POLICIES
Before School Drop Off & After School Pick Up
Fourth Grade lines up on the west playground in the morning. Please do not drop off children prior to 8:00.
Fourth Grade releases students on the west playground, near the U.S. map. Special after school instructions for release should be submitted to the office in writing.
Fourth Grade lines up on the west playground in the morning. Please do not drop off children prior to 8:00.
Fourth Grade releases students on the west playground, near the U.S. map. Special after school instructions for release should be submitted to the office in writing.
Intermediate (3-5) Homework Guidelines
The purpose of homework is to provide students with additional practice of a skill learned earlier in the day or year and/or a way to provide learning opportunities that can be shared as a family. Since it has an educational value, it is important that we hold students accountable for quality completion of assigned homework.
The research-based general rule of thumb for homework assignments is 10 minutes per night times the student’s grade level. Therefore, first grade would assign an average of 10 minutes per night, while 5th graders might have closer to 50 minutes per night for homework assignments.
Students are responsible for knowing which assignments are due and when. We encourage parents to take an active role in monitoring and supporting homework as necessary.
On occasion, there will be larger projects assigned. There will be time given in class for these, as well as time needed at home for completion.
If your child is having difficulties completing assignments, please contact the teacher in order to confer/problem solve solutions.
All homework is due the day it appears on the calendar. If a student is absent, upon returning to school he/she has the number of days absent to complete an assignment before it is considered late. For example, a student missing two days of school has an additional two days to complete homework. Students too ill to attend school may well be too ill to complete assignments and therefore, are given an extension to complete that work.
Excused and Unexcused Absences and Tardies
ABSENCES: Always call the office if your child is ill and cannot attend school. If a child has excessive absences during a trimester, a note from the doctor is required in order for additional absences to be considered excused. We recognize that there can be extenuating circumstances, so the school attendance officer may make exceptions on a case by case basis.
TARDIES: Arrival in the classroom after 8:15 a.m. will only be considered excused if accompanied by a note or appointment card from a child’s doctor, dentist, orthodontist etc. We encourage parents to make appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. Teachers will contact parents if a pattern of tardiness begins to emerge. After 10 unexcused tardies, parents will be contacted by the attendance officer (our school psychologist) to help generate a plan of support and next steps.
Medication
If possible, all medication should be given at home. If a child must be given medication during school hours, the Student Medication Request Release Agreement must be filled out by your child’s doctor (for prescription and non-prescription medicine) and returned to the office. Medication can only be administered by the nurse or office staffand will be given in the office. Students should not have any medications in their pockets,classroom or backpack (including cough drops) for safety reasons.
Birthdays
3rd - 5th grade students celebrate birthdays on a monthly basis. At all grade levels celebrations are kept short, usually 15-20 minutes at the end of the day. Please collaborate with parents of students in both classes whose birthdays are in the same month and be sure to notify teachers that you will be bringing treats. Please review the recommended birthday treat list carefully. We have 58 4th graders this year.
Celebration Schedule
August - September 30th
October 21st
November 18th
December 21st
January 27th
February 24th
March 24th
April 28th
May, June, July - May 26?
School Recommended Birthday Treats
All birthday treats provided must be small and in individual servings. No treats should require preparation, cutting, peeling or the use of utensils. Room Moms will coordinate these events.
Parent Communication
Visits: Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit and volunteer at Steck Elementary. Most teachers begin scheduling parent volunteers the third or fourth week of school to allow for classroom rituals and routines to be established. For safety and security purposes,all visitors must stop at the Office to sign in and pick up a VISITOR STICKER. This is a DPS policy requirement as we are responsible for the safety of everyone in our building.
Conferences: If you wish to meet with a teacher, please contact the teacher via email in advance to schedule a time convenient for all. There will also be scheduled Parent/Teacher conferences twice each year. These dates will be published once the official district calendar is finalized.
The purpose of homework is to provide students with additional practice of a skill learned earlier in the day or year and/or a way to provide learning opportunities that can be shared as a family. Since it has an educational value, it is important that we hold students accountable for quality completion of assigned homework.
The research-based general rule of thumb for homework assignments is 10 minutes per night times the student’s grade level. Therefore, first grade would assign an average of 10 minutes per night, while 5th graders might have closer to 50 minutes per night for homework assignments.
Students are responsible for knowing which assignments are due and when. We encourage parents to take an active role in monitoring and supporting homework as necessary.
On occasion, there will be larger projects assigned. There will be time given in class for these, as well as time needed at home for completion.
If your child is having difficulties completing assignments, please contact the teacher in order to confer/problem solve solutions.
All homework is due the day it appears on the calendar. If a student is absent, upon returning to school he/she has the number of days absent to complete an assignment before it is considered late. For example, a student missing two days of school has an additional two days to complete homework. Students too ill to attend school may well be too ill to complete assignments and therefore, are given an extension to complete that work.
Excused and Unexcused Absences and Tardies
ABSENCES: Always call the office if your child is ill and cannot attend school. If a child has excessive absences during a trimester, a note from the doctor is required in order for additional absences to be considered excused. We recognize that there can be extenuating circumstances, so the school attendance officer may make exceptions on a case by case basis.
TARDIES: Arrival in the classroom after 8:15 a.m. will only be considered excused if accompanied by a note or appointment card from a child’s doctor, dentist, orthodontist etc. We encourage parents to make appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. Teachers will contact parents if a pattern of tardiness begins to emerge. After 10 unexcused tardies, parents will be contacted by the attendance officer (our school psychologist) to help generate a plan of support and next steps.
Medication
If possible, all medication should be given at home. If a child must be given medication during school hours, the Student Medication Request Release Agreement must be filled out by your child’s doctor (for prescription and non-prescription medicine) and returned to the office. Medication can only be administered by the nurse or office staffand will be given in the office. Students should not have any medications in their pockets,classroom or backpack (including cough drops) for safety reasons.
Birthdays
3rd - 5th grade students celebrate birthdays on a monthly basis. At all grade levels celebrations are kept short, usually 15-20 minutes at the end of the day. Please collaborate with parents of students in both classes whose birthdays are in the same month and be sure to notify teachers that you will be bringing treats. Please review the recommended birthday treat list carefully. We have 58 4th graders this year.
Celebration Schedule
August - September 30th
October 21st
November 18th
December 21st
January 27th
February 24th
March 24th
April 28th
May, June, July - May 26?
School Recommended Birthday Treats
All birthday treats provided must be small and in individual servings. No treats should require preparation, cutting, peeling or the use of utensils. Room Moms will coordinate these events.
Parent Communication
Visits: Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit and volunteer at Steck Elementary. Most teachers begin scheduling parent volunteers the third or fourth week of school to allow for classroom rituals and routines to be established. For safety and security purposes,all visitors must stop at the Office to sign in and pick up a VISITOR STICKER. This is a DPS policy requirement as we are responsible for the safety of everyone in our building.
Conferences: If you wish to meet with a teacher, please contact the teacher via email in advance to schedule a time convenient for all. There will also be scheduled Parent/Teacher conferences twice each year. These dates will be published once the official district calendar is finalized.