Student Handbook
Dear Southworth Families,
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child (ren) into our Southworth Elementary School community for this upcoming school year. If you are returning, then you already know what a great school we have. If you are new to Southworth, you will find our school is outstanding for many reasons. First, we have hard working and dedicated staff members that genuinely care about their students and plan meaningful and engaging lessons for your child (ren). As a Kids at Hope school, our dedicated staff believe that all kids can learn. As a school we focus on student growth.
Finally, Southworth parents are the best! They support the teachers and the school and are actively involved in the daily activities within the school. Our staff encourages and appreciates your involvement at school whether it is through classroom assistance, Booster Club activities, or active communication with your child’s teacher. We hope to see and hear from you often. Please sign up to volunteer and remember to join our Booster Club.
This handbook was developed as a communication link between the Yelm Community Schools, Southworth Elementary School, and you. I hope it provides the necessary information, explanation of procedures and outlines policies that are critical to a successful school year. Please read this handbook and keep it in a safe place for you to review when needed.
Respectfully,
Charles Cook, Principal
Our Mission
Communities dedicated to learning and achievement
Our Vision
Yelm Community Schools is a safe, student-centered, and collaborative learning environment. In partnership with parents, students, and community leaders, YCS staff members are dedicated to helping each student meet performance expectations and achieve their full learning potential
Handbook Sections
- Optimal Learning Environment
- Kids at Hope School
- Discipline
- Attendance Information
- Parent Involvement
- School Procedures
- Student Learning
- Student Support & Services
Optimal Learning Environment
Yelm Community Schools embraces the diversity within our schools and seeks to create a nurturing and barrier-free learning environment for each student. To achieve this goal we commit to:
- Preparing our students to thrive in a multicultural and diverse society.
- Ensuring fair, equitable and inclusive principles are integrated into our policies, programs, operations and practices.
- Creating school and classroom cultures that are free of bias-based language or behaviors.
- Eliminating barriers that perpetuate negative outcomes.
- Providing all students the resources, opportunities and supports needed to succeed at high levels.
- Honoring and building upon the strengths and assets of every student.
- Welcoming and engaging families and community members as essential partners.
Kids at Hope School
All Children are capable of Success, NO EXCEPTIONS!
Student Pledge: “I am a Kid at Hope. I am talented, smart and capable of success. I have dreams for the future, and I will climb to reach those goals and dreams."
Staff Pledge: “I am a Treasure Hunter: As an adult and a TREASURE HUNTER, I am committed to search for all the talents, skills and intelligence that exist in all children and youth. I believe all children are capable of success, No Exceptions!”
Discipline
The rules contained herein are meant to regulate student conduct at school, at all school-sponsored activities, and off-campus that adversely affects the school-learning climate. Depending on the circumstance of the student’s violation, school authorities may, in compliance with state law and the rules of the State Board of Education, Chapter 180-40 WAC, impose discipline. District Policies are available in the Student Rights & Responsibility Handbook.
Discipline procedures will follow district policies.
Student Conduct – Policy 3240
Classroom Management, Discipline & Corrective Action – Policy 3241
Exceptional Misconduct – Policy 3241
Student Sexual Harassment – Policy 3205
Use of Tobacco and Nicotine Products & Delivery Devices – Policy 4215
District Policies are available in the on the website.
- CrimeStoppers 1.800.222.TIPS (8477)
- Dress Code
- Harassment, Intimindation and Bullying (HIB)
- Invitations
- Student Conduct/Behavior Expectations
- Student Incentive Programs for Promoting Positive Behaviors
CrimeStoppers 1.800.222.TIPS (8477)
- Calling 800-222-TIPS(8477)
- Submitting Online at p3tips.com
- Download the P3 App to your mobile device
As always, tipsters remain 100% anonymous and could possibly be rewarded up to $1,000. Remember to save your “tip number” in order to follow up and receive a reward. Anyone having knowledge about dangerous situations or crimes (past, present or future) can report a tip.
Dress Code
In order to facilitate learning for all students, YCS requires that student dress and appearance follow health and safety standards and not cause disruption to the learning environment. Students who do not follow these guidelines will be asked to change their clothing, cover up, and/or contact home if necessary.
