Parsons General Info

1. Enrollment

In general, State law requires students to enroll in the school district in which their parent or legal guardian resides.
New students under the age of eighteen (18) must be enrolled by their parent or legal guardian. When enrolling, parents must provide copies of the following:

A birth certificate with a raised seal
Court papers allocating parental rights and responsibilities, or custody (If appropriate)
Three (3) proofs of residency (i.e. utility bill, rental/purchase agreement)
Proof of Immunizations
Students enrolling from another school must have school records sent from their former school. The School Secretary will assist in obtaining these records.

2. Schedule

School starts at 8:00 AM.
Children should arrive no earlier than 7:50 AM.
School ends at 2:50 PM. .
If students are kept after school, the parents will be notified.
Parents picking students up from school are to wait in the front lobby.

3. Lunch

The school participates in the National School Lunch Program and makes breakfast and lunch available to students for a fee.
A lunch menu is sent home at the beginning of each month.
Two daily lunch choices are available.
Each lunch comes with a Food Bar that offers lettuce, fresh vegetables, canned and fresh fruit, and bread or crackers.
Milk is included in the price of a lunch.
The following fees apply:

Breakfast: $1.25
Lunch: $2.25
Pizza Hut: $2.50
Extra slice of Pizza: $1.25
Milk: $.40

Parents may choose to deposit breakfast, lunch, and/or snack money into the student’s computerized “Meal Magic” lunch account. Parents may limit what the funds in the account may be spent on. A monthly food account balance or debit will be sent home with your child.
Students may also bring a lunch from home.
Applications for the school’s Free and Reduced-Priced Meal program are distributed to all students. If a student does not receive a form and believes he/she may be eligible, contact the school office.

4. Emergency Forms
The Board of Education has established a policy that every student must have an Emergency Form completed and signed by his/her parent in order to participate in any activity in or off school grounds.

The Emergency Form is provided at the time of enrollment and at the beginning of each school year. Failure to return the completed form to the school will jeopardize a student’s safety.
A new form (sent home on the first day of school) must be filled out each year with accurate up-to-date phone numbers of people who can be reached in case of an emergency.
Two emergency phone numbers needs to be listed.
It is the parent’s responsibility to immediately notify the school office of address or phone number changes.

5. Kindercare

Kindercare is a pay to participate program for those parents who want a full day educational program for their kindergarten student.
For registration and fee information, please call (734) 692-7581.

6. Kid’s Club

Kid’s Club is a before and after school program at Parsons

School for those parents that need child care services beyond the hours of the regular school day.

The program provides services from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
This is a pay to participate program.
The philosophy of the program is to provide loving and supportive childcare services in a comfortable and creative setting.

For registration and fee information, please call (734) 692-7581.

7. Picking up a student during school hours

No student will be allowed to leave school prior to dismissal time without a written and or personal permission from the parents.
Students will only be released to those persons listed on the emergency form kept in the office.
If you are picking up your student during the school day, you must sign them out in the office. The secretary will call the classroom for your student. Your student will meet you in the school office.

8. Personal Deliveries

Parents may leave items for their son/daughter in the main office.
Personal deliveries are not to be made to individual classrooms.

The purpose of this policy is to minimize class interruption and insure the safety of our students.

9. Visitors

Visitors, particularly parents, are welcome at the school.
In order to properly monitor the safety of the students and staff, each visitor must report to the office upon entering the building to sign in and receive a pass.
Any visitor found in the building without a pass shall be asked to return to the office.
If a person wishes to confer with a member of the staff, he/she should call for an appointment prior to coming to the school, in order to schedule a mutually convenient time.
Students may not bring visitors to the school without prior written permission from the Principal.

10. School Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and punctuality in school gives students the best chance of benefiting from the instructional program. Experiences missed because of absence cannot be made up adequately. It is the intent of the school to enforce the following rules and regulations for attendance:
Parents are asked to call the school before 8:30 AM when their child is going to be absent.
Students are not expected to miss more than ten (10) days during a semester.
Attendance will be reviewed by the Principal when a student misses more than ten (10) days in a semester. A letter will be sent in the mail informing the parents/guardians of the ten (10) days of absences.
Student absences are reported to parents on progress reports and report cards as well as upon request.

11. Emergency Closings and Delays

If the school must be closed or the opening delayed because of inclement weather or other conditions, the school will notify the major radio and television stations as well as the local cable station.
Parents and students are responsible for knowing about emergency closings and delays.

