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Dear Families,

Welcome to the KIPP STAR Elementary team and family! We are so excited to begin our 3rd

year,

and as a team of families, students and staff, we are continuing to build the foundation for early

education and character together. We commit to helping our children develop the character,

academic skills and habits necessary to succeed in middle school, high school, college and the

world beyond. We believe that by working together, we can provide opportunities to enable our

children to grow up to have happy, healthy and successful lives.

Whether our KIPPsters are in the classrooms reading A Chair for My Mother, at the zoo discovering

the needs of animals to live and survive, performing at our winter show or practicing their school

values, they truly embody what it is to be a KIPPster. We practice the KIPP Philosophy: Be nice and

work hard. Due to the tremendous grit, love, hope, communication and support of their teachers

and families, we know that our KIPPsters will do amazing things. We are excited about their infinite

possibilities, and building the first KIPP elementary school in Washington Heights is one step

towards achieving those possibilities. These are truly exciting times, and we are happy that you are

part of it!

We recognize that these efforts take tremendous discipline and dedication, which can only be donewith the joint efforts of families, staff and our students. Since we value open communication and

access to information, we have prepared a handbook regarding the schools structure, a ttendance,

schedule, culture and academics along with other pieces of information that we think you will find

helpful. Hopefully, this handbook will serve as a useful resource to answer any questions that you

may have. Please keep it handy so that you may refer to it when necessary.

We look forward to an exciting and positive year! Once again, welcome to another year at KIPP

STAR Elementary, which is filled with the promise of greatness, enthusiasm, love and dedication.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, comments or concerns.

Thank you for your faith and support,

Anokhi Saraiya

Principal

(917)-450-8853


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 3WHO WE ARE ........................................................................................................................................................ 4

KIPP MISSION ................................................................................................................................................................... 4

OUR BEGINNING .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

KIPP CREDO ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4At KIPP, we believe. ......................................................................................................................................................... 4

KIPP STAR ELEMENTARY VALUES ........................................................................................................................... 5OUR VALUES..................................................................................................................................................................... 5

KIPP COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE ..................................................................................................................... 6SOME OF WHAT EVERY KIPPSTER LEARNS DURING WEEK ONE ............................................................................. 7KIPP STAR ELEMENTARY STAFF INFO ..................................................................................................................... 8GENERAL INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................................... 9

ENROLLMENT ................................................................................................................................................................... 9

WHO SHOULD I ASK? ....................................................................................................................................................... 9

ATTENDANCE ................................................................................................................................................................. 10

ATTENDANCE CONSEQUENCES FOR ABSENCES & TARDIES ........................................................................................ 11

SCHOOL UNIFORM ......................................................................................................................................................... 12

DRESS CODE POLICY ....................................................................................................................................................... 13

FOOD AND WELLNESS .................................................................................................................................................... 14

TRANSPORTATION ......................................................................................................................................................... 16

FIELD LESSONS ............................................................................................................................................................... 16

COMMUNICATING WITH STAFF AND TEACHERS ........................................................................................................... 16

CELL PHONE POLICY ....................................................................................................................................................... 17

PERSONAL BELONGINGS ................................................................................................................................................ 17

HEALTH AND SAFETY ........................................................................................................................................... 17IMMUNIZATIONS ........................................................................................................................................................... 17

REPORTING A CHILDS SICKNESS.................................................................................................................................... 17

NURSE SERVICE AND MEDICATION ................................................................................................................................ 18

COUNSELING SERVICES .................................................................................................................................................. 18

CALENDAR AND SCHEDULE .................................................................................................................................. 18START/END DATES ......................................................................................................................................................... 18

VACATIONS/HOLIDAYS ................................................................................................................................................... 19

SCHOOL CLOSINGS (BAD WEATHER) .............................................................................................................................. 19

FAMILY SATURDAYS ....................................................................................................................................................... 19

ACADEMICS - WORK HARD............................................................................................................................... 22HOMEWORK................................................................................................................................................................... 22

CHEATING/PLAGIARISM ................................................................................................................................................. 23

PROMOTION TO THE NEXT GRADE ................................................................................................................................ 24

BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT............................................................................................................................... 25FAMILY INVOLVEMENT ........................................................................................................................................ 26

WHAT ARE A FEW WAYS I CAN GET INVOLVED?.......................................................................................................... 27


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WHO WE ARE

KIPP MISSIONKIPP STAR Elementarys mission is to teach our students to develop the character and academic

skills necessary to succeed in high school and college, to be self-sufficient, successful and happy in

the competitive world and to build a better tomorrow for themselves and us all.

OUR BEGINNINGWe founded KIPP STAR Elementary in 2011. This is the first KIPP elementary school in Washington

Heights, but we are not the only KIPP School.

KIPP STAR Elementary is part of KIPP NYC which currently serves over 4,000 students and alumni at

five middle schools, one high school and three elementary schools.

From the beginning, KIPP has focused on developing academic and character skills. Since day one,

the key to our success has been the amazing teamwork of families, students and teachers working

together.

KIPP CREDO

At KIPP, we believe.

We believe in the creation of inspired lives

produced by desire, discipline, and dedication.

We are not frightened

by the challenges of realitybut believe that we can change our world

and our place within it.

We work, plan, create, and dream.

Our talent, character, and integrity

will be the tools we need

to build a better tomorrow.

We believe that we can take

this place, this time, and the people here

and build a better place, a better time,

and a better people.

As a team and a family,

we will either find a way or make one.

- Inspired by Providence St. Mel School Motto


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KIPP STAR ELEMENTARY VALUES

OUR VALUES

The KIPP STAR Elementary School core values, Curiosity, Confidence, Community, Character, and

Choice, guide our entire school community.

Curiosity

We ask and explore questions, and construct knowledge through imagination, discovery, and

exploration.

Confidence

We hold high expectations for ourselves and each other to achieve beyond the standards-driven

curriculum. We take risks, and celebrate our successes as well as our opportunities for growth.

Community

We learn together every day, in every way, from everyone that we meet.

Character

We exhibit character at all times, by being our best selves and doing what is right even when no

one is looking. We show compassion, kindness, honesty, humility, and gratitude to all those around

us.

Choice

We are empowered to make choices and decisions about our learning, ideas, actions, words, and

life. We make thoughtful, informed decisions, and take responsibility for those choices.


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KIPP COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

School Commitment:1. Timeliness We will arrive every day by 7:45 AM and remain at school until 5:15 PM.2. High Quality EducationWe will do whatever it takes to nurture and strengthen our students creativity, knowledge and

character as we prepare them to excel academically, physically and socially in secondary schools, colleges and life.

3. Support and Respect We promise to respect, appreciate and support every student. We will work together with you forthe benefit of your child and all the children attending KIPP STAR Elementary School.

4. Communication We promise to communicate regularly with parents about the ir childs progress and make ourselvesavailable in person and by phone. We will return parent phone calls within 24 hours.

5. Civility Code We promise to maintain a high level of civility in our communication with you and your child. We believethat we are on the same team, and we will conduct ourselves respectfully and professionally.

6. Homework We will assign productive, worthwhile homework each night to reinforce and support skills and conceptslearned in class.

7. Fairness We will address the values of KIPP STAR Elementary School consistently and fairly. We promise to keep youinformed of how your child is demonstrating the STAR values. When students are disciplined or suspended, or when

students deserve recognition for their accomplishments, we will inform their parents promptly.

8. Safety We will always protect the safety, interests and rights of all individuals.Failure to adhere to these commitments can lead to our removal from KIPP.

Parent/Guardian Commitment:1. Attendance We will make sure our child comes to school every day. We will schedule doctors appointments, vacations,

etc. for days when school is not in session.

2. Timeliness We will make sure our child arrives at school every day on time (between 7:50 AM and 8:10 AM). We willmake sure to promptly pick up our child at the end of the school day (4:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and

Thursday; 2:45 PM on Friday).

3. Support & HomeworkWe will provide a quiet space for our child to study. We will check our childs homeworkevery night and ensure that our child reads and/or is read to every night. We will make sure our child gets enough sleep

each night (at least 8 hours). We will do whatever it takes for our child to learn and perform to his/her optimal ability. We

will reinforce the STAR (Confidence, Curiosity, Character, Community and Choice) values at home.

4. Communication We will make ourselves available to our child, the school and any concerns they might have. We willreturn phone calls from the school within 24 hours. If we are asked to attend a meeting regarding our childs education or

behavior, we will attend. If we have any concerns, we will raise them with someone at the school. We will promptly inform

the school if my address and/or phone number changes.

5. Civility Code We promise to maintain a high level of civility in our communication with the school. We know that we areon the same team and we will conduct ourselves in a respectful and professional manner.

6. Dress Code We will make sure our child follows the KIPP STAR Elementary School dress code every day.7. Summer School We will make sure our child attends every day of Summer School, which we understand will take place

August 20- August 30. We will schedule our family vacations outside of this time.

8. Family Saturdays We will attend Family Saturdays with our child once a month starting in September from 9:00 AM until11:00 AM. If we are unable to attend, we will make sure a family member older than 18 years of age attends with our

child.

Failure to adhere to these commitments can cause my child to lose various KIPP privileges and

can lead to my child's expulsion from KIPP.

Student Commitment:1. I will Be Nice every day.2. I will Work Hard every day.3. I will do my homework every night and call my teacher if I need help.


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4. I will follow the directions of my parents and all the adults at school.5. I will live by our STAR values (Confidence, Curiosity, Character, Community, Choice).

Failure to adhere to these commitments can cause me to lose various KIPP privileges and can lead

to my expulsion from KIPP.

SOME OF WHAT EVERY KIPPSTER LEARNS DURING WEEK ONE

We are committed to reinforcing common standards of character and academic performance to create a sense ofteam and family. We believe that these ideas serve as a great foundation to be carried beyond the five years at KIPP

STAR Elementary. During the first week of summer school, every KIPPster learns various songs, sayings and

acronyms to reinforce our mission. We constantly refer to these throughout their time at KIPP. Please review with

your child and help reinforce these standards in and out of school.

I Be Safe, Be Nice, Work Hard

II - We are a TEAM AND A FAMILY

III - STAR Values (Confidence, Curiosity, Character, Community, Choice)

IV - Track the Speaker- This means that students will always have their eyes and focus on that person.

V Polite Words (PLEASE, EXCUSE ME, THANK YOU, SORRY, YOURE WELCOME)


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KIPP STAR ELEMENTARY STAFF INFO

Name Title Email Address Phone

NumberSchool Leadership

Ms. Anokhi Saraiya Principal [email protected] 917-450-8853

Ms. Nikki Khosla Dean of Teaching and Learning [email protected]

917-208-8005Ms. Maya Tucci Dean of Teaching and Learning [email protected] 646-761-9027

Ms. Rebecca McMurdie Dean of Students [email protected] 917-322-1820

Ms. Leslie Billie Director of Operations [email protected] 646-831-0132

Classroom Teachers

Ms. Sara Arcaya Kindergarten Teacher/

Grade Team Leader

[email protected] 914-356-6937

Ms. Cera Felice Kindergarten Teacher [email protected] 917-208-9272

Ms. Nicolette Omoile Kindergarten Teacher [email protected] 646-265-2602

Ms. Ana Diaz Kindergarten Teacher [email protected] 646-730-5011

Ms. Jennifer Suen Kindergarten Teacher [email protected] 646-734-8330

Ms. Jessica Taveras Kindergarten Teacher [email protected] 646-483-8631

Ms. Rachel Kurtz Kindergarten Teacher [email protected] 917-836-7982

Ms. Mary Turner Kindergarten Teacher [email protected]

Ms. Jacquelyn Torres First Grade Teacher [email protected] 646-581-1019

Ms. Priscilla Taoufik First Grade Teacher [email protected] 646-761-8601

Ms. Meena

Sadjatumwadee

First Grade Teacher/

Grade Team Leader


Ms. Monica Barrera First Grade Teacher [email protected] 917-509-8006

Ms. Adeola Adegboyega-

Panox

First Grade Teacher [email protected] 646-734-0929

Mr. Ken Hall First Grade Teacher [email protected] 646-581-6329

Ms. Kristyn Abreu First Grade Teacher [email protected] 646-581-7199

Mr. Logan McClellan First Grade Teacher [email protected]

646-581-7442Ms. Nora Graham Second Grade Teacher [email protected] 646-455-8906

Ms. Mary Findley Second Grade Teacher [email protected] 646-753-0796

Ms. Jessica Sandoval Second Grade Teacher [email protected] 917-270-7593

Ms. Michelle Salese Second Grade Teacher [email protected] 646-476-0651

Mr. Adam Bryant Second Grade Content Learning

Specialist


Explore and Imagine

Ms. Katherine Lebron Theater & Dance [email protected] 646-761-8038

Ms. Leigh Merin Visual Arts Teacher [email protected] 914-649-1432

Mr. Michael Baptiste Fitness Teacher [email protected] 917-623-6887

Student and Family Support

Ms. Kia-Fiara Melendez Director of Family Engagement &

Social Worker


Ms. Hericka Jordan Social Worker [email protected] 646-612-0243

Ms. Joyce Shu Special Education Coordinator [email protected] 646-265-2147

Ms. Caridad Cruz ELL Coordinator [email protected] 816-719-7314

Ms. Christine Moreno School Operations Administrator [email protected] 646-634-2468

Ms. Jade Sands Empire Teaching Fellow [email protected] 646-647-0568

Ms. Elizabeth Reynaldos Bilingual Speech and Language

Therapist

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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GENERAL INFORMATION

ENROLLMENTEvery year, beginning in the first week of January, KIPP STAR Elementary will begin accepting

applications for our kindergarten and first graders for the following year (although very few

students are admitted after Kindergarten). In accordance with our state law, admissions

preference will be granted to siblings as first priority and students living in District 6 as a 2nd

priority. The lottery will be held the first week of April.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED BY THE SCHOOLUpon enrolling at KIPP STAR Elementary, the following documents must be submitted for each

student to Ms. Moreno, Office Manager:

New Student Enrollment FormCommitment to ExcellenceCopy of Birth CertificateProof of Address (Copy of a Phone Bill, Electric Bill, Lease or Gas Bill)Free and Reduced Price Lunch FormImmunization Records/Health RecordsHome Language Survey / PSE FormIEP (Individualized Educational Plan)/504 Accommodations (if applicable)

WHO SHOULD I ASK?At times, you may have questions about KIPP STAR Elementary. Below is a quick list of common

topics and to whom you should direct your questions.

TOPIC STAFF MEMBER

Lunch Forms, Emergency Forms, Medical Forms Ms. Moreno

Lost Metro Card Ms. Moreno

Ordering KIPP Uniform T-shirt Ms. Moreno

I have concerns about my childs social adjustment Mrs. Melendez or Ms. Jordan (Social Workers)

My child has an IEP Accommodation Ms. Shu or your childs teacher

My child will be absent or late Ms. Moreno

I have questions about my childs academic progress Your childs teachers

I have questions about school activities (permissions slips, etc.) Your childs teachers


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I have overall concerns

Ms. Saraiya (Principal)

Ms. Billie (Director of Operations) or

Ms. McMurdie

ATTENDANCE

Arriving to school on time, every day, is the first step to ensure that your child will be successful

in school. Research and our experience shows that students who consistently come to school

do better academically. Furthermore, punctuality is an important life skill that requires

discipline and organization, two skills that are essential in college. In fact, excessive absences

and tardies are two top contributing factors nation-wide to why people are fired or demoted

from their job. It is much easier to develop good habits around punctuality when you are

young, than to reverse bad habits when you are already in college or the workforce. For these

reasons, we have designed the following attendance policy to help support you and your child

to develop good attendance habits.

On the Commitment to Excellence it states:1. Attendance We will make sure our child comes to school every day. We will schedule

doctors appointments, vacations, etc. for days when school is not in session.

2. Timeliness We will make sure our child arrives at school every day on time (7:50am).We will make sure to promptly pick up our child at the end of the school day (4:00pm

Monday through Thursday and 2:45pm on Fridays). We know that three tardies is

equivalent to one absence and will be recorded as such.

Families are expected to ensure that their child is in school. Please do not allow your child to

miss a day of school except for serious illnesses. If your child is going to miss school because of

an illness, please call Ms. Moreno as soon as possible. All absences should be followed up thenext day with a note signed by a parent, guardian or doctor. If your child is absent, Ms. Moreno

will follow up with a phone call.

All Absences Excused and Unexcused are Considered Absences: Any day your childdoes not attend school is considered an absence. Student illness (with doctors note), a

death in the family, religious holiday (with parent/guardian/guardians notes) are all

considered absences at KIPP STAR. While we do request a call or note from a parent,

guardian or doctor explaining the absence, the student is still considered (and marked)

absent from school.

Never Miss School for Appointments: Parents/guardians/families are responsible forscheduling medical appointments outside of school time. The best times are Friday afternoons

(after 2:45 PM) or days when school is not in session. In the rare case when a student has a

medical appointment during school, they should not be absent for the entire school day.

Please notify your childs teacher/s or Ms. Moreno if your child has a doctors appointment

during school hours.


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Tardies: Getting to school on time is key to your childs success at school and in life. Ourdoors open at 7:50 AM each morning. Students must arrive between 7:50 AM and 8:10 AM.

Students arriving after 8:10 AM are marked tardy. Every three tardies will be recorded as an

absence.

Early Dismissal: Students are expected to stay in school until the very end of the day (4:00pmfor regular Monday-Thursday dismissal; 2:45pm on Fridays). Early pickups are disruptive to

the learning environment.

ATTENDANCE SUPPORT POLICY FOR ABSENCES & TARDIESAll absences and tardies are noted on report cards. Students are responsible for all missed

assignments, and families must arrange a way to complete all missed assignments and

homework. Since missing class affects academic achievement, repeated absences may be

reflected in the students grades.

At KIPP STAR Elementary School, we pride ourselves on having a partnership between parents,

teachers, and staff to provide the best possible education for our children. We are committed

to provide families with open and clear communication on our policies. Please see the chart

below for the action steps to make sure we are communicating and working together on your

childs attendance.

Absences accrued because of student illness (with a doctors note), a death in the family or a

religious holiday (with a parent/guardian note) will not be considered toward a students

withholding from a field lesson, field day, performance or other event ifyou call the school the

day the student is absent ANDsubmit a doctors note within 24 hoursof your childs return to

school.

Number Of Absences Action Step School Contact

3 Absences Letter sent home Ms. Moreno

5 absences Phone call, letter sent home Ms. McMurdie

8 Absences Meeting with Dean of Students or

Director of Operations

Ms. McMurdie or Ms. Billie

10 Absences Meeting with Principal Saraiya,

Promotion in Doubt letter signed by

parent

Ms. Saraiya

12 Absences Meeting with Dean of Students orDirector of Operations, student is at

risk of hold-over and cannot

participate in any extra-curricular

activities, including field lessons.