Heads: K-5 students must remove all headwear while in the building. Headwear includes hats, hoods, headbands with animal ears, bandanas and head wraps. (Exceptions will be made for medical, religious and other approved reasons.)
Torso: Clothing must cover stomachs, backs, shoulders, chests and undergarments.
Legs: Shorts, skirts and dresses must be longer than mid-thigh. Undergarments must be covered.
Feet: Footwear must be worn at all times appropriate to the activity. Strapless shoes and high heels are discouraged for safety.
Guidelines
- Clothing that promotes drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence, is sexually suggestive, or displays inappropriate pictures or writing is prohibited.
- Any clothing worn in a manner identified as gang related is prohibited.
- Jewelry that can pose safety hazards is prohibited.
- Exceptions to dress code standards may be made for PE or school activities.
What students wear does affect the way they think about, and behave toward, their tasks at school, their peers, and adults. Please consider this as you help your child make appropriate choices for school clothes.
Harassment, Intimindation and Bullying (HIB)
Schools are meant to be safe and inclusive environments where all students are protected from Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB), including in the classroom, on the school bus, in school sports, and during other school activities.
View the full definition of HIB, Sexual Harassment, Civil Rights and Gender Inclusive procedures.
Invitations
Student Conduct/Behavior Expectations
Southworth students follow STAR (Safe, Trustworthy, Achieve, & Respect) and teachers recognize students that show STAR in school. Individual teachers also design their own motivational systems to encourage appropriate behavior. . The system includes verbal or non-verbal warnings, and students have the option to use a calming corner/safe space to help them calm or regulate behavior, removal to another classroom for recovery, and lastly removal from class for redirect or safety. Students will be returned to class when they are ready to learn. If the student returns to the classroom but continues the inappropriate behavior, he/she may be sent home. If the student continues similar behaviors on subsequent days and is again sent to the office, suspension from school may occur. Parents will be contacted by the teacher of any student that displays conduct or behavioral issues. Preservation of the learning environment is important to students making academic progress.
These building wide rules are expectations to help students be safe, be kind, and have fun.
Cell phones
Cell phones and cell phone watches must be kept off and in students’ backpacks during the school day. Students are not allowed to use their phones, watch phones, take photos, or send voice or text messages, without staff permission.
Students who violate our cell phone policy will have their phones confiscated and parents will be notified to pick up the phone. Disciplinary actions may be taken based on the severity of the incident. Using phones to bully or harass other students (through recorded /spoken/written words or pictures) violates RCW 9A.36.080 and will result in disciplinary action. For further details regarding students and telecommunication devices, please refer to YCS School Board Policy 3245 on the district website @ www.ycs.wednet.edu.
Money and valuables
Please do not allow students to bring more money to school than what is needed during the school day. Valuables, electronics (i.e. I Pods, MP3 players, DSs, etc.) are NOT allowed at school. These items will be kept in the office until a parent can pick them up. School personnel will not be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
Listen to all adults
All staff members will help guide students in following rules. Parents please teach your child that they need to listen to all staff members that they encounter in the halls and around Southworth.
Quiet Coyote
That hand signal will be the signal for quiet listening in assemblies and public areas around Southworth.
Toys
Toys are not to be seen at Southworth. Teachers have discretion whether to allow them in class, but need to make sure students put them away when kids go out to recess. Check with your teacher as to what items may be brought to their classroom.
Sports Equipment
Students who want to bring these things for recess need to talk to their classroom teacher and get approval. They must have their name clearly marked. Teachers will consider if the individual student will be able to use it responsibly.
Hallways
Students need to walk (not run) through the hallways at all times.
Class Lines
Students need to walk with their classes on the right side of the hallway, quietly, with hands and feet to self (not touching items).
Hands, Feet and Mouth
All students are expected to keep their hands, feet and mouth to themselves in all areas around Southworth. Hands means that students are not to touch, slap, or hit other students to harm them. Feet are not to be used to kick and harm another student. Mouth is not to be used to say harmful words, spit on, or bite others.
School Expectations
The Southworth staff is dedicated to creating and maintaining a positive, productive environment for all students.
