ALL DAY SCHEDULE
(Mon. & Thurs. OR Tues. & Fri). 8:15 – 3:05

In the case of an emergency, usually caused by extreme weather, when the safety of the students is in jeopardy, the Rio Rancho Public Schools run on an abbreviated day schedule. Under this schedule, Martin Luther King, Jr. students, including modified full day Kindergarten classes, attend school from 10:15 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. Bus transportation and cafeteria services will be provided on abbreviated days.

The kindergarten sessions scheduled for the morning are canceled. The afternoon kindergarten sessions will meet at the regularly scheduled time.

If the abbreviated day falls on a Wednesday, all children will attend school from 10:15 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.

Please listen to your radio (KOB AM or FM) and the TV for the most up-to-date information. The notification is usually given before 7:00 a.m. Should the complete cancellation of school be necessary, notification will also come through the news media. Canceled school days will be made up later in the school year.

Regular, uninterrupted instruction, classroom participation, and interaction with classmates are important to the educational process. For that reason and others, state law requires that all children of appropriate age and condition attend school regularly.

New Mexico’s Children’s Code provides that a child who has more than ten unexcused absences is a “child in need of supervision” by the youth authorities. State law requires the schools to report violations of the compulsory school attendance laws to the juvenile probation office. Violations of the compulsory school attendance laws can subject parents to fines. Maintaining regular school attendance by all students is the joint responsibility of parents and educators. In keeping with that obligation, the (Board of Education/Superintendent) prescribes the following rules for school attendance:

The above code is set forth as a basic policy. Each school, through its governing council, may develop its own attendance policies that are more specific.

1. Parents or legal guardians must telephone the school each day their child will be absent and state the reason for the absence. If a student is absent and parents have not contacted the school, schools will make a reasonable attempt to contact parents before the end of the day.

2. Upon the first day a student returns to school from any absence, if parents have not called to report the student absent, the student must present a signed, dated note from his or her parent or legal guardian stating the reason for the absence or it will be considered unexcused.

3. An unexcused absence is an absence for which no appropriate excuse is provided by the student’s parent or legal guardian. Absences may be excused for the following reasons:

*Doctor’s Appointment
*Illness
*Death in the family
*Family emergency
*Religious Commitment
*Diagnostic testing
*School sponsored activity
*Extenuating circumstances, as agreed to by the school administration

4. If an absence is an excused absence, a student shall be given a reasonable time by his or her teacher within which to make up the work the student missed during the absence. A student with an unexcused absence is required to make up the work missed; however, a penalty of up to one letter grade may be assessed.

5. All students are expected to make up work that is missed due to excused or unexcused absences. Failure to make up missed class work and assignments will affect the student’s reportable grades and may result in no earned credit for the semester.

6. A student may receive detention or in-school suspension (or other discipline), for any unexcused absence.

7. If a student is absent for three successive school days during which time his or her parent or legal guardian has not contacted the school and given an appropriate reason for the absence. As required by paragraph 1, the principal or his or her designee, shall, by the end of the school day of the first day following the three day period, contact the parents or legal guardian by telephone or in person to give notice of the student’s absences and to learn the reason for the absence.

8. If a student accumulates three (3) unexcused absences during a semester, the school principal, or his or her designee, shall notify the parents or legal guardian in writing, by certified mail or personal service. This letter will provide the parent or legal guardian with the provisions of the Compulsory Attendance Law. The parent or legal guardian of the student must contact the school regarding the student’s absence. Appropriate consequences will be assigned for unexcused absence.

9. If a student accrues any additional unexcused absence, not to exceed a total of ten (10) days, (5) five days at the high school due to the 4 x 4 block schedule, following the letter and/or meeting specified in paragraph eight (8), the student may be reported to the probation services office of the judicial district in which the student resides for an investigation of whether the student should be considered a neglected child or a child in need of supervision, and thus subject to the provisions of the Children’s Code. Students will not be graded specifically on attendance; however, a student’s ability to earn grades and credit is affected by attendance, i.e., class participation, teamwork, lab activities, performance-based classes like music, etc. Violations for the Compulsory Attendance Law following the report required by this paragraph may be grounds for student disciplinary action.

10. Students with excessive excused absences (10 days at middle and elementary schools and 5 days at high school due to block schedule) must within two (2) days of returning to school bring supportive documentation (doctor’s note, etc.) for each absence. Extended absences due to medical reasons should be reported to the school health office. Failure to comply will be considered unexcused absences subject to the provisions in paragraph nine (9).

