MKS VAPA Parent Handbook & Calendar by April Faieta

Mark Keppel Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School Parent Handbook & School Calendar 2013 - 2014

Handbook Provided by Mark Keppel PTA

Art is at the heart of smart

art

TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................ 1 MESSAGE, MISSION AND FOCUS .......................... 2 DIRECTORY & FACULTY ......................................... 3 HEALTH SERVICES ................................................. 3 PARENT-SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS ................. 4 Thursday Folder ................................................................. 4 Mark Keppel Newsletter/Keppel Kable ............................... 4 Parent Handbook & More ................................................... 4

FOOD SERVICES ...................................................... 4 Breakfast .......................................................................... 4 Lunch ............................................................................ 4 Snacks ............................................................................ 4 DAILY SCHEDULE PLUS MINIMUM DAYS & HOLIDAYS ...... 5

SCHOOL COMPACT ................................................. 6 TESTING .................................................................... 6 SCHOOL RULES ....................................................... 7

SUPPLY LISTS........................................................ 21 SPECIAL EVENTS .................................................. 22 First Day of School ............................................................ 22 Back-To-School Night ....................................................... 22 Picture Day ....................................................................... 22 Reflections ........................................................................ 22 Keppel Harvest Festival .................................................... 22 Red Ribbon Week ............................................................ 22 Arts Showcase .................................................................. 22 Read Across America Week ............................................. 22 Block pARTy/Silent Auction…………………………………22 Open House ...................................................................... 22 Rockin’ for the Arts ............................................................ 22 Spirit Day .......................................................................... 22 Field Trips ......................................................................... 23 Staff Development Days .................................................. 23 Bagels & Beethoven with Mrs. Sondergaard……..……….23 Keppel Art Days………………………………………………23

SAFETY AND SECURITY ....................................... 23

AUGUST 2013 ........................................................... 9

Campus Safety Policy ....................................................... 23 White Slips ....................................................................... 23 After School Supervision .................................................. 23 Sexual Harassment .......................................................... 23

SEPTEMBER 2013 .................................................. 10

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ...................... 23-24

OCTOBER 2013 ...................................................... 11

SCHOOL POLICIES ................................................ 25

DISCIPLINE POLICY ................................................ 8

NOVEMBER 2013 ...................................................12 DECEMBER 2013 .................................................... 13 MAGNET DEADLINES ............................................ 14 JANUARY 2014 ....................................................... 15 FEBRUARY 2014 .................................................... 16 MARCH 2014 ........................................................... 17 APRIL 2014 ............................................................. 18 MAY 2014 ................................................................ 19 JUNE 2014 ............................................................... 20

Absence from School ........................................................ 25 Tardiness .......................................................................... 25 Arrival Time/Dismissal Time ............................................. 25 Early Release of Students ................................................ 25 Keppel Cruisers/Fit Fridays ............................................... 25 Traffic & Parking ............................................................... 25 Banking of Instructional Minutes “Banking Day” ............... 26 Bicycles/Skateboards/Scooters/Rollerblades ................... 26 Birthday and Classroom Parties ....................................... 26 Classroom Interruptions .................................................... 26 Uniform Policy ................................................................... 26 Dress Code ....................................................................... 26 Homework ......................................................................... 27 Independent Study ............................................................ 27 Report Cards ..................................................................... 28

Parent Conferences ......................................................... 28 Personal Belongings ........................................................ 28 Rainy Day Procedure ....................................................... 28 Social Promotion/Retention .............................................. 28 Telephones....................................................................... 28 Telephone Messages ....................................................... 28 Textbooks ......................................................................... 28 Visitors .......................................................................... 28 Volunteers ........................................................................ 28 School Site Council .......................................................... 29

SPECIAL PROGRAMS & SERVICES .................... 29 Chorus .......................................................................... 29 Technology/Media Lab .................................................... 29 Conflict Resolution ........................................................... 29 Child Care Programs (RAP, EEELP) ............................... 29 English Language Development Programs ...................... 29 G.A.T.E. (Gifted and Talented Education)........................ 29 Instrumental Music .......................................................... 29 Insurance......................................................................... 29 Library .......................................................................... 29 Lost And Found ................................................................ 30 Physical Education Program ............................................ 30 School Psychologist ......................................................... 30 Title I .......................................................................... 30 School Based Coordinated Programs (SBCP) ................. 30 Fifth Grade Activities ........................................................ 30 Special Education Programs ............................................ 30 Student Council ................................................................ 31 Substance Abuse Prevention Programs .......................... 31 Mark Keppel’s Single Plan For Student Achievement ...... 31 FLAG Korean Immersion Program ................................... 31 Visual & Performing Arts Magnet…………………………...31

ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS ......................... 32 PTA (Parent Teacher Association) .................................. 32 Directory of PTA Contacts ................................................ 32 Make Keppel Special (MKS) ........................................... 33

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS ................................ 34 BOARD OF EDUCATION PRIORITIES .................. 35 Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-1

Glendale Unified School District Mark Keppel Visual & Performing Arts Magnet 730 Glenwood Road Glendale, California 91202 (818) 244-2113 (818)-507-6542 FAX markkeppelelementary.org Dear Keppel Families: Welcome to Mark Keppel Visual & Performing Arts Magnet! In an effort to increase communication between the school and your family, we have created the Mark Keppel Parent Handbook. Inside you will find important information regarding schedules, school-wide behavior expectations, school policies, parent support groups, and various student programs and activities. Please be aware that event dates may need to be changed on rare occasions. Please take time to review this information and keep it on hand as a reference throughout the year. We hope you will find it useful in making this a successful year for your children. Thank you to our Keppel PTA for providing this handbook to all our families free of charge. Please check out our school website and stay current with all school events and news at: markkeppelelementary.org. You can also find us on Facebook. Sunday night phone messages round out our communication efforts, so always be sure we have your correct phone numbers on file in our office. Sunday Night phone messages also go out by email. Be sure to register your email address with us for weekly updates! We all look forward to working together with you to create a quality educational program for each and every student at Mark Keppel. Sincerely, Mrs. Lise Sondergaard, Principal

Mark Keppel Visual & Performing Arts Magnet Mission Statement

Mark Keppel Elementary School staff, administrators, parents, and community members share the responsibility for and are committed to creating a safe, stimulating academic environment. The integration of the arts across our curriculum empowers all students to reach their full cognitive, creative, and social potential. Keppel’s dynamic educational program fosters cooperative and independent learning as well as critical thinking skills to promote a life-long love of learning and respect for all.

Mark Keppel Visual & Performing Arts Magnet Instructional Focus Statement With the knowledge that proficient reading comprehension skills affect achievement in all academic areas, all Mark Keppel students will comprehend grade level text as measured by: ¬ Site interim measures and classroom assessments with 75% of students scoring proficient or advanced. ¬ The California Standards Test (CST) with the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced increasing by 5% on the English Language Arts CST. ¬ California Academic Performance Index (API) with our API growing from 885 to 900.

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-2

STAFF DIRECTORY Keppel Team

Principal Assistant Principal Administrative Secretary Attendance/Health Clerk

Mrs. Lise Sondergaard Mrs. Roxanne Ouweleen Mrs. Jizel Kazanjian Mrs. Lorna St. Angel

Clerk FLAG Korean Site Specialist Magnet Site Specialist Art/Media Coach

Kindergarten Kindergarten Kindergarten Kindergarten Kindergarten Kindergarten/FLAG Kindergarten/FLAG

Justine Baldwin Suzanne Buckhoff Joanne Chung Julie Park Tanya Wolfe Esther You Darae Youn

3rd Grade 3rd Grade 3rd Grade 3rd Grade 3rd Grade 3rd Grade/FLAG 3rd Grade/FLAG

Laurie Duncan Jenny Hong Nvart Joboyan Lynne Naeve Cathy Scott Juliet Ainian Sae Oh

Physical Education P.E. Assistant RSP Assistant Speech Assistant

1st Grade 1st Grade 1st Grade 1st Grade 1st Grade 1st Grade/FLAG 1st Grade/FLAG

Susan Hohensee Edita Manukyan Virginia Puccini Lala Sahakian Carolyn Williams Liz Kim Emily Sim

4th Grade 4th Grade 4th Grade 4th Grade/FLAG

Unis Choi Linda Cleverley Sherri LaCom Judy Yi

Clerk II FLAG Clerk Day Custodian Night Custodians

2nd Grade 2nd Grade 2nd Grade 2nd Grade 2nd Grade 2nd Grade/FLAG 2nd Grade/FLAG

Nancy Chefalo Rita Kenny Ellyn Lee Suzanne Rosen Cordula Specht Ester Kim Jessie Shin

4th/5th Grade 5th Grade 5th Grade 5th Grade 5th Grade/FLAG 4th/5th Intervention

Ray Shelton Michael Hewitt Michelle Pimenta Melissa Cannon Kyle Hwang Ruwani Brohier

Psychologist Resource Specialist Speech Therapist

Dr. Tara Leufroy Michelle Hershman Rachel Smith

District Nurse Library Assistant

Mrs. Kimberly Swan Mrs. Naehi Wong Mrs. Talisen Winder Mrs. April Faieta

Julie Cicarelli Rodney Hairpetyan Hasmik Avakian

Special Ed Assistant Special Ed Assistant Special Ed Assistant EEELP Head Teacher

Nvard Zamanyan

Suzy Gharibian

Noon Aide Noon Aide Noon Aide Noon Aide Noon Aide Noon Aide Noon Aide Noon Aide Office Aide

Diana Aghakhani Rita Vartan Seda Matevosyan Markrit Tahmasian Eva Masoudi Arax Bedrosian Karine Bazikyan Zainab Alwan Edna Abnosian

Cafeteria Supervisor

Armineh Hacopians

Kimberly Swan Soyen Sohn Raul Martinez Matthew Meza Lucino Victoria

Teacher Specialist & Keppel Chorus

Jennifer Epstein

Orchestra (4-5) Dance/Drill Team Visual Arts K-2 Drama

Deneil Jurado Cris Neel Joan Zierhut Cathy Gilbert

Suzanna Theoharides

Zoya Grigoryan

Tia Brown

TRANSLATIONS: (818) 244-2113 Soyen Sohn – Korean ext. 1001 Jizel Kazanjian – Armenian ext. 1004

Glendale Unified School District Information The District Office is located at 223 N. Jackson St., Glendale, CA 91206. The telephone number is (818) 241-3111. Dr. Richard Sheehan is Superintendent of Schools. Members of the Glendale Board of Education are: President: Nayiri Nahabedian Vice President: Mary W. Boger Clerk: Greg Krikorian Members: Christine Walters & Dr. Armina Gharpetian

HEALTH SERVICES The school offers the following health services: *Basic First Aid - The school gives first aid for *Maturation Program – Grade 5 injuries occurring at school only. If care beyond *Parent notification-regarding communicable immediate first aid is required, the parent is disease control, problems related to physical called. defects, and referral to community resources *Teacher notification-regarding *Doctor-MUST sign administration of PAREN T-SCHstudents O O Lwith Thursday special health problems that affect learning medication - District form. *Height and M Weight/Vision & Hearing Screening *Parent notification-regardingFolder required CO M U N ICATIO NS - Grades K, 2, 5 immunizations and physical examination.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILD’S EMERGENCY CARD UP-TO-DATE!!!

ABOUT MEDICATION AND INJURIES If a child requires medication during school hours, a special form, available in the office, must be completed and signed by a doctor and by the parents before such medication can be given. Pupils requiring the use of crutches, casts, or any other appliance will need a note from the attending physician authorizing their use at school. The note should include the physical limitations as well as the length of time involved. This note MUST accompany the child on the first day of attendance using crutches or other appliances.

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Regular communication to parents is important so parents are kept informed about school activities. Notices, reminders, and other communications are distributed on Thursday and sent home in the Thursday Folder, which is to be returned to school the following day. This folder will be used all year. The replacement cost is $1.00.

FOOD SERVICES Breakfast Breakfast is served Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. This is a great way to ensure that students have eaten a full healthy meal before instruction begins.

Keppel Kable Our Keppel PTA publishes a periodic newsletter that goes home to all families and contains articles of special interest to parents and a calendar of events. It is also available on our website at: markkeppelelementary.org.

BREAKFAST! It’s the most important meal of the day! Served every day in the Keppel cafeteria: 7:30 - 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday

Parent Handbook/Calendar This Parent Handbook is produced and published by the Keppel PTA. It is provided free of charge to all families at Mark Keppel and is given to each child at Back-to-School Night. The Handbook contains important information, including the school calendar, school rules and discipline policy, administrative policies, a description of special programs and services offered to students and their families and a directory of school organizations and groups. Telephone numbers/email addresses are to be used for school-related business only and are not to be used for solicitations of any kind.

More Ways We Communicate….. There are many ways to keep you up-to-date. Please be sure you note our school website at markkeppelelementary.org, Sunday Night Phone Messages, FACEBOOK, Twitter, VAPA Voice (Magnet newsletter every trimester) and individual teacher classroom newsletters!

Breakfast: $1.25 per child Lunch also served daily: $2.00 per student Reduced price and free breakfasts and lunches available to qualifying students. Contact our school office for more information and an application form.

Snacks Snacks are optional but if your child gets hungry, you may send a small, nutritious snack in a plastic sandwich bag. Please make it small, as this snack will be eaten during recess. Snack suggestions include carrots, celery sticks, granola bars, fruit, and raisins. Do not send frozen water bottles. Condensation soaks schoolwork. Only water is allowed on the playground. Sports drinks or juice are only for lunch. Spills become sticky on the playground.

Pay for your child’s cafeteria lunches ahead of time online with a credit card at EZSchoolpay.com

*ALERT: Classes will not be interrupted in order to call children to the office to retrieve late lunches.

Lunch It is our policy that all children should eat lunch daily. Students may bring their lunch to school or purchase a lunch in the school cafeteria. It BUY A LUNCH is important to CARD Advanced payment your child’s of lunches (20 full price lunches for growth and $40.00). development to eat a nutritious lunch. Please do not include candy or soft drinks or caffeinated energy drinks in your student’s sack lunch. Chips and other fatty items should not be included either. The good eating habits your child develops now will remain with them for the rest of their lives. The cost of a full lunch including milk is $2.00. For students who bring a sack lunch, milk or juice may be purchased separately for $.50. Glendale Unified School District participates in the National School Lunch/Breakfast Program. Children from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible for free meals or reduced price meals at: $.25 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch. Advance lunch prepay can be made to the Cafeteria in the mornings. We encourage all students to have at least one week of paid lunches so that forgotten lunches are not a problem. The cafeteria will extend credit for 20 lunches to each student at Keppel, but the total must be repaid before the student can continue to receive a regular lunch. In the meantime, the student will receive an alternate lunch of a sandwich, fruit, and milk. Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-4 4

DAILY SCHEDULE plus Minimum Days & Holidays KINDERGARTEN

Start time

Dismissal

M – F /AM Kindergarten

8:00

12:30

M—F /PM Kindergarten

9:40

2:20

THURSDAYS-PM Kinder

9:40

1:30

MINIMUM DAYS

8:00

12:10

GRADES 1, 2 & 3

Start time 8:05

2:10

THURSDAYS

8:05

1:10

MINIMUM DAYS

8:05

12:15

Start time

Dismissal

M-F

8:05

2:30

THURSDAYS

8:05

1:30

MINIMUM DAYS

8:05

12:25

LUNCH SCHEDULES PM Kinder Grade 1 Grades 2 & 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Minimum Days

Sept. 2, 2013 Nov. 1, 2013 Nov. 8, 2013 Nov. 11, 2013 Nov 25- 29, 2013 Dec 20, 2013-Jan 6, 2014 Jan 20, 2014 Feb 10, 2014 Feb 17, 2014 Mar15-23, 2014 April 7, 2014 April 24, 2014 May 26, 2014

Labor Day Student Holiday – Staff Development Day Student Holiday – Report Card Preparation Day Veteran’s Day Thanksgiving Winter Recess Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday George Washington’s Birthday Spring Recess Student Holiday – Staff Development Day Armenian Genocide Day Memorial Day

Dismissal

M-F

GRADE 4 & 5

STUDENT HOLIDAYS

10:50-11:25 11:10-11:55 11:30-12:13 11:50-12:33 12:05-12:48 None

School Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday PHONE (818) 244-2113 FAX: (818) 507-6542

PARENTS: Please, DO NOT park in Keppel/Toll Staff Parking lot east of the kindergarten playground when picking up/dropping off children. This is not safe!!

Classroom Interruptions

Current Information! Our electronic school marquee, located on Glenwood Rd., provides important current information to parents and the community. Check it daily!!

In fairness to the students and their educational program, classroom interruptions are kept to a minimum. We ask that you plan ahead and assist students with the responsibility of bringing their own lunches to school. Lunches or lunch money brought in late by parents may be left in the office for students to pick up. Homework, library books, projects, musical instruments, etc., brought in by parents will be put in the teacher’s box to be picked up at recess time. Credit for late work is left to the teacher’s discretion.

Students (Grades 1-5) are not allowed on campus before 7:30 AM. Morning supervision does not begin until 7:30 AM. There is no supervision before 7:30 AM! Do not drop off your child on campus before 7:30 AM. This is not safe! There is no before school supervision for kindergarten. Call the EEELP Office at (818) 241-7562 if childcare is needed.

Students must be picked up at dismissal time! If students have not been picked up by the time the office closes for the day, Glendale Police Department will be contacted to pick up your child. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring your child’s safety before and after school hours.

MINIMUM DAYS August 21, 2013 – Back-To-School Night November 15, 2013 – Parent Conferences February 28, 2014 - Report Card Preparation May 8, 2014 - Open House May 29, 2014 - Last Day of School •

Dismissal for Kindergarten is 12:10 p.m.

•

Dismissal for Grades 1-3 is 12:15 p.m.

•

Dismissal for Grades 4 and 5 is 12:25 p.m.

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-5

SCHOOL COMPACT The Keppel School Site Council, in compliance with Glendale Unified School District policy, has developed a School Compact. It explains how everyone can work together to insure that our students are successful. It takes each of us – parents, teachers, and students – working together every single day to make this happen.

THE TEACHER PLEDGE:

THE PARENT PLEDGE:

I understand the importance of the school experience to every student and my role as a teacher and model. Therefore, I agree to carry out the following responsibilities:

I understand that my participation in my child’s education will help his/her achievement and attitude. Therefore, I will continue to carry out the following responsibilities:

•

Advance Keppel’s reading comprehension instructional focus

•

Integrate the arts into classroom activities; support all arts events

•

Support my child in developing reading comprehension

Teach state and district grade level content standards

•

Encourage my child to appreciate and learn about the arts

Strive to meet the individual needs of each child and provide feedback in a timely

•

Encourage my child to put forward his/her best effort every day

manner

•

Provide support and a quiet place and time for my child to read and do

• • •

homework

Communicate with parents regarding student progress, and school and classroom expectations

•

Review all school communications and return necessary paperwork

•

Provide a safe, positive, and healthful learning environment

•

ATTEND Parent’s Night, Conferences, Open House, Performances, and

•

Support the school’s/district’s homework, discipline, and attendance policies

•

other school events •

Encourage parent involvement

Make sure my child comes to school every day, on time, and ready to learn except if ill

THE STUDENT PLEDGE:

•

I realize that my education is important. I know I am the one responsible for my own success. Therefore, I agree to carry out the following responsibilities:

•

Limit time spent by my child on TV, computer, and video games

•

Support the school’s/district’s homework, discipline, and attendance

•

Read every day for learning and pleasure

•

Work to develop my artistic talents, to appreciate the arts, and attend my performances

•

Strive to do my best every day

•

Come to school every day, on time, and ready to learn

•

Return completed homework and my Thursday folder on time and in good

nutritious foods

policies •

Communicate with my child’s teacher when I have questions or concerns

•

Observe all traffic safety rules

Principal’s Expectations

condition •

Treat all other students and adults with kindness and respect

•

Be responsible for my own behavior

•

Ask for help when needed and offer to help others

•

Respect school rules, school property, and the property of others

•

Observe all traffic safety rules

Make sure that my child gets ample sleep and physical activity, and eats

   

Work Hard. Be yourself. Do the right thing. Do your best!

Testing Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics Assessments The reading/language arts and mathematics assessments are conducted in the classroom on an on-going basis in order to determine how well students are learning the concepts needed to meet grade level standards. These tests include, but are not limited to, the STAR Reading Inventory, CARS/STARS internal measure, and additional teacher-made tests.

District Testing/Benchmark Testing

CELDT

These assessments are used to determine whether students have met the standards for English Language Arts, Math and, as appropriate, English Language Development. These include the reading, writing, and math benchmarks; end of unit tests in Language Arts, and Everyday Math.

The California English Language Development Test (CELDT) is an annual test given to students who are English Language Learners. Students in K and 1st grade are assessed on their listening and speaking skills, while students in Grades 2-5 are assessed in listening and speaking, reading, and writing. The CELDT test is administered in early fall and results are available to parents several months later.

CST The California Standards Test (CST) has been adopted as the state mandated norm-referenced test for grades 2-5. Students take this test April 21 – May 2, 2014.

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School R ules

GE NE RAL S CH OOL RU LE S • Students will respect themselves and others. • Students will obey school authorities promptly. • Students will respect school and personal property. • Students will always act in a safe way and demonstrate kindness to others. • Students will refrain from the use of profanity or foul, racist, threatening or sexual remarks. • Students will walk in corridors/hallways and on the ramps. Students walking in hallways during class time will remain silent and respectful of classes in session. • Students will exhibit respectful behavior during assemblies, presentations, school lunches, and recess. • Students will enter and leave the Auditorium quietly and only when directed to do so by an adult.

Behavior Consequences

Violations of the school rules will result in the following actions: First Violation: Warning Second Violation: White Slip. Benched 1 recess. Third Violation: White slip. Benched 1 day. Additional violations and/or the severity of each violation will be dealt with on an individual basis. Students may be referred to the school administrators for severe or repeat violations. Individual classrooms have their own rewards and consequences.

Principal’s Schoolwide Rules Every year on the first day of school, the Principal and Assistant Principal go into every classroom to remind students of the 3 Keppel Schoolwide Rules:

• Keep your hands to yourself • Keep your feet to yourself • Only use kind words

• Students may not possess any dangerous objects or weapons, including look-alike replicas, toys or laser pointers. Possession of such objects is grounds for expulsion. • Students will choose carefully what is worn, what is said and done.

Before and After School

• Students will be in school on time every day.

• •

KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS must be quiet in front lawn area before and after school as students are in classrooms working above you!!! All Keppel students are expected to behave in a KIND and SAFE manner at all times.

Additional School Guidelines

DISCIPLINE POLICY

A primary purpose of education is to help students to develop self-discipline. The goal includes three vital elements: the ability of the students to exercise self-control, the ability to pursue acceptable forms of behavior, and the ability to make good decisions and choices. Furthermore, an atmosphere of reasonable, firm, and positive discipline develops acceptable behavior, concern for others, mutual respect, and assures the safety of all students and staff.

• • • •

All school rules continue to apply before and after school Students are not to engage in running, shouting, chasing, teasing, hitting, or throwing things. Students may not go into the building or classrooms without teacher permission and supervision. No balls or jump ropes on the grass or playground. Unless enrolled in one of the childcare programs, students may not play on the playground after school. The front grassy area IS NOT a playground after school! Balls, jumpropes, and running are not allowed!

During Lunch Good nutrition is necessary for your child’s health. Our Cafeteria prepares a balanced meal for breakfast and lunch daily. The following are the food area rules: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Food is allowed only in designated eating areas. No glass containers of any kind are allowed in school. If you wish to pack a lunch or snack, please do not include food high in sugar content, candy, or soda. Food is not to be traded, shared, or collected. Student will clean their lunch area after eating. The lunch shelter area is for sitting and/or eating only. Playing, running, handball, etc. is not allowed.

Playground Guidelines 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Always play safely and correctly. Do not play in the quiet zones. No chasing, playing tag, soccer, or wrestling. No gum, candy, sodas, or caffeinated energy drinks allowed. Respect all school property. Riding skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, or bicycles on the playground is prohibited at all times. No in-skate shoes are allowed. Games must be played in the designated areas. No playing/hanging out in the restrooms, in front of classrooms, or on ramps.

Use of Playground Equipment 1. 2. 3.

All equipment must be used safely and correctly. Only school equipment is allowed. Use slides, fireman poles, and bars one person at a time.

Bars and Dome 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Always keep one hand on bar No flips to jump off No hanging upside down No standing on top of bars No touching anyone who is hanging or playing on the bars 6. Always travel in one direction. 7. No pulling anyone off a bar. 8. If not on bars, stay outside the area. Do not travel on bars until the person ahead of you is at least half way across. 9. If there is a line, use the count to 100 rule 10. No more than 8 students on the dome at one time.

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DISCIPLINE POLICY Detention Students may be kept after school for no more than fifteen (15) minutes when they have been permitted to call home first to notify their parents. Individual teachers may assign detention. The principal may assign detention for excessive absences, tardies, and/or as disciplinary action for breaking school rules. If your child is not at the pick up gate due to a detention, the parent or guardian will need to park his/her car somewhere other than the traffic lane, and wait for release at the front lobby. Ed Code 44807.5 authorizes a classroom teacher to restrict for disciplinary purposes the time a pupil under his/her supervision is allowed for recess.

Suspension And Expulsion EDUCATION CODE SECTION 48900 - Reasons for Suspension (Effective January 1, 2003) 48900. A pupil may not be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion unless the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has committed an act as defined pursuant to one or more of subdivisions (a) to (p), inclusive: (1) Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person. (2) Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another, except in self-defense. (b) Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object, unless, in the case of possession of any object of this type, the pupil had obtained written permission to possess the item from a certificated school employee, which is concurred in by the principal or the designee of the principal. (c) Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of, any controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind. (d) Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind, and then either sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and represented the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant. (e) Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion. (f) Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property. (g) Stolen or attempted to steal school property or private property. (h) Possessed or used tobacco, or any products containing tobacco or nicotine products, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, miniature cigars, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew packets, and betel. However, this section does not prohibit use or possession by a pupil of his or her own prescription products. (i) Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity. (j) Unlawfully possessed or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in Section11014.5 of the Health and Safety Code. (k) Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors, teachers, administrators, school officials, or other school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties. (l) Knowingly received stolen school property or private property. (m) Possessed an imitation firearm. As used in this section, “imitation firearm” means a replica of a firearm that is so substantially similar in physical properties to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm. (n) Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault as defined in Section 261, 266c, 286, 288, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code or committed a sexual battery as defined in Section 243.4 of the Penal Code. (o) Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that pupil from being a witness or retaliating against that pupil for being a witness, or both.

(p) Unlawfully offered, arranged to sell, negotiated to sell, or sold the prescription drug Soma. (q) A pupil may not be suspended or expelled for any of the acts enumerated unless that act is related to school activity or school attendance occurring within a school under the jurisdiction of the superintendent or principal or occurring within any other school district. A pupil may be suspended or expelled for acts that are enumerated in this section and related to school activity or attendance that occur at any time, including, but not limited to, any of the following: (1) While on school grounds. (2) While going to or coming from school. (3) During the lunch period whether on or off the campus. (4) During, or while going to or coming from, a school sponsored activity. (r) A pupil who aids or abets, as defined in Section 31 of the Penal Code, the infliction or attempted infliction of physical injury to another person may suffer suspension, but not expulsion, pursuant to the provisions of this section, except that a pupil who has been adjudged by a juvenile court to have committed, as an aider and abettor, a crime of physical violence in which the victim suffered great bodily injury or serious bodily injury shall be subject to discipline pursuant to subdivision (a). (s) As used in this section, “school property” includes, but is not limited to, electronic files and databases. (t) A superintendent or principal may use their discretion to provide alternatives to suspension or expulsion, including, but not limited to, counseling and an anger management program, for a pupil subject to discipline under this section. (u) It is the intent of the Legislature that alternatives to suspensions or expulsion be imposed against any pupil who is truant, tardy, or otherwise absent from school activities. 48900.2. In addition to the reasons specified in Section 48900, a pupil may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has committed sexual harassment as defined in Section 212.5. For the purposes of this chapter, the conduct described in Section 212.5 must be considered by a reasonable person of the same gender as the victim to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to have a negative impact upon the individual’s academic performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. This section shall not apply to pupils enrolled in kindergarten and grades 1 to 3, inclusive. 48900.3. In addition to the reasons set forth in Sections 48900 and 48900.2, a pupil in any of grades 4 to 12, inclusive, may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of, hate violence, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 233. 48900.4. In addition to the grounds specified in Sections 48900 and 48900.2, a pupil enrolled in any of grades 4 to 12, inclusive, may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has intentionally engaged in harassment, threats, or intimidation, directed against school district personnel or pupils, that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to have the actual and reasonably expected effect of materially disrupting class work, creating substantial disorder, and invading the rights of either school personnel or pupils by creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment. 48900.7. (a) In addition to the reasons specified in Sections 48900, 48900.2, 48900.3, and 48900.4, a pupil may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has made terroristic threats against school officials or school property, or both. (b) For the purposes of this section, “terroristic threat” shall include any statement, whether written or oral, by a person who willfully threatens to commit a crime which will result in death, great bodily injury to another person, or property damage in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), with the specific intent that the statement is to be taken as a threat, even if there is no intent of actually carrying it out, which, on its face and under the circumstances in which it is made, is so unequivocal, unconditional, immediate, and specific as to convey to the person threatened, a gravity of purpose and an immediate prospect of execution of the threat, and thereby causes that person reasonably to be in sustained fear for his or her own safety or for his or her immediate family’s safety, or for the protection of school district property, or the personal property of the person threatened or his or her immediate family.

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-8

2 1

August 2013

Please note that school event dates are subject to change. Please check your Thursday folders, the school Marquee, and the Keppel Kable regularly for up-to-date information.

★ ★ ★ Fairness ★ ★ ★ MON

SUN

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

Painless Donations #1 and #2: • Round up your PTA membership dues to $10. The extra 5

4 Stepping Stones Presents: “Oliver” 11 Aug 2 – 4, 9 – 11, 16 – 18

dollars go straight to Mark Keppel PTA programs! 6 7 • Campaign for Excellence starts this month! All money raised supports our intervention teachers, which benefit all Keppel students and classrooms!

12 First Day of School

Hoover Aud. Don’t Miss it!

PTA Executive Board Meeting – 8:15 am MKS Board Meeting – 9:15 am

Dismissal on all Thursday Banking Days: AM Kinder: No change PM Kinder: 1:30pm Grades 1-3: 1:10pm Grades 4-5: 1:30pm

21 Minimum Day

Banking Day

MARK KEPPEL Back to School Night!

MKS Campaign for Excellence Begins! PTA Membership Drive Begins!

Banking Day Orchestra Recruiting Assemblies

District Board Meeting

Kindergarten Orientation 1:30 pm

Parents Only! K-3-6:00-7:00 pm 4-5-7:00-8:00 pm 5th grade meeting-8:00 pm

Toll Back-to-School Night 6pm

Banking Day

PTA Welcome Back Picnic & PTA Association Meeting 5:00-7:00 pm 31

Free Dress Day

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-9

September 2013

Please note that school event dates are subject to change. Please check your Thursday folders, the school Marquee, and the Keppel Kable regularly for up-to-date information.

★ ★ ★ Responsibility ★ ★ ★ SUN 1

MON 2 STUDENT HOLIDAY

TUE 3

WED 4

Labor Day 5th Grade Committee 6:30 library District Board Meeting

THU

FRI

5 Banking Day

McDonalds Dining Out Night 5:00-8:00

11 Patriot Day

SAT

6 Rosh Hashana

Rosh Hashana Dismissal on all Thursday Banking Days: AM Kinder: No change PM Kinder: 1:30pm Grades 1-3: 1:10pm Grades 4-5: 1:30pm

Banking Day

Yom Kippur

PTA Executive Board Meeting – 8:15 am MKS Board Meeting – 9:15 am School Site Council (SSC) 2:45 - Library

17 Constitution Day Schoolwide AssemblyFront Lawn 8:30-9:00 am

Hoover Back-to-School Night 6pm

Banking Day

Picture Day

Individual and Class Photos

District Board Meeting

22/29

23/30

26 Banking Day

Cougar Pride Assembly

9/30: PTA Reflections Contest Begins Theme: “Believe, Dream, Inspire”

8:30-9:30 am 1st Trimester Progress Reports Go Home

PTA Gift Wrap Fundraiser Assemblies Free Dress Day

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-10

October 2013 ★ ★ ★ Cooperation ★ ★ ★ SUN

MON

TUE

WED

1 Keppel displays artwork at the Board October 1October 19, 2012

8 PTA Executive Board Meeting – 8:15 am MKS Board Meeting – 9:15 am

FRI 4

SAT 5

Superintendent’s State of the Schools Breakfast at Edison School 7:00 am

5th Grade Committee 6:30pm Library

District Board Meeting 6

THU Banking Day

PTA Gift Wrap Fundraiser: September 27 – October 11

Please note that school event dates are subject to change. Please check your Thursday folders, the school Marquee, and the Keppel Kable regularly for up-to-date information.

9 International Walkto-School Day!

Banking Day

Painless Donation #3 Review your grocery club cards – Sign up for eScrip! Keppel receives money from your weekly grocery shopping trips!!