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Maintaining consistent rules and procedures building-wide
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Teaching expected behaviors to all students
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Providing the level of support each student needs in order to be successful
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Rewarding appropriate behavior, good choices, and hard work
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Showing respect for self, others, and property
Playground
Students who engage in inappropriate physical aggression while playing contact sports (ie: football, soccer, etc.) will be disciplined as follows:
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Verbal warning from the playground staff
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Meeting with parent and principal to determine further restrictions
How do I know if my child was talked to about their behavior?
- Teachers will be in contact with parents via phone and/or email
Student Incentive Programs for Promoting Positive Behaviors
Southworth Elementary uses several incentive programs to promote positive behaviors of our students. These programs are designed to work together in promoting positive behaviors as well as help our students develop positive character traits to help them well beyond school.
STAR Bucks: All adults at Southworth promote STAR through the handing out of STAR Bucks. These are used for earning classroom rewards and grade level rewards. Staff will be looking for students that are demonstrating:
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Safety
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Trustworthiness
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Achievement
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Respect
Monthly Rewards: Each grade level teacher will recognize one student for demonstrating STAR behavior and academic growth each month. Teachers will notify parents about this recognition.
Word of the Month: At Southworth we focus on one-character trait a month. Teachers will work with students on helping them understand this character trait word in their classrooms each month.
Spirit Days: Every Friday is a school pride spirit day. During football season many staff and students can swap school pride spirit wear to a Blue Friday. The school will have spirit weeks throughout the year.
Attendance Information
Yelm Community Schools places a high priority on school attendance. Studies prove that daily attendance has a direct impact on student achievement. Our goal is to have every student arrive on time and attend a full day of school.
School Hours and Supervision
The safety of students is of utmost importance to us. Before school supervision is provided 5 minutes prior to the start of class. Students should not arrive on campus before 8:30 a.m on a regular start day and 9:30 a.m. on a late start Wednesday. We have no regular after school supervision available. To ensure student safety, all students must be picked up by 3:10 p.m. Individual after school activities will be communicated by supervising teacher.
School hours for Southworth are:
Regular School Day Attendance
School Begins at 8:35
Students arriving between 8:35-10:05 will be marked tardy
Students arriving between 10:05-1:35 will be marked absent for the a.m. only
Students leaving between 1:35-3:05 will be marked absent for the p.m.
School Ends at 3:05
Late Start Wednesday
School Begins at 9:35
Students arriving between 9:35-10:05 will be marked tardy
Students arriving between 10:05-1:35 will be marked absent for the a.m. only
Students arriving between 1:35-3:05 will be marked absent for the whole day
School Ends at 3:05
Tardiness
Students are expected to be in class on time. When a student’s tardiness becomes frequent (after 5 in a semester), the student shall be referred to the dean of students for support. In addition, excessive tardiness may result in the school requiring an Attendance Agreement.
End of Day Transportation Changes
The office has a record for each student for the end of the day pickup. If there is a change from the normal routine, either bus or parent pickup, a note is required. If you are unable to send a note with your student, you may email sw_attendance@ycs.wednet.edu by 2 p.m. Verbal directions to your child cannot be accepted as a change. If you have set up a schedule change for certain days of every week, we will automatically write a note indicating that change. Please notify the office, in writing, with any changes.
Definition of “Excused Absences”
Students are expected to attend ALL assigned classes each day unless excused by the parent/guardian for valid reasons below.
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Participation in a school-approved activity: This absence must be authorized by a staff member and prior notification must be provided to parent/guardian for approval. (IE., field trips)
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Illness, health condition, health care appointments, family emergency, or religious/cultural purpose: We encourage parent/guardian to schedule appointments during non-school hours whenever possible. School officials may require a health professional’s written note when a student has more than 3 consecutive absences. Families are encourage to acquire a health professional’s written note whenever possible and submit a copy to the Attendance Office.
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Parental/Family Pre-Arranged Absence: Parents/Guardians are to notify the school if there will be a pre-arranged absence from school. The absence may be classified as unexcused if the student is under an Attendance Agreement, BECCA order, or has an adverse effect on the student’s education or student has already reach 10 absences for the school year or 10% of the current year. The Pre-Arranged Absence Form is available in the school office.
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Court, judicial proceedings court-ordered activity or absences related to homeless or foster care status.