Rio Rancho Public Schools
Adopted: October 28, 1996
Revised: January 26, 1998

When a student is absent from school for any reason, it is the responsibility of the parents to call the school unless previous arrangements have been made. MLK, JR. ABSENTEE REPORTING LINE 892-2575 extension 1.

Call between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. All students should be well enough when they return to school to play outside. Students can be kept in the nurse’s office during recess and/or lunch recess upon written request by a physician.

The school should be notified of any anticipated absence due to out-of-town trips, family emergencies, or any medical or dental appointments. It is not necessary for parents to notify the office every day when a student is out for prolonged illness or excused absence. One initial notification on the first day of the absence is sufficient. All contagious diseases such as measles, mumps, etc., should be reported to the school immediately.

When an attendance problem seems to be developing, parents/guardians will be contacted by an administrator, counselor, teacher or other staff member (health assistant, social worker or community liaison) Rio Rancho Public Schools’ established a Truancy Action Team two years ago to address New Mexico’s Compulsory Attendance Laws. The Truancy Action Team maintains that adherence to the attendance policy is imperative to a student’s success. Regular attendance is important, and patterns of absenteeism (regardless of the reason) result in the student missing out on a valuable education. RRPS’ Truancy Process is outlined below and will be implemented for 2003-2004.

Step 1 -
Each Registration Packet for 2003-2004 school year will contain: Compulsory Attendance Advisory Letter from the District Attorney, copy of the Compulsory Attendance Law, and Notice of Progressive Discipline Measures to address Truancy in English and Spanish.

Step 2 -
On a student’s THIRD (3rd) UNEXCUSED absence, teacher/school personnel will contact or attempt to contact parent and document action on Compulsory School Attendance Form with copy to Principal or Assistant Principal. In secondary schools, students will be referred through the credentialing process.

Step 3 -
On a student’s FIFTH (5th) UNEXCUSED absence, teacher/school personnel will contact or attempt to contact parent and document action on Compulsory School Attendance Form with copy to Principal or Assistant Principal. In secondary schools, students will be referred through the credentialing process

Step 4 -
On a student’s SEVENTH (7th) UNEXCUSED absence, principal/school personnel will send parent letter by certified mail or law enforcement officer makes home visit and delivers letter. Action is noted on Compulsory School Attendance Form.

Step 5 -
On a student’s TENTH (10th) UNEXCUSED absence, student will be reported to probation officer for investigation to determine whether student is a neglected child or a child in need of supervision under Children’s Code. Parents will be notified of action by certified mail. Subsequent actions may include referral to the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) and the filing of criminal charges against parents by the district attorney. Middle, mid-high and high school students (only) may be placed in personal educational plan.

For more information on Truancy, contact your school’s principal, or Truancy Action Team Members:
Denise R. Sorci, Project Director,
Safe Schools/Healthy Students - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 896-0667, ext. 233

Victoria Villas-Mora, DFS Coordinator - - - - - - - - - - - 892-1100, ext. 529

Gary Tripp, RRHS Principal - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 896-5600, ext. 5660

Dr. James King, Associate Superintendent - - - - - - - - - 869-0667, ext. 129

The primary goal of behavior management is to provide and maintain a safe, just, affirmative and appropriately challenging environment that promotes learning and positive personal growth. Students will exhibit success through self-control, self-esteem, responsibility, and motivation for self-direction.

Our school behavior management philosophy expects open communication between school and home to generate student success. Students are expected to make appropriate choices in resolving conflicts and seek adult intervention when necessary. Those who choose inappropriately will receive logical consequences.

Our expectations:

1. Follow all directions the first time given.
2. Speak & listen courteously.
3. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.
4. Use proper hallway behavior.
5. Use proper restroom behavior.
6. Follow all playground rules.

Consequences and interventions usually occur on a progressive continuum from a warning to long-term suspension/expulsion. However, the administration may impose consequences for inappropriate behavior, as they deem appropriate, even though less severe consequences have not yet occurred. The process may include the following steps:

1. W = Warning – A warning may come in the form of orange behavior tickets, classroom behavior plan warnings or verbal warnings.

