Policies and Procedures
Information

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 may be required for an extended illness.

• If your child will need 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 may require a doctor's statement.  If the child needs to sit out during PE, then he will also be expected to sit out during recess.

• Make-up work for absences might 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, an absence without a note submitted to the teacher, or an absence for reasons other than the ones listed above.

ALL ABSENCES

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 and outside lanes.  The 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 required 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 every Thursday immediately following announcements.

• 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.

• Students will not be charged for their first replacement badge (lost or damaged).  Charges for any subsequent badges will $2.

• Names on badges must be the official name listed on the student's records.

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
Student Breakfast:    $.80
Student Lunch:         $1.55
Reduced Breakfast:  $.30
Reduced Lunch:       $.40
Milk                           $.30

Parent/Visitor Breakfast:  $1.50
Parent/Visitor Lunch:        $2.50

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 may be requested.

• 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 should learn 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

Townley Discipline Process

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 point and where their child will be allowed to be dismissed.

FLAGS AND GRASS

Respect for our flags will be expected when they are raised or lowered.  Students, teachers, and parents should stand silently during this time.  In addition, we request that students, teachers, and parents respect our landscaping by only walking on the sidewalks.

FOOD
The following guidelines for food at school have been mandated by the state.  You must observe these  guidelines.
Elementary Nutrition Guidelines
Policy Clarifications
Texas Public School Nutrition Policy

School Events: Students may be given FMNV, 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 have been named "allowed food exception days for Townley 2005-2006":

• December 16 (Winter Break party)

• February 14 (Valentine party)

• May 19 (Field Day...26th if it rains on the 19th)

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 and library/lab research projects.

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 balcony to recover lost items.   Unclaimed property will be turned over to an agency that needs such items.

LUNCH

Parents may eat lunch with their child.  Remember that seating is limited.  Please try to arrange visits on days that you can eat outside at the patio area with your student.  Check with your child's teacher concerning class lunch guidelines.  Some teachers may allow you to eat lunch with only your student.
 

OFFICE HOURS

7:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
 

PARTIES

• Students will have two parties per year at school.  One is at Christmas and the other is on Valentine's Day.  The room mother for your child's class will contact you about the arrangements.

• Students may not have birthday parties at school.  You will need to check with the teacher before bringing any birthday food treats for your child's class. 

• 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.

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.  All students will be included anytime that the entire school is taped (for example:  school motivational TAKS videos).

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 at least 10-15 minutes before the bell. 

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

• We are extremely concerned with your child's safety.  We are preparing the building for school in the morning and have many commitments after school, which makes it difficult to monitor your child during the times before and after school.  In case of emergency, please notify the office that you will be late picking up your child.  If possible, have someone else on your child's approved list pick him or her up.

REPORT CARDS

Report cards are given to students on the Friday following the end of the six weeks period.  The report card should be signed by a parent or guardian and returned the next day.  Please expect these cards and take time to talk with your child about his or her progress.  If you have questions about the report, please contact your child's teacher to arrange for a conference.

SCHOOL CLOSING

Please click on the weather link at the bottom of this page 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

7:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

The school's doors will open at 7:00 a.m.  Students who are eating breakfast may enter the cafeteria.  If the students are not eating breakfast, they must go to the gymnasium.  When the bell rings at 7:30 a.m., students will be dismissed to go to their classrooms.  Student should be ready to start school at 7:45 a.m.  The school's dismissal bell will ring at 2:45 p.m.

SCHOOL INFORMATION AND REQUESTS

Notes concerning school activities, rules, schedules, and other information will be sent home frequently.  Please check your child's materials daily for this information.  If requests are made, please make an effort to respond promptly.

SCHOOL RULES

Cafeteria, After-School and Hallway rules

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 at the top of the page 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 classroom by 7:45 a.m.

• From 7:45-8:00, students should report to their classroom when arriving late.  The teacher will document the tardy. Parents should not come to the classroom with the student unless they have signed in and received permission at the office.  After 8:00 a.m., students should report to the office.

• After the fourth tardy, a student will be assigned after-school detention.

• Tardy Slip Warning

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.  Contact will be made after students have been dismissed.

TELEPHONE

The school telephones are for business calls only.  Necessary plans for transportation should be made with children before they leave home in the morning.  On occasion, plans and arrangements do change during the day.  Please let the office know about any changes so we will know the correct directions to give your child at the end of the day.

VISITATION

• Parents are encouraged to visit school and actively participate in the education of their children.  Teachers will not be available for conferences during these visits.  Parents should schedule conferences at another mutually acceptable time.

• For the protection of the students, all non-students are to report to the office upon entering the building.  At that time, all guests will sign-in and put on a visitor's name sticker.  This sticker must be worn at all times while in the building.  When leaving the building, guests should return to the front office and sign out.

• Parents are encouraged to allow their child to develop the responsibility of entering the school, going to their class, and taking care of their backpack items on their own.  Kindergarten students will be given a couple of weeks to develop this skill. 

• Parents are encouraged to not conference with teachers during the time students are coming in to the classroom.  A conference time should be scheduled if needed.

• If parents must talk to a teacher before school, the parent will need to stop by the office and sign in and receive a visitor's badge.

• Please be cooperative with any school personnel when you are asked to return to the office to obtain a badge.