12. Dress and Grooming

While fashion changes, the reason for being in school does not. Students are in school to learn. Any fashion (dress, accessory or hairstyle) that disrupts the educational process or presents a safety risk will not be permitted.
Within broad limits, a student’s dress and grooming should be considered a matter of choice. However it must be recognized that an individual’s habits of dress and personal grooming are an important part of one’s total personality. Dress often determines not only attitudes towards oneself, but also the way an individual is looked on by others.
Wearing apparel should be appropriate for the daily school routine.
The following factors should be considered in determining a student’s dress and grooming:

Cleanliness and other aspects of personal hygiene
Make-up is strongly discouraged
Decency and modesty
Clothing with inappropriate logos are not permitted
Hats are NOT to be worn in the school building
Shoes (or slippers with teacher approval) must be worn at all times. Shoes that are not secure on the feet or have “platform” soles are a safety hazard and should not be worn to school (i.e., flip-flops or floppy sandals).

13. Cold Weather Clothing

Outside recess occurs when there is no rain and the temperature and wind chill are above 17 degrees. The children are expected to participate in recess activities and it is certainly to their advantage to dress properly. Children should wear mittens, boots, and proper head covering during cold weather. It is our understanding that the parents and, ultimately, the students must assume responsibility for bringing the proper cold weather clothing to school.

14. Warm Weather Clothing

Students may wear shorts (no short shorts) between May 1 and October 1 or with advanced notification by the Principal. Bare midriff tops, revealing tank tops, halters, mesh or torn (cut-out) clothing is not permitted. Shorts and skirts must be within the realm of decency and modesty.

15. Field Trips

A Field Trip Parent Consent Form must be signed by the parent or guardian. This form will indicate when and where the trip will take place, teacher in charge, costs, and the method of transportation.

16. Family Vacations

We would like to encourage you to schedule family vacations at times other than when school is in session. When you must schedule a family trip during school time, contact the teacher in advance concerning how your child will complete missed assignments.
While it is a physical impossibility to make up instruction missed during your child’s absence, we will save papers and assignments. After the return to school, ample time will be given for the completion of make-up work. Some tests and graded projects done together as a class will not be possible for the student to complete.

17. Student Fees, Fines and Charges

Students using school property and equipment can be fined for excessive wear and abuse of the property and equipment.
The fine will be used to pay for the damage.

18. Use of Telephones and Electronic Equipment

Please feel free to call the office any time during the day to leave a message for a staff member, who will make every attempt to return your call as promptly as possible.
Calling the office to send messages to your child should be kept to a minimum (near emergency situations only). Please make every effort to remind your children of any special after-school arrangements – before they leave home. It is best in these cases to write a note to your child and/or teacher.
Office telephones are not to be used for personal calls.
Students may not bring to school a pocket pager, cellular telephone, or other electronic devices except for health or other unusual reasons approved in advance by the Principal.

19. Pledge of Allegiance

To show respect for our country, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited at the beginning of each school day at Parsons Elementary. .
Students will stand during recitation.
Students can be exempt from reciting the pledge because of personal beliefs.
Students choosing not to participate in reciting the Pledge should bring a note requesting this exemption.

20. Valuable Items at School

The safekeeping of personal belongings is a student’s responsibility. If something of value is brought to school, the school will not be responsible if it is lost, stolen, or damaged.

21. Bikes, Scooters, Roller Blades and Skateboards

Students riding bikes, scooters, roller blades or skateboards to school are to follow the basic local ordinances governing their use.
All bicycles should be parked in the bicycle rack.
The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged bikes or scooters. Bikes should be properly parked and locked, and can never be brought into the building.
Bicycle helmets are encouraged.

22. Lost and Found

Coats, sweaters, boots, lunch boxes and other assorted items that are left at school by students will be placed in the lost and found.
Please put your child’s name on all personal property. Encourage your son or daughter to check the lost and found to look for misplaced items.
Unclaimed items will be given to charity.

23. Fire, Tornado, and Lock Down Drills

The school complies with all safety laws and will conduct fire drills in accordance with State Laws.
Tornado Drills will be conducted during the tornado season using the procedures provided by the State of Michigan.
Lock down will be conducted during the tornado season using the procedures provided by the State of Michigan

24. Scheduling and Assignment The principal will assign each student to the appropriate classroom and program. Any questions or concerns about the assignment should be discussed with the Principal.

Academics

1. Review of Instructional Materials and Activities

Parents have the right to review any instructional materials used in the school.
Any parent that wishes to review materials or observe instruction must contact the Principal prior to coming to the School.
Parents’ rights to review teaching materials and instructional activities are subject to reasonable restrictions and limits.
The curriculum for each grade level is dictated by the State of Michigan Curriculum Framework.

2. Student Records

The School District maintains many student records including both directory information and confidential information.
All parents and guardians of students under eighteen (18) years of age and all students eighteen (18) years of age or older have the right, pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 to examine the official records of the School District directly relating to the student.
They also have the right to challenge any of the contents of said records to ensure their accuracy and fairness.
Procedures for such an examination and the challenge, including hearings on a challenge, shall be established by the Board of Education and made available upon request.