2. L1 = Loss of 1 Recess – Student will stay in during all or part of the first recess after infraction.

3. L2 = Loss of Second Recess – Student will stay in during all or part of the next recess after infraction. Behavior slip is sent home with the student for parent signature and returned to teacher the following day. Failure to return signed behavior slip may result in additional consequences.
4. RR1 = Responsibility Room – Responsibility Room is a time out during recess where students will reflect on their inappropriate actions and devise a plan to make better choices in the future. Students will focus on 3 questions:
What rule did you break?
Why did you choose to break the rule?
What should you do the next time?

5. RR2 = Responsibility Room – A second visit to the Responsibility Room may be necessary if a student continues to make inappropriate choices. A conference will be scheduled at this time with the parent(s), teacher, counselor and possibly an administrator. Skill Builder classes will be discussed and scheduled at that time.

6. In School Suspension – One, two or three days of ISS will be determined based on the infraction of student. The behavior slip will be sent home. During ISS the student will be placed in another classroom for the day with class work to complete. They will not participate in any recess or special class events.

7. Short-Term Suspension- Up to 10 days suspension from school, and a conference with student, parent, teacher, and administrator before the student comes back to school (loss of recess until the suspension begins).

8. Long-Term Suspension/Expulsion – Ten or more days suspension from school, conference with teacher, administrator, parent, and student before student comes back to school (loss of recesses until the suspension begins).

The following incidents will result in an immediate behavior slip (Sample on page 10):
1. Fighting – all students involved
2. Rock throwing
3. Any behavior which causes injury to another person
4. Refusal or defiance of an adult instruction/direction
5. Vandalism/Graffiti/Destruction of property
6. Bullying

7. Sexual Harassment
8. Inappropriate Language

Rio Rancho Public Schools dress code, developed with input from parents, students, and teachers during the 1998/1999 school years, provides a framework for maintaining a safe and positive school climate. Having a unified dress code benefits the transition of students from one level to another. These standards provide assistance for making appropriate personal choices that are acceptable for the students attending Rio Rancho Public Schools. We believe the guidelines provided accommodate a wide range of clothing styles and personal tastes.
Parents may request waivers for health/disabilities or religious reasons. Applications for waivers for school-wear are available at the respective schools. Applications for financial assistance are also available at each school.
RIO RANCHO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2003 – 2004 - SCHOOL WEAR POLICY

Students are expected to be neat, clean, and appropriately dressed for learning. Interpretation and discretion of the following dress code is subject to administrative approval.

FABRICS
Clothing must be cotton or cotton blend, wool or corduroy (NO NYLON, NO KNIT SPANDEX)

SHIRTS
1. Must be a SOLID color - Blue, Green, White, Khaki (Tan or Olive)
2. Approved styles are:
? Collared dress shirt (no shirt unbuttoned except for top 2 buttons)
? Collared polo shirt
? Turtleneck or mock turtleneck
? Henley shirt
? School Spirit T-Shirts (must have School Principal or designee approval)
3. Must be long or short-sleeved (not sleeveless)
4. Must be cotton or cotton blend (no see through material, no shiny material, no denim material)
5. Insignias can be no bigger than 3 inches by 3 inches
6. The two additional SOLID colors allowed at each elementary school are: Colinas del Norte – Turquoise & Red,
Enchanted Hills – Turquoise & Red, MLK, Jr. – Purple & Gold, Puesta del Sol – Pink & Light Blue,
Rio Rancho – Red & Yellow/Gold, Stapleton – Turquoise & Gold, Vista Grande – Red & Purple

Note: No shirts of any other styles except those listed above are allowed. No skin should be shown between the bottom of the shirt/blouse and the top of the pants/skirt when arms are stretched upward. Shirts worn out can be no longer than fingertip length. No contrasting stripes or piping on shirts.

PANTS
1. Must be a SOLID COLOR – Blue, Green, White, Khaki (Tan or Olive)
2. Approved styles are:
? Classical/traditional, straight leg cut, with or without pleats, with or without cuffs (maximum hemline circumference 16” & maximum cuff width 2”)
? Cargo Pants, straight leg cut (maximum hemline circumference 16” & maximum cuff width 2”)
? Overalls, straight leg cut, with or without cuffs, (maximum hemline circumference 16” & maximum cuff width 2”) straps must be fastened
? Blue jeans are allowed but must meet pants style guidelines
3. Pants must fit at the waist, fit in the crotch, and be properly hemmed or cuffed. Tight fitting, stretch type pants are NOT allowed. Also, pants with holes and frayed bottoms are NOT allowed. No contrasting stripes or piping on pants.
4. Insignias can be no bigger than 3 inches x 3 inches

