A goal of Washington School is that students will develop respect for others and for themselves, and learn problem-solving and social interaction skills. Assisting students as the learn self-responsibility and positive decision-making requires an ongoing partnership between home and school. Parents are encouraged to talk with school staff whenever a question or a concern arises.

To assist students in developing skills for communication and getting along with others, the school staff strives to:

• Provide positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior
• Set clear and reasonable expectations for student behavior
• Provide appropriate instructional techniques and use effective classroom management
• Provide time for students to discuss and reflect on issues of fairness and positive problem-solving

Respectful communication between students and students, and students and adults is absolutely necessary in order to have a positive climate for learning. the teaching staff at Washington School includes teachers, instructional assistants, cafeteria and playground supervisors, office and custodial staff and parents. Students are expected to show respect to adults at all times. In turn, Washington staff will model positive communication.

Students and teachers develop classroom rules that are meaningful for them. Common to all classroom rules, however are the following understandings:

• The primary purpose of school is to provide a place for students to achieve academically and socially. All classroom behavior must be consistent with this.
• Students will follow adult directions
• Students will use appropriate behavior as defined by classroom and school rules
• Students will respect others and themselves.

Playground Behavior:

• Adult directions are to be followed at all times
• Students are to remain in supervised areas only
• Playground equipment, supplies and game areas are to be used for intended purposes
• Appropriate language is required at all times
• Students are to avoid rough play or other "hands on" activity

Cafeteria and Lunch Benches;

• Follow adult directions at all times
• Remain seated while eating and until dismissed
• Use appropriate voice control and language
• Use appropriate table manners
• Clean up own area

Bicycles:

Bicycles are to be walked at all times on the school grounds. Because of the tremendous amount of traffic before and after school hours when the parking lot is crowded, we ask that bicycles be walked along the walkway in front of the school, and not ridden in the parking lot.

During the school day and also during the after school playground program, bicycles are to be parked in the bike rack area and secured with a lock. For student safety, bicycles should be left at home on rainy days. Students are required to wear helmets to and from school.

Skateboards, Skates and Other Vehicles:

Skateboards, scooters, and skates are not permitted at school.

Balls, Toys, and Other Personal Property:

The school provides each classroom with playground balls and other equipment. these items should not be brought from home. Toys, radios, and other personal items are also not permitted at school. Parents are asked to limit the amount of money students bring to school as well.

Entering and Exiting School:

In recent years, Washington School has grown in student population, and in programs. Several special education programs on the Washington campus require bussing for students. The AM/PM Kindergarten schedules have added to the additional parking traffic before, during and after school. Student safety is a major concern. Parking is specifically designated in the parking area. Automobiles are to be parked in parking spaces an in temporary parking areas along the curb (during peak times, parking along curb is for loading, unloading students only). Yellow paint along the curb indicates parking for school buses only. Blue curbs and other areas indicate handicap parking. Red paint along the curb indicates a no parking zone. Double parking in the parking lot area is prohibited.

To ensure student safety, parents are asked to park in a legal area and walk to the front of the school to pick up their child, escorting the child back to the automobile. Students should not be expected to walk through the parking lot area without adult supervision. If parking is not available in the spaces provided or along the curb, we ask that parents park on an adjacent street and walk to school to pick up their child.

As a courtesy to Adams Middle School staff and students, we ask that Washington students not exit school through the Adams campus and possibly disturb classrooms still in session. Washington students who have older bothers or sisters at Adams and walk home with the are asked to wait on the Washington playground for their older bother and sisters coming form Adams to pick them up.

Campus Security:

During the school day, the gates and fences surrounding the school are locked. All visiting parents and guests who wish to visit a classroom or on the playground are required to first sign into the school office and receive a visitor's badge. Washington School is a very large school with lots of staff, students, and parents. This requirement is for the safety of our students.

Textbooks and Library Books:

Although all textbooks and library books are furnished free of charge, students are expected to pay for lost books or damaged books.

Telephone:

The school telephones are used constantly by staff for school business. Students may use the telephone in case of an emergency only, or for school-related business with teacher permission. Parents are asked to give explicit instructions to students before school regarding whether the child it to stay for the after school program, what time the child is expected home, etc.

If parents are late picking students up at school, students may attend the after school program until the parent arrives. After school hours, school personnel will direct students to the library or playground 10 minutes after the end of the school (10-Minute Rule). This will ensure that students are not left in front of the school unsupervised.

Lost and Found:

If an item is lost, students should check in the Lost and Found (located in the foyer of the Cafeteria) before school, at recess, or at lunch. Parents are asked to mark all personal items required at school, such as jackets, sweaters, lunch boxes, etc. At the end of the school year, Lost and Found items are given to a local charity organization.

Medication:

Parents often ask about medication at school. While the following rules may seem complicated, we often have need to know if a student is receiving medication and the student is not always able to give us the answer. Therefore, we ask parents to abide by the following the requirements regarding medication:

• All medication sent to school MUST be brought to the school office and be in the original container. It must be clearly labeled with:
  Name of student
  Name of medication
  dosage
  Frequency of dosage
  Name of prescribing doctor
  • A note from the parent must accompany medication authorizing school personnel to dispense the medication to the child. The note should also include the time of day the student should take the medication and other necessary directions and possible side effects.
• Parents are asked to provide the school with information regarding major health problems, such as length of illness, hospitalization, etc., as related to the need for the child to take medication.
• Whenever possible, it is best to administer medication at home rather than at school.

If you have questions regarding our procedures, p;ease call our Health Clerk, Diane Williams. Mrs. Williams's hours are 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM.