STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome To Your School 2

Miss Helen Marie Smith 3

Helen Marie Smith Elementary Philosophy 6

Mission of Helen Marie Smith Elementary_______6

Student Mission Statement_________________6

Expectations 7

Discipline 7

Curriculum 8

Grading 9

Homework / Makeup Work Policy 10

Attendance 11

Dress Code _____________________________ 12

Prohibited Item List ______________________ 13

Specialist Classes ________________________ 14

Library ________________________________ 14

Lunch Information ________________________15

Assemblies and Special Programs _____________ 15

Student and Parent Activities _______________ 16

Student Council __________________________ 16

Been Caught_____________________________ 16

Lost and Found __________________________ 16

PTO __________________________________ 17

Safekey Program_________________________ 17

Accessibility Notice and Process______________18

Signature page 19

WELCOME TO YOUR SCHOOL Dear Parents: We at Helen Marie Smith School are looking forward to a wonderful year with your child. Our goal is to provide the most positive educa-tional experience possible for students and to ensure that the envi-ronment of the school is orderly, safe, and secure. To be certain that all these goals will be met, we feel it is important that both you and your child are aware of the school’‛s expectations in terms of behavior and performance. This handbook includes a review of policies, procedures, and regulations which are a part of Helen Ma-rie Smith School and the Clark County School District. PLEASE SIT DOWN WITH YOUR CHILD AND DISCUSS THIS HANDBOOK. We will review the handbook in class and all students and parents will be expected to know the contents. Once you have re-viewed the contents of this booklet with your child, please sign and return the slip on the back page to your child’‛s classroom teacher within the next 2 weeks. The classrooms with 100% return of the forms will earn an ice cream treat. We have established the following principles. They are: x� Be respectful x� Be courteous. x� Be prepared. x� Treat others as you wish to be treated. x� Try your best at all times. This handbook outlines the procedures to be followed to main- tain a positive learning environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to phone, drop us a note, or visit the campus to schedule an appointment. Parents are always welcome at Helen Marie Smith School. We are glad to have you and your child as part of our school community. Sincerely, The Administration and Staff of Helen M. Smith

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PARENT/STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Please complete, detach and return this page to your child’‛s teacher by MID SEPTEMBER

I have read and understood the policies, procedures and regulations

contained in the H.M. Smith Student/Parent Handbook.

_______________________________________ Parent Signature

_______________________________________ Teacher

_______________________________________ Student Signature

_______________________________________ Grade

___________________________ Date

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ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE AND PROCESS

The CCSD is committed to nondiscrimination in its programs, activi-ties, and services, and to providing facility accessibility. Parents, students, staff, or other members of the public, who are seeking in-formation or have questions about the existence and location of ac-cessible services, activities, and facilities in the district, should con-tact the building principal with their inquiry and the building principal will respond to the inquiry within a reasonable period of time. The building principal may, if necessary, refer the person to one or more of the following individuals, who will respond to the inquiry with-in a reasonable period of time: Facility Accessibility: Administrative Manager, Facilities Division 799-8710 Employee or Public Access/Services Issues: Diversity/Affirmative Action Compliance Title IX Coordinator 799-5087 Student Programs/Services Access: Compliance Officer Office of Compliance and Monitoring Student Support Services Division - 799-1020 Student Athletics/Activities Access: Instructional Support/Student Activities Executive Director 799-8493 If parents or members of the public have additional concerns or complaints regarding their inquiry, they may initiate a for-mal review by completing a Public Concern Form and trigger the public concern process as outlined in CCSD Regulation 1213.1

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Why we are known as Helen Marie Smith Elementary School In September of 1931, a young woman arrived in Las Vegas from Carson City, Nevada. At that time, Las Vegas was a struggling rail-road town and had only three schools. This young woman began teach-ing at one of these schools and taught there for twelve years. She was then named as principal of Helen J. Stewart School from 1943 to 1957. After serving there as principal for fourteen years, she was asked to open another school, Halle Hewetson in 1959, and was principal there until she retired in 1969. During her career, she helped organize the Classroom Teachers Asso-ciation, and served as one of its first presidents. She was also the first president of the Clark County Principals Association. She was a State member of the Parent-Teachers Association and was a life long member of the National P.T.A. She was also a sponsor and chairman of the Junior Red Cross. She saw the history of Las Vegas in the making and had been a part of the history of education since she began teaching here. She taught in Las Vegas when some children went to school in tents and was here during the time the Hoover Dam was being constructed. She witnessed the growth of Las Vegas and was here to help lay the foundation for the school system we enjoy today. Our school is dedicated in her name to pay honor to this great lady because of her contribution to education, her leadership as a teacher and principal and the great influence of her work on the lives of boys and girls during her many years of service.