OTHER ATTIRE
1. Must be a SOLID color – Blue, Green, White, Khaki (Tan or Olive)
2. Approved styles are:
? Shorts - no shorter than the point where longest extended finger ends when the student is standing up straight (tight fitting, stretch type are NOT allowed)
? Capri pants – straight cut (tight fitting, stretch type are NOT allowed)
? Skirts - no shorter than the point where longest extended finger ends when the student is standing up straight (tight fitting, stretch type are NOT allowed)
? Skorts - no shorter than the point where longest extended finger ends when the student is standing up straight (tight fitting, stretch type are NOT allowed)
? Jumpers - no shorter than the point where longest extended finger ends when the student is standing up straight (tight fitting, stretch type are NOT allowed)
? Dresses - no shorter than the point where longest extended finger ends when the student is standing up straight (tight fitting, stretch type are NOT allowed)

OTHER ATTIRE (Continued)
3. Insignias can be no bigger than 3 inches x 3 inches

NOTE: SLITS in Skirts, Dresses, or Jumpers can be NO higher than the point where longest extended finger ends when student is standing up straight.

ACCESSORIES
1. Belts must fit around the waist and be secured in belt loops.
2. Sweaters, sweatshirts, blazers, vests must be a SOLID color - Blue, Green, White, Khaki (Tan or Olive) and must be worn over the approved style shirts. Shirts worn under accessories must be in compliance.
3. Approved styles are:
? Sweaters – pull-over, cardigan or button-down – must be appropriately sized
? Sweatshirts – must be a pull-over, appropriately sized
? Blazers – must be appropriately sized
? Vests – must be appropriately sized
4. Insignias can be no bigger than 3 inches x 3 inches. No contrasting stripes or piping on accessories
5. Items worn INSIDE the school building for warmth MUST MEET THE DRESS CODE

OUTERWEAR
1. Winter coats, winter jackets, and gloves do not have to meet the color requirements, however, these items
are for OUTSIDE wear only.
2. If a jacket is worn inside a building, it must remain open

Note: Jackets must be appropriately sized and may not be worn in any way that reflects gang affiliation or conceals contraband. No trench coats or dusters may be worn.

FOOTWEAR
There are no specific color or style requirements for shoes and socks; however, all students should wear appropriate footwear.

EXCEPTIONS
1. Scout or JROTC uniforms will be permitted at the discretion of the School Principal.
2. Spirit day, photo day, or other special event day dress will be allowed at the discretion of the School Principal.

PROHIBITED
1. Jewelry or hairstyles that disrupt the educational process or endanger students.
2. Body piercing jewelry (with the exception of earrings worn in the ears).
3. Headgear such as hats, bandanas, hairnets, and sunglasses (indoors).
4. Belt loop chains or wallet chains, spiked jewelry, and extended belts.
5. Any items or accessories including face painting, which advertise, display, or promote any drug (including tobacco and alcohol), sexual innuendo, violence, weaponry, profanity, hatred, or bigotry toward any group.

CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE
1st Infraction Warning and notice sent home. Change of clothing may be requested.
2nd Infraction Warning and contact parent/guardian by phone. Change of clothing may be requested.
3rd Infraction Contact parent/guardian by phone and student will receive one full day of in-school suspension.
4th Infraction Contact parent/guardian by phone and student will receive two full days of in-school suspension.
5th Infraction Contact parent/guardian by phone and student will receive one full day of out-of-school suspension.
6th Infraction Suspension pending hearing.

Families in need of financial assistance can contact their school or school district office for a School Wear Assistance Application. Your school can answer specific questions. You may also call 896-0667 Ext.120 or Ext. 171 or email us at schoolwear@rrdo.rrps.k12.nm.us

Revised 4/16/03

The health room is available to every student in the school. Students who become ill or are injured at school will be referred to the health room. If the illness or injury is of such a nature that the student should go home, the parent will be notified. Any child who has thrown up or has a temperature of 100 degrees must be picked up at school. Students are not permitted to leave school until a parent or designee has signed the child out of the office or health room. The health room maintains health records on each student. Vision screening and hearing may by done. Parents are requested to keep all addresses and phone numbers current. (NOTE: Students may be kept in the nurse’s office during recess and/or lunch breaks only upon written request by a physician).