Ms. McMurdie or Ms. Billie

15 Absences Meeting with Principal, and student

withheld from school-wide

Ms. Saraiya


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performance.

20 Absences Student is at risk of hold-over, and

student is withheld from events

including field day, field lessons,

performances, etc. An individualized

attendance plan will be created foryou and your child.

Ms. Saraiya

*Note: If we cannot contact you to schedule a meeting, after 3 attempts, you and your child will

move to the next action step.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL POLICY

Arrival: Students and families must remain outside the building until 7:50 AM. Studentsmust arrive between 7:50 AM to 8:10 AM. All students will enter the school through the

designated KIPP STAR Elementary entrance on West 177th

Street. Students arriving after

8:10 AM are considered tardy and must use the Main Entrance to enter the building. Upon

entering the building, parents must get a pass from the security desk and bring their child

upstairs to the 4th

floor and sign him/her in at the main office.

Dismissal: On Monday through Thursday, families are responsible for picking upstudents promptly at 4:00 PM. On Fridays, the school day ends at 2:45 PM. All students

will be dismissed through the designated KIPP STAR Elementary entrance on West 177th

Street. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure a timely pick up of his/her

child from school. Late pick-ups are not acceptable. Ms. Billie (Director of Operations) will

contact the families of those students who are picked up late. No student will be allowed

to leave the school without an adult escort authorized to regularly pick them up (based on

authorized pick-up names listed on registration form). If the person picking up the child isnot the parent/legal guardian of the child, they must (a) be given explicit written

permission to pick up the child and (b) be 18 years or older. Please speak to Ms. Billie

(Director of Operations) if there are any concerns.

SCHOOL UNIFORMAll students must come to school wearing their KIPP STAR Elementary uniform t-shirt, khaki

pants, skirts (with shorts/tights underneath), capris, or shorts that fall at the knees, and

sneakers. KIPP uniform t-shirts will be available for purchase during family events, such as

Report Card Conferences, as well as from Ms. Moreno in the main office. Uniform t-shirts are

$8.00 for short-sleeved shirts and $9.00 for long-sleeved shirts. We only accept cash.

If a student arrives to school out of uniform, parents/guardians will be called and asked to bring

in a uniform before the student is sent to class.


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DRESS CODE POLICY

Monday-Thursday: KIPP STAR Elementary uniform t-shirt, khaki pants/skirt and sneakers.

Fridays: COLLEGE shirts maybe worn in place of uniform t-shirts.

1. Students are to wear a KIPP uniform t-shirt every day, except Friday. Their KIPP t-shirtsmust be fully visible at all times within the building. Long sleeve shirts may be wornunderneath KIPP t-shirts. There will be KIPP long-sleeve shirts available for colder

weather.

2. All KIPP shirts are to be tucked in and worn appropriately.3. All pants must fit around the waist. Belts are optional and if worn, should be of

appropriate size and nature (i.e. no large-faced images or symbols which may pose as a

distraction).

4. Students may not wear jeans to school, except on special occasions (determined byschool staff).

5. Students may not wear jogging pants, sweat pants or athletic shorts.6. Students may not wear sleeveless or cut -off shirts, blouses or dresses.7. Students may not wear inappropriately tight clothing.8. Girls may not wear skirts that are inappropriately short (more than 3 inches above the

center of their knee) or that have inappropriately long slits (above their knees). Girls areencouraged to wear shorts or tights under their skirts as the students sit on the carpet a

lot.

9. Students may not wear hats, caps, do-rags or other head coverings in the school (exceptin the case of religious observance).

10.For safety reasons, the following jewelry will not be permitted at KIPP STAR Elementary:necklaces outside of shirt, chains, chokers, multiple finger rings and dangle earrings.

Earrings should not hang from the earlobe (studs are permitted). One necklace may be

worn but must remain tucked in at all times. Students are NOT permitted to wear

bracelets and rings.

11.Students may not wear makeup. (Students may use lip balm, such as Vaseline,Chapstick, etc. to moisturize lips. As with any item, these may be taken away for

inappropriate and excessive use).


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12.Students must wear sneakers to school each day. Sneakers should not have wheels orlights as they are distracting and unsafe. Students cannot wear shoes that show their

toes or heels. We recommend Velcro shoes for students who have not yet learned to tie

shoelaces.

In addition to the above uniform regulations, the following rules apply:

a) Expensive jewelry or large sums of money should not be brought to school. If it isnecessary for students to carry more than $20, the money should be given to a

teacher for safekeeping.

b) The following items may not be brought to school: cell phones, iPods/iPads, orradios of any kind and electronic toys (PSPs, Gameboys, etc.).

FOOD AND WELLNESSAt KSES we are committed to inspiring students to make healthy choices about food and

wellness, setting the foundation for them to have long, healthy lives. The food we eat is what

fuels our mind and body. The choices we make about food affect our health, our ability to learn,focus and even our emotions. At KIPP STAR Elementary, we are committed to providing a sugar-

free and junk food-free environment, ensuring that the food students eat at school are

nutritious and conducive to learning. As such, the following foods are not permitted at KIPP

STAR Elementary School:

1) Candy, cookies, cake, chocolate, gummy treats, fruit roll-ups or other sweets2) Soda or other sugary drinks3) Chips, Cheetos or other packaged snacks high in sodium (pretzels are OK)

Breakfast

Research shows that students who regularly eat a nutritious breakfast are more successful

academically. You may choose to provide your child with a healthy breakfast at home, or you

may send your student to school early to eat breakfast at school. If you would like your child to

eat breakfast at school, please make sure they are at the door right at 7:50am when our doors

open. This will ensure they have time to walk upstairs, unpack and eat breakfast before our

instructional day begins at 8:10am.

If you arrive at school after 8:00am, please make sure to provide your child a nutritious

breakfast at home. Healthy whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, eggs and

breakfast meats are the best options. Research and our experience at KSES shows that students

who eat breakfast foods high in sugar and salt, such as sugary cereals and pre-packaged sweets

(donuts, cinnamon buns, etc.) are more hyperactive and impulsive at school, and have moretrouble succeeding academically. For this reason, please avoid serving your child these foods

before they come to school.