Who Was This Great Lady?

Miss Helen Marie Smith

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Let’‛s have a Great Year!

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PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION Because PTO supports so many of our student activities, they deserve special recognition. Through their monetary support, they enable the school to buy equipment and pay for special assemblies. PTO volunteers help sponsor special events throughout the year. PTO exemplifies the cooperation be-tween parents and school that builds the best educational en-vironment for our children. Support for our student activities is just one of the ways they help the school. Parents are en-couraged to be active members of PTO.

SAFEKEY PROGRAM

The City of Las Vegas Department of Parks and Leisure Activities conducts the SafeKey Program in the Helen Ma-rie Smith multipurpose room. This before / after school child care pro-gram is staffed by qualified personnel. The children are provided snacks, playtime, organized activities and a time for completing homework. Information and registration is handled on a daily basis during regular SafeKey hours in the multipurpose room (7:00 a.m. through 8:30 a.m. and 3:06 p.m. through 6:00 p.m.). While the program utilizes the school building, it is not connected with the Helen Marie Smith staff or administration. All questions and concerns involving the pro-gram should be addressed to the SafeKey staff at 799-4300, extension 4030.

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STUDENT/PARENT ACTIVITIES

The school recognizes that students learn in many ways and in differ-ent settings. Student activities promote responsibility, fair play, con-cern for others and good citizenship. A variety of activities are avail-able to students such as chorus, Student Council and Chess Club. Some special events are: Meet and Greet your Teacher, Open House, Parent/Teacher Planning Meetings, Literacy Night, Donuts for Dad, Muffins for Mom, School-wide Spelling Bee, School-wide Math Bee, School-wide Geography Challenge, and a Talent show. More infor-mation on these programs will be forthcoming.

STUDENT COUNCIL

The Student Council provides students with leadership experiences and allows them to participate in the school decision-making process. Each classroom in grades three through five chooses two representa

tives to serve on the Student Council for the school year. The Student Council plans school-wide spirit activities and organizes service projects for the com-munity. The Student Council meets after school on specific days. Been Caught

The H.M. Smith “Been Caught” program is a part of our school-wide Positive Behavior program. Students who display a good positive be-havior or are caught being kind may be given a staff signed “Been Caught” slip. Students then drop the original copy into our “Been Caught” box in the of-fice and take the copy home to share with parents.. The “Been Caught” slips are read during morning announcements to encourage other students to be-have in this same manner. Once a month, two stu-dents names are drawn from each grade level and these students are given a special treat bag that contain crayons, pencils, free meal cer-tificates or other items. LOST AND FOUND

The school lost and found is located in the multi-purpose room. Throughout the school year, students are reminded to look for any missing items in this area. Uncollected items are bagged and donated to charities several times a year. Small items such as glasses, phones, etc., are kept in the school office.

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HELEN MARIE SMITH SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

We believe that the elementary school is the setting in which every child has the right to achieve in basic skill development, social aware-ness, and cultural validation. Education in these areas must be provid-ed in a setting free from anxiety and rich with genuine caring which allows students to see themselves as competent, worthwhile and pro-ductive. We believe that each student is a unique individual with differences in culture, experiences, physical skills and academic abilities. It is, therefore, necessary to have a school curriculum that is flexible and able to provide for these differences. We believe that parents and the community-at-large are an integral part of the education of a child and that parents have a right and obligation to participate actively in the education of their child. When the school and parents work together, the best education ex-perience is made possible.

