ABSENCES

Steps to follow for absences:

• A parent or guardian should call the school on the first day the student misses.

• When the student returns, a note should be sent to the teacher stating the reason for the absence and the date of the absence.

• A doctor's statement will be required for an extended illness.

• If your child needs to sit out during recess or PE, you must send a signed note stating the reason for being excused.  Frequent or extended absences from recess and PE will require a doctor's statement.  If the child needs to sit out during PE, then the physical activity will also be limited at recess.

• Make-up work for absences may be required by the teacher.  Sufficient notice should be given to the teacher for a request to pick up missed school work due to absences.

Excused absences:
An excused absence is one in which the student was absent with the parent's permission and for reasons of emergency, illness, doctor's appointment, or school related activities.  The student must bring a note explaining his absence when returning.

Unexcused absences:
An unexcused absence is one in which the student was absent without the parent's permission or an absence without a note submitted to the teacher.

All absences will be dealt with according to Irving ISD's truancy policy.  Any student who is absent, excused or unexcused, for more than 18 days is subject to retention.
 

ADDRESSES

Parents must notify the school of any change of address.  Proof of residence will be required.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

Parents should only park in designated areas.  Parking in the front drive is only allowed in the inside lane.  The outside and middle lane should remain open so that cars can move through the drive.    Students should use crosswalks.  Parents should not instruct students to walk across lanes of traffic in unauthorized areas.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance and punctuality are expected of every student.  Students are required by law to attend school until their eighteenth birthday.  Students who have good attendance generally achieve higher grades, enjoy school, and are much more employable after leaving high school.  Irving ISD expects all students to attend school regularly and to be on time for classes in order to gain maximum benefit from the instructional program and develop habits of punctuality, responsibility, and self-discipline.  A student must be in attendance for at least 90 percent of the days that school is in session in order to receive credit.  Students are expected to be in school except in cases of emergency, illness, or with prior approval by the principal.

BADGES

All students and staff members will be expected to wear identification badges.  These will be worn from school-provided clips.  Badges must be removed daily before students are dismissed.  If your child comes home with his badge, please be sure that it is returned the next day.  This badge will be used in the cafeteria and library and for identification in the hallways.  Badges will be issued at the beginning of school at no cost (or when the student enrolls after that time).  If a student loses or damages the first badge, he must follow the guidelines below:

• Replacement or new badges will be made daily.

• For a badge picture, students will be expected to dress by uniform guidelines.  If the student does not have a uniform, a shirt will be provided for the picture.

• The first replacement badge (lost or damaged) is free.  Any future replacements will be $2.

BICYCLE SAFETY

Students can ride bicycles to school. The school will not accept responsibility for the safety of the bicycles.  Locks are recommended and should be used throughout the school day.  Students may not ride their bicycles on school property.  They will be expected to walk their bicycle until they are off campus.

CAFETERIA
Stipes participates in the Universal Breakfast program, under which all students eat breakfast for free.  Students report to the cafeteria and go through the lines where they receive their breakfast at no charge, regardless of their meal status (i.e. free, reduced-price, or paid). 

Student Lunch:         $1.60
Reduced Lunch:       $ .40
Milk                           $.30

Parent/Visitor Breakfast:  $1.75
Parent/Visitor Lunch:        $2.75

Lunch menus will be sent home at the end of each month for the following month.  Students may bring lunches from home.  Parents should provide appropriate utensils for those lunches.  Food should be sent in containers that your student can open.  Students may not bring carbonated drinks (cokes, etc.).

CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES

• If a student leaves during the school day, parents must enter the office and sign the student out.  The student will be called to leave by office personnel.

• Do not go directly to the classroom or remove your child from the playground, cafeteria, PE, etc.

• Identification will be required.

• Students will not be dismissed to anyone that is not on the parent's approved list of those allowed to pickup their child (enrollment card).

• An attempt should be made to schedule dental and medical appointments after school hours.  If this is not possible, they should be made at times that would least affect the student's class participation.

• Students should not be removed early from class frequently.

DISCIPLINE

Students will learn self-discipline and responsible behavior.  Parents, teachers, and students should share the responsibility of this goal.  Discipline promotes good conduct and consideration of others.  Discipline is maintained by recognizing and praising good behavior and taking corrective action when necessary.

District Student Code of Conduct~English

District Student Code of Conduct~Spanish

DISMISSAL PROCESS

In the interest of students' safety, our guidelines are as follows:

• Curbside pick up: Parents must remain in the car at curbside, students must use car doors that are next to the curb, and students must cross at the crosswalk to get to the outer curb.

