participate in the education of their child. We request that
parents avoid conferring with teachers during such visits, but
rather schedule a conference at a mutually acceptable time.
Children who are NOT enrolled at Downey Elementary School
will NOT be allowed to attend school with a friend or relative
who is enrolled.

Sickness/Medications
Occasionally students become ill. When this situation
interferes with learning or is infectious to other students,
parents should keep their child at home.
If a child requires a prescription medication during school
hours, the medication MUST be turned in to the office with a
permission form signed by the parent and the attending
physician. (Forms are available at the school office.) No
medication will be dispensed without written permission.
Prescription medications MUST be brought to school in the
original container showing the pharmacy name and the
prescription number. School staff can NOT dispense any
over-the-counter medications.
Only approved staff members will be allowed to administer
prescription medication. A second staff member will witness the
administering of the required medication.

School Dress and Grooming
Students shall dress in a manner that shows respect for the
educational environment and is befitting the day's activities.
Student's clothing and jewelry must not present a health or
safety hazard, a distraction to the learning process, or
interfere with or disrupt the school's educational mission.
Disruption is defined as reactions by other individuals to the
clothing, hairstyle, or adornment, which cause the
teacher/administrator to lose attention of the students, to
modify or cease instructional activities, or to deal with student
confrontations or complaints.
The following definitions apply:
1. Personal items such as clothing, paraphernalia, jewelry,
backpacks, fanny packs, gym bags, water bottles, etc., shall
be free of writing, pictures, or other insignias, which are
crude, vulgar, profane, violent, or sexually suggestive.
2. Items which bear advertising, promotions and likenesses of
tobacco, alcohol, or drugs, or which are contrary to the
educational mission of the school shall not be allowed.
3. Hair, which is so conspicuous, extreme, or odd in color or
style that it draws undo attention, disrupts, or tends to disrupt
or interfere with the learning atmosphere at the school, shall
not be allowed.
4. All students shall wear clean clothing. Clothing, jewelry,
accessories and piercings which are so conspicuous, extreme, or
odd that they draw undue attention, disrupt, or tend to
disrupt, interfere with or pose a health or safety issue to the
learning atmosphere at the school shall not be allowed.
5. Students shall not wear clothes that are mutilated, cut off,
or immodest, e.g. short shorts, mini-skirts, bare midriffs,
halter-tops, spaghetti straps, tank shirts, pajamas, or similar
clothing.
6. Clothing shall cover the midriff, underwear, backs,
shoulders, and cleavage at all times. Skirts, dresses and shorts
must be at least mid-thigh length or longer when the student is
seated.
7. Hats or headgear of any kind are not allowed within the
classroom except as part of an approved activity, or for
religious or medical purposes.
8. Gang related clothing, colors, and paraphernalia shall not be
allowed at school or school activities. School officials will
determine what constitutes "gang" clothing, colors, and
paraphernalia after consultation with law enforcement agencies
as needed.
9. Shoes shall be worn at all times to ensure personal safety
and hygiene.

Weapons Brought to School
Marsh Valley School District #21 policy has a "zero tolerance"
statement for weapons brought to school by students. Students
are NOT allowed to bring any type of knife, gun, etc. to
school.

Personal Possessions
Students are not to bring personal items to school such as
toys, cell phones, electronic devices, etc. The school will NOT
accept responsibility for breakage or loss. Roller blades and
skateboards are NOT allowed at school.
Clothing such as coats, sweaters, sweat shirts, etc., should be
plainly marked with your child's name.
Students who choose to ride bicycles to school are NOT to
ride them on school grounds. Bicycles are to be kept in the
school bike rack during school hours.

Student Fees
Students are required to pay an annual fee of $10.00 for
student assemblies. This fee is due at the beginning of school
and is payable at the school office.

School Lunch program
Downey Elementary School offers both a breakfast and a hot
lunch and an afternoon snack program for students. Parents
may arrange to eat school lunch with their children by calling
the school before 9:00 a.m. Free and reduced meal programs
are available to all eligible students. Applications can be
obtained at the school office. For information regarding
current meal costs parents/guardians should contact the school
secretary.
A free breakfast and afternoon snack are provided for ALL
students each morning in the lunchroom.

School Records
A copy of the student's immunization record and birth
certificate must be placed in each student's cumulative record.
Parents/Guardians may view the file upon written request.