GREAT CALIFORNIA SHAKE OUT DRILL – 10:17 am

PTA Father/Daughter Luau 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Goodwill Donation Fundraiser 9:00-3:00

District Board Meeting 20

23 Picture Day Make-ups PTA/MKS/Drill Team Group Photos

------------------------------------ RED 27

28 Reflections Entries Due!

RIBBON WEEK 30

Wear Red Day

---------------------------------------- 31 Banking Day Happy Halloween! Be Safe! Don’t Litter!

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-11

November 2013

Please note that school event dates are subject to change. Please check your Thursday folders, the school Marquee, and the Keppel Kable regularly for up-to-date information.

★ ★ ★ Citizenship ★ ★ ★ SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI 1

SAT 2

STUDENT HOLIDAY Staff Development Day

Magnet Applications for 2014-15 school year go live

PTA and Healthy Start Food Drive, November 4-8 3

ELECTION DAY Remember to vote!

Banking Day

End of 1st Trimester

9 STUDENT HOLIDAY Report Card Preparation Day

5th Grade Committee am meeting District Board Meeting 10

11 STUDENT HOLIDAY Veteran’s Day

Banking Day

15 MINIMUM DAY!

Parent Conferences

PTA Executive Board Meeting – 8:15 am MKS Board Meeting – 9:15 am

District Board Meeting 24

1st Trimester Report Cards Go Home

21 Banking Day

Kinder Dismissal, 12:10

MKS Harvest Festival

1-3 Dismissal, 12:15 4-5 Dismissal, 12:25

2nd & 3rd Grade Performance 6pm Hoover 27

Free Dress Day 28

30 Happy Hanukkah

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-12

December 2013

Please note that school event dates are subject to change. Please check your Thursday folders, the school Marquee, and the Keppel Kable regularly for up-to-date information.

★ ★ ★ Compassion ★ ★ ★ SUN 1

MON 2

TUE 3 5th grade Committee

PTA Toy & Book Drive, December 2-6 8

WED 4

THU 5

FRI 7

Drill Team Montrose Christmas Parade 6:00 pm

Keppel/Toll/Hoover Choral Concert Sing-a-long 6:00 pm

Banking Day

SAT

PTA Executive Board Meeting – 8:15 am MKS Board Meeting – 9:15 am

Hoover PTA Tour of Homes 10:00 am-4:00 pm Free Dress Day

18 PTA/MKS Barnes and Noble Night & PTA Association Meeting

Painless Donation #4: • Do your holiday shopping at Barnes and Noble on December 18, and Mark Keppel receives a percentage back for every dollar spent! 22

District Board Meeting

Banking Day Cougar Pride Assembly 8:30-9:30am

Winter Recess Begins!

Orchestra Holiday Performance 26

Christmas Day 29

Winter Recess 12/20/13-1/6/14 Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-13

January 2014

Please note that school event dates are subject to change. Please check your Thursday folders, the school Marquee, and the Keppel Kable regularly for up-to-date information.

★ ★ ★ Respect ★ ★ ★ SUN

MON

TUE

WED

1 Happy New Year!!

THU

FRI

SAT

Winter Recess 12/20/13-1/6/14 5

Banking Day

School Resumes 5th Grade Committee 12

14 PTA Executive Board Meeting – 8:15 am MKS Board Meeting – 9:15 am

2nd Trimester Progress Reports Go Home

District Board Meeting

20 STUDENT HOLIDAY Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday

Banking Day

23 Banking Day

YELLOW RIBBON WEEK 26

30 Banking Day

Magnet Application deadline!

LUNAR NEW YEAR!!

Free Dress Day

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-15

February 2014

Please note that school event dates are subject to change. Please check your Thursday folders, the school Marquee, and the Keppel Kable regularly for up-to-date information.

★ ★ ★ Honesty ★ ★ ★ SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT 1

Painless Donation #6: • Don’t forget our annual Book Faire is February 25-27. All monies raised support the purchase of new books for our school library!!! 2

Banking Day

PTA SPRING FUNDRAISER THU

Did he see his shadow? 9

5th Grade Panoramic and Promotion Photo

5th Grade Committee

District Elementary Spelling Bee 7:00pm

District Board Meeting

11 STUDENT HOLIDAY Lincoln’s Day

Banking Day

PTA Executive Board Meeting – 8:15 am MKS Board Meeting – 9:15 am

Happy Valentine’s Day

School Site Council (SSC) 2:45 - Library

STUDENT HOLIDAY President’s Day

District Board Meeting

Banking Day Magnet Random Selection Day!!

Keppel PTA Founder’s Day & PTA Association Meeting 23

PTA Book Faire Week February 25 – February 27 Fenrary

27 Banking Day MKS Read-a-thon

Family Reading Night & Bookfaire 6-8pm

28 Minimum Day Kinder Dismissal, 12:10 1-3 Dismissal, 12:15 4-5 Dismissal, 12:25

End of 2nd Trimester! Free Dress Day

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-16

March 2014

Please note that school event dates are subject to change. Please check your Thursday folders, the school Marquee, and the Keppel Kable regularly for up-to-date information.

★ ★ ★ Trustworthiness ★ ★ ★ SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT 1

Painless Donation #5: • Don’t forget the SILENT AUCTION! This is our largest fundraiser of the year and all money raised comes right back to Keppel students.

CST Writing Test 4th Grade only!

Dr. Seuss’ Birthday

PTA Association Meeting-CST Testing 6:30-8 pm

6 Banking Day

MKS Silent Auction Supports Keppel Students

2nd Trimester Report Cards Go Home

5th Grade Committee 9

11 PTA Executive Board Meeting – 8:15 am MKS Board Meeting – 9:15 am District Board Meeting

Banking Day

KEPPEL ART DAY!

Cougar Pride Assembly 8:30-9:30 am

8:30-11:30 Art Classes and 1st Grade Performances

Spring Recess St. Patrick’s Day!

23/30

24/31

27 Banking Day

SPIRIT DAY!!!

1pm School Assembly Evening Show at 7pm Hoover Auditorium $5

Elementary Math Field Day

Free Dress Day Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-17

April 2014

Please note that school event dates are subject to change. Please check your Thursday folders, the school Marquee, and the Keppel Kable regularly for up-to-date information.

★ ★ ★ Loyalty ★ ★ ★ SUN

MON

TUE 1

Painless Donation #7:

• TEACHER TREATS on sale at morning recess March 31April 4. This fundraiser supports MKS and our intervention programs and arts instruction!!

WED 2

THU Banking Day

5th Grade Committee District Board Meeting

8 STUDENT HOLIDAY Staff Development Day

10 Banking Day

PTA Executive Board Meeting – 8:15 am MKS Board Meeting – 9:15 am

Orchestra Afternoon Assemblies at Toll

Rockin’ for the Arts Or Keppel’s Got Talent

16 Ash Wednesday

Banking Day

3rd Trimester Progress Reports Go Home

Toll Open House 7:00 pm

23 STAR TESTING

STAR TESTING BEGINS

28 STAR TESTING

Keppel/Toll/Hoover Drill Team Revue 7pm Hoover 25

STAR TESTING

STUDENT HOLIDAY

Secretary’s Day

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

Keppel our Secretaries!

11:00 am-4:00 pm

Orchestra Evening Performance

District Board Meeting

20 Easter Sunday

Hoover Cluster Block pARTy on Glenwood Road

Hoover Open House 7:00 pm

15 Passover

SAT 5 Celebrate the Arts!

5th Grade Colonial Day

Spring Photos

aPRIL fOOL’S dAY

FRI 4

Keppel/Toll/Hoover Drill Team Revue 7pm Hoover 26

STAR TESTING

Free Dress Day

30 STAR TESTING

STAR TESTING

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-18

Please note that school event dates are subject to change. Please check your Thursday folders, the school Marquee, and the Keppel Kable regularly for up-to-date information.

May 2013 SUN

MON

TUE

★ ★ ★ Courtesy ★ ★ ★ WED

Painless Donation #8:

THU 1 Banking Day STAR TESTING

FRI 2 STAR TESTING ENDS

SAT

• Staff Appreciation Week – May 12-16! “There is more hunger for love PTA Mother/Son Dinner 6:30-8:30 pm

and appreciation in this world than bread.” Mother Theresa Thank you for your support of our amazing Keppel staff!

Minimum Day

Cinco de Mayo!

District Board Meeting

Kdg. Dismissal,12:10 1-3 Dismissal, 12:15 4-5 Dismissal, 12:25 6:30-7:30 pm 3rd level parking National Teachers’ Appreciation Day

Little Mermaid 4th & 5th Grade Performance 21

Little Mermaid 4th & 5th Grade Performance 22 Banking Day

29 Banking Day

School Site Council (SSC) 2:45 - Library

Banking Day Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

PTA Executive Board In and Out Meeting MKS Board Meeting – 9:15 am

Staff Appreciation Week May 12 - 16

OPEN HOUSE!

5th Grade Committee

Hoover Prom 23

30 8:30 – 9:30 Cougar Pride Assembly

District Board Meeting

STUDENT HOLIDAY Memorial Day PTA Keppel Yearbook Distribution Day!

5th Grade Promotion 6:00 – 7:00 pm Hoover Auditorium Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook - 19

Please note that school event dates are subject to change. Please check your Thursday folders, the school Marquee, and listen to phone messages regularly for up-to-date information.

June 2014 1

SUN

MON

5th Grade Play Day

★ ★ ★ Self-Discipline ★ ★ ★

TUE Minimum Day

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

WED

Kinder Dismissal, 12:10 1-3 Dismissal, 12:15 4-5 Dismissal, 12:25 Report Cards Sent Home

Student Free Day, Teachers On Duty Record Keeping

THU

FRI

SAT

Have a Nice Summer!

Happy Father’s Day

Sunday, June 15

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook – 20

SUPPLY LISTS: 2013-2014 What follows is a list of recommended supplies. California law provides that school districts furnish necessary supplies. As with all recommended/optional supplies, there is no grade component connected to these items. Providing these items is voluntary. KINDERGARTEN 1 box of large Crayola markers 1 box of standard size Crayola crayons 1 package of Magic Rub erasers 1 box of Crayola colored pencils 1 pkg. Play-doh 1 pkg. glue sticks 1 bottle of white glue

FIRST GRADE 2 packages of # 2 pencils (Ticonderoga) 1 box of large Crayola markers 1 pair 5” Fiskar scissors 5 glue sticks 1 box of Crayola crayons (24 count) 1 pencil box 5” x 8” (plastic to hold supplies) 1 bottle of white glue 2 Pocket Homework Folders

SECOND GRADE 2 packages of # 2 pencils (Ticonderoga) 2 erasers 1 box Colored Pencils 1 pair 5” Fiskar scissors 1 package of Crayola twist up crayons 1 pencil box 5” x 8” (plastic to hold supplies) 5 Glue Sticks 1 box colored markers 1 two pocket homework folder

THIRD GRADE 2 boxes of #2 pencils (Ticonderoga) 1-2 dark Dry Erase Markers (Thick & Thin) Low odor and 1 dry erase eraser 2 Kleenex Tissue Boxes Zippered pencil pouch 2 reams copy paper gallon/quart Ziploc bags 2-3 glue sticks 2 red pens Crayola Twistable Colored pencils (18) Twist Up crayons 1 Spiral Notebook with pockets Hand and Table Wipes

1 pencil box White WIDE-RULED 3-ring notebook paper (put a supply in binder and keep extra at home) 2 boxes #2 pencils (Ticonderoga) NO MECHANICAL PENCILS!