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Suspensions from school
Definition of “Unexcused Absences”
Unexcused absences are defined as “failure on the part of the parent/guardian to notify the school in a timely manner.”
Reporting Absence Procedures
When your child will be absent from school, you can notify the school in two ways:
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Send an email to sw_attendance@ycs.wednet.edu to excuse your child
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Call attendance line at 360.458.6244 and provide reason
If your student has not arrived to school or the school hasn’t been notified of the absence by 8:45 a.m. on a regular start day or by 9:45 a.m. on a late start Wednesday an automated phone call, email and/or text will be sent to parent/guardian.
Chronic Absenteeism
Chronic absenteeism incorporates all absences: excused, unexcused and suspensions. The focus is on the academic consequences due to the loss of instructional time and preventing absences before students fall behind. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing more than 10% of the school year.
Process for Truancy
The following truancy procedures will be followed prior to filing a full petition.
Tier 1
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1-2 Unexcused Absences: Parent/Guardian will be contacted via School Messenger, E-mail, letter or phone call
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3 Unexcused Absences: Schedule a meeting with school personnel to find solutions
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IEP/504 Accruing Students: Case manager will convene an IEP meeting to develop a plan
Tier 2
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4 Unexcused Absences/Excessive Excused Absences or 10% of the school year: Students will be placed on attendance contract
Tier 3
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5 Unexcused Absences/Excessive Excused Absences or 10% of the school year: The school will file a stay petition with Thurston county Juvenile court and schedule community Truancy Board Meeting
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Students not attending school as court ordered results in school filling a contempt and progress report Thurston County Juvenile court
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Monitor and review expiration date
Attendance – Policy 3122
Parent Involvement
- Before and After School Supervision
- Booster Club
- Family Access
- Online Payment Fees
- Parent Communications
- Parking
- Report Cards & Conferences
- Visitors
- Volunteer
Before and After School Supervision
The safety of our students is of utmost importance to us. There is no supervision before 8:30 a.m., and staff may be in meetings or preparing for classes. There is no playground supervision after school. Students are not to be on campus before 8:30 am (9:30 am LSW) or after 3:05 pm.
If you need supervision you can contact the YMCA as they offer before and after school care for a fee. The YMCA contact number is 360.705.2642.
Booster Club
One way to get involved with your child’s education is to join the Southworth Booster Club. Booster Club meetings are held once a month in the Southworth cafeteria at 6:00 pm. Children are welcome to attend with their parents if necessary. The Booster Club hosts many events and activities throughout the year and supports our school programs. You can always get in contact with the Booster Club by emailing at southworthbooser@gmail.com.
Family Access
Family Access is a web-based tool designed to give parents/guardians and students access to student information to support achievement. Students and parent/guardians each have their own access.
Need help with your access or need to access tutorials?
- Attendance
- Grades/Academic Progress/Test Scores
- Class Schedules & Teacher Contacts
- Lunch Balances
- Conference Scheduling
- And much more!
Online Payment Fees
As a convenience to families, Yelm Community Schools provides an easy way to make online payments from home or work, 24/7. With just one login, you can make payments for any child in your household using Discover, VISA or MasterCard credit or debit cards.
Online payments can be used to replenish a student's food service account or pay for any existing fines or fees, such as class fees, athletic fees or ASB activities.
Yelm Community Schools is fully compliant with all data protection laws, including PCI Data Security Standards. Yelm School District does not store your billing or payment information at any time. Any personal information you enter related to your credit card through this website is purged immediately. Any contact information you enter is stored for your convenience when using our website. Information you provide to us will only be used by Yelm Community Schools. We will never sell or rent your personal information to third parties.
The link that makes this possible is: https://wa-yelm.intouchreceipting.com/ or click on the icon at the top of any district or school website.
There is a standard format for all users and their passwords.
User Name is the parent's Family Access ID (aka. “Q” Skyward/Qmlativ Login ID)
Password is Last Name in all Capital Letters
Note: Cookies must be enabled on your web browser
Parent Communications
A bi-monthly newsletter with current events, highlights, Booster Club news, and event dates will be emailed. The newsletter is also available on our website. We also communicate thru the “School Messenger” system. Automated calls are sent to Southworth families with important information. This system requires each student’s current contact information.