Should a student be seriously injured, the school staff will make every effort to contact a parent immediately. If a parent cannot be reached, the child will be transported to St. Joseph’s West Mesa Hospital.

In the event of serious injury or illness, the Emergency Medical System, (Rio Rancho DPS – 911) may be called at the discretion of school personnel. There may be charges for response and/or transport to a medical facility. It is understood that the parent or guardian will be responsible for any charges. The R.R.P.S. system will not be held responsible for any fees incurred.

Hot meals are available to students at breakfast time for $0.75 and lunchtime for $1.60. Parents of those students who qualify for free or reduced price meals should fill out an application for each year. Application forms can be picked up in the office. Reduced price meals are $0.40 for lunch and $0.30 for breakfast. Milk is $0.35 per carton. Parents are encouraged to pre-pay their child’s lunch for a week or longer. This helps the cafeteria staff and students who may lose or forget their lunch money. Pre-paid meals can be purchased from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Children may bring a sack or box lunch from home if preferred. Parents can purchase a tray for $2.50 and staff can purchase a tray for $2.25.

Daily menus are posted in the Lion’s Mane (weekly parent newsletter). In addition, the local newspapers publish the menu and each day it is announced on local radio stations. A la Cart service for students is not permitted.

Parents are always welcome to visit our cafeteria and eat with their children. We ask your cooperation by informing the office of your visit early in the day so we may include you in our lunch count. This will help avoid the embarrassing situation of running out of food.

Sometimes parents forget to send money for lunch. If this should occur, we will charge the lunch to your child’s name no more than two times. If the charges exceed the two times, a contact will be made to the home and the student will receive only a sandwich and milk. Please help the cafeteria staff by keeping current on your child’s lunch payments.

Student mediators will be on the playground during recess to assist the students in dealing with conflicts. The mediators will receive training from the counselor in order for them to be effective. These students have been nominated by their teachers, and then applied to be a mediator. There will still be adults on duty to monitor and deal with more serious issues.

By law, no medication can be given to a child if we do not have the proper form (available in the health office) giving us permission and special instructions. The form should be signed by both the physician, and a parent or guardian.

If a student needs medication to be administered during school hours, the nurse, health assistant, principal, or assistant principal will be responsible for the medication. Medicines sent to school should be sent in no more than one week’s supply, and must be sent in the original pharmacy container clearly labeled with child’s name, name of medicine, dosage, and administration times.

Parent-teacher conferences will be held October 30 – 31, 2003 and March 18 –19, 2004.

1st through 5th grade students will not attend class October 30th & 31st. In March 1st through 5th grade students will not attend class March 18th & 19th.

Kindergarten schedule is different; the teacher will notify you.

The goal of every teacher is to meet with the parent of every student during the conference period. Your child’s teacher will contact you, in writing, or by telephone to set up your conference time. Written progress reports will be given to parents at the conference. Parents should attend the conference to obtain any information concerning a student’s progress in school.

These conferences are very important to the parent’s understanding of the overall achievement of their child. Conflicts in scheduled conference times can be worked out by calling the school office to make contact with the teacher for another appointment.

2004 – 2005 registration cards and related materials will be distributed during March conferences.
Student progress reports will be sent home at the end of the school year. All fees, books and school materials must be returned or paid for in order to receive the progress report. If you wish to confer with a teacher at any time, the school office will help you obtain a convenient appointment.

Kindergarten Registration and Kindergarten Parent Orientation at MLK, Jr. will be held in late spring of 2004. Parents will be notified of times and dates through the Lion’s Mane. Students must reside within the MLK, Jr. boundaries to register. At the time of registration, parents must provide proof of residence, student social security number and emergency contact information.

Birth certificates (state issued) are required of all pupils entering the Rio Rancho Public Schools. To be enrolled in a R.R.P.S. kindergarten a child must be at least five years of age prior to 12:01 a.m. on September 1st of the school year. To be enrolled in a R.R.P.S. first grade, the student must have completed a full year in an accredited kindergarten, or be six years of age prior to 12:01 a.m. on September 1st of the school year. NO child may be enrolled without current immunizations. Children must be enrolled under their legal names.

What to bring to registration:
1. Birth Certificate (state issued)
2. Shot Record (current)
3. Child’s Social Security
4. Proof of Residence (utility bill)

A parent/teacher taskforce has identified a process for student placement into classrooms. (See Student Placement Policy)

Parents and interested persons are always welcome to visit our school. If you have arranged a classroom visit or have arranged to work in a classroom on a regular basis, we ask for your cooperation:

1. Please stop by the office, sign in, and pick up your visitor badge. This is a safety issue. We are always concerned about the possibility of a stranger on the school grounds.