FIFTH GRADE 1 box #2 pencils (Ticonderoga) 1 box of colored pencils @ 24 count 1 pair of Fiskar scissors- student size 1 12 inch ruler with centimeter – no holes 2 “Magic Rub” erasers 1 pencil sharpener with holder for shavings 3 composition notebooks for note taking 1 glue stick 1 package medium point ball point pens-blue or black 1 package highlighters for note taking–different colors 1 long pencil box Post-Its – different colors 1 folder 1 FLASH DRIVE 1 Scotch tape package 1 good compass 1 mini stapler with staples 1 protractor NO LARGE 3-RING BINDERS!

We appreciate ALL donations! Donations are not connected to student’s grades! Thank you for your support!!

REMEMBER TO LABEL YOUR CHILD’S PERSONAL BELONGINGS.

¬

Boxes of Kleenex Glue sticks/ TACKY White Glue Bottles Boxes of Crayons Boxes of #2 Pencils (Ticonderoga) Band-Aids Red pencils and red pens Water based markers Scotch tape Xerox Paper reams/cases Wide-ruled notebook paper – 3 hole punched Post-its (all sizes and colors) Highlighter pens – all colors Dry Erase Markers-Low Odor Baby Wipes Colored Pencils ZipLock bags-Snack, Sandwich, Quart, and Gallon Size st White Paper bags-Lunch size (1 grade only)

PLEASE DO NOT BRING... ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬

Folders or trapper keepers Mechanical Pencils Extra money Any items that can be used as weapons Toys of any kind Food other than a nutritious snack and/or lunch Candy Chewing Gum Trading Cards Valuable or precious personal belongings MP3s, iPods White-Out

LOST AND FOUND ARTICLES...

*** 4 /5 Blended Class will pass out supply list first day of school!

¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬

1 box of colored pencils – 12 or 24 pack sharpened 1 pencil sharpener with holder for shavings 2 Fiskar’s brand pointed scissors (student size) 1 box of Crayola crayons-16 or 24 count 2 “Magic Rub” erasers 6 glue sticks 3 dry erase markers (low odor) and 1 dry erase eraser 1 12-inch ruler with centimeters 6 Folders

¬ TH

REQUESTED ITEMS FOR DONATION TO THE CLASSROOM ARE:

FOURTH GRADE

¬ ¬ ¬

Will be collected from the playground and placed on the coat rack outside our school library. Please check it often! Please write your child’s name with a permanent marker on inside tags. It is the parent’s responsibility to sort through the clothing and find the articles that belong to their children. Every 3 months, the unclaimed lost and found articles will be donated to a non-profit organization.

OFFICE, LIBRARY AND COMPUTER LAB ALWAYS NEED... ¬ Reams of Xerox paper ¬ Boxes of Kleenex st nd ¬ Choral Music – 1 & 2 Grade need folder with brads and pockets to hold sheet music! rd th ¬ 3 -5 Grade Choral Music students need ½ inch 3-ring binder!

SPECIAL EVENTS AND DATES First Day of School-Monday, August 12th, 2013

On the first day of school, class lists (1st-5th) are posted in the courtyard indicating the class assignments. Students line up on the playground or inside the main building beside the bright orange sign for their classroom. In addition, PTA parents will be on campus to welcome families and give them the opportunity to meet the PTA Executive Board. Parents may escort their children to class for the first week of school only. After the first week, parents in grades 1-5 must remain outside the Virginia gate at drop-off and pick-up times.

Back-To-School-Night (Parents Only)

Wednesday, August 21st -Parents have the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher and to learn about the classroom program for the coming year. Presentations are: Grades K-3 from 6:00-7:00 pm; Grades 4-5 from 7:00-8:00 pm; and a 5th Grade Parent Meeting 8 pm in the cafeteria.

Picture Day All students and staff have individual and class pictures taken by a photography company in the fall. Pictures can be purchased in various packages. Order forms th will be in Thursday folders. Picture day is Wednesday, September 18 . rd Make-up picture day is Wednesday, October 23 . Individual Spring photo day is Wednesdat, April 2nd. 5th Grade Panoramic Class Photo and promotion photos will also be taken on Friday, February 7th! Students are not required to wear uniform colors on picture days; these are free dress days.

Reflections Reflections is an arts contest sponsored each year by the National PTA. Mark Keppel students in grades K-5 are challenged to create a work of art that supports the 2013-2014 Reflections program. Students may submit one or more entries in any of six art areas: literature, musical composition, dance/choreography, photography, film/video production and/or visual arts. This year’s theme is: “Believe, Dream, Inspire.” The Reflections contest is during the month of October. For more information, contact Cathy Gilbert, PTA Reflections Chair.

Keppel Harvest Festival MKS plans a wonderful celebration each year for the students, parents, and community members. This annual school carnival is a fun event for all and a fundraiser for special Keppel programs. Admission is free. Tickets for food and game booths and activities can be purchased at the event or during presale at a reduced price. Check your Thursday folder for details. Please join us on Saturday, November 16th for food and fun.

Red Ribbon Week This year’s Red Ribbon Week is October 22 through October 26. Red Ribbon Week is an annual event at schools throughout the United States. Coordinated by the PTA, Red Ribbon activities are intended to present a positive and visible commitment toward a safe and drug-free America.

Silent Auction At our annual Silent Auction you can bid on fabulous items donated by local businesses, teachers, and Keppel classrooms. Funds raised support programs and activities for Keppel students. This event is on Saturday, March 31st from 11am to 4pm.

Read Across America Week There are many special reading activities during this week. Our PTA Book Fair is the week of Feb. 24, 2014 in the school library. This is a great opportunity to purchase quality children’s literature. MKS sponsors an annual Read-a-Thon on Thursday, February 27th. This raises money for your child’s classroom. Family Reading Night is Thursday, February 27th and celebrates great literature.

Block pARTy –

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Families can come and celebrate the arts in a Keppel/Toll/Hoover event with food, games, and fun. This event celebrates the arts across our K-12 school community!

Open House This is a special evening for students to accompany their families on a visit to the classrooms. It gives the children an opportunity to explain what they have learned and to display examples of their schoolwork. Everyone is invited to attend on Thursday, May 8, 2014, from 6:30-7:30 pm.

Rockin’ for the Arts – ROCK ON!

Our 5th Annual Rockin’ for the Arts concert will be Friday, April 11, 2014. This MKS fundraiser for our Keppel Arts programs is produced with Burbank Music Academy. Any Keppel student may participate and receive complimentary band coaching in order to perform on stage the night of the show. Time: 5-8pm.

Spirit Day This is our annual culminating event for our Drill Team and dance/theatre programs. Classroom dance performances highlight what students have learned all year. This year’s Spirit Day is Friday, March 28, 2014. There is a 1:00 pm assembly for the entire student body and a 7:00 evening performance for families and friends in the Hoover auditorium. Tickets are $5 at the door. Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-22

RECURRING EVENTS

Field Trips Each classroom participates in a variety of field trips each year that supports the curriculum for their grade level. Parent, MKS and PTA donations, and school funds support these field trips. An admission donation may be requested for certain field trips. Parent signature on a school field trip permission form is required for all field trips.

Staff Development Days

in an office referral to school site administration. Cumulative consequences for white slips require certain actions: • For safety reasons, students who repeatedly have difficulty adhering to school and classroom rules may be ineligible for field trips, special assemblies, or other special activities and alternate assignments will be given. • Saturday School requires students to attend a morning session at a local elementary school for two hours. This consequence is in lieu of suspension and available to 4th -5th graders only. • A pupil shall not be detained in school for disciplinary or other reasons for more than one hour after the close of the maximum school day (C.A.C. Title 5, Section 353). Detentions of 10 minutes or more will occur with parent communication.

After School Supervision

To support ongoing communication between our school and family, Keppel principal, Mrs. Lise Sondergaard, will host periodic coffees in the school cafeteria for parents and family members. At these informal meetings, Mrs. Sondergaard will provide critical school information on various school related topics, as well as answer questions.

We have NO after school playground supervision. Your child must go directly home at the conclusion of the school day. If you are unable to pick up your children on time, please advise them (in detail) of alternate ways to deal with this sometimes frightening, reality. Tell them to go to the Office for help. If you have an emergency, please notify the Office so we can be on the lookout for your child. Unfortunately, if you call the Office after the dismissal time of your child, we do not have the means to get a message to a child who might be waiting for you outside. Prepare your student for such an event. AFTER 3:00 PM STUDENTS MAY USE THE OFFICE PHONE TO CALL HOME. S/HE WILL BE REQUIRED TO WAIT IN THE SCHOOL OFFICE. After school supervision is available for a fee. Parents in need of after school childcare can contact the EEELP office at 818-241-7562.

Keppel Art Day – Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Sexual Harassment

At the conclusion of each trimester, all Keppel students will spend one morning participating in elective art classes of their choice taught by professional artists, teachers, parents, or business partners. In the afternoon, 1st Grade will perform in an afternoon assembly for the whole school during the day.

The Board of Education prohibits sexual harassment of any student by any employee, student, or other person. Any student who engages in the sexual harassment may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension/expulsion. Students and staff are required immediately to report incidents or complaints of sexual harassment to the principal or appropriate designee.

In accordance with state guidelines, each school is allowed time for staff development purposes. These workshops are scheduled for August 8 and 9, November 1, and April 7. There is no school for students on these days.

Bagels & Beethoven with Mrs. Sondergaard

SAFETY AND SECURITY Campus Security and Safety Policy In order to provide a safe instructional environment, Mark Keppel School has a closed campus policy. This means that every person not enrolled in our school or not an employee of GUSD MUST check in and sign in and register in the Front Office before going to any part of the school grounds for any reason. Parents, volunteers, and other visitors, once registered, will be given a badge to wear that should be visible to everyone. Anyone without a badge will be directed immediately to the Office.

White Slips “White Slips” and “Office Referrals” are issued to students for various infractions. White slips are warnings or communications to the teacher and parent regarding the child’s behavior. The teacher may choose to issue detention or another consequence. An excessive amount of white slips in one week/month may result

Emergency Preparedness The goal of the Mark Keppel Emergency Preparedness Plan is the protection of students and employees should a major emergency situation occur in the area. The plan identifies members of the school’s emergency teams and outlines responsibilities. The Safety Plan is updated and revised annually. If you wish to serve on our school’s Safety Committee, please let administration know. In accordance with Glendale Unified School District’s policy for the release of students during an emergency, parents can expect the following procedures to occur at Mark Keppel School. (See safety procedures on the next page.)

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-23

Basic Action Following An Emergency Situation

These bags will be returned to you at the end of the school year. Please complete and return these emergency comfort kits to your child’s teacher no later than the first week in October.

When it is safe, teachers and students will evacuate the building and go directly to their classroom line-up area on the 3rd level playground. Teachers will take roll call and report the names of the missing or injured to the school emergency center. School emergency teams will report to their stations. District employees will remain with and supervise students until they are picked up.

School Safety We are deeply committed to maintaining a school that is safe and secure for your children. Considerable time, expertise, and funds have gone into strengthening safety and security measures on this campus and throughout the school district.

Emergency Evacuation In case of an emergency evacuation of Mark Keppel School, Glendale Police and/or Fire Department asked us to choose two to three areas where we would walk with the students, teachers, and staff. Depending on the nature of the emergency, we may be directed to evacuate to a place as close as Hoover High School or as far away as Jefferson Elementary School or Brand Park. Parents will be notified of the appropriate evacuation site by emergency phone call and release procedures at the site would be the same as the Student Release Procedures during an emergency situation.