Parking
Report Cards & Conferences
Report cards are sent out two times each year. 1st and 3rd quarter progress report cards are reviewed at parent-teacher conferences in November and March. Our teachers look forward to the opportunity to meet with you at conference time and discuss your child’s progress and accomplishments. 2nd and 4th quarter report cards are available on Family Access.
Visitors
We encourage parent involvement at Southworth. Parents are welcome in the classroom as volunteers, to have lunch with their child/ren, and to attend special events and assemblies. Visitors always need to sign in at the office on the kiosk and get a visitor’s badge from office personnel. Only staff members are allowed on the playground during recess time.
As a courtesy to our teaching staff and to coordinate their schedule with yours, please make an appointment to meet with the principal, counselor or your child’s teacher when needing to talk to them.
To minimize disruptions in the classroom, we do not forward phone calls to staff during the school day unless it is an emergency. We are happy to take a message or put you through to the classroom before or after school.
Volunteer
Volunteers are a vital part of our students' education. To volunteer in a school during the school year, an application must be completed online. All volunteers must receive clearance through the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) before volunteering. Clearance is granted for one school year only.
Volunteers can work directly with the office or a classroom teacher, with our Booster Club, or with our Counselor through our Watch D.O.G.S and M.O.M.S program.
School Procedures
- Class Placement
- Emergency Closure and Delays
- Lost & Found
- Safety Drills
- Transportation
- Treats for School
- Watch D.O.G.S.
Class Placement
We do not allow parent request for class placement as we have found this hinders our ability to create classes that are fair and balanced. Based upon educational research, the Southworth staff strongly believes that students should be placed in classrooms that have a balance of academic abilities, social skills, and gender. We are very fortunate at Southworth Elementary to have a staff of highly qualified teachers that are committed to meeting the learning needs of every student. We strive to create a learning environment where all students can reach their potential. In such an environment, we have found that almost all students will learn and experience success with any of our teachers. Few students actually need to be assigned one particular teacher versus another.
Here are the criteria we use each year for student placement:
- Academic needs and strengths
- Behavioral needs and strengths
- Social needs
- Learning style
- Gender balance
- Even balance of children of all achievement levels
We take class placement very seriously. Your child’s teacher and next year’s teachers meet as a team to place students based on the above criteria. They make every effort to balance classes while meeting the specific learning needs of every child. Your child’s teacher uses their knowledge of each child to make certain that students will be successful in the prospective classroom structure, that the student has friends in that classroom, and that some student combinations are avoided if necessary. Mr. Cook, our specialists and the special services team carefully review preliminary class lists before the final decision is made. We understand that parents occasionally have concerns that need special consideration in the placement process and we want to know about them. We encourage families with specific placement concerns to share that information directly with our school counselor.
Emergency Closure and Delays
Sometimes during the school year, we face the possibility of inclement weather and school closure or schedule changes. Typically, families will be notified of emergency schedule changes by an automated phone call, email and/or text. We will announce closures and delays as early as possible but not later than 5:30 a.m. Occasionally, circumstances change quickly and late announcements are unavoidable. The following information is for reference in the event that the schools are closed or buses operate on an emergency schedule:
School Closure: All schools will be closed all day and any activities planned for the day or evening will be announced by 12pm on the district website.
Emergency Schedule: Indicates that schools will start on a delayed schedule. Parents are reminded that although the buses will start the runs later, if we are on an emergency schedule, the buses may be slightly later near the end of the run. We request that parents make allowances for this.
Limited Transportation: Limited transportation will prevail if some roads become inaccessible or if the county announces road closures. School will be in session unless otherwise announced by the Superintendent’s Office.
Stay informed about Emergency Closures & Delays by
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Signing up for FLASH ALERT (http://flashalert.net/news.html?id=4289) to receive an email notice.
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Updating your Family Access email and home & cell numbers
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Opting In for Text Messaging (Text YES to 67587)
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Following Yelm Community Schools on Facebook and Twitter
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Visiting the district website for detailed information and updates
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Tuning into other media outlets
It is requested that parents/guardians do not call the media stations for closure information.