Lunch

We provide a healthy lunch option for students daily. All families will need to complete a form

that enables the school to participate in the free or reduced-price meal program. You may


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choose to send your child to school with a lunch. If you do this, please make sure that the entire

lunch is healthy and nutritious. Here are some ideas for healthy lunch options:

1) Sandwiches2) Sliced fruits and vegetables3) Yogurt4)

100% Juices5) Pasta or rice/beans

6) Other healthy homemade mealsIf you choose to send your student to school with a lunch, please send them with all the

appropriate utensils necessary (spoon, fork, etc.) Also, if you choose to send your child to

school with pre-packaged lunches (such as Lunchables) please make sure that they do not

include any candy, sweets or other foods that are not allowed in school. Lastly, if you choose to

send your child to school with a lunch, please have all items in one, clearly labeled bag.

Snack

We provide a healthy snack for all students every day. Students may not bring their own snack.If necessary, we will provide an alternative snack for students with food allergies.

Water

Staying hydrated helps you learn. We encourage you to send your child to school with a water

bottle each day. He/she will be welcome to drink from it throughout the day. Please make sure

your childs water bottle is labeled with their name.

Birthday Parties and Celebrations

We love celebrating our students! If you would like to celebrate your childs birthday at school,

please contact your childs teacher at least one week in advance of the date you would like tocome in. In order to honor our healthy food and wellness policies, please make sure to avoid

cakes, cupcakes and any other foods from our Foods Not Permitted at KSES list above (this

includes goodie bags). In the past, parents have brought in the following healthy foods to

celebrate their childs birthday: yogurt parfaits, cheese and crackers, assorted fruits, veggies

and hummus, pretzels.

Continued Support to Lead a Healthy Life

We are committed to ensuring all of our students have the skills and habits they need to lead

successful, happy lives. This commitment includes empowering students and families with the

knowledge and habits necessary to make healthy choices about food and exercise. We live in a

society that makes it easy to eat high amounts of salty and sugary foods, and we know that

making healthy choices are challenging. To support you in this mission, we host Family Saturday

workshops and Coffee and Conversations focusing on the topic of food and wellness. If you

would like additional support and resources in making healthy lifestyle changes for you and

your family, please feel free to reach out to Ms. McMurdie, Dean of Students or Mr. Baptiste,

our Fitness teacher. We would be more than happy to support you!


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TRANSPORTATIONStudents living more than mile in distance from the school but less than 1 mile may receive a

Reduced-Fare Metro Card for public transportation. Students living greater than 1 mile from

the school may receive a Full-Fare Metro Card for public transportation. It is each familys

responsibility to hold onto the Metro Card. Parents are expected to pick up or make special

arrangements for students remaining after school for detention, tutoring or special activities.

Parents must provide contact information for any person authorized to pick up their child. If

the person picking up the child is not the parent/legal guardian of the child, they must (a) be

given explicit written permission to pick up the child and (b) be 18 years or older. Please speak

to Ms. Billie (Director of Operations) if there are any concerns.

FIELD LESSONSOur students and families look forward to various opportunities, especially our field lessons.

Each year, KIPP teachers plan field trip(s) that complement the curriculum, including travels to

the local museums and parks, the Statue of Liberty, Columbia University basketball games, ice

skating, the Bronx Zoo amongst other New York City sites. We encourage parents and family

members (18 years or older) to attend field lessons as chaperones. Students earn these lessons

based on their behavior, academic performance, and attendance (see attendance policy). In

addition, the school reserves the right to remove a student from a lesson or prohibit them

from going for any reason that jeopardizes the physical or emotional well-being of

themselves or others.

COMMUNICATING WITH STAFF AND TEACHERSPart of the success of KIPP STAR Elementary is the open communication between parents,

students and teachers. In an effort to facilitate this, we give parents telephone numbers of

KIPP STAR Elementary staff. Students and parents should feel free to call staff members forany reason. Staff members are available by phone until 9pm each night. This is also a good

chance to get help, if necessary, with homework. If you or your child is trying to call a teacher

but they dont answer, please leave a message explaining the reason for the call, your full

name and telephone number and allow time to return your call. All teachers will return your

call within twenty-four hours. In addition, in the event of an emergency, please call Ms. Saraiya

(Principal).

Website and Facebook

KIPP STAR Elementary is now on Facebook! Like us on Facebook for real-time information on

school events, pictures and videos of our KIPPsters, and more! Visit our page and make sure toclick Like to receive updates from KIPP STAR Elementary School:

www.facebook.com/KIPPSTARElementarySchool. Also, our school website contains a lot of

information about our school. The website URL is:

http://www.kippnyc.org/schools/elementary-schools/kipp-star-elementary.
http://www.facebook.com/KIPPSTARElementarySchoolhttp://www.facebook.com/KIPPSTARElementarySchoolhttp://www.kippnyc.org/schools/elementary-schools/kipp-star-elementaryhttp://www.kippnyc.org/schools/elementary-schools/kipp-star-elementaryhttp://www.kippnyc.org/schools/elementary-schools/kipp-star-elementaryhttp://www.facebook.com/KIPPSTARElementarySchool


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CELL PHONE POLICYPlease be advised that cell phones are not permitted at school for any reason. If a child brings a

cell phone to school, it will be confiscated and returned only to a parent or guardian. If you

need a message relayed to your child, please call the school directly or your childs teacher/s.

PERSONAL BELONGINGSStudents should ensure that any personal belongings they bring with them to school are

appropriate and do not pose any type of physical or emotional risk to themselves or others. In

addition, students are not permitted to bring soda, gum, candy or toys of any kind to school

without prior permission. All toys, cards, games and electronics not specifically authorized by

the school will be confiscated and returned only to parents and guardians. Finally, please note

that the school is not responsible for any personal belongings brought to school.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

IMMUNIZATIONSNew York State law requires that all children entering elementary school be immunized. In

accordance with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, students entering kindergarten

must have the following vaccinations:

- 4 DTaP or DTP (Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) - 3 Hepatitis B- 3 OPV or IPV (Polio) - 1 Varicella (Chicken Pox)- 2 MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella)

Before a child can be permitted to enter and attend school (subject to the 14-day initial waiver

requirement), parents or guardians must present documentation that their child has receivedall required doses of vaccines or that their child has received at least one dose of each of the

required vaccines and is waiting to receive the subsequent doses at the appropriate time

intervals. KIPP STAR must receive a certificate of immunization no later than September 13,

2013. These requirements can be waived only if a properly signed health or religious exemption

is filed with the school.