MISSION OF HELEN MARIE SMITH ELEMENTARY The mission of Helen Marie Smith Elementary School is to provide a safe and positive learning environment for all students. Through col-laboration between students, parents, and staff, we strive to promote life-long learners who are able to meet the challenges of a diverse society.

STUDENT MISSION STATEMENT Today, my mission at Helen Marie Smith Elementary School is to WORK HARD, BE KIND and ALWAYS DO MY BEST.

SCHOOL MOTTO

Help Make Success...Respect and Responsibility

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LUNCHTIME ACTIVITES

Students at H.M. Smith have a thirty-minute (30) lunch, which in-cludes a recess. After a recess of 10 minutes, students report to the lunchroom to eat lunch. Research has shown that students are more apt to eat a good lunch having already played outdoors. Equipment, such as jump ropes and balls may be checked out on the playground. Students are expected to use equipment properly and follow game rules established in the physical education program. Students may not bring their own toys or equipment to school. Students may purchase Clark County School District approved snacks at the student store during lunchtime. Items range in price from $0.50 to $1.00. Students MAY NOT spend more than $2.00. per day. Snacks not eaten during lunch may not be eaten in the classroom. Students who eat snacks in the classroom may have them taken away. If at all possible, it is best that lunches are paid for on a weekly or monthly basis. The lunch lines move much more quickly when money does not need to be exchanged. Students are issued lunch cards and are responsible for maintaining them. For more information regarding online payments, please visit www.ccsd.net.

ASSEMBLIES AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS

A number of assemblies and special programs are scheduled for stu-dents throughout the year. These include programs which extend and reinforce the school curriculum. Students are expected to be cour-teous and respectful during assemblies. APPLAUSE IS THE ONLY EXCEPTABLE SIGN OF A RESPECTFUL AUDIENCE.

Many teachers schedule field trips sometime during the year. Field trips reinforce the curriculum objectives and provide a fun and exit-ing change from the school routine. As representatives of Helen Ma-rie Smith Elementary School, students are expected to present themselves in a positive light. Parents of students who have chronic behavior problems may be asked to accompany their student on the field trip to ensure their child’‛s safety. Students who misbehave during a field trip may be transported back to the school. Volun-teers for supervision during field trips may be requested by the classroom teachers.

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SPECIALISTS The specialist classes at H.M. Smith School offer the students instruction in art, music, physical education, science and library. In addition to the weekly scheduled class with each of these pro- grams, the specialists offer additional opportunities for our students.

Our P.E. teacher organizes special activities, including a walking club, field day and track meet (for fifth grade students). Opportunities are provided for students to perform on stage each year and art pro-jects are displayed through the year.

LIBRARY All students in grades first through fifth may check out two library books. Special parent permission forms are available for those eager readers who need more books. All books are checked out for one week and may be renewed. Please be aware that students are respon-sible for the books they check out. If a book is lost or damaged, it must be paid for. The main goal of the library program is to promote a love of reading. Various reading incentive programs will be held throughout the year including the Accelerated Reader Program, Book Fairs and Nevada Reading Week. Parents are encouraged to become involved in their children’‛s recreational reading by listening to them read, talking about the story, reading together or having the child read to family members.

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EXPECTATIONS A common goal of the staff, parents and students of H.M. Smith is to treat each other with respect and to be responsible. We know that if everyone understands what is expected of them, very few behavior problems will occur. Two basic expectations for all students, parents and staff member of H.M. Smith Elementary are: RESPECT x� Treat others as you wish to be treated x� No Fighting x� Use appropriate language x� No name calling x� Keep hands and feet to self RESPONSIBILITY x� Always do your best x� Be on time x� Follow directions x� Walk in the building x� No gum or candy x� Take care of school property & equipment

DISCIPLINE Good behavior is expected of all students to ensure an optimal learn-ing environment. A school-wide Positive Behavior program fosters student success through the teaching of good decision making, posi-tive feedback, and behavioral interventions. This requires the coop-eration of students, staff, and parents. Your child’‛s teacher will com-municate with you regarding classroom rules. If your child’‛s behavior is such that it needs your attention, you will be notified. Repeated misbehavior may result in a conference between the teacher, student and parent. Frequent communication between the school and home is encouraged. Students who perform behaviors that are inappropriate will be given a demerit. Five demerits will require an RPC. Students who choose to fight or harm other children are automatical-ly placed on a required parent conference (RPC) and sent home. A conference must be arranged prior to the student’‛s return to school. Problems that occur during lunch recess should be brought to the attention of the playground supervisors. Please encourage your chil-dren to seek the help of a playground supervisor when problems oc-cur.