Lost & Found
If your child has lost something, please have him/her check the lost and found by the front office. There is also a box for smaller items that is inside the office. It is helpful if names are written on the inside tags of coats and jackets. Unclaimed articles are given to charitable organizations at the end of each quarter.
Articles lost on buses are usually kept by the individual driver for a period of time and are then turned into the lost and found department at the bus garage. You may contact the bus garage at 360-458-3300.
Safety Drills
As a building we conduct several safety drills each year. At Southworth we will conduct at least 5 fire drills, 1 earthquake drill, and 3 lockdown drills. We ask parents to talk to their student about taking ALL emergency drills serious. We practice these drills to help prepare our staff and your student in the event of an actual emergency. During fire drills we have students practice orderly evacuation of the building to a safe location for unification. For earthquake drills we have students practice DUCK, COVER, and HOLD. While practicing lockdown drills we strive in getting students to shelter in place quietly behind a locked door until we are able to evacuate safely. During all drills a sign will be posted outside the office main door and all phones will not be answered, but you will be able to leave a message.
Transportation
Student Drop Off Procedures
When students are dropped off in the morning before school, students must exit the right side of the vehicle. Once students are dropped off, drivers exit through the parking lot. Please be respectful of other drivers and students when dropping off as this ensures the safety of our students.
Picking Up Children From School
Please remember to bring your ID as it is required for picking any student before, during or after school. We ask that parents send a note to school with their child to notify the teacher if a student will be picked up before regular dismissal time. When picking students up, please come to the office, and your child will meet you there. If someone other than a parent is picking up the student, be sure you send written authorization indicating that. To ensure the safety of our students, all students who are picked up from school must be signed out in the log book in the office when checked out during the day. When picking up students after school, parents are to meet students and sign them out in the cafeteria with photo ID. Please do not ask your child to meet you in the hallway or parking lot. As school attendance is important and early pick-ups are disruptive to the educational process, we encourage parents to wait until school is dismissed before picking up their child, whenever possible.
End of Day Procedures
The office has a record for each student for the end of the day pickup. If there is a change from the normal routine, either bus or parent pick up a note is required. If you are unable to send a note with your student, you may email sw_attendance@ycs.wednet.edu by 2 p.m. Verbal directions to your child cannot be accepted as a change. If you have set up a schedule change for certain days of every week, we will automatically write a note indicating that change. Please notify the office, in writing, with any changes.
RIDING THE BUS
Our bus drivers review the bus rules with students at the beginning of the year. If you have questions about busing or need a copy of the rules, please call our transportation department at 360.458.3300.
If it is necessary to make a bus change (permanent or temporary), please email sw_attendance@ycs.wednet.edu prior to 2:00 PM.
Treats for School
For students’ health and safety, treats or snacks must be store-bought. Please be sure to check with your child's teacher before bringing any treats to school. Because of severe food allergies, please do not bring products containing any nuts, including peanuts or peanut oil to school for classroom consumption. Gum chewing is not allowed at school.
Watch D.O.G.S.
Watch D.O.G.S. (Dad of Great Students) is a family and community educational initiative. There are 2 primary goals of the Watch DOGS program.
1. To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
2. To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
Program Benefits
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Students gain positive male role models.
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Schools gain an extra set of eyes and ears. The presence of a father or father figure will provide an additional deterrent to bullying, enhance a sense of security in the building, and will help to create an environment conducive to learning.
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Fathers get a glimpse of their students' everyday world and learn about the increasingly complex challenges and decisions today's youth are facing.
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Fathers gain a greater awareness of the positive impact they can have on their student's life in three critical areas including: academic performance, self-esteem, social behavior.
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The Watch DOGS volunteers provide real and important help for the teachers and the students.
Student Learning
District Technology Access
The district is dedicated to promoting and instilling principles of digital citizenship and media literacy in students and encourages guardians to play an active role in the process of educating students. While the district takes great care to monitor and filter inappropriate websites, students are expected to be responsible users of their access and the educational technology tools made available. For a complete list of Student Responsible Use Guidelines, review the Student Rights and Responsibility Handbook and/or Policy and Procedure 2022/P on the district website at Yelm Community Schools.