3. Homework

The assignment of homework can be expected.
The purpose of homework is to reinforce those skills and concepts taught in the classroom.
Student grades will reflect the completion of all work including outside assignments.
Even if specific homework is not assigned every night, your child does have homework. Your child may have spelling words to study, a book to read, math facts or handwriting to practice, or special projects which may require work over a longer period of time.
Parental support and cooperation are very important in this area.

4. Grades

Students shall receive a report card each quarter indicating their grades for each course of study for that portion of the academic term.
When a student appears to be at risk of failure, notification will be provided to the parents.
A grading scale appears on each report card which indicates various levels of achievement.

5. Parent-Teacher Conferences

Every elementary classroom teacher will arrange at least one planned conference with each student’s parent(s).
It is understood that teachers shall, if necessary, arrange additional conferences with parents.
Conferences with teachers are scheduled during non-instructional time.
Please call the teacher if you need a parent-teacher conference.

6. Promotion and Retention

Promotion to the next grade level is based on the following criteria:

Current level of achievement
Potential for success at the next grade
Emotional, physical, and/or social maturity

7. Student Assessment

To measure student progress, students will be tested in accordance with State standards and District policy.
The MEAP test is administered annually in grade 3, 4 and 5.
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is given annually in grades 1-5.
MLPP assessments are used in grades kindergarten through grade 3

Classroom tests will be used to assess student progress and assign grades. These are selected or prepared by teachers to assess mastery of specific objectives.
If needed, intelligence tests, speech and language evaluations, individually administered achievement tests, and other special testing services are available to students requiring further evaluation.
Students in grades Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5 receive a vision test.

Students in grades Kindergarten, 1, 2, 4, receive a hearing test.

8. School Services
Students may be considered for the following services by the classroom teacher, parents, or building administrator. A child study meeting will be held to determine appropriate placement. Parental permission is necessary before any formal individual evaluation and placement of a child will take place.

Speech Pathologist

The speech pathologist works with individual students or with small groups of students who have speech and language problems. He or she works closely with the parents of students and often confers with parents about pre-school children.

School Psychologist

The school psychologist administers in-depth tests to individual children and interprets these results to the Child Study Committee. Most referrals for testing are made by the classroom teacher after consultations with the principal and the parents.

Teacher Consultants

Our teacher consultants provide testing and instructional support for students who are identified as having a specific learning disability that requires special education intervention.

9. Computer Technology and Networks

Before any student may take advantage of the school’s computer network and the internet, he/she and his/her parents must sign an agreement which defines the conditions under which the student may participate. Failure to abide by all of the terms of the agreement may lead to termination of the student’s computer account and possible disciplinary action.

Medical Information

1. Student Safety

Student safety is the responsibility of the staff. All staff members are familiar with emergency procedures such as fire and tornado drills and accident reporting procedures.
Should a student be aware of any dangerous situation or accident, he/she must notify any staff person immediately.

2. Accidents

Students involved in minor accidents (small cuts, scratches, etc.) will be cared for by school personnel.
Students should report injuries to a teacher or the office.
If medical attention is required, the office will follow the school’s emergency procedures. The office will notify the parents using the information on the Emergency Form.

3. Illness

A student who becomes ill during the school day should request permission from a teacher to go to the office, where parents will be notified.
It is the parents’ responsibility to make arrangements for proper care of an ill student. The school does not have the facilities or personnel to provide “sick care” for students.
Students will only be released to those persons listed on the Emergency Form.

4. Specific Health Care Needs

Students with specific health care needs should deliver written notice about such needs along with proper documentation by a physician to the School Office.

5. Immunizations

Students must be current with all immunizations required by law or have an authorized waiver from State immunization requirements.
If a student does not have the necessary shots or waivers, the Principal may remove the student or require compliance with State law.
Questions about immunizations or waivers should be directed to the School Nurse.

6. Use of Medication
In those circumstances where a student must take prescribed medication during the school day, the following guidelines are to be observed:

The school staff cannot dispense medication (including aspirin, cough drops etc.) without a parent and/or doctor signed medication form on file.
A parent must bring the medication in its original container to the office where it will be administered to the child by a staff member.
Any change in medication requires filling out a new form.

7. Communicable Disease

When a student is absent because of contagious illness or from an extended illness, s/he shall obtain written permission from the doctor to return to school.
Parents/Guardians should notify the school office immediately if a child is diagnosed by a doctor as having any of the following illnesses:
Measles, * Head Lice, Scarlet fever or Acute Strep Throat, Chickenpox, Mumps, Whooping Cough
Please note that these diseases are most contagious before they can be diagnosed. If your child does not feel well, please keep him/her home and call your physician for advice.

*Students suspected of lice infestation will be examined at school. If an individual is found to have lice infestation, he/she will be excluded from school until treatment is given. The child will be re-examined upon return to school and the hair must be considered to be “nit-free.” Parents will be notified if a student in their child’s classroom has lice.