Keeping our school safe is everyone’s responsibility. You are also an important part of our safety and security plan. You can help by: •

Emphasizing the importance of following school rules. A pupil may be suspended and

expelled from school if they possess, sell, or otherwise furnish any firearm, knife, explosive, laser pointer, or other dangerous object. Please remind your child not to bring toys or replicas that look like real guns or knives, or anything else that looks like, or could be mistaken for or used as a weapon. Possession of such objects is grounds for expulsion from school.

Student Release Procedures

•

Working to solve problems with your children if they are having difficulties in school.

1. 2.

the Glendale Schools is very low. Sometimes isolated instances involving possession of weapons

Teachers and other school professionals are available to assist you if needed. Criminal activity in

Students will remain at their classroom line-up area on playground. The parent or designated adult picking up student(s) must report to the lower Virginia Ave. gate on 3rd level where designated school personnel will oversee the student release process. Parents will be allowed to enter campus a group at a time. The staff member in charge will release a student to the parent or designee whose name appears on the blue emergency ID tag. The parent/designee must sign the back of the emergency ID tag and note the time the student is released to their custody and their destination. At the student release gate staff will verify that all check-out procedures have been followed.

Please make sure your child’s emergency card is current at all times. It is the District’s policy to release students only to those adults listed on the emergency card. Notify the school office immediately if there is a change in the home address or phone number.

Emergency Comfort Kits It is expected that each child has his/her own Emergency Comfort Kit brought from home. What to include:

or replicas happen in or near some of our schools. We do not tolerate these actions. Students who violate the law or District policies are subject to swift and decisive disciplinary action including expulsion from school by the Board of Education.

No one can guarantee absolute safety for your children in school, or in the community. But we want to reassure you once again that maintaining a safe campus is of utmost importance to everyone serving at this school.

Please make sure... that your child’s emergency card is kept current at all times. Notify the school office IMMEDIATELY if there is a change of address or phone number.

Please use a 1-gallon heavy-duty Zip-lock bag with your child’s name and teacher written on the outside. • Non-perishable granola bar • 2 pouches of emergency water (5-year shelf life) • Small package of handi-wipes • A family picture • Travel size sunscreen

• Emergency Mylar blanket • Small package of tissue • A personal note from you

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-24

SCHOOL POLICIES Absence from School School attendance is an essential part of a student’s educational record. Good attendance and punctuality are skills that your child will need throughout his/her lifetime in order to be successful in school and career. Regular & punctual attendance by all students is necessary for the proper functioning of the entire school. It is the responsibility of each student to make up class work missed during an excused absence. The principal or the principal’s designee reserves the right to determine if the absence is “excused” or “unexcused” in accordance with the policies of the school board. Work missed because of unexcused absence cannot be made up or assigned (E.C. 48200) (C.A.C. Titles 5, 300). Every time a child is absent from school, we must have a note or phone call from the parent stating the dates and exact illness (or reason for absence). Absences for reasons other than illness are discouraged. Children should understand that because of the State Law, the school day begins promptly at the established hour. THERE SHOULD BE NO UNNECESSARY TARDINESS OR ABSENCE. A strict tardy policy is enforced according to district policy. Absences and tardies are documented on your child’s report card. This is a legal document that remains in your child’s cumulative record. Parents may be referred to the district Student Attendance and Review Board (SARB) for chronic absences. We will send students who show signs of illness home. If a child should come to school with a cast and/or crutches, we must have a written statement of release from the doctor.

Tardiness Consistent, on-time attendance is a priority at Mark Keppel Visual and Performing Arts Magnet. Students who arrive late must sign in at the school office before entering the classroom. All tardies are recorded on the attendance register. If tardies become a serious disruption, the school will contact parents for additional intervention. School administration recognizes students with perfect attendance! Students with perfect attendance have zero absences and zero tardies during a given trimester.

Arrival Time/Dismissal Time Consistent, on-time attendance is a priority. No child is permitted on the school grounds without supervision. Supervision begins at 7:30 a.m. Children are not allowed on campus before this time. At dismissal time, please expect to meet your child on Virginia Ave. if you are driving or in front of the school if you are walking. There is no after school supervision (unless your child is enrolled in an after school program). Unattended students will be required to wait in the office until a parent comes. We need your cooperation in this matter. No student will be permitted to leave school without written permission from home and/or permission from the Principal. We want your child to be safe!!

Early Release of Students Students who need to leave school during the regular school day must be signed out and picked up in the school office. Students may only be released to the adults whose names are listed on the Emergency Student Information Card. The office will call the classroom for the student once this has been verified.

Keppel Cruisers We provide a walking fitness program at Keppel. Students may arrive at school at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and walk or jog on the track on the 3rd level playground. No playground equipment is allowed at this time. Students must walk or run in order to participate in this program. Music is played during this period. Classes that record the most mileage during a month earn an extra recess.

Traffic & Parking We want all parents to please keep in mind the safety of the students as you drop them off and pick them up. Students must use crosswalks and not cross in the middle of the street. Please use caution when driving in the vicinity of our school, avoid double-parking, and observe parking restrictions. In order to ensure the safety of all our students, a procedure for drop-off and pick-up of students is in effect. The curb lane on Virginia Ave., indicated by the bright orange/green traffic cones, is used for dropoff and pick-up of students. 1. 2.

Virginia Ave. is a NO WAITING/NO PARKING ZONE between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. During morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, parents drive next to the curb between the cones and let their children off quickly, then reenter the traffic flow. Students in Grades 1-5 will then enter through the Virginia gate. There will be adults who will supervise students getting out of the vehicles and entering the school, therefore, please do not hold up the lane by waiting for your child to walk all the way into the school.

After school, students may wait for their ride by the Virginia Ave. gate. If there are too many cars waiting and your child is not present, you may be asked to drive around the block. There is no parent parking on campus or up the driveway between Toll and Keppel. In the front of school on Glenwood Road, parking and/or stopping is not allowed for any reason. This is a red zone indicated by a red painted curb. Violators risk being cited by the Glendale Police Department. Traffic Patrol Parent volunteers are needed to assist with the drive through lane. For more information, contact the school office. Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-25

Banking of Instructional Minutes - “Banking Day” Additional instructional minutes are “banked” to create staff development opportunities on Thursday afternoons each week. Students leave school early on these days. Instructional minutes remain the same according to State mandates. During this hour, the staff is involved in planning grade level curriculum and receiving staff development to improve instruction.

Bicycles/Skateboards/Scooters/Rollerblades With parent permission, students may ride bicycles to school at their own risk. State law mandates that bike riders wear a bicycle helmet. We encourage parents to familiarize students with bicycle safety rules/laws and to plan with them the safest route to and from school to avoid potential hazards. Each bike must be secured with a lock to the rack located inside the Virginia Gate or near the cafeteria. Students are to walk their bikes on school grounds at all times. Children may not bring roller skates, skateboards, scooters or roller blades inside school, or ride them on campus at any time. In-skate shoes are not allowed!

Birthday and Classroom Parties It is Mark Keppel’s policy to honor birthdays in the following manner: Birthdays are a time for sharing and celebration. We suggest that parents donate their child’s favorite book to the school. It will become a part of the child’s classroom or the school library, whichever you decide. We feel that this furthers the child’s love for learning, allows your child to experience the act of giving and sharing, and avoids any allergic reactions or ill effects from ingesting high levels of sugar. If treats are sent to the class they are handed out at dismissal. Prior arrangements must be made with the teacher. It is preferred that treats be provided in individual portions sizes for easy distribution. Invitations to birthday or other outside school parties are not to be handed out at school unless all children in the class are invited. According to Glendale Unified School District Board Policy, each classroom may have up to 2 classroom parties during the school day per year. The time and the reason for the celebration is selected by each individual classroom. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions.

Classroom Interruptions In fairness to the children and to support the instructional program, classroom interruptions will be kept at a minimum. Please be sure your child has everything he/she needs before leaving home in the morning. Unless there is an emergency, the office will NOT relay a message to your child. Please plan ahead and let your child know where he/she is to go after school. Take time now with your child to go over alternate plans that you have made in case you do not show up on time. Also, if you have made plans for your child to go home with another adult, please discuss these details with your child.

If a conference is needed with a teacher, an appointment must be made. The Office will be glad to take a message for your child’s teacher to return your call to set up an appointment. The Office cannot make appointments for the teachers. “Drop-in” meetings are not allowed. Please do not come before or after school to meet with your child’s teacher without making an appointment first. Parents must check in at the office first and get a visitors’ pass.

Uniform Policy Keppel has a mandatory uniform policy. Students must be in uniform Monday through Friday. Please come to the office if you need assistance in obtaining school uniforms. White, navy, khaki, light blue, are Keppel uniform colors in any combination. The state of California allows for parents to opt not to conform to mandatory school dress by making an appointment with one of the 2 school administrators to discuss the nature of the objection and to sign a waiver. Waivers are valid for one school year only. It is important to note that a signed waiver does not exempt a student from district dress code policy. Students without waivers are expected to wear the Keppel uniform daily. On Free Dress days, students may express themselves within the accepted standards:

Dress Code ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF DRESS: It is appropriate to wear clothing that fits; NO oversized shirts, tops, pants, or jackets. 1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

Pants/shorts must fit at the student’s waist. Pants may not be wider than 9 inches at the knee. Pants may not be unhemmed, slit-legged or frayed trimmed. For grades 4 and 5, shorts, skirts, and dresses must be hemmed and no shorter than mid-thigh. No midriff length tops allowed. Blouses must not reveal bare midriff when arms are raised above the head. No spaghetti straps. Straps must be at least one inch wide in 4th and 5th grade. Low necklines, backless tops, or seethrough clothing are not allowed. NO logos with sexual, crude, profane, violent, drug, alcohol or tobacco references are allowed. Sports logos are not allowed. No open-toed/ backless or platform shoes. No in-skate shoes are allowed. All shoes worn on the playground must include ties or straps that are tied securely or buckled. All shoes must cover the foot. Flip-flops and other heel-less sandals are not allowed. Shoes should cover the toes and heel, preferably with rubber soles for safety. Make-up is not allowed at any time unless necessary for a school activity or performance with permission from the Office. Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-26

Jewelry and pierced earrings are allowed. Studs are more appropriate as loops and hanging earrings can create problems. During PE or other physical activities your child may be asked to remove any jewelry, hair decorations, or other articles for safety reasons.

In addition, make-up, jewelry, clothing, or extreme hairstyles/hair dye that are disruptive to the learning environment or might pose a safety hazard are not to be worn. Consequences may be but are not limited to: 1. 2. 3.

Parent may be called to bring student a change of clothing. Student may be sent home to change/offered alternate apparel Disciplined for continued defiance

To create a favorable climate for learning, all students are expected to be clean, neat in appearance, and dressed in presentable clothing. Clothing or general appearance should not create a distraction in the classroom or negatively affect the instructional program.