Students will be given a unique user login and password to access educational technology tools. The login portal icon is available at the top of the school and district website for students to access at school or home. It is essential students keep this information private to ensure security of their school files and online accounts.
Homework
We believe that homework is an important part of the learning process. Homework reinforces skills taught in class and gives students an opportunity to practice these skills independently. It also fosters a sense of responsibility and provides an additional opportunity for communication between school and home. Parents can help by expecting their child to complete assignments and to turn them in on time. Teachers will provide homework for absent students providing the absence is excused (as detailed in the School Board Attendance Policies). Parents may contact our office to request homework for an absent student. Please give at least 24 hours’ notice.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
The vision of Yelm Community Schools is to prepare ALL students for post-secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement.
A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a service delivery framework focused on prevention and problem solving for all students. An integrated MTSS connects all of the academic and non-academic interventions, supports, and services available in schools and communities to support instruction and eliminate barriers to learning and teaching. Within an MTSS framework, multiple levels of instruction, assessment, and intervention are designed to meet the academic and non-academic needs of ALL students.
Essential Components of an MTSS Framework
- Core Instruction and Tiered Continuum of Evidence-based Interventions and Supports (Tier I, II, III)
- Universal Screening and Progress Monitoring
- Data-based Decision Making
- Family Engagement and Community Partnerships
- Creating and maintaining the infrastructure to support an integrated MTSS Framework
Student Support & Services
Food Service & Meals
Meal Service
The breakfast and lunch program is provided by our district’s Food Service department. Breakfast is served 8:30 AM on regular start day and 9:30 AM on a late start Wednesday. Please check with your students’ teacher for your student’s lunch time.
Meal Costs
Please check the website for an updated fee schedule.
Free and Reduced Meals
Meal benefits are available to families that meet income guidelines. Free and Reduced applications are available online through Skyward Family Access. Paper applications are available at school upon request or on our Food Service website.
If you have questions regarding your child’s meal account, please contact your school. For assistance with Free and Reduced application, please contact the district Food Service Department at 360.400.1151.
Online Payments
As a convenience to families, Yelm Community Schools provides an easy way to make online payments from home or work, 24/7. With just one login, you can make payments for any child in your household using Discover, VISA, or MasterCard credit or debit cards.
Online payments can be used to replenish a student’s food service account or pay for any existing fines or fees, such as class fees, athletic fees, or ASB activities.
Yelm Community Schools is fully compliant with all data protection laws, including PCI Data Security Standards. Yelm School District does not store your billing or payment information at any time. Any personal information you enter related to your credit card through this website is purged immediately. Any contact information you enter is stored for your convenience when using our website. Information you provide to us will only be used by Yelm Community Schools. We will never sell or rent your personal information to third parties.
Health Information
Life Threatening Illness
If your child has an illness, which has the potential to cause death during the school day YCS must be made aware prior to the student’s first day of school. Examples of these conditions would be seizures, diabetes, allergies requiring an Epi Pen, severe asthma and/or any other condition that is considered to be life threatening. Parents/guardians are responsible to report this information to the Registered Nurse assigned to that school. Parents/guardians must provide the medication in its original container along with the medication authorization form prior to the first day of school. Students will be excluded from school until these requirements are met. (RCW 28A.210.320, District Policy 3413)
Immunizations
In order to protect children against a number of childhood diseases, Washington State Law requires that all children enrolled to YCS be immunized against varicella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, rubella, mumps and hepatitis b as appropriate. Parents may submit the Exemption from Immunization form. However, students will be excluded from school if they do not meet the requirements of the law. (RCW 28A.210.060, District Policy 3413)
Infectious Disease
In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of certain communicable diseases YCS will comply with the State Board of Health rules and regulations within the most current Infectious Disease Control Guide, provided by the State Department of Health and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. (District Policy 3414.
Medications
YCS requires signed authorization forms for the dispensing of any prescription or non-prescription medicines to students. Forms must be signed by the physician as well as the parent/guardian and are available from the office. Physicians may fax this information to our school at 360.458.6315. All medications must be delivered to and picked up from the school by the parent/guardian in the original container. Most medications can be dispensed by the parent/guardian before or after school. Please ask your healthcare provider for guidance on medication delivery times. (RCW 28A.210.260 & 270, District Policy 3416)