ATTENDANCE
A. In order for a full day of attendance to be credited to an elementary pupil, the pupil must be in regular instruction session for at least 3 hours exclusive of a lunch period.
B. Regular attendance is vital to the ongoing continuity of the educational program. Makeup work never compensates for school attendance.
C. Parents are discouraged from requesting that students be dismissed from school for such activities as ice skating, ski trips, music lessons, extended holidays, early vacation departures, etc.
D. Absence: Please CALL the school Attendance Line, 303-734-5735 and leave a message when your child is going to be absent from school. It is much easier for you to call us and make one call, than for us to call parents at home/office. The Attendance Line is always on for your convenience.
E. If a child is absent from school for any period of time, makeup work may be picked up from the teacher. Parents or students may get their makeup work when they return to school.
Students who are absent from school will makeup work on the basis of 'one day for each day of excused absence.' Example: if a child is ill on Monday and returns on Tuesday, makeup work will be completed by the close of school Wednesday.
F. Release from school during the day:
1. Before a pupil is permitted to leave the school grounds during the day, the child must secure permission from the office, and parents must sign them out before taking the child out of school.
2. If the child has a note from home, the teacher will retain such note.
3. Students will be called to the office when the parent has arrived.
4. Under no circumstances are pupils to be excused directly from their rooms to go home.
G. Tardiness:
1. If a pupil is tardy three times the teacher will contact the parents to see if the tardies were excused.
2. Tardiness is to be made up. The homeroom teacher will designate which portion of the pupil's free time will be used that day.
LOST AND FOUND
Lost and Found items are kept in a Lost and Found container in the hallway outside 1st grade. Articles may be turned in or picked up from this box.
Please mark all clothing, such as coats, hats, boots, gloves, etc with the child's name and room number for easy identification.
Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity at the end of the year.
PLAYGROUND RULES
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
1. All games should be approved and played in appropriate areas.
2. Any danger areas on the playground should be so designated. These dangers may include, for example, a softball diamond if a game is in progress. Children should be instructed to stand clear of these danger areas.
3. All games should be appropriate to the grade level of the participants.
4. All playground activities must be supervised.
5. Games such as chase, tag, and train, should not take place on the blacktop area.
RULES FOR SWINGS
1. Only people on the swings or going to a swing will be in the swing area.
2. Sit on swings. Wheelchairs only on the handicap swing.
3. One person at a time on a swing.
4. Swing straight forward and back on the swings.
5. Each person should count to 60 and get off the swing. Do not jump from the swings.
RULES FOR OTHER EQUIPMENT
General Apparatus Guidelines
1. No object should be carried by any child while climbing on any apparatus.
2. Bars are for children who can reach them without help.
3. At least one hand must be in contact with the apparatus at all times. Hands are the last part of the body to leave the apparatus.
4. Apparatus should be dry when in use.
5. Children should be taught to hang and drop, bending the knees upon landing, as the proper method to dismount from the apparatus.
6. No sitting or playing under an apparatus where children may drop or hang, such as monkey bars, rings, and climbers.
Rings
1. Rings are to be used for 'traveling' - never for acrobatic gymnastic students.
2. One child must get halfway around before a second child starts.
3. Only one child should be on the approach board at a time.
4. Children should drop from ring to sand or approved surface below when their turn is completed.
Bats and Balls
Volleyballs and basketballs are not to be kicked.
Bars
1. Grasp the bars with both hands. Use overhand, reverse, or mixed grip.
2. Pull-ups, chin-ups, and twining the body over the bar are good conditioning activities.
3. Never stand on bars or attempt to jump off.
Jungle Gym/ Climbers
1. Never hang by the knees, stand on top, or jump from the jungle gym.
2. Children should have both hands in contact with the jungle gym and should not interfere with other children while climbing.
Horizontal Ladder
1. Travel on the ladder should proceed in the same line of direction.
2. One child should be halfway across before a second child starts.
3. Children should not sit or stand on top of the ladder.
Slides
1. Climb the ladder, one step at a time, one child at a time.
2. Slide down in a sitting position, feet forward.
3. No straddling slide, going down backwards, or on side.
4. Bottom should remain on slide at all times.
SCHOOL DRESS CODE
The school encourages all children to dress appropriately for school. Parents are requested to insist that their children dress appropriately for all occasions. Inappropriate dress brings undesirable attention to the student. If, in the opinion of the building principal and staff, a child's dress is inappropriate, the parent may be notified to discuss appropriate clothing for learning. If the child's attire is so inappropriate it requires immediate action, he/she may be provided with a school shirt to wear for the day. A guide list would include: NO muscle shirts, halter tops, spaghetti straps, midriff tops and shirts with objectionable writing or pictures. Shorts may be worn to school during hot weather. Please, no Short Shorts. Also, see dress code in Student Code of Conduct, pg. 10, if you should have questions.