Homework

(A Keppel homework planner is provided free of charge to

all students in Grades 3-5)

Purpose: • Review material taught in class

• Promote responsibility

• Develop study skills

• Provide additional time to complete class work

Types of Homework: • Nightly Reading • Review material (worksheets, practice workbook, etc.) • Studying & re-reading for tests • Projects and research (upper grades) • Class assignments not completed in class • During extended vacations and weekends, homework may only be assigned on optional basis and will not count against student’s grade. Homework Time: • K-2: 10 to 30 minutes daily • Gr 3-5: 30 to 60 minutes daily It is recommended that students read for pleasure every night. Recommended reading time: • K-2: 10-20 minutes • Gr 3-5: 20-30 minutes ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES Teacher Responsibilities: • Communicate homework policy to parents and students at beginning of each school year.

•

Homework assignments will reinforce lessons, concepts taught in class. It should not be used to teach new concepts. • Provide clear instructions on how to complete the homework assignments. • Provide organizational tools for students to help them learn independent study habits. • Check homework assignments daily and provide meaningful feedback to students. • Teachers will provide ample time in class to complete class assignments. • Teachers will not give white slips as punishment for incomplete homework, but will provide time during the day to make up assignments. • Homework should be work that a teacher feels students can accomplish on his or her own. Parent/ Guardian Responsibilities: • • • •

Make learning and school a priority. Provide a quiet study area for student. Provide a specific homework folder to help child organize assignments. Provide encouragement, support, and take an active interest in being aware of child’s assignments. • Ensure child gets an adequate amount of sleep and eats breakfast. Student responsibilities: • • • •

Consistently turn in homework on time. Record assignments and understand directions given for the assignment before leaving school for the day. Organize and take home necessary materials to complete homework assignments. Complete homework with neatness and quality.

Missed Homework/Missed Class Work/Independent Study When a child must be taken out of school for unavoidable personal reasons, parents may ask for schoolwork for their child. We have developed an Independent Study Program which is a voluntary program enabling students, who will be out of school for a period of at least 5 days, to keep up with class work. In order to participate in an Independent Study Program the parent/guardian must give the school a minimum of two weeks advance notice. Approval of a parent request for an Independent Study Program is based on evidence that the student can work independently and an indication that the student will complete assigned work. The school is required to maintain records for each student participating in this program including copies of all completed and evaluated student work. The student, parent, teacher and principal must sign an agreement. Resource Specialist Program (RSP) students may not participate in the Independent Study Program unless his/her Individualized Education Program (IEP) specifically provides for participation.

Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-27

Report Cards Report Cards are given three times per year. The report card is based on progress toward the grade level standards. Progress reports are sent home six to seven weeks before the end of the grading period to notify parents if their child is not meeting grade level standards and may receive an unsatisfactory grade unless improvement is shown. A parent-teacher conference may be held any time to discuss a student’s progress.

Parent Conferences A parent may schedule a conference with the teacher at any time by calling the school and leaving a message for the teacher. Kindergarten teachers hold conferences with each parent at the end of the first trimester.

Personal Belongings Toys, play equipment, money (other than lunch money), sports cards, Pokemon cards, Game Boys, and other personal items are not to be brought to school. The school does not assume responsibility for damage to or loss of such possessions.

Rainy Day Procedure On rainy day mornings, students gather under the lunch shelter and are supervised by a school supervisor beginning at 7:30 a.m. During lunch, administrators and noon aides continuously supervise students. Throughout the rest of the day, students are given classroom-based recess breaks as usual and opportunities to use the restrooms.

Social Promotion/Retention The State of California now mandates that students be retained if they are performing at Below Basic level and are not making significant progress. The Glendale Unified School District is currently targeting students who are not meeting grade level standards in reading in grades 2, 3, 4 and 5, and in math in grades 4 and 5.

Telephones We discourage students from using the telephone during the school day except in the case of emergencies and with the teacher’s permission. Forgotten homework, musical instruments, lunches or lunch money do not constitute emergencies. Cell phones are allowed on campus, however must be turned off and must remain in the students’ backpacks at all times. Visible cell phones/ringing phones may be confiscated at the discretion of site administration or designee. Repeated confiscations of cell phones may result in disciplinary consequences and/or return of the cell phone at the end of the year.

Telephone Messages Teachers have access to a telephone before and after school only. If you need to speak with your child’s teacher, please call and leave a message or send a note

with your child asking the teacher to call you. Please leave both home and work phone numbers and a time that may be convenient for the teacher to reach you. Students will not be called from class to talk to a parent on the telephone unless it is an extreme emergency and then only at the discretion of an administrator. (Classes will not be interrupted during instruction for phone messages.) If you need to leave a message for your child, please try to do so before lunchtime. Be aware that phone messages left after 12:30 p.m. may not be delivered before the end of the school day.

Textbooks Textbooks are provided for all students. It is the responsibility of the student to see that all books are treated with care. Textbooks that are lost or damaged must be replaced at the student’s expense.

Visitors All visitors and volunteers are required to check in at the school office when arriving on campus during instructional hours, 8:05 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A visitor’s pass must be clearly displayed and worn at all times while on campus. Parents/ guests may make an appointment with the teacher and the principal to visit a classroom for up to 20 minutes. Generally, a staff person accompanies visitors while making an observation/visitation.

Volunteers All parents are welcome to become volunteers at Keppel. There are a variety of ways in which parents can assist the school. Volunteers are asked to check in at the office when arriving on campus. They will be given a visitor’s pass that is to be clearly displayed while on campus. A current Tuberculosis test result must be on file at the school before a volunteer may begin working with students. The following are ways that parents can help at Keppel: • Copy Center: Parents are needed Monday-Friday to help with photocopying and laminating. • Parents may volunteer in classrooms by reading with students, tutoring students in math, preparing materials for teachers in advance, or helping in Computer Lab. • Helping in the library. • Various School and District Committees: Parent representatives are elected to be members of various standing committees that meet monthly, trimesterly, or a few times a year depending on the committee. • Parents are always needed for Keppel Traffic Patrol (assist in the traffic lane in the morning from 7:45-8:10), Keppel Cruisers (assist with morning fitness program supervision. 7:25-8:05), Playground Partners (assist with lunch recess from 11:30-12:30). • Mark Keppel Elementary encourages volunteers to be an active part in the school. Volunteers help in classrooms, the library, computer lab and work directly with children. Please contact Jizel Kazangian, Administrative Secretary, at the school office (818-244-2113) for more information. Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-28

School Site Council (SSC)

The Keppel School Site Council is composed of ten or more voting members: the principal, five parents elected by parents, and five school staff members elected by school staff. The School Site Council meets almost every other month. Its purpose is to help develop, recommend and implement the school plan and monitor the school categorical budgets. All meetings of the School Site Council are open, and interested parents are encouraged to attend. Meeting dates and times are posted in front of school 72 hours before the meeting takes place and are printed in the handbook calendar on previous pages. Other related parent groups are the Mark Keppel Dual Immersion Committee, English Learner Advisory Council, District English Learner Advisory Council, and District Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Advisory Committee. For more information contact: Jennifer Epstein, Teacher Specialist, at 818-244-2113.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS & SERVICES Chorus Chorus for students in grades 3-5 is directed and supervised by our choral director. Practices are held once a week.

Technology/Computer Lab Every classroom is equipped with at least one computer that has Internet access and may be used for whole group instruction in the classroom. Classrooms with more than one computer also use them for individual learning reinforcement. A computer lab, consisting of 40 iMacs, is available for use by classrooms. Technology instruction is integrated with the math, history/social science, science, and language arts curricula. Mark Keppel has TV/DVD units installed in every classroom. There is cable and Internet access throughout the school. An LCD player is available for Power Point presentations and projects. SMARTBOARDS are in many classrooms.

Conflict Resolution The conflict resolution curriculum is taught by teachers in grades K-5 to enable students to better handle everyday conflicts. This helps students to work to solve conflicts on the playground independently.

Child Care Programs (EEELP, RAP) 818-241-7562 Early Education Extended Learning Program (EEELP) There are opportunities for individual and group experiences such as organized lessons, supervised homework, outdoor active play, indoor educational games and activities, cooking, special trips and events. Nutritional snacks are provided. This program is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. throughout the year.

Recreational Afterschool Program (RAP) RAP provides supervised activities such as arts, crafts, table games, video movies, physical activities, organized games, homework assistance and includes an antisubstance abuse and building self-esteem program. Nutritional snacks are provided. RAP is available after school until 5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday when school is in session. Fees need to be discussed at the EEELP office.

English Language Development Programs An ELD (English Language Development) program is offered to students with limited English proficiency. Teachers use a variety of instructional strategies to ensure that students learn English as quickly as possible while continuing to acquire information in content areas. Students are integrated with fluent English students within their classroom throughout the day while being given instructional opportunities to meet their individual needs. If you have any questions about the ELD Program, please contact Jennifer Epstein at 818-244-2113.

G.A.T.E. (Gifted and Talented Education) G.A.T.E. is an enrichment program offered to students in grades 4-5 who have scored in the high end of the advanced proficient range on the California Standards Test (CST) and on the OLSAT. The Keppel G.A.T.E. program includes differentiated instruction within the regular classroom, as well as after school enrichment instruction opportunities.

Instrumental Music An optional instrumental music program is available for students in grades 4-5. The teacher instructs students on Thursdays during the regular school day. The District and our school foundation (MKS) have a limited number of instruments that may be rented; students may also rent from local music stores. There is a yearend performance. A district honors orchestra for top orchestra students from across our school district is selected by audition.

Insurance A low-cost optional student insurance policy is available for all students. Parents are encouraged to study the application when it is sent home at the beginning of the school year. The cost of this program is minimal. Accidents and injuries that occur at school are the responsibility of the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parent/guardian.

Library Each class at Keppel School is given an opportunity to visit the school library regularly. Grade 1-5 students may check out one book, provided they have returned the book from the previous week. Lost or damaged library books must be replaced at the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expense. Parent volunteers are always needed to assist in the library. If you would like to help in the library, please contact Suzy Gharibian at 818-244-2113. Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-29

Lost And Found

Fifth Grade Activities:

The lost and found area is located just outside the school library. Please mark children’s clothing and other articles with the name of the student so they may promptly be returned. Unclaimed items are donated to local charities every 2 months.

Students must maintain good behavior to participate in the following activities. Fifth grade teachers use the “Yellow Slip” Point System to establish and monitor standards for behavior.

Physical Education A credentialed physical education teacher provides a sequential, balanced program for 120 minutes per week for all students in grades 4-5. In kindergarten through third grade, the classroom teacher is responsible for the physical education program, averaging 20 minutes per day, throughout the school year. A specific curriculum has been developed, and all teachers have been trained in its implementation. Physical education equipment includes: hula hoops, cones, Frisbees, jump ropes, balls in various sizes, volleyball nets, tennis rackets, hockey sticks, pucks, and softball equipment. As with all outdoor activities, physical education classes are curtailed and moved indoors based upon inclement weather or unhealthy air alerts from air quality control authorities. In K-3, our Physical Education teacher works with students one hour each week, and primary teachers also teach P.E to their individual classrooms weekly.

School Psychologist A school psychologist is assigned to Keppel three days per week (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays) to perform testing and evaluation of students referred by the Student Success Team.

Title I: The federal government provides us with funds that allow us to provide additional services to the parents and students at Mark Keppel. This money is intended to provide resources to students who need extra support to meet state standards. Decisions about how this money is to be used are made by school staff and the School Site Council based on Federal Guidelines. This money may be used for funding intervention teachers, afterschool intervention programs, parent education, a Teacher Specialist and clerk, and instructional and intervention supplies for the classrooms.