• Middle lane:  Passing lane only, no parking or retrieving students from this lane.  Students must load the car curbside.

• Parking:  Parents may park in the front parking lot or along the street.

• Student Dismissal:  Kinder students will be dismissed at the beginning of the driveway to give these parents more curbside space.  Kinder parents should wait from the crosswalk back to the entrance of the driveway to pick up curbside.  All other students will be dismissed at the middle of the driveway, beyond the crosswalk.  Anyone may park and retrieve students by using the crosswalk.  Older students will be allowed to pick up younger siblings to bring them to your spot.

• Rainy Day Dismissal:  Kinder and first grade students will be seated inside the building in the front hallway and teachers will help retrieve the students as you arrive curbside or you may venture to the porch to pick up your child.

EMERGENCY DRILLS

The safety of your child is one of our greatest concerns.  The school holds regular fire and severe weather drills to teach students to respond calmly and correctly in the event of an emergency.  Detailed escape plans are posted inside the door of each classroom.  Each class has an escape route to an outside area that is a safe distance from the building.  Students should never be removed from a drill or an actual emergency occurrence.  Parents will be notified at what time and where their child will be allowed to be dismissed.

FOOD
The following guidelines for food at school have been mandated by the state.  You must observe these  guidelines.

Policy Clarifications
Texas Public School Nutrition Policy
Why Are There Food Limitations at School?

School Events: Students may be given FMNV (foods of minimal nutritional value), candy items or other restricted foods during the school day for up to three different events each school year to be determined by campus. The exempted events must be approved by a school official. During these events, FMNV may not be given during meal times in the areas where school meals are being served or consumed, and regular meal service (breakfast and lunch) must continue to be available to all students in accordance with federal regulations.

The following dates for "allowed food exception days" are determined by the campus.

• Winter Celebration, December

• Friendship Celebration, February

• Spring Celebration...Field Day, May

GRADES
 Parents may access their student's grades and attendance through ParentConnection.  Click for more information.

HOMEWORK

Our school's education philosophy is to teach required curriculum.  Many times skills will need to be reinforced with additional practice at home.  Homework will be an extension of class work.  Students must assume responsibility for their class work just as they will assume job responsibility in the future.  Parents should assist students in acquiring this responsibility.  Suggestions for homework success are:

• Positive attitude toward the activity, teacher, school and education

• Interest in the child's school work

• Good study conditions (quiet, good lighting, ample supplies, time)

• Monitoring your child's study habits

• Patience as you encourage your child

INTERNET USE

Permission for supervised access to the internet will be obtained at the beginning of each school year.  Please remember if permission is not granted for your student, they will be unable to participate in class technology projects, library/lab research projects, and classroom internet activities.

LOST AND FOUND

Clothing and personal belongings that are brought to school should be labeled with the child's name.  Found articles are turned in to the office.  Students and parents may check in the office to recover lost items.   Unclaimed property will be turned over to an agency that needs such items.

LUNCH

Lunch visitors are limited so that we can monitor our hallways more effectively.  Visitors of kindergarten, second and fourth grade students may eat lunch with them on Tuesdays.  Visitors of first , third and fifth grade students may eat lunch with them on Fridays.  You should sign in at the office when you arrive.  No more than two visitors per child will be allowed due to limited cafeteria seating.    You may sit at a round visitor table with your child only or at your child's table with their friends. Share food with your child only due to allergies of other children.  Please go directly to and from the cafeteria.
 

• Contact the nurse with information about severe allergies, asthma or other health concerns regarding your child.
• Please review Irving ISD's policy concerning dispensing medication.

OFFICE HOURS

7:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
 

PARTIES

• Students will have two parties per year at school.  One is the Winter Celebration in December and the other is the Friendship Celebration in February.  The room mother for your child's class will contact you about the arrangements.

• Students may not have birthday parties at school.  Check with the teacher if you would like to bring birthday treats for your child's class.  If parents want to bring birthday treats, they should bring cookies.

• Students may only bring birthday invitations if the entire class is invited.  We do not want to hurt any child by excluding them from parties or other social events.

• Addresses and phone numbers of classmates are considered private information and cannot be provided for invitations.

PHONE NUMBERS

Parents must always keep the school informed as to changes in home, work, or emergency contact phone numbers in the event your child becomes ill or is injured at school and requires your presence.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

PE classes are required for all students.  If your child is ill, you should submit a written note to the PE teachers to let them know of any difficulties your child might have and when he might be able to participate again.  Students will be expected to attend PE, but will be allowed to sit out if a note is presented.  If they sit out during PE, physical activity will be limited during recess.