REPORTING A CHILDS SICKNESSIf your child is going to miss school because of illness, please call the school as soon as possible.

All student absences should be followed up the next day with a note signed by a parent,

guardian or doctor. KIPP staff will call to verify all student absences. Please let Ms. Billie(Director of Operations) or Ms. Saraiya (Principal) know if there are any medical concerns or

special circumstances about which we should be aware.

If a child becomes ill or injured during the school day and is not well enough to stay in class, the

parent/guardian will be called to pick the child up. It is necessary to have updated emergency

contact numbers on file in the school office in case no one can be contacted at home. If the

person picking up a child is not the parent/legal guardian of the child, they must be (a) given


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explicit written permission to pick up the child and (b) be 18 years or older.

NURSE SERVICE AND MEDICATIONIf your child requires medication during school hours, the school nurse will assist by administering

medication. However, medication may not be given without the completion of the

Administration of Medication form, which must be completed by a healthcare provider.Families can get a copy of this form by calling or stopping by the school. This policy and the

requirement to have a form on file applies to all medicine, including aspirin, Tylenol and other

over-the-counter medicines. Medicine needs to be in its original packaging/case. Staff at the

school are NOT authorized to administer medication.

Please notify Ms. Moreno or Ms. Billie if your child has any food allergies, so that we provide your

child with the necessary accommodations.

Students with asthma should bring an inhaler prescribed by their doctor to school each day.

Asthmatic students should notify a KIPP staff member as soon as breathing becomes difficult. If

there are any concerns about medicine, allergies and overall health, please let Ms. Billie or Ms.Saraiya know.

COUNSELING SERVICESThe counseling services at KIPP STAR Elementary are available to help any student or parent

address any social, emotional or academic issue they may be facing. In addition, our Social

Workers, Mrs. Melendez and Ms. Jordan, help students work through and cope with personal

and school related stress. At KIPP, every student is entitled to counseling support and referral

services. Counseling support is also extended to KIPP families in need.

There are several ways in which students may be referred for counseling services:

If a parentis interested in having their child seen by Social Worker, please contact Ms.Saraiya (Principal).

Students are able to ask directly to speak with a Social Worker. A student may also be referred at the recommendation of a Teacher, Social Workeror

Principal.

Please understand that we are required to respect the rights and privacy of our students and

families and as a result all information and counseling services are confidential and cannot be

shared (except in instances required by law).

CALENDAR AND SCHEDULE

START/END DATESSummer School


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Summer school is mandatory and is the start of the school year. Summer school is a critical time

to get a head start on the coming school year and as a result, all students at KIPP STAR

Elementary must attend school during the summer. and begins for Kindergarten on Monday,

August 19th

. Summer school continues for Kindergarten, and begins for First and Second grades

on Wednesday, August 21st

.

During Summer School, students must arrive between 8:00AM and 8:20AM and students must

be picked up promptly at 12:00 PM. All students will arrive and be dismissed from the school

through the designated KIPP STAR Elementary entrance on West 177th

Street.

Regular School Year

Regular school hours begin for ALL grades on Tuesday, September 3rd

. Arrival is from 7:50am

8:10am and dismissal is at 4:00pm on Monday-Thursday and 2:45pm on Friday.

VACATIONS/HOLIDAYSWith a few exceptions, KIPP STAR Elementary will follow the same holiday schedule as the New

York City Department of Education (see calendar for full details).

SCHOOL CLOSINGS (BAD WEATHER)If the NYC public schools close due to bad weather, KIPP STAR Elementary is closed. Listen to

the radio (e.g. 1010 WINS news) or television for the announcement of closings/delays for NYC

Public Schools, check the Department of Education website (http://schools.nyc.gov), or go to

our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/KIPPSTARElementarySchool).

Once the school day has started, school will not be cancelled early due to weather conditions.

Parents may pick their children up early in the case of serious weather conditions.

FAMILY SATURDAYSOn appropriate Saturdays, all KIPP STAR Elementary students are expected to attend Family

Saturdays from 9:00am to 11:00am with a parent/guardian or a sibling over the age of 18 (see

full calendar for appropriate dates). Students do not need to wear school uniforms on

Saturdays. During this time, families and students will participate in a workshop and then

classes of their choosing. Family Saturdays are an opportunity for families and students to come

together for school-related activities, events, and workshops. It fosters a sense of community

among the families in a grade. Families who cannot attend a Family Saturday must notify Ms.

Saraiya or Ms. McMurdie in advance.

SCHOOL SCHEDULEStarting Tuesday, September 3

rd, all students will start school at 8:10am and will remain until

classes are dismissed at 4:00pm on Monday through Thursday, 2:45pm on Fridays and

Saturdays from 9:00am to 11:00am. If you want your child to eat breakfast, you must arrive by

8:00am.

SAMPLE OF A KIPPSTERS DAILY SCHEDULE
mailto:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/KIPPSTARElementarySchoolhttp://www.facebook.com/KIPPSTARElementarySchoolhttp://www.facebook.com/KIPPSTARElementarySchoolhttp://www.facebook.com/KIPPSTARElementarySchoolmailto:[email protected]


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7:50am 8:10am Arrival & Breakfast

8:15am 8:35am STAR Morning Program (once a week)/Classroom Morning Meeting

8:35am 9:35am Guided Reading

9:35am 10:20am Fitness/Theatre & Movement/Art

10:20am 12:20pm Literacy Blocks

12:20pm 12:30pm Math Fluency

12:30pm 1:30pm Lunch/Recess

1:30pm 2:30pm Nap (Kindergarten)/Math

2:30pm 3:00pm Expeditions

3:00pm 3:45pm Choice Time

3:45pm 4:00pm Pack up/Dismissal

KIPP STAR ELEMENTARY CALENDAR 2012-2013

AUGUST

Thursday, August 15 Family Preview Day (3:00pm 6:00pm)

Friday, August 16 Family Preview Day (9:00am 12:00pm)

KindergartenMonday, August 19 Friday, August 30 Summer School (8:00am-12:00pm)

ALL GRADES

Wednesday, August 21 Friday, August 30 Summer School (8:00am-12:00pm)

SEPTEMBER

Monday, September 2 Labor Day (SCHOOL CLOSED)

Tuesday, September 3 1st Day of School

Thursday, September 5 Friday September 6 SCHOOL CLOSED (Rosh Hashannah)