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CURRICULUM

The Clark County School District has established curriculum guidelines which form the basis of instruction in the schools, including H.M. Smith. Common Core State Standards for each grade level objective within each subject are the tools teachers use when planning and teaching lessons. Teachers will use a variety of instructional materials, resources and activities to help students un-derstand skills or concepts. Students are ultimately responsible for their own learning. Even the best planned and most exciting lesson requires an attentive and receptive student. Students are responsi-ble for books and workbooks assigned to them. If materials are lost, damaged or destroyed, a fee will be assessed.

In reading, our teachers utilize the Harcourt Trophies Reading series, leveled books or novels to teach and reinforce the reading power standards. Daily 5 Reading activities will also be used to differenti-ate reading for individual students. For math instruction, our teachers utilize the enVisions math series. Teachers may supplement this series with hands-on work from the Investigations program which correlates closely with the textbook program. Write From the Beginning is used as part of our literacy program. This program benefits our students by providing a consistent format that will be utilized from grade level to grade level. The use of textbooks, newsletters (Weekly Reader) and FOSS kits are the basis for integration of science. The Clark County School District has adopted the Houghton Mifflin Social Studies Program for all grade levels. Frequent assessments will be administered using AimsWeb, DRA, and Discovery Education. In addition, Criterion Referenced Tests (CRTs), and Nevada Writing Proficiency Examination will be also conducted during the school year. Should you have any questions regarding the curriculum at Helen Ma-rie Smith ES, please do not hesitate to speak with your child’‛s class-room teacher or the administration.

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ITEMS TO LEAVE AT HOME

x� All trading cards

x� All toys (balls, bats, cars etc.)

x� Electronic Devices

(ex. iPods, MP3 players, and game systems)

x� Skate boards

x� Skate shoes

x� Real or toy weapons

x� Large sums of money

DRESS CODE

The Clark County School District reserves the right to insist that the dress and grooming of students are within the limits of generally ac-cepted community standards and that students shall be required to show proper attention to personal cleanliness. Student’‛s dress, per-sonal appearance and conduct are required to be of such charac-ter as not to disrupt or detract from the educational environment of the school. Any style which tends to diminish in instructional effectiveness or discipline control by teachers is not acceptable (CCSD Reg. 5131).

School policy requires the following:

x� Wearing of shoes with soles and closed toes (elementary stu-dents) for safety reasons. Shoes with wheels are not permitted unless the wheels are removed.

x� Prohibits wearing crop tops (no skin showing between bottom of shirt/blouse and top of pants or skirts).

x� No spaghetti straps permitted; all sleeveless shirts must have straps at least THREE INCHES WIDE and cover the shoulder. Tank tops are not allowed.

x� All shorts, skirts, and dresses must be at least longest fingertip length when arms are straight along the sides of child’‛s body. Shorts must be hemmed and without fraying.

x� Prohibits the wearing of headgear (hats, kerchiefs, do-rags). x� Prohibits any hair coloring, not within a natural range of color

(example – blue, pink, or green). x� Prohibits slogans or advertising on clothing which by their contro-

versial or obscene nature may disrupt the educational setting. x� Prohibits the wearing of clothing that has holes, rips, or allows

for undergarments to be visible to others. x� Prohibits the wearing of ear gauges or spikes.

Students who violate the Dress Code will be sent to the office and a parent will be called to bring appropriate clothing. Parents who have been called repeatedly about student dress code will be called in for a meeting with the Administration team.