School Based Coordinated Programs (SBCP): The State of California, through the blending of G.A.T.E. and School Improvement monies, provides funds for many of our extra services and programs. This may include a Teacher Specialist, intervention teachers, technology and software, books and instructional supplies and materials, and staff development, among other necessary items to enhance instruction. Parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, and students participate in an on-going assessment evaluation, and improvement of instructional programs that serve all students. The School Site Council is the governing body. Please let school administration know if you would like to serve on School Site Council!

Colonial Day-April 4, 2014 This is a special culminating event for 5th graders’ year-long study of early American history. Students wear period costumes. Special crafts and outdoor games are planned. Lunch consisting of historically accurate food is provided. Promotion Ceremony- May 30, 2014 Fifth grade students promoting to sixth grade may participate in the promotion ceremony on Friday, May 30, 2014 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Hoover. Play Day-June 2, 2014 Fifth grade students have the privilege to participate in Play Day. The students go to a special park for a full day of sports, water activities, and a special picnic lunch. *A fifth grade committee plans and fundraises all year to provide funds and support for these special 5th grade activities. If you are interested in joining this committee, please contact the school office or your child’s fifth grade teacher.

Special Education Students identified as having special education needs may be served in a variety of ways. Placement is contingent upon the results of extensive testing, evaluation, assessment, and observation by specially trained personnel, followed by an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting with the parents. Resource Specialist Program The Resource Specialist Program is designed for those students who have a specific learning disability that may be affecting their achievement in one or more academic areas and which may require special interventions for less than 50% of the school day. Special Day Class (SDC) The Special Day Class is designed for those students whose learning disability affects their overall academic achievement and requires special intervention for more than 50% of the school day. Keppel no longer offers a Special Day Class. If a student qualifies for this program, arrangements will be made for him/her to attend another school in GUSD that does offer this class. The Speech and Language Program The Speech and Language Program is designed for those students who demonstrate a significant delay or disorder in one or more of the following areas: articulation, language, voice, and fluency. Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Handbook-30

Student Council

Visual & Performing Arts Magnet

Mark Keppel is proud of its Student Council, which consists of one representative from each classroom in 4th-5th grade. Student Council meetings are held monthly and provide an opportunity for students to be responsible, promote school spirit and work toward the improvement of the school.

In October 2010, Mark Keppel was awarded a federal grant to transform our school into a Visual and Performing Arts Magnet!

Substance Abuse Prevention Programs The Glendale Unified School District uses the Too Good For Drugs and the Second Step Programs in K-5. These are designed to give strategies to cope in situations like disagreements on the playground and to provide lessons on such topics as responsibility, honesty, courage, and respect.

Keppel Plan for Student Achievement 2013-14 Keppel School Plan 2013-14 is a strategic plan aligned with the Glendale Unified School District 2013-14 Plan. A planning team composed of teachers, staff, parents, and principal reviews the school mission and develops a plan for each curricular area each year. School data is collected and analyzed to determine successes and areas of concern. Strategies are designed to address school improvement and growth in student achievement. The School Site Council (SSC) is responsible for ensuring that this plan is developed and implemented.

Korean Dual Immersion Programs Mark Keppel continues its Korean Dual Immersion Program. Instruction is 50% in the Korean and 50% in English. The goals of the immersion program are for the students to become:

1. Bilingual 2. Biliterate, and 3. Bicultural Why have fluency in more than one language?

Along with a rigorous academic program, Keppel offers dance, theatre, music, and visual art experiences to all students both as independent subjects and woven into core content. Integration of the arts provides students with opportunities to excel and thrive as creative, flexible thinkers ready to meet the demands of the 21st century. The goal of Mark Keppel Visual & Performing Arts Magnet is to engage all students in Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA) standards-based instruction using research-based strategies, quality lesson design, and differentiated explicit instruction using multiple learning modalities and new media tools. For more information regarding Keppelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Visual & Performing Arts program as well as Keppelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new enrollment procedures, please contact our Site Magnet Specialist, Talisen Winder: 818-244-2113, twinder@gusd.net.

1. Higher Student Academic Achievement 2. More Employment Opportunities in a Global Economy for Students 3. Broader Cultural Understanding Among Students Please contact our FLAG Korean Specialist, Naehi Wong, for additional information: 818-244-2113, nwong@gusd.net.

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The Mark Keppel Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA): The Mission of PTA: •

To support and speak on behalf of children and youth in schools, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children;

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To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children;

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To encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.

The Purposes of PTA: • To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship. • To raise the standards of home life. • To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth. • To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth. • To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Mark Keppel has a wonderful, active PTA. PTA is a great organization that supports all of the children at Keppel by providing assemblies, fundraisers, and classroom/ school support. Even if you cannot attend the meetings, we hope that you will support this wonderful organization!

Please join the PTA! PTA Board Meetings: Second Tuesday of the month at 8:15 a.m. PTA Association Meetings: If held: Fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria.

PTA The PTA at Keppel is active in many ways. PTA members volunteer in the library, classroom, and as room representatives and tutors. The PTA also sponsors assemblies, fundraisers, and the book fair. The PTA finances shade, art classes, and donates funds for school needs. For more information contact: Virginia Porter, PTA President at vporterpta@outlook.com

PTA Executive Board for 2013-2014

PTA Officers:

President Executive Vice President First Vice President- Programs Second Vice President-Parent Involvement Third Vice President- Fundraising Fourth Vice President-Communications Fifth Vice President-Safety Recording Secretary Correspondence Secretary Treasurer Financial Assistant Auditor Historian Parliamentarian Red Ribbon Chair Reflection Chair Hospitality Year Book Editors Membership Legislative Liaison th 5 Grade Chairperson

Virginia Porter Colleen Reynolds Maria Reyes Talisen Winder Ali Valle Colleen Reynolds Naira Ayrapetian Melissa Thombs Komal Tolani Shana Igoe Teni Khosrovian Jenny McLeod

Melineh Zakarian April Faieta Mimi Malave Laura Kim Pam Wyroski

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Make Keppel Special (MKS) Foundation MKS (Make Keppel Special) Foundation is a non-profit community group formed by the parents and community members at Keppel to spearhead major fundraising efforts for the school. The Foundation has done many exciting things in the past few years. Our biggest endeavor has been to support arts instruction and intervention teachers during the school day for all students K-5. Recently, MKS has conducted some joint projects with the PTA: purchasing new playground equipment, new books for the library, and more Accelerated Reader tests. We are always looking for opportunities to enhance the education of the students at Keppel. To raise money, fundraisers include the Back-to-School Night “Campaign for Excellence” direct donation drive, Harvest Festival in October, Silent Auction, Rockin’ for the Arts, and the eScrip program. The fundraising efforts of Make Keppel Special (MKS) have allowed us to provide your children with incredible music and arts programs in the past. Thanks to our arts magnet grant, our arts programs have been fully funded for the past 3 years allowing MKS to support other programs. That funding is now going away and MKS will again take up the task of keeping our arts programs intact and strong. However, MKS would like to continue to support the other needed programs at our school. Due to the drastic budget cuts in California over the past several years, the State of California now ranks 50th out of 50 states in per pupil spending and has cut much needed funding. Though lower than many districts, our teacher-to-student ratios are at 24-1 in K, 26-1 in 1-3rd grade, and 36-1 in Grades 4 and 5. These high class sizes across the district make it crucial now more than ever to raise funds to support Intervention teachers in all classrooms at Keppel. Intervention teachers are credentialed teachers who help reduce class size by working with small groups of students in each class in specific and targeted groups directly to meet the individual needs of students. These intervention teachers ensure that your child gets more individualized attention from credentialed teachers in reading, writing and mathematics. MKS raises money to support as many intervention teachers as we can afford to support every grade level and every classroom. The goal is to raise $40,000 dollars each year. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:15 a.m. All interested parents are encouraged and invited to attend. Chairperson for 2013-2014 is Eileen Dube: leener129@aol.com. Information about MKS Foundation related events can be found both in fliers distributed in the Thursday folder as well as on Keppel’s website and Facebook page.

will raise

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EARTHQUAKE / DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN Please make sure... Please make sure that your child’s emergency card is kept current at all times; it is the District’s policy to release students only to those adults listed on the emergency card or the Keppel blue Emergency Identification Tag. Please notify the school office IMMEDIATELY if there is a change of address or phone. number.

Mark Keppel has its own Disaster Preparedness Plan which students and staff practice on a monthly basis. The goal of the Mark Keppel School Emergency Disaster Plan is for the protection of students and employees should a major disaster occur in the area. The plan outlines the responsibilities of members of the school’s disaster teams and is updated and revised annually by the school’s Safety and Disaster Committees. In accordance with Glendale Unified School District policy for the release of students during an emergency, parents can expect the following procedures to occur:

Action Following A Disaster (Earthquake) • When it is safe, teachers and students will evacuate the building and go directly to their classroom line-up area on the playground. • Teachers will take roll call and report the names of the missing or injured to the school emergency command post. • District employees will remain with and supervise students until they are picked up.

Student Release Procedures • If safe, students will remain seated at their classroom line-up area on Keppel’s 3rd level playground. • Parents will go to the Virginia Ave. gate on 3rd level to request student release. Parents will then go to the Parking Lot gate between Toll and Keppel and wait for the student to arrive. • The Keppel staff member at the request gate will complete the student request card. • Student runner will go to classroom teacher/student supervisor with the request card. • Teacher will verify the release information and initial the request card. • The student will take the request card to the release gate. • A Keppel staff member will collect the blue emergency card. • Parents will sign their students off campus on the Student Release Sheet.

In the event of an emergency: Student Request: Virginia Gate Student Release: Parking Lot Gate

In the event of an emergency, parents are to follow these procedures: • Tune in to radio station KRLA (AM 870) for emergency information. • DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL OFFICE. • Follow Student Release Procedures. Do not come onto campus to try to take your child without following check-out procedures! • Be assured that school personnel will remain with your child until someone comes for him/her, or s/he is released according to our Release Policy. • Students will be evacuated to the 3rd level playground and will be released (signed out) to parents or an authorized adult one at a time in an orderly manner to ensure that an accurate accounting of students can be maintained. • Secondary Release (to be utilized if necessary and directed by City Fire and/or Police Department personnel): Brand Park

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Glendale Unified School District Dr. Richard Sheehan is Superintendent of Schools Members of the Glendale Board of Education are: President: Nayiri Nahabedian Vice President: Mary W. Boger Clerk: Greg Krikorian Members: Christine Walters & Dr. Armina Gharpetian

Board of Education Priorities 2013-2014 Overview For many years, this Board, as part of establishing its yearly priorities, has affirmed its commitment to the essential priorities of improving student achievement and maintaining a safe learning environment. The Board recognizes that improving student achievement is a comprehensive K-12 effort, which encompasses all student groups and subject areas, and that maintaining a safe, orderly learning environment is critical to student success. 1. 2. 3. 4.

Ensure learning environments that are safe and support student success through high quality, research based instructional practices, consistent with models of effective teaching, California teaching standards and the Common Core State Standards. Use Board adopted budgetary principles to maintain District fiscal integrity and stability of instruction and programs. Continue the Measure S sequence planning and plan for the future issuance of bonds. Continue implementation of the GUSD 2015 Strategic Plan.

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