Saturday, September 14 ALL Grades Family Saturday Open House

Friday, September 27 SCHOOL CLOSED (Staff Development)

OCTOBER

Friday, October 4 Progress Reports Distributed


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Monday, October 14 Columbus Day (SCHOOL CLOSED)

Tuesday, October 15 SCHOOL CLOSED (KIPP Staff Development)

Saturday, October 19 KINDERGARTEN Family Saturday

NOVEMBERFriday, November 1 1st Quarter Ends

Wednesday, November 6 SCHOOL CLOSED (KIPP Staff Development)

Saturday, November 9 1st GRADEFamily Saturday

Thursday, November 14 Report Card Conferences (HALF DAY)

Monday, November 25 Friday, November 29 THANKSGIVING RECESS (SCHOOL CLOSED)

DECEMBER

Monday, December 2 School Resumes

Saturday, December 7 2

nd

GRADE Saturday SchoolWednesday, December 11 Winter Performance (K & 1st)

Thursday, December 12 Winter Performance (2nd Grade)

Friday, December 13 Staff Development Day (NO SCHOOL)

Wednesday, December 18 Progress Reports Distributed

Monday, December 23 Friday, January 3 WINTER RECESS (SCHOOL CLOSED)

JANUARY

Monday, January 6 School Resumes

Monday, January 20 Martin Luther King Day (NO SCHOOL)

Friday, January 24 Quarter 2 Ends

Saturday, January 25 Kindergarten Family Saturday

Friday, January 31 Staff Development (NO SCHOOL)

FEBRUARY

Wednesday, February 5 Report Card Conferences (HALF DAY)

Saturday, February 8 1st Grade Family Saturday

Monday, February 17 Friday February 21 MID-WINTER BREAK (SCHOOL CLOSED)

Monday, February 24 School Resumes

MARCH

Friday, March 7 Progress Reports Distributed

Saturday, March 8 2nd Grade Family Saturday

Friday, March 14 Staff Development Day (NO SCHOOL)


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Monday, March 24 Staff Development Day (NO SCHOOL)

APRIL

Friday, April 11 Quarter 3 Ends

Monday, April 14 Tuesday April 22 Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)

Monday, April 21 Staff Development Day (NO SCHOOL)

Saturday, April 26 New Students Kindergarten Registration

MAY

Thursday, May 1 Report Card Conferences (HALF DAY)

Wednesday, May 21 KSES Spring Performance

Thursday, May 22 KSES Spring Performance

Friday, May 23 Staff Development Day (NO SCHOOL)

Monday, May 26 Memorial Day (SCHOOL CLOSED)

JUNE

Saturday, June 14 ALL Grades: Family Saturday, KSES Year

End Celebration

Wednesday, June25

Last Day of School (12:00pm dismissal)

***If there are any changes to the calendar, the school will send a notice prior to the change.***

ACADEMICS - WORK HARD

HOMEWORKA key part of the academic program of KIPP STAR Elementary is the homework that every

KIPPster will receive every night. Homework must be completed the night before it is due.Students will not be allowed to complete homework during breakfast unless given explicit

permission by their teacher. No student is excused from any assignment without the

permission of his or her teacher prior to the due date. If a student discovers that s/he will be

unable to complete an assignment, s/he must contact the teacher by phone no later than the

night before it is due. If the student is unable to contact their teacher for some reason, they

must bring a written note from their parents/guardians.


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KEY HOMEWORK POINTS

There are many points we review with students. Below are constant messages we send to our

KIPPsters as we reinforce the importance of homework. Please review with your child and

continue to reinforce accurate, thorough and timely completion of homework. As always,

students and parents can call teachers with homework questions. Because we are committed to our mission of preparing our students for middle school,

high school, college and the world beyond, we strongly emphasize the accurate and

thorough completion of homework. Homework helps students develop grit, self-

control, desire, discipline and dedication all of which are important tools for success.

Each night, students will come home with their homework folder. There is a sectionthat says Stays at Home. This is graded work for you to see or important notices that

the school is sending home. You will see another section of the folder, which says

Return to School. This is the homework that needs to be completed that night and

sent back to the school in this folder.

Our children are still developing their homework and work skills; they will need yoursupport at home. At times, many of the assignments will require you to complete themwith your child. Please reach out to the teacher if you need more clarification.

Homework completion and effort is logged into PowerSchool, which is used todetermine grades in each class.

A. MAKE-UP WORK ON DAYS STUDENT IS ABSENTStudents who are absent are expected to make up the class work and homework when

they return to school. All missed, incomplete or incorrect work must be completed. It is

the student and parents responsibility to check with each of his/her teachers to make

sure s/he is aware of all assignments. The time generally allowed to complete this work

will be the number of days the student was absent. For example, if a student was absentfor one day, then s/he will have one day to make up any missed work.

Late, incomplete or missing assignments (for unexcused reasons other than absences)

must be made up by the next day.

B. PARENT SIGNATURE ON TESTSParents must sign all tests and graded assignments with a failing grade which includes

daily reflections. Daily reflections come home with the student every day and should be

signed and sent back to the school. This will help us to communicate how your child is

doing in working hard and being nice.

CHEATING/PLAGIARISM

Cheating is a serious offense. If a student copies another students work or if a student

gives another student his/her work, it is considered cheating (Academic Dishonesty), and

the student will receive a serious consequence for this behavior.

Plagiarism involves the stealing of someone elses ideas or words as ones own or the

imitation of the language, ideas and thoughts of another author (or person) and then


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passing them offas the students own original work. If a student plagiarized and forges a

signature, this is also considered Academic Dishonesty. Students will receive a serious

consequence.

PROMOTION TO THE NEXT GRADEThe philosophy of KIPP STAR Elementary School on grading, promotion and retention is based

on the recognition that each child is an individual. Therefore, when considering promotion orretention, attention must be given to all aspects of the students development in order to

accommodate individual needs and to promote the full development of the learners potential.

Grading Policy

Purpose of grading:

To communicate the achievements of students to parents and others; Give information that students can use for self-evaluation; Communicate and celebrate achievements with families and establish a focus on areas

of growth

Provide incentives for students to learn and grow; And evaluate program effectiveness.