PICTURES

Permission to include student pictures in school related activities (school web page, TV bulletin board, yearbook, etc.) will be obtained at the beginning of each year.  Please remember that if permission is not granted for your student, they will not be included in any of the above mentioned school activities. 

PUNCTUALITY

• Parents will be expected to be punctual for student arrival and dismissal. 

• Students should have all materials ready to go when the bell rings at 7:45 a.m.  This means that students will need to arrive 10-15 minutes before the bell.  The students may go to their classroom when the 7:30 a.m. bell rings each morning.

• Parents should pick up students at 2:45 p.m. every day.  Excessive dismissal tardiness will be referred to the principal. 

• If you have an emergency in the afternoon and are unable to pick up your child, please contact the office so that we can ensure your child's safety.

REPORT CARDS

The report card should be signed by a parent or guardian and returned the next day.  Please take the time to visit with your child about their progress and learning goals. If you have questions about the report, please contact your child's teacher to arrange for a conference.  You may open the Stipes' calendar to view the dates report cards will be sent home.

SCHOOL CLOSING

Click on the IISD weather link for any district announcements concerning the closing of school.  Announcements will also be made to radio and television stations.  Please use these means to obtain information before calling the school.
 

SCHOOL HOURS

Doors open at 7:15 a.m.  All students will enter through the front doors.  If your child is eating breakfast, then he/she will be directed to the cafeteria.  Children who are not eating breakfast at school will be directed to the gym.  At the 7:30 a.m. bell, students will be released to go to their classrooms.  Students should be ready to begin class at 7:45 a.m.   Teachers will be expected to have their class prepared for morning announcements at 7:45 a.m.  School will dismiss at 2:45 p.m.

SCHOOL INFORMATION

Notes concerning school activities, rules, schedules, and other information will be sent home frequently.  Please check your child's materials daily for this information.

SECURITY GUIDELINES
In light of events that have occurred at school sites across the nation, we take a proactive approach to keeping our students safe.  To be more vigilant about security at Stipes, we limit access to our hallways.  This heightened safety measure changes some of our processes in the following manner:

Morning Arrival to School:  Students should be dropped off at the front door of the building.  Staff members are there to greet them and walk them to class, if needed.  We do not allow anyone to enter our building in the morning.  This keeps our building free from potential intruders.
Dismissal:   Parents should wait outside of the building for their student to be dismissed.
Volunteers:  Parent Volunteer day will occur on Friday mornings from 8:00-11:00.  Volunteers must have a background check on file with the school.  Volunteers will be limited to our work rooms.
Field Trips and Holiday Parties:  Participation will require a background check to be on file;  directions will be distributed by the teacher the week before the event.
Parent Conferences:  Parents will need to sign in at the office and the teacher will pick you up from the office area.
Student Check-Out during the day:   Parents or emergency contacts that are listed on the student enrollment card may check a student out from the school.  You will need to show picture identification in order for us to release the student.

It is a heavy burden of responsibility to ensure safety for all of our students and we take it seriously.  Thank you for your attention to these matters.

SNACKS

Many teachers allow students to bring snacks from home.  Your child's teacher will notify you of the guidelines.  Please make sure that these are healthy snacks.  Students may not bring candy, drinks, or snacks requiring refrigeration.

STUDENT CONTACT DURING THE DAY

If you need to give your child a message, medication, homework, lunch money, library book, supplies, etc., you must go to the office.  Office personnel will see that your child receives any of those items in a timely manner.  Parents should not go directly to the classroom.

SUPPLIES

Parents must assist students in having the necessary tools to facilitate learning.  Click on the Supplies link on the Web Page Menu for what each grade level requests.  When a teacher requests that your student bring replacements or additional supplies, please do that promptly so that your student may stay prepared.

TARDINESS

• A student is tardy when he is not in the building by 7:45 a.m.

• After the 7:45 a.m. bell, children will need to check in at the office.

• Excessive tardies will be referred to the principal.
   

TEACHER CONTACT

Phone contact with your child's teacher may be initiated by calling the office.  Messages will be taken and forwarded to teachers during the day.

TEACHER/PARENT CONFERENCES

Conferences should be scheduled during the teacher conference period or after school.  Please contact the teacher for scheduling.

VISITATION

All guests must sign-in at the office and get a visitor badge to wear while on campus.  Guests are limited to the area that they are visiting (cafeteria if eating lunch with a student or workroom for volunteers).  When leaving the building, guests should return to the office and sign-out.