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GRADING

In accordance with the Clark County School District, it is the policy at H.M. Smith to grade students on their achievement of grade level skills and Common Core State Standards. It is the responsibility of each teacher to regularly grade student work, keep an accurate rec-ord of grades and communicate their specific grading policy to par-ents. Grades are based on a student’‛s performance on tests, quizzes, and classwork. The percent that each of these will figure in a final grad-ing period depends on the grade level, subject and teacher’‛s expecta-tions. In general, as students get older, completion of class work, special projects and reports will count more heavily in the final grade. Primary students require more immediate attention and help from the teacher and while less independent work is expected, we are moving students to become independent workers.

The following details the percentages for grading student achievement:

A - Excellent Achievement 90% - 100% B - Above Average Achievement 80% - 89% C - Average Achievement 70% - 79% (compared to other students in the same grade level or class.) D - Below Average Achievement 60% - 69% F - Failure to Meet Acceptable Standards of Achievement 50—59% below E - Exceptional progress S - Satisfactory progress N - Needs improvement X - Is not presently being evaluated Teacher grading practices will be communicated by each teacher at the beginning of the year. Please remember that a C grade is “average” and as such is an acceptable grade. Parents should pay equal attention to the “success indicators”. Work that is turned in late because of an excused absence will be accepted and given full credit if made up within a three day span. Work turned in late be-cause of an unexcused absence or because the student failed to meet the restated deadline, may be given reduced credit or no credit. . Work not turned in receives no credit and counts against a child’‛s grades.

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HOMEWORK POLICY We believe that the reinforcement of skills, development of self-discipline, and the good study habits that homework brings are of great importance in the development of lifelong learning skills.

You can expect your child to have homework on a daily basis, Monday through Thursday. We ask that you help your child develop in these all-important habits by making certain that the homework is completed and returned.

Parents are expected to supervise or monitor their child’‛s home study. The interest taken by parents encourages positive attitudes toward education. Depending on the grade level, student need, or the type of project, parent supervision may be as simple as providing a regular time for homework. It may also mean careful assistance and frequent checking to see if the work is being done correctly. Please be positive and convey support for the school as well as your desire for your child to do well. We need to work together to provide the best possible education for your child.

There may be rare times when your child does not have homework. This will be the exception, not the rule. Homework will be available for excused absences when children return to school. Per CCSD poli-cy, a student has up to three days to turn in work from excused ab-sences. A conference with the teacher, parent and administrator may be scheduled if a student demonstrates a pattern of not doing homework or class work..

MAKE-UP WORK

Make-up work is different from homework and may require more time to complete. Make-up work is assigned when a student has been ab-sent, used class time poorly (thus not completing classwork) or needs extra help at home because of difficulty in mastering a particular skill. When a child is absent, district policy states that students have 3 days to hand in make-up work.

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ATTENDANCE/TARDIES In order for your child to get the best education possible, it is crucial that he/she be in attendance and on time for instruction. It is vital that students attend the entire instructional day. When stu-dents leave early they are missing valuable instructional time. Please make appointments after the school day so your child can participate in the entire instructional day. If at all possible, family vacations should be scheduled at times when students are not in school. The educational experience lost due to frequent absences or a prolonged absence are difficult to make up and in many cases impossible due to the interactive experiences which occur in the classroom. Please help to ensure that your child is in attendance regularly. According to state law: x� The principal of the school is required to report the pupils who are habitually truant to law enforcement. x� A habitual truant is defined as a “student who has three unapproved or unexcused absences within one school year.” x� If a pupil is absent due to physical or mental reasons, the parent must notify the school within three days of the absence. x� Provides the school the authority to order the student or parent

to pay a fine of $100.00 or more for habitual truancy. A reminder that if your child is absent, you must send a note of ex-planation on the day your child returns to school (even if you have called the school to report the absence). If an absence is excused it still remains an absence. If a student has extreme absences, an RPC conference may be scheduled with the teacher, parent and prin-cipal. Letters are mailed on the 6th, 10th, and 16th absence to inform parents as absences accumulate. These letters are required by law. The school gates are opened at 8:55 a.m. and signals that students need to begin to move towards their classroom. Stu-dents who eat breakfast at school will be given a pass beginning at 8:45 and must be finished with break-fast by that first bell at 9:00 a.m. Students who eat breakfast MUST enter the multipurpose room by 8:50 a.m. so that they are ready to leave by 9:00 a.m.

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