STUDENT PLACEMENT
Placement for students is based on academic achievement, social and emotional levels and information received from classroom teachers. Grade level placement decisions are made by the building principal in cooperation with teachers and parents.
At the end of the first semester, teachers may begin to meet with parents regarding the possibility of retention if a child is producing work that is below grade level, especially at the primary level. It is sincerely hoped that parents and teachers working together will be able to meet the needs of the student. In some cases an additional year of reinforcing the academic skills can give a child confidence, maturity and a sense of well being that is necessary for the child's education achievement. In all cases the final decision regarding placement is made by the building principal.
STUDENT RECORDS
Records are available for inspection. Contact the principal to make the necessary arrangements. If you move to another school district, your child's records will be sent to the new school upon receipt of a written request from that school.
NO CELL PHONE/COMMUNICATION WATCH POLICY
We are excited about all of the learning and growth that will take place at Runyon Elementary School. We are committed to providing a learning environment focused on student needs. Much has changed over the last few years in terms of technology, which in some cases has created a negative impact on our students’ ability to focus:
Student use of personal cell phones and communcation watches will not be permitted while on school grounds.
Note: If a student is found using a personal device, it will be turned into the office. A parent will be called to have a conference with school administration.
Thank you for partnering with us as we conduct the important work of educating your children in the 21st Century as productive users of technology.
STUDENT SUSPENSIONS
The Board of Education of Littleton Public Schools has adopted certain policies pertaining to the suspension of students. These policies have been developed in accordance with Colorado law and "due process." For more information, please check the Board Policy Book in the school office.
Principals have the authority to suspend a student for up to five consecutive school days. The Board of Education has also delegated authority to the Superintendent of Schools to suspend students for an additional ten days when necessary to bring the matter to the Board of Education.
Students can be suspended for offenses such as repeated attendance violations, acts of vandalism, acts against others, insubordination, repeated violation of school rules, smoking, drugs, or use of alcohol.
Principals shall notify students of the charges against them and the basis of the allegation at the time of the contemplated suspension action. Students then have the opportunity to present their version of the events that took place. Parents are immediately notified of suspension by telephone call, followed by a written form and a conference with the parents.
A Parent Guide to Safety and Emergency Procedures in LPS
In Littleton Public Schools, our number one priority is the safety of our students. In an effort to help parents understand what happens when there is a safety concern or an emergency, we are sharing the following terms and definitions as well as some communication information.
What terms do schools use in safety situations, and what do they mean?
As a district, we use these terms to communicate the specific action teachers, students and staff need to take:
Hold: Stay in your room or area. Clear the halls. Do business as usual.
Secure: If students are outside, they move inside. Students, staff, and visitors are allowed to move within the building. No one is permitted in or out of the building. Secure Perimeter is used if there is a situation in the area, but the school is not in danger.
Lockdown: No one is permitted in or out of the building. Classroom doors are locked, and classroom lights are turned off. Everyone in the building is out of the halls or open areas.
Evacuation: Is used to get students and staff out of the building by a safe route.
Shelter: Is used to send students away a hazard and to a safety strategy.
We support students by letting them know there is a situation that requires us to use our safety procedures.
How does LPS communicate with parents during these situations?
We appreciate parents’ understanding that our first and highest priority is the safety of students. As a result, communication to parents will be sent as quickly as possible. Sometimes parent communications cannot occur until after we have responded to the safety or emergency situation. Additionally, we always want to ensure that we are sharing accurate information. What is initially reported via the media is not always accurate or complete. Depending upon the situation, accurate information will be available on the school/district website and/or sent to parents via the Infinite Campus messenger system as soon as possible. We appreciate parents’ efforts to keep contact information in Infinite Campus up to date.
How do students and staff prepare for emergencies?
Schools practice emergency procedures throughout the year. This includes fire drills, tornado drills and emergency drills as outlined above. Students and staff feel better prepared when we practice and everyone knows what to do.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to keep our students safe.