2. If you would like to schedule a school or classroom visit, please contact the office at least 24 hours prior to the desired date, to allow time for us to notify the teacher and ensure that the class schedule would be appropriate for an observation. (Students regularly leave the classroom for physical education, music and library.)

3. You may request a conference with your child’s teacher at any time. These can be scheduled through the office or directly with the teacher. Please do not interrupt the teacher’s duty routine to discuss your child’s progress. We want every parent/teacher contact to be a meaningful one. Good planning and preparation will help to insure a satisfactory meeting.

4. Philosophically, the staff at MLK, Jr. does not support “teacher shopping.” Classroom visits should be limited to the classroom your child attends. The administration makes every effort to match children’s learning styles with appropriate teaching styles.

SPECIAL EDUCATION – MLK, Jr. offers a variety of Special Education programs to meet individual student’s unique needs. Identified programs are designed to meet the school community and District needs.

COUNSELING – The MLK, Jr. counseling curriculum is primarily an in-class guidance program. The counselor is available to students and staff to help in any way that will facilitate a child’s learning. The counselor is a resource for teachers and parents. In addition, the counselor may work with students individually or in groups.

LIBRARY – The library program is an integral part of the instructional program at MLK, Jr. The librarian introduces children to quality literature, informational resources, and skills to access a variety of sources. The librarian is a resource person to individual students, staff, and parents. School policy states that lost library materials must be paid for by the students.

MUSIC – The music teacher will provide an ongoing, integrated music program for all classrooms. They will also consult with staff in the area of music education and facilitate children in periodic performances.

TESTING – State mandated, district-wide testing is done at third, fourth, fifth grade. The result of these tests will be shared with parents as soon as they become available.

There are occasions as a part of the Student Assistance process that individual testing must be authorized for a Special Education referral. Parents will be contacted by phone and/or letter prior to the testing for permission to test.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION – the major focus of the Physical Education program at MLK, Jr. is to provide students with an opportunity to learn how to live an active and healthy lifestyle. While sports skills and recreational games are taught, the program also includes such activities as learning and practicing fitness concepts, basic locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, and good character skills.

Participation in Physical Education is required. If a student is unable to participate for physical reasons, a note from the parent or doctor is required. All students must wear rubber-soled shoes that either lace up or have a Velcro closing to provide support. No sandals, dress shoes, slip-ons, etc. are allowed. Assessment in Physical Education is based on participation, behavior, and testing of particular skills.

Students will be allowed to bring specific items for use on the playground during the school day (see list below). Only those items listed will be allowed at school. Any items not included on the list will be confiscated and must be picked up by the parent in the front office.

Students bring personal items at their own risk. The school will not be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Please make sure your child’s equipment is well marked with their name. Make sure they understand that it is their responsibility to keep track of their equipment.

PLAYGROUND ITEMS ALLOWED:
Basketballs
Footballs
Rubber Playground Balls
Soccer Balls
Tennis balls
Jump ropes

PLAYGROUND ITEMS NOT ALLOWED:

FIELDING GLOVES (goalie glove for soccer)
BASEBALL GLOVES, OR BATS
RACQUET BALLS, SOFTBALLS & BASEBALLS

The release forms will be available from classroom teachers and the P.E. teacher in the gym. After parents have signed the waiver, the student should return the form to the classroom teacher.

Balls will be removed from the roof once a month – children are not to request this service.
Dangerous items (knives, etc.) of any kind are NOT to be brought to school. (See Weapon’s Policy)

The goal of the Student Placement Policy is to assure that students are place into classrooms in an equitable way. Parent, staff, and administration input will be considered to provide the best learning environment for all children. Parent input is considered critical in the placement of their children.

The policy is as follows:

1. Current teachers will complete a Student Placement Card for each student. The information on the card is confidential, used for placement purposes only and destroyed when placement is completed.

2. Parents will have the opportunity to complete a parent Input for Student Placement form so that any concerns they may have may be addressed. As primary care givers, a parent’s knowledge of their child’s needs will greatly assist the team in their child’s placement. These forms are to be returned to the current teacher and used to help with the placement of students.