The following are components used to assign a grade:

Teacher-made assessments in all subject areas Homework, projects, book reports Reading logs MAP assessment STEP Portfolios Classwork Informal and formal observations KIPP: NYC Quarterly Assessments for Math Behaviors observed in class

Promotion/Retention Policy

Purpose of promotion/retention

To make sure that the student needs are met at the appropriate level and in the bestway possible

To ensure that students are fully prepared to succeed in the next grade.The following are components that are considered for promotion and retention:

Attendance Academic level/mastery of standards Progress made to date Social factors

***We reserve the right to retain students at all grades, including Kindergarten.***


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BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT

Building Character: Behavior Management

At KIPP STAR Elementary School, we believe that for our students to be successful in school and

beyond we must work as a community to support their growth in both academics and

character. In order for teachers and parents to support our students as they grow and learn,

we have created 5 core beliefs that guide our work as a school. As parents we hope that you

will become familiar with these 5 core beliefs and help us to support and reinforce them inside

the school and at home. These 5 Core Beliefs are the foundation of how we work to support

our students at school as they grow into the well rounded young people that we hope they will

become:

Core Beliefs:

Core Belief #1: We believe that each of us is a work in progress and that our studentsare also works in progress. Every day is a chance for all of us to grow!

Core Belief #2: We will always treat our students with love and respect. Core Belief #3: We believe that all of our students are capable of achieving in academics

and character.

Core Belief #4: We will hold high expectations at all times, in all situations, with all ofour students.

Core Belief #5: We believe that when our students misbehave, it is because they are inneed of additional support or development and it is our job as teachers and parents to

support them in developing strategies to make better choices.

We expect that every member of our school community will Be Safe, Be Nice, and Work Hardwherever they are in our school. These expectations, along with our school values and core

beliefs, guide how we will deal with situations when students make poor choices. As

mentioned in the KIPP STAR Commitment to Excellence form we expect every member of our

school community (parents, teachers, and students) to adhere to this expectation and make the

best possible choices every day. It is our job as a school community to support students to

grow and develop strong character skills. If a student is struggling to make good choices in a

way that aligns with the three school expectations, the following are some examples of logical

consequences that might be assigned by teachers and school staff. The school team will assign

these consequences based upon student actions and needs of the situation.

Possible Logical Consequences:

Thinking chair (short time out) Silent Lunch Table time Sitting out of recess and/or choice time Separate desk from classmates Writing an apology/reflection Loss of Field Lessons


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Loss of other classroom privilegesOur goal is not to punish our students for their behavior, but to reinforce the idea that poor

choices have consequences that we should work to avoid. As a school community we will work

just as hard to reinforce the idea that good choice have positive outcomes, through praise,

incentives, and individual or group recognition. If your child receives a consequence for makinga poor choice in school we ask that you speak with your child and help him/her to think through

better choices the next time they are in a similar situation. Through our shared effort we can

help our students to independently make the choice that will lead to greater future success.

In the event your child demonstrates more extreme behaviors (for example: hitting, bad

language, inappropriate touching) or for students who repeatedly make poor choices that

conflict with the school expectations we will contact you to schedule a meeting to discuss next

steps to support your child in school. Even in the most extreme situations our goal as a school

is to provide the appropriate consequence for the demonstrated behavior and help your child

to make a better choice in the future. If behavior becomes violent and unsafe for the student,

their classmates, and/or staff, suspension and expulsion from KIPP STAR Elementary School are

possible.

At every step of the way, we are committed to working with students and families to ensure

that all students grow and develop both their academics and character.

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

One of the keys to the success of KIPP STAR Elementary is the strong working relationship

between parents, teachers, and children. For the past two years, KIPP STAR has worked tobuild collaborative family-school connections. The main component to this relationship is the

constant communication. All KIPP STAR teachers and staff provide parents with their phone

numbers in order to maintain the helping relationship. Parents and children should feel free to

call when you have questions or concerns. In addition to phone conversations, staff members

conduct home visits to establish relationships with families and the children at the beginning of

the school year or when necessary. KIPP STAR Elementary also promotes family involvement

during Parent Teacher Conferences which are held four times a year. We are committed to

being a family-oriented school.

We have an open door policy and all KIPP families are welcome to visit the school. We welcomeparents/guardians/families as partners in the education of our students. Parents/guardians

who would like to visit should simply call in advance to schedule a class-visit appointment.

Upon arriving, all visitors must sign in with the security officer at the buildings main

entrance, as well as the Office Manager located in the main office. When leaving, please exit

through the main entrance of the building. Student safety is a priority at KIPP STAR and for that

reason we cannot have anyone unannounced in the building. If a visitor is coming to school to


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drop something off for a student or to leave a message, we ask that the visitor leave the item or

message with the Office Manager.

WHAT ARE A FEW WAYS I CAN GET INVOLVED?

Join the KIPP Family Association (KFA) KFAS MISSION IS TO ASSIST KIPP STAR ELEMENTARYSCHOOL IN BECOMING A STRONGER FOUNDATION BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND

CHARACTERISTICALLYFOROURCHILDRENANDTHECOMMUNITYWESERVE. KFA meets the first

Thursday of each month at 4:30pm (see full calendar for details). KFA was established during

the 2012-2013 school year and they have hosted two successful school wide events throughout

the year which include Family Game Night and an end of the year Carnival.

Attend Coffee and Conversations - This is a workshop lead by the School Social Worker Mrs.

Melendez and the School Principal Ms. Saraiya on the first Thursday of each month at 8:00am.

This is a time in which families can come learn and discuss different topics related to their

students. Some topics include: Homework Benefits & Support, KIPP Language and Behavior and

many more.

Volunteer At KIPP STAR ELEMENTARY we appreciate families coming into our school

community to help teachers, students, and support staff. If you have free time and would like

to volunteer your time please contact your childs teacher or Mrs. Melendez directly.

Below are a few additional ways to get involved in our work:

Chaperone and participate in our school activities and field trips Get involved in parent-literacy activities with your child Join our potluck dinners, events and other events Attend student in-class performances (poetry caf, in class speeches and presentations,

cultural celebrations)

Attend awards ceremony Attend parent-meetings Stop by the school to sit in on classes no amount of time is too short Sit in on panels Inform us of community events or activities we should be participating in Help with Picture Day Carpool with other families Attend parent-teacher conferences Volunteer with enrichment classes and Family Saturday classes Help teachers make copies and laminate class materials Help translate documents

Documents

KIPP STAR Elementary - Family Handbook 2013-14