3. Teachers will group students in classes by teaching style. Teachers will use information from parents, the previous years performance, and observations to decide which placement would be best for each child.

4. In May a team including administrators, teachers and other staff members will review the placement card stacks for equity and most appropriate placement for all the children.

5. Class lists will be posted at the school for the public before school begins.

Concerns regarding student placement will NOT be addressed prior to the First Day of School.

How does RRPS handle student records?
A. RRPS maintains the following education records directly related to students.
1. Academic records;
2. Personal information records;
3. Disciplinary records;
4. Attendance records;
5. Health records;
6. Progress records;
7. Standardized testing records.

B. Access to individual education records is limited to:
1. Parents of students under18;
2. Parents of student over 18 if such student is a dependent as defined in the Internal Revenue Code;
3. Students;
4. Officials of the district to whom information is required to be reported;
5. State and local officials to whom information is required to be reported;
6. Certain testing organizations;
7. Accrediting organizations;
8. Appropriate persons in connection with an emergency;
9. Pursuant to subpoena or court order;
10. To any person with the written consent of the parent of students under 18 or the student over 18;
11. To a school or schools in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

C. RRPS policy requires that educational records be kept to an essential and relevant minimum. Records are reviewed at the end of each school year, and non-essential or irrelevant material is deleted.

D. RRPS policy limits the right of access to educational records to the persons and under the circumstances indicated in paragraph B, above. RRPS policy requires that copies be made available to persons entitled to copies at the cost of 25 cents per page. RRPS policy provides individuals the right to challenge the contents of records. If records contain information on more than one student, the right to inspect relates only to that portion of the records concerning the particular student in question.

E. Student directory information may be released without prior consent unless the parent or student informs the administration within a reasonable period of time that any or all of the information should not be released without prior consent. Directory information includes:
1. Student’s name;
2. Address;
3. Telephone listing;
4. Date and place of birth;
5. Major field of study;
6. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports;
7. Weight and height of members of athletic teams;
8. Dates of attendance;
9. Degrees and awards received;
10. Most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student.

Questions regarding educational records should be directed to the administration at MLK.

If a parent feels there is a need to move their child from one classroom to another, the following procedure needs to take place. Please note that no transfers will be considered during the first two weeks of school.

1. The parent needs to set up a conference with the current teacher.

2. The parent and current teacher will write a plan that will address the parent’s concerns. The Plan will be implemented for one full week.

3. Parent visits to the classroom are recommended during the following week.

4. Parent may plan a meeting with administration, counselor, teacher, etc. if necessary.

5. Transfers will be handled by administration.

1. An out of sequence grade level change is the promotion or retention of a student at any time other than during the regular placement process.

2. The individual initiating the concern must contact the administration and convene a meeting including an administrator, parents, current teacher, a grade level representative from the receiving grade level and any other necessary staff or outside service provider deemed relevant.

3. During the meeting there should be discussion based on documented records of the child’s academic history, current work samples from the student, knowledge of the student’s strengths and weaknesses, the long term implications of a possible grade level change (and/or decision not to change) and any other necessary assessments and observations available.

4. At the close of the meeting all attendees will give recommendations or schedule a follow-up meeting for deciding the child’s placement. Any necessary paper work to support recommendations will be completed and signed at the meeting, by all in attendance. Public school law will be followed when making recommendations.

5. In keeping with current placement policy & transfer policy at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School, student placement will be based on current numbers of the receiving grade level. Requests for a teacher by name will not be accepted.

Students may not bring toys to school. They become a distraction in the classroom, can be broken or lost. No valuables should be brought to school. If they are, they will be confiscated and brought to the office and returned to parents only.

Students are not allowed to eat in the classrooms during class time unless a treat has been provided for the entire class by the teacher or a parent. Food is allowed in the classrooms during scheduled classroom celebrations.

Pets should not be brought to school unless arrangements have been made with the classroom teacher for the care of the pet. Parents are to check with the teacher before allowing their children to bring pets to school. Should a family pet follow the student to school the student must call the parent to come and get the pet. If pets are not picked up when they follow students to school, they are caught and turned over to the animal control center.

Young brothers and sisters, not of school age, and students from other schools visiting families in the neighborhood are not allowed to accompany your child to school or visit or spend the day in our classrooms. Adult visitors are always welcome to observe in our classrooms, but they must check in at the office and state the purpose of the visit before they proceed to the classroom.

It may become necessary for some students to leave MLK,